New staff at St Albans Secondary College

Rita Seumanutafa

Malo soifua, Kia ora, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Bula ma Aloha!

My name is Rita Seumanutafa and I am your newest Student Well-being and Family Engagement Officer, working with the Pasefika students of St Albans Secondary College. I come from the villages of Vaimoso, Sapapalii, Sasina and Falealupo in Samoa, and was born and bred in Otara, South Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand). Since migrating to Melbourne 15 years ago, I have been involved with the Melbourne Pasefika community and volunteer my time to run programs and groups that serve our people here. 

I am the choral director of Pasefika Vitoria Choir, The Melbourne Samoan Choir and also my church choir - EFKS Northcote choir, Samoan Congregational Christian Church.  I spend most of my time working with these choirs and also with my Pasefika organisation - PICAA INC. (Pacific Island Creative Arts Australia Incorporated), as well as mentoring Pasefika young creative artists as an artist facilitator hired by Multicultural Arts Victoria. I am also finishing off my PhD in Ethnomusicology at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne.  

I am at St Albans Secondary School on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and look forward to meeting you all during my time here.  Faafetai lava ma ia manuia (Thank you and be blessed).