Teacher Toni Phillips Tanzania-bound

A fascination for Africa and its wildlife has led to Wellsford school teacher Toni Phillips and her partner Blake Worsfold taking up teaching positions in Tanzania.

Toni has resigned her job at Wellsford School, where’s she’s been teaching a bilingual class of seven-10 year olds. She and Blake start jobs next month at a new International School, situated close to the Victoria Falls and the Serengeti National Park. Accompanying them will be their daughter Anahera, 2, who’ll attend day care at the school. The family will be away for two years and Toni is excited at the prospect of widening both her teaching experience and knowledge of Africa.

“We’re sorry to be leaving behind friends and family but I’ve always wanted to visit Africa,” she says. “It’s a brand new school and will present just the sort of opportunities to benefit our careers. Plus, we’ll be experiencing a different culture, and meeting students and staff from all over the world.”

Toni is in her second year at Wellsford School. Principal Dave Bradley is sorry to be losing a promising young staff member.

“I give her heaps about how we’ve mentored her, guided her and now she’s really useful she’s leaving us, but she knows I’m joking,” he says. “We hope she’ll be back.”

Returning to Wellsford is certainly an option Toni will consider if the opportunity arises.

“Kaiwaka will always be home,” she says. “Anahera’s the first grandchild on both sides, and my family’s at Maungaturoto and Blake’s from Kaiwaka, so there’s plenty to come back for.”

Annette Meyer will replace Toni for the remainder of the year.

Toni Phillips