Samoa Primary

Our Story Samoa Primary School is a private primary institution founded in 2008 in Vailele, Apia, by three experienced educators: Pa’u Fa’ana Iosefa Iakopo, Anne Leauga, and Sue Sua. Operating on a 5-acre campus in Maugafiafia, the school delivers quality education from Preparatory (ages 3-5) through Year 8, blending Samoan cultural values with academic excellence. Guided by the philosophy “Finau E Saili” and a vision of deep thinking and wisdom, it is one of the few schools in Samoa to offer a full Preparatory stream within a comprehensive primary program. The school is fully recognized under the Ministry of Education, Samoa and has participated in the Inclusive Education Programme since 2011. Programs & Trainings Preparatory Program (Prep 1 & 2), Early childhood education for children under 4 (Prep 1) and ages 4-5 (Prep 2); Samoan-medium immersion, play-based learning with dedicated sandpit, outdoor play area, and Samoan fale; flexible hours from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Primary Years 1-4 Program, Core curriculum authorized by the Samoa Ministry of Education taught entirely in Samoan; English introduced as a daily subject in Year 4, emphasizing literacy, numeracy, and cultural foundation. Primary Years 5-6 Program, Gradual bilingual transition with increasing English instruction across core subjects while maintaining Samoan language and cultural studies. Primary Years 7-8 Program, English-medium instruction preparing students for secondary education; advanced academic workload with daily reading, mathematics, and examinations. Inclusive Education Program, Ongoing since 2011; students with special needs such as autism learn basic concepts within mainstream classrooms alongside a Teacher Aide. Computer Studies & Digital Literacy, Weekly sessions for all students from Preparatory Two to Year 8 in “Tevi’s Learning Centre,” a 30-station computer laboratory built by Digicel and opened in July 2020, featuring multimedia instruction tools. Music Program, Weekly specialist-taught classes covering recorder, ukulele, guitar, piano, and choral singing; performance opportunities at assemblies, concerts, and whole-school musical productions such as “Joseph and his Technicolored Coat.” Sports & Athletics Program, Physical education held two to three times weekly plus indoor movement; annual athletics in Term 3; inter-school tournaments in netball, rugby touch, soccer, and tennis; international sports clinics including cricket, Aussie rules, rugby league, softball, tennis, basketball, tee ball, judo, badminton, and hockey. Arts & Crafts Program, Consolidated weekly art activities integrated across all subjects; participation in local and regional art competitions. Drama & Movement Program, Integrated performing arts including class plays, poetry recitals, and whole-school staged productions; Samoan cultural dance and song, plus world-culture performance studies. Environmental Education & Gardening, Award-winning beautification and sustainability projects including raised garden beds, keyhole gardens, composting, and recycling; hands-on student involvement in planting and grounds care. LEO Club (Leadership, Experience, Opportunity), Year 8 community service and leadership program involving environmental clean-ups, tree planting, vegetable gardening, and fundraising for local causes; meets monthly with coordinators. School Camp Program (Tolauapiga), Experiential outdoor education camps designed for upper-year students to build teamwork, resilience, and practical life skills. Library & Literacy Program, Structured reading scheme with leveled borrowing boxes, town library visits, and daily home-reading protocols tailored by year group. Excursions & Field Trips, Curriculum-linked off-site learning experiences to reinforce classroom studies. Afternoon Tuition & Homework Support, After-school academic assistance and homework help for Years 4-8, arranged in consultation with parents. Specialties Bilingual Samoan-English primary education with structured language transition Early childhood education and school readiness (ages 3-5) Inclusive education for students with diverse learning needs Pacific curriculum integrated with New Zealand, Australian, and U.S. primary standards Music, performing arts, and cultural heritage preservation Comprehensive sports development and international coaching clinics Environmental sustainability and student-led gardening Student leadership and community engagement (LEO Club) Methods & Approach The school employs an immersive bilingual pedagogy: Samoan is the sole medium of instruction in the early years, with a carefully scaffolded transition to English through Years 5-8. Teaching integrates academic rigor with creative arts, physical education, and technology, using hands-on projects, school gardens, computer lab sessions, and performance-based assessments. Special needs students are supported through an inclusive in-class model with dedicated aide assistance. Community service and leadership are cultivated through practical projects, while continuous internal assessment replaces national exams to provide a nuanced picture of each learner’s progress. Who It's For Children aged 3 to early teens seeking a holistic primary education rooted in Samoan language and culture; families wanting a gradual English-language transition leading to secondary-school readiness; students with special needs requiring inclusive classroom support; parents prioritizing balanced development across academics, sports, music, and arts; Year 8 students interested in leadership and community service; and families in Apia and surrounding areas looking for a private campus with early-childhood through upper-primary continuity. Facilities & Practical Info The 5-acre Vailele campus features multiple playground sets, a sports field (malae ta’alo), a Samoan fale, a school hall (fale tele), a store (faleoloa), classrooms, a library (Room 7), and “Tevi’s Learning Centre” computer laboratory. Instruction is delivered on-campus in Samoan (Prep, Year 4), bilingual (Years 5-6), and English (Years 7-8). The school operates a 4-term calendar (10-week terms) with professional development days each term. A bus and van service is available for student transport. The canteen serves healthy meals including local dishes and filtered water. Newsletters are distributed via print, class chat groups, the school website, and Facebook. Location Address: 47R8+HPC, Vailele, Apia, Samoa (P.O. Box 3885) Hours: School day Monday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; office and bus supervision until 2:00 p.m. The "+" One of the few Samoan schools offering a continuous Preparatory-to-Year-8 pathway with a clear bilingual immersion model Award-winning environmental campus including BSP Beautification Competition First Place and active student gardening programs Dedicated Digicel-built computer laboratory providing weekly digital literacy instruction from age 4 Inclusive Education Programme since 2011 with specialized in-class support for autistic and special-needs learners Extensive international sports clinic calendar (judo, hockey, cricket, badminton, etc.) supplementing a robust PE program LEO Club cultivating leadership, experience, and community opportunity for graduating Year 8 students