The management team
The Principal and Curriculum Head form the daily management of the school, supported by a team of experienced teachers. Education Queensland International (EQI) provides the Curriculum and the annual Quality Assurance processes.
Principal
2009 - to date Mrs. Michelle Kalwij
Curriculum Head
2015 - to date Mrs. Freida Ghabiliha
Directors
Mr. Joeri Kalwij
Mrs. Michelle Kalwij
The Board
Mr. Ross Clark - Director PacificPlus Consulting
Mr. Mark Baker - Managing Director ANZ PNG
Mrs. Lorraine Merimba - Parent Representative
Mr. Joeri Kalwij - General Manager New Guinea Highlands Coffee Exports Ltd. & Director AISPNG
Mrs. Alexandra Harrington - Manager Events Team, at Abt Management Services in PNG
Principal
2009 - to date Mrs. Michelle Kalwij
Curriculum Head
2015 - to date Mrs. Freida Ghabiliha
Directors
Mr. Joeri Kalwij
Mrs. Michelle Kalwij
The Board
Mr. Ross Clark - Director PacificPlus Consulting
Mr. Mark Baker - Managing Director ANZ PNG
Mrs. Lorraine Merimba - Parent Representative
Mr. Joeri Kalwij - General Manager New Guinea Highlands Coffee Exports Ltd. & Director AISPNG
Mrs. Alexandra Harrington - Manager Events Team, at Abt Management Services in PNG
Principal
Michelle Melachon - Kalwij
Michelle has been involved in education for over 20 years. She has a Masters’ Degree in Education from Deakin University in Melbourne, specialized in International Education and Leadership.
Her career started in Goroka, in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, where she taught for seven years at the Goroka Preparatory School before she became principal of the same school in 2008. She has taught all year levels. In recent years she has been a part of the review team for Education Queensland International and in that capacity participated in the review of several state schools in Queensland, Australia.
Michelle committed herself further to the school in 2016 when she became a Director. In this year the school changed its name to The Australian International School PNG to emphasize the school's education system and its formal accreditation to deliver the Australian Curriculum.
Michelle brings to the school a wealth of experience and an incredible drive to continue the development of the school’s high-quality international standards.
Michelle has been involved in education for over 20 years. She has a Masters’ Degree in Education from Deakin University in Melbourne, specialized in International Education and Leadership.
Her career started in Goroka, in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, where she taught for seven years at the Goroka Preparatory School before she became principal of the same school in 2008. She has taught all year levels. In recent years she has been a part of the review team for Education Queensland International and in that capacity participated in the review of several state schools in Queensland, Australia.
Michelle committed herself further to the school in 2016 when she became a Director. In this year the school changed its name to The Australian International School PNG to emphasize the school's education system and its formal accreditation to deliver the Australian Curriculum.
Michelle brings to the school a wealth of experience and an incredible drive to continue the development of the school’s high-quality international standards.
Curriculum Head
Frieda Ghabiliha
Curriculum head and Deputy Principal
Frieda has been involved in education for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Goroka, Eastern Highlands, PNG.
Her career started in Goroka where she taught for twelve years at various PNG schools. She later became a teacher at an American Curriculum School, Numonhoi Christian Academy in Goroka where she added 16 years of teaching experience on all year levels.
In 2012 Frieda joined the team of Goroka Preparatory School (now AIS-PNG) where she took on the extra responsibility as Curriculum Head and Deputy Principal in 2015. Frieda brings to the school a wealth of experience and energy that we see in the classroom and in her collaboration with staff and parents.
Curriculum head and Deputy Principal
Frieda has been involved in education for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Goroka, Eastern Highlands, PNG.
Her career started in Goroka where she taught for twelve years at various PNG schools. She later became a teacher at an American Curriculum School, Numonhoi Christian Academy in Goroka where she added 16 years of teaching experience on all year levels.
In 2012 Frieda joined the team of Goroka Preparatory School (now AIS-PNG) where she took on the extra responsibility as Curriculum Head and Deputy Principal in 2015. Frieda brings to the school a wealth of experience and energy that we see in the classroom and in her collaboration with staff and parents.
Director
Joeri Kalwij
Prior to pursuing a career in Papua New Guinea, Joeri worked at Wageningen University in The Netherlands as a senior Policy Advisor to the Executive Board. Additional responsibilities in Joeri's portfolio were strategic development of IT in Education, he was PhD Coordinator, and secretary of the Graduate Schools.
In 2008 Joeri moved to Goroka, Papua New Guinea. He brings over 10 years of management experience to the school through his executive positions held in the PNG coffee industry and his current role as General Manager of PNG's leading coffee export company.
Prior to pursuing a career in Papua New Guinea, Joeri worked at Wageningen University in The Netherlands as a senior Policy Advisor to the Executive Board. Additional responsibilities in Joeri's portfolio were strategic development of IT in Education, he was PhD Coordinator, and secretary of the Graduate Schools.
In 2008 Joeri moved to Goroka, Papua New Guinea. He brings over 10 years of management experience to the school through his executive positions held in the PNG coffee industry and his current role as General Manager of PNG's leading coffee export company.