Meet the team: Staff Writer Naomii Seah

There are many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to produce the magazine each term.

This series, to be published over the remainder of the year, introduces you to the writers, editors, directors and sales team behind the magazine.

Read the Term 3 edition of School News HERE 

Naomii Seah, is an industry reporter for School News. Her work features predominantly across the New Zealand print and digital editions of School News. As well, she does pen the occasional piece for the Australian arm of School News. To get to know her better, I asked Naomii a few questions.

1. Please introduce yourself and explain what you do at School News

Kia ora koutou! My name is Naomii Seah, and I am the industry reporter and social media manager at School News NZ. I find and publish relevant education news for our weekly newsletter (released on a Wednesday morning!), and I also write editorial for the quarterly magazine.

2. Where are you based?

I am usually based on the North Shore of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, where I was born and raised!

3. Do you have any other current jobs?

Yes, I have an existing relationship with news and arts publications in Aotearoa, New Zealand and will occasionally pick up freelance work for them.

4. Did you know you always wanted to be a writer/editor? What did you want to be when you were at school?

I’ve always loved reading and writing, and secretly harboured an ambition to be a writer since I was a kid. However, I always thought it was unobtainable or unrealistic job, and that I wouldn’t be able to find work. So, in university, I set my sights on STEM and pursued a Chemistry degree! I completed it, but quickly realised I didn’t want to stand in a lab all day under fluorescent lighting. So I began writing here and there, quickly realising there is a huge demand for writers of all stripes!

5. How are stories chosen for School News?

For the quarterly magazine, I’m always keeping an eye on the bigger news publications of Aoteaora, as well as press releases from unions and the Ministry of Education for relevant educational news. I will also keep up with upcoming award/events for any outstanding schools or educators to approach for our profiles, columns and special reports.

I also keep in regular contact with young teachers in the industry.

6. If you could introduce one thing into all schools (a program, a position, a philosophy or rule etc) what would it be?

I would personally abolish streaming, effective immediately! Although I did well in school and was always placed in the top steams (which advantaged me, and I’m very grateful), I had friends in lower streams and witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of streaming on their self-esteem and achievement. My friends were no less clever than me, but they weren’t given the same resources, opportunities and encouragement that I had access to. Thankfully streaming is already being slowly phased out.

7. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I lived in Malaysia from the ages of 1 to 4 years old so my first languages were Mandarin Chinese, Hokkien, Malay and English!

8. What do you do in your spare time?

I love podcasts, crochet, big walks and yoga. I’m a big nerd so I listen to lots of history and science podcasts. Crochet keeps my hands busy while I’m watching Netflix, on the bus or just having a coffee with friends.