Meet the team
Italo Gallina
Executive Director
I joined SSE in 1974. Over the last 30 years I have seen the language industry change dramatically and we are constantly trying to improve our facilities, service, efficiency and most of all our teaching methods to keep up with modern technology. We have welcomed thousands of students over the last 40 years and I hope we will be able to welcome thousands more. I hope you will be one of them and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Paul Gallina
Managing Director
I have worked at SSE full time since 1995 and before that time I spent many weekends and holidays helping my Father establish the school for what it is today. The school was started in 1966 by my late grandfather, Peter Jennings, and it’s one of the oldest and well known schools in Bournemouth. I spend a lot of my working time researching new markets, travelling abroad and attending workshops and student fairs, trying to recruit new students and agents to welcome to SSE. I am very proud of our school and I hope to be able to welcome you to SSE in the near future.
Kathryn Newman
Principal BA (Hons) Education, Trinity Licentiate Diploma
I joined SSE in June 2004 and I love working here. I’m sure that the reason for this is that I work with a fabulous staff of motivated teachers with high professional standards and an organised and helpful administrative team. It’s very satisfying seeing our students become more confident and capable in using English and it’s always interesting to meet people from abroad, both students and agents.
If you are coming to SSE soon, I look forward to welcoming you to the school and I am sure that you will not only learn a great deal but really enjoy your stay here. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I examine regularly for UCLES.
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Sally Kanan
Administration Director
I started working at SSE 37 years ago. I certainly didn’t expect to be working here today! It must be because the school is still a friendly environment to work and study in. I hope to greet many more students in the years to come. Many ‘ex-students’ will remember the social evenings etc. which we held at the school. These evenings are still held and are still enjoyed by our students. It still gives me pleasure to see the different nationalities mixing together, learning about other cultures etc.
I have welcomed sons and daughters of many ex-students, and I am sure it won’t be long until I am welcoming their children.
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Alison McBain
Assistant Director of Studies
MA (Ed) Applied Linguistics, BA (Hons) English Language and Literature, RSA/Cambridge Dip TEFLA, PGCE
I moved to Southbourne School of English in 2010 and, because this is a family-run school and very friendly, I immediately felt at home here – as I am sure you will, too. Don’t tell any of the other staff, but I have the best job in the school, because, working in the Academic Office and teaching as well, I get to know a lot of our students.
Before this, I taught in another local language school for 14 years and prior to that English, French and Media Studies (amongst other things) to English children aged 11 to 18. In my ‘spare’ time, I tutor on the BA Modern Languages course with the Open University, teaching on the World of English Module as well as doing some consultancy work for that institution. So, whether you’re learning English for interest, for business or for your studies, I’m looking forward to helping you.
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Shaun Durkin
Summer Centres Manager, Marketing Manager’s Assistant, Social Programme Manager
BSc Hons Degree in Sports Science, Coaching and Admin, CELTA
I have worked at SSE since 2004. I have recently taken over the position of Marketing Assistant and Summer School Manager. During the winter, as well as assisting with marketing I am also responsible for the running of the Social Programme and weekend excursions.
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Rebekah Bisset
Welfare Officer
MSc Recovery and Identification of Human Remains, BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Biology
My name is Becky and I am the Welfare Officer for Southbourne School of English. I am responsible for making sure all students are happy and enjoy their stay with us here. I have worked for Southbourne School since 2008 and joined the Welfare Office in May 2012. My main priority is student welfare and I will always be available for students if they need advice, help or support during their stay here.
In my spare time I enjoy water colour painting and walking with my dog Molly. I love working for Southbourne School because of the brilliant students we get to meet and the great people I work alongside.
Jackie O’Grady
Accommodation and Examination Secretary
I have recently taken over the Accommodation Officers role. I have worked at Southbourne School for 5 years and was previously an Accommodation Officer at another school as well as having been a host family for various other schools, for over 20 years. I pride myself in matching students to the appropriate host family.
Sandra Casillo
Administration and Reception
Chemistry Technician- BsAs- Arg
I am from Argentina and I moved to UK in 2005 have been working since then in office environment for a while including Barclays Bank- Poole House. I have recently joined the team as an Officer Administrator and receptionist. I have worked for Southbourne School as Summer Centre Manager at Bournemouth Collegiate in 2012. I found the challenge quite rewarding and enjoyable.
Abdi Hassan
Administration, Reception and Webpage Management
I have a passion for languages, both studying and teaching them. I have grown up, studied and worked in an international environment for most of my life, including at least 15 of the last 20 years in China. I taught English to many students in China, including business professionals, university students and high school students. I studied at Qingdao Ocean University (Haiyang Daxue), plus Beijing Languages Institute.
I have an international outlook and enjoy relating to people from different countries and backgrounds. I have worked in many fields, such as in diplomacy and international relations, business, languages and tourism. I have also spent time interpreting in East Africa, assisting international organisations such as the Red Cross and the United Nations UNHCR.
I love travelling, and have visited many countries in Asia and Africa. I also love Bournemouth and its excellent surroundings. It is a really great place to study for international students, and very cosmopolitan. There are many excellent places to visit and it is a delightful place to introduce our students to.
I was therefore pleased to find at SSE, a vibrant international community and a genuine willingness to help. It is for these reasons I absolutely love my time at SSE.
Susan
Teacher
RSA Diploma
I have been a teacher at Southburne School of English for 17 years. I love working here as there is such a friendly atmosphere in the school.
Meeting people from different countries is always a pleasure. Most students are motivated and enthusiastic which makes the lessons very enjoyable. SSE has a library which offers students a wide selection of books, graded in level. I am currently in charge of the library and enjoy getting to know my regular borrowers.
In the summer I move from the classroom to the Academic Office and work with Kathryn and Alison in my role as a summer ADOS. Summer at SSE is one of my favourite times of year!
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Gerard
Teacher
BA Literary Studies, MA Applied Linguistics, RSA DTEFLA
I first came to Southbourne School of English nearly 30 years ago. I also worked in Udine in North Italy for 5 years and I have taught in Siberia. I enjoy working with my colleagues and there has always been a great atmosphere in the school.
I love Irish music and am interested in ancient history. I play bingo every Sunday with my elderly mother. I have a mild interest in football and snooker occasionally play a game of pool.
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Michael
Teacher
BA (Hons) Modern Languages, RSA Diploma
I’ve been teaching at Southbourne School of English since 1994. For me, it’s a home from home. I’ve taught a variety of classes, including FCE, CAE and BEC exams. I love meeting people from all over the world and indeed, the students are my window to the world.
I studied Modern Languages at university and I like to keep up with languages when on holiday. I’ve taught in Portugal and Italy, too. As I am half Austrian, I travel there whenever I can, to visit my relatives. My leisure pursuits include reading, traveling, photography, walking and going to the gym.
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Mike
Teacher
BA Art History /Anthropology, CELTA
I’ve been working at the school now for about 25 years. I worked in Saudi Arabia for 5 years, teaching English to apprentices for the ARAMCO Oil Company before returning to Southbourne School of English. I like working here because of the friendly, family atmosphere. I am a keen rugby fan, especially of the ALL BLACKS, as I was born in New Zealand. I also like cinema, reading and visiting country pubs.
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Molly
Teacher
B A Honours – English & History, Further Adult Education Teaching Cert., Trinity Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL)
I have been working at Southbourne School of English for over ten years and enjoy the hustle and bustle of life with students from overseas. It has been great being involved with the innovations at the school and I’ve enjoyed getting to grips with the new technology. It is very exciting and really rewarding to use the most modern resources to help students. I am very pleased that I can enjoy my work as much as I do.
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Trish
Teacher
BA Eng & Fr (Hons), PGCE
I came to SSE ten years ago having previously taught English and Drama to English students up to Advanced Level. I really enjoy teaching here as it’s very friendly and meeting people from all over the world is so interesting. It is also great when former students return to visit the school speaking really good English.
I live in a village in the New Forest, a beautiful National Park. Consequently I take every opportunity to go walking and cycling, but nothing too strenuous.
Whenever possible, I like to go to the theatre. Excellent productions are to be found in Poole, Salisbury and Chichester and many high quality touring companies visit local theatre venues.
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Janice
Teacher
Cert Ed., RSA DTEFLA
I joined the teaching staff at SSE in 1996, having previously taught in France and in other schools in Bournemouth. This is a great place to work. Everyone is friendly and supportive and we have excellent facilities. Learning to use the new Smart boards was an exciting challenge and has been much more fun than I anticipated!
I enjoy teaching all levels and still find it fascinating to meet people from all over the world and learn about their countries. Since 1990 I have also worked as an examiner for Cambridge University, marking written papers for several examinations, which is helpful when teaching those courses.
In my spare time I enjoy playing the accordion, mainly for folk dancing, and also belong to a dance display team performing 17th and 18th century dances.
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Ami
Teacher
BA Ed, CELTA
My Favourite thing about teaching EFL is having the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from a variety of different cultures around the world.
Southbourne School of English is a lovely place to work due to the friendly staff who make everyone feel welcome – including me!! I have taught for over 10 years in different educational settings and have worked seasonally at the school since 2003. I believe the root of all good teaching is developing positive relationships within and outside the classroom.
I have recently learnt to snowboard and I am currently learning to kite surf. Both sports have been a great challenge for me as well as extremely exciting and I highly recommend giving them a go.
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Peter
Teacher
Cert Ed (Bristol), BEd (Exeter)
I am now in my 55th year of teaching, not from necessity, but because I love the process of helping people to learn and enjoy our language. For most of my professional life I was Head of an English department, developing and extending teaching programmes and methods. Since 1998, I have worked in schools of English, a different but equally pleasurable experience.
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Diane
Teacher
CELTA
I taught in the Middle East for 17 years and have been teaching at Southbourne School of English since 2008. During this time, I have been able to enjoy learning about the culture of my students and their countries, learning from them while they are learning from me.
Coming to work at Southbourne has been like coming home, and everyone is accepted into the ‘family’.
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Jane
Teacher
Cert Tefla
I started teaching 24 years ago and joined Southbourne School of English 18 years ago. In my free time, I enjoy painting and calligraphy, reading, playing music and spending time with my friends and family.
On a more personal level, I lived in Australia for 10 years, have a grown-up son and my favourite foods are pizza and ice cream!
Neil
Teacher
Trinity Licentiate Diploma, MA Applied Linguistics
Hello my name is Neil and I have worked as an English teacher for nearly 20 years. I enjoy working at Southbourne School as the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly.
At weekends I enjoy guiding groups to interesting places such as Oxford, Bath and Stonehenge. I also love music, and in my spare time am a keen amateur guitarist.
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Lindsay
Teacher
B. Ed., CELTA
I have over 35 years of experience in teaching English. Some of that has been in British state schools, but I have also taught in language schools in Europe and Asia. In fact, I lived and worked in Japan for 20 years! Because of all of this, I am used to teaching both adults and juniors and enjoy responding to their needs.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my son and in my garden. We like to enjoy the local beauty spots and often walk along the beach.
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Holly
Teacher
CELTA
I have worked at Southbourne School of English since 2008, firstly as a Summer Activity Leader and now as a teacher. Before this I travelled the world and taught English to young students in Spain. The best thing about my job is meeting so many interesting people from different countries and cultures.
Other than travelling, I’ve lived in Bournemouth my whole life and would definitely recommend it as a fun place to learn English. There is a great atmosphere in the town centre, with many international students, a vibrant nightlife and a vast selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. The beach is beautiful for walking and cycling, as well as swimming and barbeques, mainly in the summer months! Bournemouth usually has the best weather in England and it’s said to be the happiest place to live in Britain.
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Andy
Teacher
I have been working at Southbourne School of English for 2 years. I am a keen swimmer and cyclist and when I am not in the pool you will find me in a studio or ballroom. Ballroom dancing is amazing and I have been doing it for about 7 years now. I am friendly and outgoing and I love a laugh. I have a degree in English and French and I also speak a bit of German too.
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Claire
Canteen Manager
I have worked at Southbourne School of English for 6 years. Whilst working here I have gained my level 3 award supervising food and catering. The canteen currently holds a food hygiene rating of 5 (the highest award).
I love working in the canteen and interacting with the students. We have lots of groups who return yearly and we always look forward to seeing them on their return visit.
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Joanne
Canteen Assistant
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