Tributes to Mt Clear College teacher Vivien Hodgins flowed yesterday as stunned staff and students returned to the school to mourn the death of a much-loved mentor and friend.

Flowers were mounted in the school foyer at a makeshift shrine to the media and drama teacher, who died on Wednesday morning when a tsunami hit the Samoan beach resort of Lalomanu, where she was holidaying with friend

Claire Rowlands, who survived.

Acting principal Jenny Bromley, struggling to come to terms with the loss of her colleague and "very special friend" said news of the tragedy spread quickly through the school and wider community, leaving much devastation in its wake.

"She really cared about kids, she got to really know them on a different level and really cared about them," she said.

"She had a very definite way of keeping in touch with past students, of any teacher that I know, she has kept in touch with many students."

Ms Bromley said in her 33 years at the school, Ms Hodgins was much loved by generations of students.

"She touched the lives of thousands of kids in that time. She was a very passionate person about her subject, teaching and about students," she said.

Fellow teacher Rosalie Roberts-Avery said Ms Hodgins found her calling in life in becoming a teacher.

"She was so nice with it, she was just such a lovely human being," Ms Roberts-Avery said.

"My son is now studying film and television largely because of her. He was very, very quiet last night. He and all his mates are very upset."

College captain Claire Wilson and vice-captain Claire Hodder remembered their teacher as someone with boundless enthusiasm who was forever supportive of the students.

"She was a huge part of the school, she always supported us," Ms Wilson said.

"She was a great media teacher and just a great teacher all round. It's a sad loss."

"We've all got each other, she'd all want us to stick together."

Ms Bromley said all students and staff would be offered counselling and an as yet undecided tribute would mark the resumption of classes following school holidays on Monday.

"We won't be able to replace Viv, she was irreplaceable," she said.