This year, the aim we envisioned to create for Pasifika students within our school was to create friendships and a sister-like bond that would go beyond closed doors.

The hope was that this bond would allow students to connect with a bit of their culture, feel a sense of belonging within the school. As well as being able to gain that confidence I (Mele Peseta) was privileged enough to work alongside another student, Ruth Tuivakano, to make this happen.

This year for Polyfest we were privileged enough to have Pua & Toa Siulangapo tutor 21 students in the Polyfest group from all sorts of ethnicities, who were willing to learn more about the Pasifika culture through song and dance. Filled with many opportunities and fun, the girls were fortunate enough to get new uniforms and hold a first ever Polyfest camp at school with the help of staff members Laura-Jean Peawini, Aline Taylor, Whaea Adrienne, and parents. We are also very proud to announce that our very own CGHS students of Samoan descent Temukisa Collins (Year 12) and Fesuiai Taiulu (Year 9) placed 1st in the National Samoan Junior Speech Competition and 2nd in national Samoan Senior Speech Competition, which were held in Auckland.

Ruth and I were chosen to attend a leadership breakfast for Pasifika students in Christchurch. It reflected on what attributes a leader should uphold, and where we were rewarded with certificates of achievement in Pasifika leadership.

This year, for the first time in history, we were given the opportunity to perform for Lip Sync and we were named “Polysync.” This again brought the girls closer together. We are proud to say that this year has been a success and we want to thank everyone who has contributed to making this happen: teachers such as Laura-Jean Peawini, Aline Taylor, Whaea Adrienne, Mr Sawyer, Mrs O’Neil, CGHS staff, parents and each and every student involved in this year’s 2019 Pasifika creation. 

Mele Peseta (On the right in the photograph next to Ruth Tuivakano)