Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia Orana, Ni sa, Bula vinaka, Namaste, Halo Olaketa, Malo ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Aloha, Bon jour!

2016 has been a superb year for our Pacific Islands (PI) students regarding Awards and Achievements. The year commenced with Lydie Leurquin, our PI Prefect, and Briana Lane being invited to attend the Pasifika Education Church Service at First Church in April to receive the Pasifika Academic High Achievers Awards for 2016 based on their 2015 NCEA achievement. Briana had already received a scholarship from the Otago Polytechnic to study in 2017. Her career intention is to become a Midwife. In addition to the High Achievers Award Lydie has just been awarded the University of Otago Māori and Pacific Peoples' Entrance Scholarship to study at Otago University in 2017 where she will focus her area of learning in Classical Studies, Anthropology and Archaeology.

In October of this year we celebrated with Sujata Ritchie and Phillip Nelson at the Otago Polytechnic Pacific Island Recognition Awards and Scholarships evening. Awardees were selected on the following criteria:

· Achievement in one or more of academic, sport, culture or service

· An element of leadership.

Sujata received the Years 9-10 Award accepting a certificate and $250.00 while Phillip received both the certificate, $250.00 and a scholarship to study at Otago Polytechnic in 2017.

Congratulations to Lydie, Briana, Sujata and Phillip. We wish you the very best as you continue to learn, grow and contribute to our society. For all other Pasifika students, you are always welcome to attend Tupuranga (Māori and Pacific Island Student Leadership Team) to support the PI community at LPHS and please do come by the Career Resource Centre to learn more about the awards, scholarships and opportunities available for PI students.

Aloha,

Marion Brinsley

(Pacific Island Dean).

‘A’ohe pu’u ki’eki’e ke ho’a’o ‘ia e pi’i – (No cliff is so tall it cannot be climbed.)