It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this celebration honouring the 23 year service of Ms Tusa at Mana College. I would like to extend my welcome to the Tusa extended aiga.

Hana, 23 years of service to one school takes ngakau.

A quick calculation reminds me that this translates as:

• 460 Assemblies

• 483 Staff meetings

• 92 Classes of PE

• 2024 Students you taught

• 46 Volleyball teams

• 23 Polyfests

• Probably 542 Restoratives

As the great Samoan proverb states - O le Alu i le pule o le tautua - the road to leadership is through service, and what a road you have travelled Hana.

I have in my hand a letter of offer written by the Principal of Mana College in 1996, Mr John Russell, offering you the position of Teacher Aide in Te Whare Ako, and it was there that your passion sparked into a desire for a career in teaching.

Ms Tusa started out as a Teacher Aide, and then after starting her qualifications, returned as a teacher of PE and Health, moving up the ranks to Deaning, then Head of the PE and Health department, before being asked to return to oversee the deaning role for the 2018 cohort and current Year 12 group.

This cohort, thanks to Ms Tusa’s leadership, has become a strong and capable group of high achievers, achieving NCEA level 1 endorsements above the national average and a record of 30% excellence endorsement for 2020. Amazing considering the year we had!

Hana’s commitment to student achievement, wellbeing and success spreads far wider than the classroom however. Her many contributions to service include:

• Volleyball (Head coach and winner of regional competition from 2000-2004)

• Polyfest

• Netball

• Athletics

• Whanau tabloids

• Badminton

• Rugby administration and coach

• Samoan group including the ASB Polyfest in Auckland

• Estas and sports prizegiving / Sports dinner

• Coordinator of Beard trophy

• Wellington rugby admin

• Boys basketball

• Community health / Mens health day

• Organiser of ManaFest post Covid

• Year 10 leadership conference

• Samoan language week

Of course Hana’s commitment to service extends outside of Mana College, including;

• Vaka Pasifika in Tonga

• Selected to represent at the World conference in Samoa

• Komiti pasifika conference

• Talanoa Ako sub-committee

Hana, we are very grateful and blessed to have had your dedication and commitment benefit our school.

You have influenced the lives of thousands of young people and staff in your time here. I wonder how many students, particularly Pasific island students, who sit in this assembly today who thanks to your role modelling will aspire to become teachers, doctors, nurses, great mothers and fathers, and community assets.

We are excited that you will be leading the Ministries Pasifika plan for education. It is vital to have real community minded people serving in these roles (eh Barbara!).

I was so proud of our students and staff yesterday; proud to hand you over in the next chapter of your important life.

On behalf of all students, staff, BOT trustees, parents and the community that makes up Mana College thank you for the alofa, the fa’aaloalo and your amazing tautua