For our student community the focus was on service; an important pillar in Samoan society.

They achieved this through reaching out to their community and supporting others in celebration of Samoan Language Week.

Some highlights from the week:

Monday: Opening of Samoan Language Week

• We opened Samoan Language Week with our students (SBHS and AGHS) at lunchtime,  with some fun activities. Our students were taught a traditional Samoan song 'Lo ta nu'u' from Afamasaga Feleti Pesefea and finished the event with some Samoan food.

Tuesday:

• The Samoan flag was raised. Thank you to Dominic Bell for making this happen.
• Enoka Tafua and four students (Iose Taleni, Cooper Gibb- Faumuina, Aoraki Siataga and Emmanuel Fruean) visited Ready, Steady Play (Early Childhood Education Centre) in Burwood to teach the young students there a traditional Samoan dance. The students welcomed us with a mihi whakatau before we sang them a couple of Samoan songs and taught them a quick Sasa.

Wednesday:

• Uli Pesefea and Hannah Cook took 30 students to perform at Ara to help celebrate their Samoan Language Week festivities and participate in some workshops.
• Whitney Veatupu helped develop a resource on KAMAR for all staff to use. The name recording has already been a success with a number of staff commenting on how helpful it has been already.

Thursday:

• Enoka Tafua and Uli Pesefea  took 20 students to Te Waka Unua School for two performances at their school assembly. This was a special occasion for a number of our boys, as they were returning to their former school. We were treated with Samoan food afterwards.

• A big thank you to Reuben Spicer who posted online the village names of our First XV Samoan Rugby players. This was an amazing initiative highlighting and recognising the backgrounds and families of our athletes.

Friday:

• Staff were spoiled for choice at the Kāhui Ako Conference with several presenters covering language, culture and Samoan values throughout the day.
• Maria Lemalie- A Puletasi amongst suits.
• Jason Tiatia- Introduction to Samoan Language.
• Sala Tiatia- Key note speaker- Changing the tags, connection and aroha.
• Sia Evalu and Magnum Tuipulotu- Unpacking the Pasifika Education Plan.
• Enoka Taufua and Uli Pesefea- Introduction to Samoan dance.

Thanks to everyone for contributing to Samoan Language Week. It makes a difference for students and staff invested in this celebration. 

Ia manuia, soifua.

Enoka Tafua.