Almost as soon as the school year started the 2024 PolyClub leaders began weekly TuTagata practices every Monday afternoon.

The performance bracket had been planned well ahead of time and now it was a matter of sharing the vision with the 60 students who signed up to PolyClub this year.

Practices progressed, musicians were found, puletasi were remodelled and, with the support and advice of parents, family, friends and former students, the performance bracket was completed and polished, and the transitions were refined until they were seamless.

From the opening Vi’iga, the waiata – Nei rā te kaupapa ko te reo Māori – and through the items: Tongan, Ma’ulu’ulu, Sāsā and Hawaiian, to the final notes of the Taualuga, the goal was to showcase the spirit and sisterhood of the students of St Catherine’s as they embraced and celebrated and shared the Pacific cultures of our kura.

We are grateful to the support of the whole St Catherine’s community, including the SCC Pasifika Parents’ Asosi and the SCC teachers, who stood by us, supporting and encouraging (and feeding!), and keeping the group focused on their goal, even when we found it hard going.

Giving up holidays was tough on the performers but the long hours were worth it, and the PolyClub delivered an exciting, colourful and vibrant bracket to the packed TSB Arena on Friday 26 July.