Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa - Samoan Language Week is on from Sunday 28th May to Saturday 3rd June 2023.

The theme for this year is ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’. 

Below is an outline of the activities Villa Maria College has planned to celebrate this important week. It has been created with input from our students in our recent Aiga sessions. There are also some awesome Ako activities organised by Mikaela Hood and Angela Palmer, so keep an eye out for more information on those.

Monday 29th

· Samoan word/phrase of the day: ‘Talofa’ (tah-low-far) meaning ‘Hello’.

· Language cards on staffroom tables.

· Emily Molioo, Emily Brown and Leilani Kalauta to say a prayer in Samoan and speak about activities planned for the week at Junior and Senior Huis.

· PD at staff Hui.

Tuesday 30th

· Samoan word/phrase of the day: ‘Fa'amolemole’ (far-ah-moh-leh-moh-leh) meaning ‘Please’.

· Samoan Prayer shared at Morning briefing.

· Students and staff invited to wear clothing and/or accessories from Samoan culture. For example, ie lavalava, sei, puletasi, earrings, or necklace. We ask students to be mindful of what subjects and activities they have at school that day, and to wear enclosed shoes.

Wednesday 31st

· Samoan word/phrase of the day: ‘Manuia le aso’ (ma-noo-ee-ah-leh-ah-so) meaning ‘Have a good day’.

· Shared lunch with Pasifika Fanau. Students keen to be involved can either drop $3 to the main reception at school by the end of day Monday 29thor bring a plate to share from home. Money collected will be used to provide traditional Samoan food from Le Tautua Atunu'u. Lunch will be held in the Pasifika room, ME-104.

Thursday 1st June

· Samoan word/phrase of the day: ‘Tulou lava’ (too-loh-la-va) meaning ‘Excuse me’.

· Cultural Fusion Performance involving our Pasifika Group. We are proud of the hard work, effort and leadership shown by these students in our Aiga sessions to prepare for this performance. It has been completely student led and choreographed.

Friday 2nd June

· Samoan word/phrase of the day: ‘Fa'amanuia le Atua’ (Fah-ah-ma-new-e-ah le ah-too-ah) meaning ‘God bless’.

· Samoan Prayer shared at Morning briefing.

· Siva Samoa Workshop run by Leilani Kalauta and Emily Molioo at Lunchtime in the Auditorium.

· Aiga Session after school until 4.30pm. We will be celebrating the Cultural Fusion Performance and will have a game of Touch Rugby organised.