Pasifika Term One

Franklin Multicultural Festival This year we entered a Pasifika Girls and Pasifika Boys group into the Multicultural festival in Week 7. With the support of our Pasifika fanau and supporting teacher we were able to showcase the many siva (dances) which reflect our Pasifika cultures. Our girls performed dances from Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and a new dance from Kiribati. The boys performed dances from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji with two new items; an updated Samoan Sāsā and the singing of a Tongan Anthem "E Otua". I was proud to be the lead teacher for this event to ensure that our Pasifika students were able to continue to have the opportunity to participate in cultural events such as these. For many of our Pasifika students they were empowered by being able to dress and showcase their own native cultures. They were also able to share their knowledge and support one another in the group who are from many diverse cultures (not necessarily Pasifika). It was an honour to see our students shine and perform with pride, grace, mana and most of all together in unity. Certainly a proud moment for our Pasifika Groups this term. 

Pasifika Fanau Fono In week 6 we held our first Pasifika Fanau Fono. We had 15 fanau to attend our meeting where we introduced our Pasifika liaisons' for this year and were able to meet with our Pasifika families. Everyone brought a plate to share, in a relaxed environment we were able to talk about what is coming up for our Pasifika students this year and hear some general feedback from our parents. We were also able to shoulder tap some parents to support us with particular events this year. It was a very successful way to connect with our fanau to start off the year.