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| Photo: Jenny Bernard – Principal Birdwood, MOE Official, MOE Official, Stephanie Tawha – Principal Mangere Bridge, Sepora Mauigoa – Principal Glendene, Faatili Iosua Esera – Principal Sutton Park, Jacqui Tutavake – Principal Richmond Rd, Karl Vasau – Principal Rowandale, Paeariki Johnston – Principal Rongomai, Mary Takatainga – Principal Manurewa East, Emma Tolmie – Deputy Principal Richmond Rd, Jason Swann – Principal Otahuhu and President NZPPA, Helen Varney – Principal Target Rd, Eddie Uluilelata – Principal Rangikura, Sose Annandale – Principal Russell, Hon. Jenny Salesa – Associate Minister of Education, Rosina Wikaira – Principal Homai, Corinne Hansell – Evaluation Associates, Saane Oldehaver – Principal Weymouth, Lynda Stuart – President NZEI, Fatu Enari – Co Principal PASS Academy, Parehuia Enari – Co Principal PASS Academy, Michelle Fepuleai – Principal Nga Iwi, Geoff Siave – Principal Shirley Int, Jerry Leaupepe – Principal Sir Douglas Bader Int |
The NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) held its term 3 Fono in Wellington. It was an opportunity for 23 of our 60 members to gather in the capital and participate in PLD and talanoa related to our associations Vision: “To Ensure Educators Achieve Success for Pasifika Learners” and Strategic Goals: Pasifika Education, Curriculum, Advocacy, Professionalism and Career Pathways. We were blessed to be hosted by NZEI at Education House and were able to use their facilities for our Fono.
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| Photo: NZPPA Principals heading over to NZEI House for our Fono |
We arrived on Wednesday 21st August evening and after checking into our hotel we enjoyed each other’s company and shared a lovely meal together. This meant a great opportunity for our members to meet each other and continue to build our networks.
On Thursday 22nd August our Fono started with a introduction activity and then Stephanie Tawha (Principal – Mangere Bridge School) shared about her involvement with Ihumatao. She shared some of the history behind the significance of Ihumatao and then put into context what has been happening there for the past few weeks. It was not about choosing a side or deciding who was right or wrong but a valuable opportunity for our members to build their knowledge and understanding around this kaupapa and how we as principals in our school could engage.
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| Photo: Reno Paotonu – Ministers Private Secretary, Andrea Schollmann – Deputy Secretary Education System and Policy, Hon Jenny Salesa – Associate Minister of Education addressing our Fono |
We were then joined for morning tea by the Hon. Jenny Salesa – Associate Minister for Education and the Minister responsible for Pasifika Education. It was a great opportunity for her to share what the current plan was for Pasifika Education and to allow our members to ask questions and engage with her about a number of issues facing our students, schools, staff and community. She gave our Fono huge mana and we were very grateful for the opportunity to talanoa.
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| Photo: Jason Swann and Helen Varney presenting on Tautai o le Moana |
Helen Varney (Principal – Target Road School) then led a presentation on a new initiative that the Ministry of Education has commissioned our association to develop and roll out. The pilot is called “Tautai o le Moana” and is something similar to the Maori Achievement Collaborative (MACs). We are in the final stages of construction and so watch this space. The Vision is to “Strengthen the capability of leaders to improve outcomes for Pasifika learners and contribute to culturally sustainable practices across Aotearoa New Zealand”.
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| Photo: Lynda Stuart – President of NZEI addressing our Fono |
After lunch we had Lynda Stuart – President of NZEI and Principal of May Road School, talk to us about the recent settlement of our Principals Collective Agreement, The implementation of the Learning Support Coordinators, the current union position on the Teacher Only Days and the changes to the appraisal process. Having her speak to our group enabled our members to hear some of the unions latest positions and plans in relation to these things.
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| Photo: Group One working through their part of the Constitution |
Our final session in the afternoon was an opportunity for our members to review our NZPPA Constitution and to engage in some very valuable talanoa about who we are and where we are going as an association.
