PHOTO: Teacher Only Day Conference
On Tuesday 10th September 2019 members of NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) travelled to Niue as part of a Study Tour. NZPPA is an association and a strong network of Pasifika Principals based in New Zealand who are dedicated to advocating for and ensuring that Pasifika students, teachers, leaders and families experience success in education. We are a supportive network for Pasifika Principals including aspiring Pasifika Principals and our members belong to a number of education forums and groups and our voice is very much part of the reshaping of the current education system.
On Tuesday 10th September 2019 members of NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) travelled to Niue as part of a Study Tour. NZPPA is an association and a strong network of Pasifika Principals based in New Zealand who are dedicated to advocating for and ensuring that Pasifika students, teachers, leaders and families experience success in education. We are a supportive network for Pasifika Principals including aspiring Pasifika Principals and our members belong to a number of education forums and groups and our voice is very much part of the reshaping of the current education system.
The study tour was organised in conjunction with the Department of Education in Niue and our association as a means of building and strengthening the relationship between our organisations. This study tour aligns well to our NZPPA Strategic Goals.
The main goals of our study tour to Niue were to:– To build and strengthen the relationship between Niue and NZPPA– To build and strengthen the leadership capability of Niue Education leaders and teachers through professional development targeted towards areas identified by Niue– To build our collective knowledge and understanding as an Association of the Niuean people and culture to enhance our own NZ practice– To build and further strengthen our networks and collegiality amongst those attending the study tour
DAY ONE:
DAY ONE:
To get to Niue there are two Air NZ operated flights a week that exit Auckland and we caught the Tuesday morning flight that takes 3 hours and lands on Monday. The local time is 1 hour ahead of NZ but the weather is very different lol.
PHOTO: NZPPA arriving in Niue
PHOTO: Me and Carol Edwards
PHOTO: NZPPA arriving in Niue
When we landed we were greeted at the airport by the Principal of Niue Primary School Mrs Carol Edwards and she welcomed us by placing some traditional Niuean Maile around our necks.
Our accomodation for the 4 nights was at the Scenic Matavai resort. It is an absolute pleasure to have such amazing facilities to base our tour out of. The facilities meant that we were able to engage in activities that not only built and strengthened the relationships between the group and Niue but also for each individual principal. At a time when principal wellbeing is a very topical issue it was important to ensure this was factored into our tour.
Later that evening we were then hosted and welcomed by the Staff of the Niue Crèche and Niue Primary/ ECE at Talos and they spoilt us with an amazing feast of Niuean delicacy’s. As part of the welcome we did a round of introductions and we were treated to a few welcome songs from the staff. We were all moved by the welcome we received and felt truely blessed to be here. The food was something else and for many of our NZPPA group it was the type of food that heals the soul.
PHOTO: NZPPA welcome at Talos
PHOTO: NZPPA welcome at Talos
PHOTO: NZPPA welcome at Talos
PHOTO: NZPPA welcome at Talos
PHOTO: NZPPA welcome at Talos
Day Two:
Today started with a yummy brekkie at Matavai and then we travelled up to the Niue Primary and ECE School.
PHOTO: NZPPA Visit Niue Primary School
PHOTO: NZPPA receive a traditional challenge
We were welcomed in an amazing welcome by students and the whole school. We even had a tradition Takalo performed by their young warriors which was such a moving experience for us all.
PHOTO: NZPPA Members throwing the Sika
PHOTO: NZPPA Members Heke Taume – Grass Skiing
PHOTO: NZPPA Members Heke Taume – Grass Skiing
We then spent time in classrooms connecting with students and teachers and then in the afternoon we participated in a number of traditional Niuean sports, crafts and activities.
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
We then spent the afternoon exploring some of the island and then finished with a lovely swim to cool off at Matapa which is listed as the traditional Bathing sport for the ancient Kings and Queens of Niue.
PHOTO: NZPPA swim at Matapa
PHOTO: NZPPA swim at Matapa
PHOTO: NZPPA swim at Matapa
PHOTO: NZPPA swim at Matapa
Day Three:
Today started with Breakfast at Matavai and then we travelled over to the Alofi Tokelau (North) Women’s Craft Market.
Then we travelled up to the Niue High School where similar to the Primary school the day before we were welcomed by the Principal Mr Charles Ale and some of his leadership team and student leaders and then we spent time in the classrooms meeting teachers and students to get a feel for what it’s like in at the High School.
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
PHOTO: NZPPA visit classes
We then spent the afternoon exploring more of Niue and finished the afternoon taking a dip in the cool waters of Limu which is another traditional bathing place of Niuean Royalty.
In the evening for dinner we enjoyed a bbq at the Principal of the Primary Schools house hosted by herself and her husband Tony Edwards who is the Chief of Police for Niue. It was another example of amazing and selfless hospitality backed up by more amazing niuean delicacys.
Day Four:
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Rosina Wikaira – Keynote Speaker
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day
As part of our Study Tour we offered to hold and provide a PLD day or Teachers Only Day for all the educators in the Crèche, ECE, Primary and Secondary schools. The Department of Education thought this was a great idea and closed all their centres and schools so that their teachers and support staff could attend. The content of the Teacher Only Day Conference was requested and designed by Niue and we took this and delivered a programme for them.
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop STEAM
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop Digital Citizens
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop PB4L
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop RBL
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop Building a Team
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop Engaging Parents
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop Play Based Learning
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop Appraisal
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Workshop Responsive Curriculum
From all accounts it was a great success and staff were able to take away a whole heap of new learning. But this Learning was not just one way as many of the Principals ran workshops that meant a collaborative approach to delievering their content and they were able to learn from them as well.
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Thank you session
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Birtha Togahai Director of Education
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Gaylene Tasmania Director General Social Services presenting Jason Swann President of NZPPA with a gift
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Kai
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Kai
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Kai
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – Keynote Speaker – Faatili Esera
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day – MC and Facilitator
PHOTO: NZPPA host and facilitate Niue Teacher Only Day