Rowandale’s Principal – NZ Pasifika Principals Meeting – 08/11/17

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association Executive L-R: Geoff Siave – Shirley Intermediate (Christchrch Executive), Karl Vasau – Rowandale School (Auckland Treasurer) Faatili Iosua Esera – Sutton Park School (Auckland Executive), Steph Tawhai – Mangere Bridge (Auckland Executive), Saane Faaofo-Oldehaver – Weymouth School (Auckland Executive), Deanna Johnston – Nga Iwi School (Auckland Executive), Filivaifale Jason Swann – Otahuhu School (Auckland President), Helen Varney – Target Road School (Auckland Secretary) and Sose Annandale – Russell School (Wellington Executive) 

On Wednesday 8th November I attended a number of meetings at Mangere Bridge School related to the work and kaupapa of the NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA).

NZPPA 2018 Conference Planning Group – 12pm-2pm Mangere Bridge School

  • Connecting Pasifika Principals Conference 2018 – Hosted by the NZPPA
  • For Principals of Pasifika Heritage
  • Rotorua, New Zealand 
  • April 4/5/6 2018
  • Purpose: Growing the vision of this organisation and preparing for the future / Networking with other Pasifika Principals / Sharing and developing knowledge and pedagogy in a pasifika context
  • Official poster, costings and content of the conference will be released on the November 29 2017

NZPPA Executive Committee Meeting – 2pm-4pm Mangere Bridge School

  • Welcome/prayer – Jason
  • Attendance/ Apologies – Jason/ Helen
  • Conference Committee update- Theme/ venue/ finances – Karl
  • Financial Report – Karl
  • Pasifika Education Plan/ Tapasa – Jason 
  • NZEI – Karl/ Sose
  • Teacher Registration – Helen
  • NELP MOE – Faatili, Jason, Deanna, Karl, Helen
  • APPA – Jason, Helen, Saane, Deanna
  • First Time Principals – Pelu (Main Meeting)
  • NZPPA website development – Stephanie
  • IES – Karl
  • Education Act – Karl – Geoff will represent NZPPA in 2018
  • New Government – What’s on top for us as Pacific Leaders in Education next steps- Meeting with the Minister – Jason has already sent the invitation
  • Meeting closes /prayer 

NZPPA Auckland Regional Meeting – 4pm-6pm Mangere Bridge School

Photo: Filivaifale Jason Swann – Otahuhu Primary, Steph Tawahi – Mangere Bridge School, Barbara Alaalatoa – Sylvia Park School, Toe Pune – MIT, Paeariki Johnson – Rongomai School, Mary Takatainga – Manurewa West School, Melini Fasavalu – Waimahia Intermediate, Sonia Johnston – Roscommon School

Photo: Sepora Mauigoa – Glendene School, Jenny Bernard – Birdwood School, Helen Varney – Target Road School, Riki Teteina – Newton Central School, Sose Annandale – Russell School, Faatili Iosua Esera – Sutton Park School, Geoff Siave – Shirley Intermediate, Sisi Key – Ferguson Intermediate, Deanna Johnston – Nga Iwi School 

  • Welcome/ Prayer – Jason/ Faatili/ Steph
  • Round the Table sharing on challenges, celebrations and interesting … here are some snippets of what was shared:
    • Principal’s happy to fill staffing and working towards filling positions for 2018
    • Principal’s finding it difficult to fill Pasifika Language teacher positions or source PLD
    • Varied reasons why teachers are resigning – housing, workload, moving on
    • Principal’s are looking forward to a life without national standards and more real in depth focus on the NZ Curriculum
    • Principal’s dealing with issues related to ERO and also being First Time Principals and having a Limited Statutory Manager (LSM) or Commissioner 
    • Stories of recent ERO reviews and also sharing stories of schools achieving amazing and positive reports after difficult ones
    • Property issues and celebrations related to 5YA and ILE upgrades
    • Issues related to Interim Response Funding and being turned down for a serious case
    • Principals still absolutely loving their jobs
    • Celebration of our latest Pasifika Principals:
      1. Paula Passfield – Fairburn School – Niuean
      2. Jason Ataera – Tairangi School – Cook Island
      3. Matthew Tofia – Sara Cohen School – Samoan
      4. Mary Takatainga – Manurewa East School
    • This brings our total numbers of Pasifika Principals in NZ to 44.

    Photo: NZPPA enjoying some yummy Hangi – Thank you Mangere Bridge School!