Rowandale’s Principal – NZ Pasifika Principals Meeting

Photo: NZPPA Auckland Region Principals Meeting

On Thursday 2 March 2017 we held our 
NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) 
Auckland regional Meeting at Rowandale School in Manurewa. 

We were met and hosted by Karl and the wonderful staff of Rowandale School. As is tradition for our meetings we start with a prayer and then share in a yummy meal. This was cooked and prepared by the Staff of Rowandale and I will let the pictures do the talking.

Photo: Yummy “Pasifika Brain Food”

Photo: Yummy “Pasifika Brain Food”

Photo: Yummy “Pasifika Brain Food”
Photo: Decisions decisions lol
Our meeting started with our guest speakers:
Rosemary Mose and Evelyn Niua
From the Ministry of Education Auckland Office.

Photo: Rosemary and Evelyn 

The main points of their talk were:

  • They started by Introducing themselves and sharing with us who they are and where they come from as a way to connect with us
  • Purpose – to explore how we can connect and collaborate to support successful learning outcomes for all tamaiti in Aukilani
  • Fofola e falakae aleae kāinga is the Tongan Conceptual Framework that was developed it means, ‘Roll out the mats so the family can dialogue’
  • Talanoa
  • What opportunities do we have to influence successful learning across the region?
  • What support might you need both as individual schools and as a network?
  • Focus on Equity and Excellence So EVERYchild can experience – personalised learning pathway 0-24 – seamless transitions – a relentless focus on progress – more effective practice in teaching and leadership – actively supporting opportunities to connect and partner with parents, families and whanau
  • Yvette Guttenbeil – Po’uhila Manager, Education
    Evelyn Niua Pasifika Practice Advisor
    Rosemary Mose Student Achievement Practitioner

Photo: Our Talanoa Session
We then continued with our Talanoa meeting and did a round the group introduction and this made for awesome connections and laughter. Was great to hear peoples stories about who they are and where they are from and a little about whats on top for them right now.

Photo: Our Talanoa Session

Photo: Our Talanoa Session

Some of the main points discussed in our Talanoa:

  • Resignation of Unasa and Iva from the Executive
  • Interim office holders of our NZPPA: President: Filivaifale, Secretary: Helen, Treasurer: Karl, Executive: Faatili, Unasa, Sose, Geoff
  • NZPPA AGM – May 17 2017, 4pm Stanhope Road School
  • NZPPA will be doing something as part of the farewell of Unasa from Mt Albert Primary School. Sisi and Helen to coordinate.
  • We shared some of the forums and positions our group hold and it is very impressive. Here are just a few:
      • Chairperson Education Council 
      • Education Council 
      • NZPF 
      • APPA 
      • PLD Reference Group
      • Tapa Sa Framework 
      • MAC Facilitator
      • Presidents and VP’s of Principal Clusters (Nth Shore, Mangere, Manurewa)
      • Code of professional Responsibilities Reference Group
      • NZ Police Reference Group
The Principals in attendance at yesterdays meeting were:

  • Banapa Avatea – Principal Flatbush School (Cook Island)
  • Karl Vasau – Principal Rowandale (Niuean/ Samoan)
  • Saane Oldehaver-Faaofo -Principal Weymouth (Samoan)
  • Melini Faasavalu -Principal Waimahia Int (Samoan)
  • Sonia Johnston – Principal Roscommon (Samoan)
  • Rosina Wikaira – Principal Homai (Maori/ Cook Island)
  • Paeariki Johnson – Principal Rongomai (Cook Island)
  • Sisi Key – Principal Ferguson Intermediate (Samoan)
  • Maxine Tau – Principal 7th Day Adventist (Samoan)
  • Faatili Iosua Esera – Principal Sutton Park (Samoan)
  • Filivaifale Jason Swann – Principal Otahuhu Primary (Samoan)
  • Sepora Mauigoa – Principal Glendene (Samoan)
  • Jenny Bernard – Principal Birdwood (Samoan)
  • Helen Varney -Principal Target Road (CkIsland/ Samoan)
  • Betty O’Brien-Andersen – Principal Creative Learning Scheme (Samoan)
  • Toe Pune – Principal MIT Tertiary High School (Samoan)
  • Haley Milne – Principal Kia Aroha College (Maori/Samoan)
Photo: Near the end of our meeting Vai and Yvette from the MOE popped in to say hi and make the connection