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| Photo: No Tongan anything is complete without a Roast Pig |
This year’s theme for Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week – is: Ke Tu’uloa ‘a e lea faka-Tonga ‘i Aotearoa, which means Sustaining the Tonga Language in Aotearoa. One way of ensuring it is sustained is sharing ways we celebrate our language weeks with other schools and Principals.
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| Photo: Principals, Staff and Students from schools across Auckland gather at Rowandale School for Tongan Language Week 2022 |
Yesterday Principals, staff and students from the 2022 Tautai O Le Moana Auckland Cohort gathered at Rowandale School to celebrate and join them in their final day celebrations for Tongan Language Week. The schools in attendance were:
- Western Heights School – Principal Ash Maindonald
- Birkdale Intermediate School – Principal JoAnne Sutton
- Homai School – Principal Christina Patea and 2 Staff Leaders
- Waikowhai School – Principal Germaine Peterson and 2 Staff Leaders
- Birkdale Primary School – Principal Natasha Teinakore, 1 Staff Leader and the BoT Chairperson
- Dominion Rd School – 2 Staff Members
- Sir Keith Park School – Principal Kathy Davidson and 1 Staff Leader
- Upper Harbour School – Principal Sue Smith, Kahui Ako Across School Lead and 3 Tongan Students
- Tautai O Le Moana – Director Helen Varney and Across School Leader from Manaiakalani
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Photo: Our Auckland Tautai for 2022 gathering at Rowandale School for a Talanoa and Welcome Session
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The Tautai arrived at 11am at Rowandale School and gathered in a room Talanoa, do some introductions and were briefed by the Acting Principal and myself on ways the school incorporated TLW into their learning programmes this week. We were able to Talanoa a bit about what they do in their own schools but also answer some questions about how we manage things at our school.
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| Photo: Rowandale School – Whakapono (Year 4-6) Tongan Group Performance |
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| Photo: Rowandale School – Tumanako (Year 1-3) Tongan Group Performance |
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| Photo: Rowandale School – Tumanako (Year 1-3) Tongan Group Performance |
Then the Tautai made their way into the hall for the cultural performances and concert. This was the first time since covid arrived on our shores that parents were permitted to join the school for events like this on site and it was a welcome sight. Close to 100 parents and families turned up to support and celebrate everything that is good about the Tongan Culture and in true Tongan Styles.
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| Photo: Principal of Western Heights School – Ash Maindonald thanking Rowandale for hosting them today |
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| Photo: Just some of the Tongan Cuisine on offer |
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| Photo: Our Visitors Enjoying some delicious Tongan Cuisine |
After the concert our guests joined the staff in the staffroom for a traditional Tongan Feast and this did not disappoint. It was a very special and proper way to end the experience and Principals and staff from the other schools enjoyed the Ofa and connections made around the meal.
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| Photo: Rowandale School – Whakapono (Year 4-6) Tongan Group Performers with Mr Vasau |