Today we begun a 2 day residential in Wellington to launch a new initiative that the Ministry of Education has commissioned and was codeveloped alongside our NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA). The programme is called “Tautai o le Moana” and is something similar to the Maori Achievement Collaboratives (MACs). 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”. 

• Mary Takatainga Principal Manurewa East School – Manurewa AUCKLAND 
• Paeariki Johnston Principal Rongomai School – Otara AUCKLAND
• Banapa Avatea – Principal Flat Bush School – Otara AUCKLAND
• Ronnie Govender – Principal Ferguson Int School – Otara AUCKLAND
• Jenny Bernard – Principal Birdwood School – Massey AUCKLAND 
• Christina Patea – Prinicpal Glenbrae School – Glen Innes AUCKLAND
• Jacqueline Maindonald – Principal Mangere Central School – Mangere AUCKLAND
• Nardi Leonard – Principal Jean Batten School – Mangere AUCKLAND
• Michelle Fepuleai – Principal Nga Iwi School – Mangere AUCKLAND
• Jerry Leaupepe-Tele – Principal Sir Douglas Bader Int School – Mangere AUCKLAND
• Davida Suasua – Principal Tangaroa College – Otara AUCKLAND 
• Trish Nash – Principal Corinna School – Porirua WELLINGTON
• Ragne Maxwell – Principal Porirua College – Porirua WELLINGTON
• Rhys McKinley – Principal Windley School – Porirua WELLINGTON 
• Katrina Day – Principal Cannons Creek School – Porirua WELLINGTON
• Eddie Uluilelata – Principal Rangikura School – Porirua WELLINGTON
• Jason Ataera – Principal Tairangi School – Porirua WELLINGTON
• Jane Reddish – Principal Holy Family School – Porirua WELLINGTON 
• Kathleen O’Hare – Maraeroa School – Porirua WELLINGTON 

• Helen Varney – Principal Target Road School – Totara Vale AUCKLAND – National Facilitator 
• Sose Annandale – Principal Russell School – Porirua WELLINGTON – Assistant Regional Facilitator 
• Filivaifale Jason Swann – Principal Otahuhu Primary School – Otahuhu AUCKLAND – President of NZPPA and fund holder 
• Taitu’uga Geoff Siave – Principal Shirley Int School – Shirley CHRISTCHURCH 
• Ala’imalo Falefatu Enari – Co Principal PASS Academy – Otahuhu AUCKLAND
• Sepora Mauigoa – Principal Glendene School – Glendene AUCKLAND 
• Melini Fasavalu – Principal Waimahia Int School – Manurewa AUCKLAND 
• Karl Vasau – Principal Rowandale School – Manurewa AUCKLAND – Residential Facilitator 
• Pam –  – Ministry of Education National Office 
• Fiona –  – Ministry of Education National Office 
• Nina –  – Ministry of Education National Office 
• Rina –  – Ministry of Education National Office 

Monday 11 November 2019

• Tautai – Captain or Navigator 
• Tau – Meaning to read 
• Tai – The sea 
• When we are reading the Sea we need to be aware of and understand the currents, tides, winds, fish, stars etc
• Moana – the ocean
• We need Principals to be like Tautai or Captains and take risks for our Pasifika Students
• It is easier to be a skipper while on the shore but take a risk and skipper at sea
• Be courageous about loosing site of the shore
• Need a waka with many risk takers and if the are not working or paddling together to not be afraid to set them adrift 

• We need to flip the script and stop talking about the failures of our students but of the success and achievements
• Pasifika Children are master navigators of multiple worlds
• Talanoa – builds and nurtures relationships, ideas, and knowledge
• Teu Le Va – Building that sage space between us
• Do your students see themselves in your schools 
• One way to measure your connection and relationships with parents is by reflecting on how many engage and participate in school activities
• Need to be aware of our world view and bias 
• Get comfortable being Uncomfortable 
• PAO – Pasifika Add On
• PTB – Push to Brown 

The Navigators were then placed into Talanoa groups where they shared information about themselves and continued to build an understanding of who they are and make connections with the others. 


PHOTO: Talanoa Group One 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr Rae Siilata AUCKLAND University 
The title of Dr Raes talk was “The Place of Pasifika in relation to Tangata Whenua”. Her talk left participants wanting to hear more and tested some very established world views on what is Pasifika and how we are linked to Tangata Whenua. 


PHOTO: Dr Rae Siilata 

Here are my main points for Dr Raes keynote 

• Often Pasifika have multiple identities
• Pasifika never walk into a room alone, we walk in with the voices of our tupuna in our ears
• Not all knowledge is learnt in one school
• Tangata o le Moana
• Who’s knowledge is valued at school
• Must acknowledge that we have experienced 1st and 2nd generation language loss

PHOTO: Jason thanking Dr Rae

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rosina Wikaira Principal Homai School
The title of Rosina’s talk was “Transforming effective practices through a culture that counts”. She is a strong advocate for Relationships Based Learning and has used this to make effective change in her school to see students achieving and making positive gains.  Just like in Niue when she presented as part of the NZPPA Study Tour she left the group wanting more and feeling empowered to wear their undies on the outside.


PHOTO: Rosina Wikaira 

Here are my notes on Rosina’s keynote:

• If the things you are doing are not conducive to improvement then “get rid of them”
• Dare to wear your undies on the outside of your pants
• We are the system
• What impact will you have today on the outcomes for our students, families or staff?
• Whose culture counts in your school? 
• What are we willing to do differently for the benefit of our students, staff and community? 
• Invest in your staff

PHOTO: Banapa thanking Rosina 

On the evening of the second day we shared a meal together at a restaurant on Courtney Place called Lulus. The food and company was amazing and it was another opportunity to build and develop the strong relationships and trust needed for Tautai o le Moana to succeed.


PHOTO: Conference Dinner – Restaurant Lulus 


PHOTO: Conference Dinner – Restaurant Lulus 


PHOTO: Conference Dinner – Restaurant Lulus 


PHOTO: Conference Dinner – Restaurant Lulus 


PHOTO: Conference Dinner – Restaurant Lulus 

Wednesday 13 November 2019 


PHOTO: Faatili starting our day with a prayer 

PHOTO: Helen and Sose focussing our Navigators for day Three

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Alai’malo Falefatu Enari 
is the Co Principal of PASS Academy in Otahuhu. His title of his keynote was “the Secondary Perspective – Conscientization”. Alai’malo is a very spiritual and dedicated principal who is faced with different challenges and adversities daily but is in love with his calling. 

• The education system needs a shakedown
• As principals we need to be aware of all the issues our students and communities face
• Lowest paid workers in the education system work with our most vulnerable students
• Does your charter and vision etc make you want to run?
• When you listen to your students you will begin to see them 
• Be aware of the loudest noise in your heart 
• Our influence will only go so far … the real influence is at the students level 

PHOTO: Tutufuga thanking Alai’malo

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr Adrienne Alton-Lee – Ministry of Education 
was our next speaker and from the outset it was clear by her words and content that she is someone who has fought the good fight to see Pasifika students and teachers do well. Her title of her keynote was “Outstanding Pacific Leadership in Education”. 


PHOTO: Dr Adrienne Alton-Lees 

All learning should be connected to students identity and culture 
1st chance quality teaching
If parents are helped and supported to help their children properly with their child’s learning at home – shifts will be experienced 
What things make the biggest difference:

 
PHOTO: Nardi thanking Dr Adrienne 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Faatili Iosua Esera 
Principal of Sutton Park School was our last keynote speaker. The title of his presentation was “Language and it’s Power”. This man is dedicated to strengthening and preserving first languages in his school and advocates for immersion settings.


PHOTO: Faatili Iosua Esera 

His main points were:

• Language is a scientific factor of language
• You can’t learn in a language you can’t understand
• The continued use of language one and emmersion is the most effected model of BiLingual Education
• Immersion by time, location and subject
• Immersion by person, event and purpose
• Discourage code switching and code mixing
• Essential to have quality on going PLD in relation to language learning and teaching 
• Speaking your Language One helps you to be a apart of your community 
• Being truly bilingual is a blessing