Tautai O Le Moana – Strengthening the capability of Principals to improve outcomes for Pasifika Learners | New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association

Tautai O Le Moana – Strengthening the capability of Principals to improve outcomes for Pasifika Learners

PHOTO: Tautai O Le Moana Wellington Residential 2019

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”.

PHOTO: The Planning Committee

The Principals and schools in this initial pilot programme were selected based on a number of criteria and that once they were approached they needed their Boards of Trustees to formally agree and endorse to have their principals participate in. The first cohort is made up of schools and principals from Wellington and Auckland:

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

Principals were supported and guided during their two days by the following planning and programme design team and MoE officials:

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

PHOTO: Some of the Principal Navigators posing with the Hon Carmel Sepuloni at the Wellington Airport

Navigators (Principals) from Auckland arrived in Wellington late afternoon and were greated and welcomed along with the Wellington based Principals at the Ibis Hotel which was also where everyone was accommodated.

PHOTO: Jet Star travellers

PHOTO: Air NZ travellers

A small gathering was organised before dinner where principals mixed and mingled with each other to begin the process of building relationships.

PHOTO: Mix and Mingle event at the Ibis Hotel

Then the group travelled up to the James Cook Hotel and were welcomed in traditional Cook Island style and were then entertained before dinner by an amazing performance from the Victoria University Samoan Students Association.

PHOTO: Navigators being welcomed into the venue

PHOTO: Victoria University Samoan Students Association Performance

Ala’imalo blessed our evening and then Filivaifale, Helen and Sose formally welcomed everyone to Wellington. We then broke bread together as a group and continued to connect, build strong relationships and Talanoa.

PHOTO: Ala’imalo opening our 2 days with prayer

PHOTO: Filivaifale welcoming everyone

PHOTO: Helen and Sose welcoming everyone

PHOTO: Breaking bread together

Tuesday 12 November 2019

PHOTO: Rosina leading our morning devotion

Our day started with a prayer delivered by Rosina Wikaira and then Fa’atili Iosua Esera shared and explained the story and meaning behind “Tautai O Le Moana”.

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

PHOTO: Faatili sharing the meaning behind “Tautai O Le Moana

PHOTO: Filivaifale “Pasifika World View”

Then we were challenged and inspired by the opening address by Filivaifale Jason Swann. His talk was titled “Pasifika World View” and the main points I took from his talk were:

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

PHOTO: Christina thanking Filivaifale

PHOTO: Table Group One Discussing Jason’s Keynote

PHOTO: Table Group Two Discussing Jason’s Keynote

PHOTO: Table Group Three Discussing Jason’s Keynote

PHOTO: Table Group Four Discussing Jason’s Keynote

PHOTO: Table Group Five Discussing Jason’s Keynote

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

PHOTO: Talanoa Group Two

PHOTO: Talanoa Group Three

PHOTO: Talanoa Group Four

PHOTO: Talanoa Group Five

PHOTO: Talanoa Group Six

We then shared lunch and then after lunch our Navigators participated in a fun activity of making a Ula Lole (Lollie Necklace). This was a heap of fun and a great thing to take back to their own schools to do with their staff for special occasions.

PHOTO: Table Group One – Ula Lole Activity

PHOTO: Table Group Two – Ula Lole Activity

PHOTO: Table Group Three – Ula Lole Activity

PHOTO: Table Group Four – Ula Lole Activity

PHOTO: Table Group Five – Ula Lole Activity

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

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.

PHOTO: Alai’malo Falefatu Enari

Here are my notes from his keynote:

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

Here are my notes from her keynote:

We already know and we have seen that if Resource and Development is invested in we will see shifts and gains

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:

– Principals participating in Teacher PLD

– Relationships

– Establishing goals and expectations

– Good planning and assessment

– An Orderly and supportive environment

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

The first ever residential for Tautai o le Moana was a high success and the Navigations and Tautai are ready for the next steps. Clusters like these are planned to be rolled out in the near future and these principals and MoE officials have contributed towards the developing of a resource and programme that will support Principals to support themselves and others.

Here are some more random photos from the 3 days:

PHOTO: Eddie and Trish sharing about one of their students being acknowledge and awarded a special award at Government House

PHOTO: Whetu Comick has been a staunch supporter of NZPPA and the setting up of Tautai o le Moana and here he is reporting back with Filivaifale on the launching of the Tomorrows Schools report

PHOTO: Reflection and Prayer time

PHOTO: My dear friend Jane and I … two Principals of Holy Family School…