Mana Pasifika News
CSC LAUNCHES NEW SCHOOL PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO “EMPOWER, ENGAGE, AND ELEVATE”!
By: Mana Pasifika Journalist Team - Desiree Reupena
We are pleased to announce the launch of Mana Pasifika- a new program that is committed to supporting Pasifika students to thrive in their learning, life and future aspirations. On Wednesday 8th of May, the college’s Pasifika community was warmly greeted with smiles and smooth jams from the Community SIT (School Improvement Team) and volunteering students.
As people entered, the welcoming sight of a beverage station and the light refreshments enlightened you. Being escorted to your seat by a student volunteer was the best first impression. Stunning photos filled the entrance of the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) showing flashbacks of the many Pasifika programs the college has hosted over the years. When we entered the PAC, many families were provided with a brochure that had some details about the programs available in Mana Pasifika.
The night began with a traditional opening prayer by the program coordinator Miss Ronique Aiolupotea. During the introduction, we learnt what ‘Mana’ means power or spirit. In the speech Miss Ronique talked about how this program is going to provide opportunities and help the Pasifika students connect to their roots. The Mana Pasifika group prioritises the academic benefit and growth of the students and finding themselves in their identity while living in Australia.
“Why can’t we (Pasifika) also be in those spaces?”
During the Mana Pasifika event, we heard from Mr McGavisk talking about how the program came together and the need to support our Pasifika community through the college. We were pleased to have a beautiful Samoan traditional performance by our community leaders Julie Peterson-Aumua and Konnor Akeli to end the evening.
At the end of the event, community captain Venu Anau invited Mrs Afaese to end our launch event with a prayer of safety and to bless the food. We had yummy traditional dishes such as paifala (pineapple custard pies), puligi (steam pudding), banana pudding (suafa’i), lamb buns (keke mamoe), and sandwiches, with a hot cup of tea.
A big thank you to the Niana’s parents and Sio’s family for supporting the event by bringing some delicious chop suey (sapasui) and rice.
We would also like to say a special thank you to the staff that accepted our invitation to attend our launch, and those who helped make things possible behind the scenes.
Mana Pasifika Talanoawith Mr Junior Fiu
On Wednesday the 1st of May 2024, Mana Pasifika hosted their first Talanoa session with guest speaker Mr Junior Fiu who works as one of the college’s youth workers. He opened up his speech with an interactive and fun activity that got all the participants up and moving. The participants had to choose a side depending on what they preferred out of the two options that Mr Fiu gave. There were a range of junior students and senior students, as well as staff who came along to support.
Mr Fiu’s main topic of discussion talked about how distractions could cost someone a chance at greatness and a setback for achieving goals. Mr Fiu explained some of his life experiences in school, and how some of his decisions impacted the way his life had unfolded but he has persevered and continued to grow through the situations. Mr Fiu provided a deep look into life offering encouragement and advice to the participants saying, “don’t walk out the way you walked into high school.” This meaning, that as Pasifika who migrated overseas for better futures, school can help shape these futures if you make it a goal to walk out of high school with more than you started.
After the talanoa with Mr Fiu, participants of this workshop were given some time to work on a sheet to identify their goals and aspirations, and who can help them achieve success. When the time was up, each participant and staff member came up to the front and shared one goal they wrote down. It was great to see so many students step out of their comfort zone and have the confidence to speak in front of others.
On behalf of the Mana Pasifika team, thank you Mr Fiu for making some time to share with us your experiences, and words of wisdom.
Kind regards,
Mana Pasifika Journalist Team – Sio Afele
Homework Support Club update
Every Monday afternoon at 3:30pm, Mana Pasifika hosts a 1-hour homework support club for Pasifika students. The main purpose of this homework space is to break barriers and create a routine normalising study, homework, and academic success. Through culture and traditional practices, we find links to elevate our experiences with study to help us achieve better results in the classroom.
During the session, our senior students are usually the first to arrive and they begin setting up the space. There is quiet island music, Mr Neal helps us with laptops, and a tub of backup resources for student access. We sometimes have our teachers; youth workers and staff come to help us and check in with how we are going with school.
We have now incorporated social goals into our sessions, and written responses to reflect on our goals and how we are going. The rest of the session, we work in small groups or independently to finish our studies or any homework that we have.
Please see our homework club poster for more details and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs Ronique Aiolupotea.
