Vaka Pasifika Student Leadership Program

Four students represented Taylors Lakes Secondary College at the 2026 Vaka Pasifika Student Leadership Program at Melbourne University last term.

Maddison Vunderl, Maria Vaka, Miriam Vaka and Laquisha Valenisia were selected from Year 10 after being identified as potential leaders with an eye on a university future.

The girls felt the event was a notable example of what can be achieved through accessible pathways for Pasifika students.

Maddison Vunderl said she believed the program succeeded in unifying Polynesian kids to believe they could achieve remarkable things in the future.

“It was amazing to see these people that have done so well, it really helps us to feel we can do it too”. 

Ms Vunderl

“We felt so connected. Everyone came together for education. We are going to get there.”

The event attracted over three hundred students from metro Melbourne. 

They listened to lectures by Pasifika community leaders Dr. Te’o Dr. Vili Lese (Science), Dr. Rita Seumanutafa-Palala (Performing Arts) and Prof. Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino (Climate). 

The speakers were former Melbourne University students that forged successful careers in their respective fields. 

The lectures covered the importance of pursuing higher education and the need to address issues unique to the Pasifika community. 

Students were also instructed on how to access scholarships and other pathways to university.

The program was facilitated by Pasifika Schools Network founder Samuelu Brown, who also doubled up as emcee on the day. PSN is a secondary schools-based, community led by liaison, engagement, and well-being workers.

Mr Brown, who is also Family Engagement officer at St Albans Secondary College, said the event was an enormous success.

“We had twenty-one schools in the room, which is a huge increase on last year.”

He highlighted the positive engagement by all students and praised the support of Sally Carew-Reid, head of Operations and Governance for Schools and Regional Services Victoria.

“She was incredibly important as an advocate for this program and remains a positive force for these kids and the wider Pasifika community”.

Mr Brown