Enriching our school with Tongan Language Week - my reflections so far!

This week is Tongan Language week and the theme is "Fakakoloa 'o Aotearoa 'aki 'a e 'ofa fonua - Enrich Aotearoa with the love of duty and service to Country, Community and People".

On Monday, our Tongan staff led us with a prayer, followed by a hymn and then our principal Soana Pamaka officially opened the celebrations for our school before we were invited by Mele Suipi Latu, to learn some important Tongan phrases.

Today, at staff briefing we were guided by Ozzie Kupu through a fun song to help us remember how to say hello and to reply.  It was a catchy tune which made us laugh in joy from trying.  Viliami Telefoni drew our attention to the craze of 2017 which was the Mate Ma'a Tonga Rugby League team and their rise to top.  It reminded me of the time when I travelled to Hamilton to watch NZ get beaten by the might MMT and I felt so proud for the Tongans and the way Pasifika people everywhere banded together to support them - it felt like a victory for all the Pasifika people!  Thank you for the memories Viliami, I look forward to seeing what is in store for the rest of the week!

Remembering a highlight for 2017 - MMT beating NZ!