Dear Parents,

O le “Aufa'atasi” o le mea lea e mana'o ai a tatou tama uma o Liston ia latou a'oga.

“Belonging” is what we want for all of our Liston boys to feel about their school. Celebrating Samoan Language week allowed many of our Samoan students to express the pride and respect they have in their culture and tradition.

It is my pleasure to now introduce our Pasifika Co-ordinator at Liston College, Mr Pilimilose Manu, to say a few words and share with you the wonderful student led videos throughout Samoan Language week.

Malo e lelei and Talofa,

This year's theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week - is Fa’aāuāu le Folauga i le Va’a o Tautai - Continue the Voyage with Competent Wayfinders of the Ocean.

Samoan language week celebrates the identity, language, and culture of students from Samoa and students whose families are from Samoa; supporting this group of learners to engage and achieve success. This special week helps all New Zealander's journey toward shared cultural understandings.

This year our young Samoan men wanted to celebrate SLW by filming a series of educational videos that would be shared throughout the week of SLW. The videos consisted of performances, activities and competitions, words and phrases of the day. The videos have been received positively by students and staff. Special thank you to Braiden Leituala who filmed everything and to our hosts Javan Lam-Mila and RJ Afamasaga and the other Samoan men who worked hard behind the scenes to make this week special.

I am proud of the work the boys have done to celebrate and share their culture with not only the school but their community. Fa'afetai tele lava. "

Congratulations to the Liston Men of the Week:
Year 7 - Alesana Faumuina
Year 8 - Cooper Ballard
Year 9 - Joseph Mang
Year 10 - Chad van Dolleweerd
Year 11 - Joshua Singh
Year 12 - Anmol Shrestha
Year 13 – RJ Afamasaga

Nga manaakitanga

Steve Dooley

Principal
Liston College