Talofa lava, mālō le soifua!

We celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa/Samoa Language Week at Rolleston College with lunchtime performances, a primary school visit, and warm Pacific vibes all week. This year’s theme, ‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu’u’ (From the high mountains are the blessings of the village), speaks of mountains creating shelter for families and villages, and teachers providing guidance for our young people – these are the blessings from higher mountains.

Alongside that, we’ve had a huge week for the performing arts, with Harmony Haemata, our vocal group, giving a beautiful performance at Selwyn Sings yesterday. I had the privilege of attending The Big Sing this afternoon, and I encourage you to head along to the gala concert tonight if you can! Our singers will be no doubt tired, but incredibly excited and proud of themselves.

Our young thespians Neo Carter, Annie Bearsley, and Mads Winfield travelled to Wellington last weekend as the first Rolleston College representatives at the National Shakespeare Festival, with Annie and Neo performing a five-minute piece from Julius Caesar, directed by Mads. It was a life-changing experience for these learners.

We also saw Elodie Wightman win a bronze medal at the Canterbury secondary schools cross country championships, with several other great results from Rolleston College runners. And our boys’ first XI football team have been promoted to the upper division of the Mainland Premiership! Rolleston College is really firing on all cylinders.

We want every learner at our kura to know they have value, and we work to instill this in each person. We see it every day in the way our learners help each other, support their friends and classmates, take pride in their heritage and culture, and give their best – on stage, on the hockey or football turf, or otherwise, in more quiet ways.

Over the next weeks, we will recognise learners in year 9 to 11 who have displayed the Rolleston Spirit in our junior celebrations. As well as celebrating these learners, it’s an opportunity for others to continue to strive for excellence. Think like the kāhu – lift your eyes, be aware of the world around you, and act with care and responsibility toward others.

We continue to be grateful for the support from whānau and families, and look forward to working with you more as we dig in for the last weeks of term two!

I hope you have an outstanding weekend.

Fa’afetai tele lava

Rachel Skelton