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Pasifika Students

MĀori and

Our

Māori

Toku reo toku ohooho

My language, my awakening.

Villa Maria College is committed to honoring the

principals of Te Tiriti OWaitangi. Te Reo Māori is

a compulsory part of our Years 7/8 curriculum

and an optional subject through to Year 13. The

Villa Maria Kaumatua andWhanau Komiti work

to support our Māori students and build strong

connections with their whanau. A Māori mentor

provides additional support for girls in their

development as Māori leaders. We recognise

outstanding academic success of our Māori

students with our annual Iho Pūmanawa Award.

The Iho Pūmanawa Award

This Award is one of the ways we recognise the high academic achievement of our Māori students. The

taonga awarded to the top academic student was gifted to the College by Te Kaiwhakahaere o Ngai Tahu,

Mark Solomon. Senior staff, including the College kaumatua, assesses students’ academic results and

interview high achievers to determine the Iho Pūmanawa Award recipient each year.

Kapa Haka

Villa Maria College Kapa Haka group have performed at regional competitions with expert training and

support from staff, parents and whanau. Kapa Haka at Villa Maria provides leadership opportunities for

our students as well as the exploration and expression

of Māori culture through song and dance.

Maiā Matthews, 2013 Iho Pūmanawa Award recipient

Pasifika

Taloha ni, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa atu,

Ni sa bula, Kia ora, Talofa lava, Greetings

The College values and embraces its Pasifika students.

The Villa Maria Pasifika Cultural Group encompasses

Year 9 to 13 girls and provides a wealth of

opportunities for friendships, support and leadership

roles. An annual fixture for the group is their

participation and performance at the Christchurch

Secondary Schools Pacific Island Festival, sPACIFICally

PACIFIC. Pasifika parents are regularly consulted and

meet together to support the College.

We acknowledge the crucial role we play in the education of our Māori and Pasifika students and are committed

to strengthening the partnership that students, families and their communities have with teachers, principals,

tertiary providers and local and central government.

Catherine Petaia was awarded the SUPREME AWARD

and was named as the top female academic in all of

Canterbury at the sPACIFICally Pacific event.