“Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā. A well-grounded self, is a successful self”.
Talofa lava Aiga Faiaoga,
Faafetai i le alofa o le Atua – we give all glory to God for a successful celebration of Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa at Southern Cross Campus. It has been a week filled with pride, purpose and powerful expressions of our Gagana and Aganuu.
We officially launched Samoan Language Week on Tuesday with a beautiful Ava Ceremony, led by our Years 12–13 Gagana Samoa students, followed by the Years 5–8 Samoan School Speech Competition… A truly powerful reminder that our language is alive and thriving here at SCC.
The festivities continued with our Years 9–13 “SCC’s Samoa’s Got Talent” showcase, where students shared their incredible gifts and creativity. Congratulations to our winners; the “IA FA” Band and “Lovers Duet”who graced our assembly with their winning performances.
Wednesday offered students a true Taste of Samoa with Koko Alaisa and Panikeke Fa‘i, bringing both flavour and warmth to the day. Workshop activities deepened the cultural learning, including a session exploring our 4R Values through a Samoan lens.
Students also engaged in siva Samoa (dance), lalaga (weaving), ula loles, ribbon ula making and the crafting of traditional accessories; a hands-on celebration that connected hearts and hands to heritage.
On Thursday, our College assembly highlighted the significance of protecting and preserving Gagana Samoa, featuring vibrant performances by Gagana Samoa classes, prefects and talent quest winners, including an original composition by our Year 13 students.
This was followed by our Junior School assembly, which included presentations of the speech winners, finished by show-stopping performances from both students and parents.
A special congratulations to our twelve Years 5–8 students who proudly represented SCC at the F.A.G.A.S.A Aukilani Tauvaga Tautalaga held at the Fale Samoa. Each of our speech contestants spoke exceptionally well as they delivered their speech with pride and conviction on the theme: “Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā – A well-grounded self, is a successful self”.
Faafetai tele lava to our wonderful speech contestants: Frances Aleka, Lupe Sauoleola, Jireh Siufaga, Bill Westerlund, Elysia Matua, Etone Siaosi Tiavaasue, Sio Lafaele Toalepai, Fatima Mareko, Blessing Pisa, Ioapo Feterika, Steveterry Kenese and Garcia Tamalii. You made us proud!
We wrapped up the week with a beautiful shared lunch; a celebration of food, fellowship and the strengthening of relationships. Faafetai tele lava to our Junior School Samoan Parents Komiti, Samoan teachers and all staff for your tireless support and contributions.
Special thanks to Dr. Sam Smith, Ms. Mose and Miss Alatasi for your leadership and guidance throughout the week.
Thank you all for celebrating our language, identity and culture.
May we continue to tautua i le alofa; serve with love in our homes, classrooms and community so that together we can ensure manuia le lumana‘i for our tamaiti, aiga and future generations.
Manuia le vaiaso o lo’o loma mai.
Alofaaga,
Samoan Komiti
