Tuesday July 1st, the Te Oro Music and Arts Centre buzzed with energy as we gathered for a special day of learning, connection, and shared vision. This was our inaugural conference, a day that showcased the strength of community and the richness of Pacific wisdom in education. The morning kicked off with a compelling keynote address from Dr. Rae Si'ilata and her auva'a (team) Marth, Kyla, Grace and Apikaila from Va'atele Consultants. Dr. Si'ilata's insights are always stirring, challenging us to consider what our children and whānau see us valuing. Her powerful message resonated, prompting us to reflect on our practices and ensure they demonstrate our commitment to valuing every learner's identity, language, and culture. It was an inspiring start that set a clear, authentic tone for the day. Following the keynote, attendees immersed themselves in a dynamic series of 12 diverse workshops. These sessions encouraged active collaboration, offering practical tools and fresh perspectives. The spirit of working together was evident, with ideas and experiences shared freely among participants. It was good to see how everyone naturally contributed, enriching the collective learning. One of the highlights of the day was our Pasifika-styled lunch at Tātou Cafe, just across the road. What made this even more special was that the cafe is student-run, a fantastic initiative by Wayfynders – a community project with Tāmaki College students learning and earning. It was a delicious and authentic experience that embodied the values of community, enterprise, and nurturing talent central to our conference. The students' manaakitanga was wonderful, and it was a proud moment to support their work. The entire day was a testament to the great lineup of presenters and the dedication of everyone who came together to learn, create, and share. We hope that the ideas and truths sparked during the conference will inspire and impact the terms ahead, bringing fresh energy and purpose to your tautua (service). A huge thank you to the Manaiakalani Education Trust and TRC for their financial support, which helped make this event possible. We also extend our gratitude to Mena International Ltd (the Pacific fashion brand) and PBTech for their generous donation of items towards our end-of-conference draw, which was loved by all. Thank you once again to our everyone who attended and contributed to such a memorable event. Your engagement and willingness to collaborate made it a success! Based on the great support and feedback we've received, we look forward to hosting again in 2026! Ia manuia lava toe kuata o le tausaga, fa'amanuia le Atua iā te outou uma! What was your favorite moment or key takeaway from our inaugural conference? Share in the comments below!
No comments:
Post a Comment