Posted in General Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa

Date: 30 May 2023

Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa, Samoan language week, runs from Sunday 28th May until Saturday 3rd June. The theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - this year is ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’.

Our Cultural Council, Samoan student leaders and teachers, have a series of exciting events planned for the week. The week began with Puleitu Lemana 13Lv addressing staff at their morning briefing, explaining the theme for the week, explaining how important it was for Samoan students to be able to share their language and their culture with others, to feel pride in their Samoan heritage and and to celebrate its richness with all of us. Staff enjoyed learning the celebration of the Fataupati/Sasā, although it has to be said some were faster at learning this than others!

Our Principal Ms Hayat, Persiding Board member Mr Woodward and senior staff were honoured to take part in an ‘ava ceremony led by Mr Faata, Mr Crichton, Mr Filipo and Mr Moli.  In the Samoan culture and traditions, 'ava plays an important role in ceremonies and way of life or the fa'asamoa. It is  a solemn ritual in which a ceremonial beverage is shared to mark important occasions in Samoan society.

We look forward to the Samoan performances, Samoan sports, fashion show, concert and learning gagana Samoa, all planned for this week. Samoan students are encouraged to be proud of their language and to speak it when they can,” When you are proud of your language and can speak it, you will also be more grounded in your identity as a Samoan.”