Culture

The varied cultures of our school are valued both within our curriculum and in extra curricular activities. Courses and options on offer include Toi Matahiko, Hauora, Carving, Mātauranga ‘o e Moana, Fa’asinoala, Pasifika Art and Pacific Studies. Te Ao Marama is our revamped Māori space at the centre of the school.

At the end of Term 1, we have a PC special, known as Colours Day. Houses compete to celebrate all our different cultures with haka, sports, dance, chants and more. From original hakas to outstanding costumes, this is a festival of colour and culture.

Te Kiwa Nui (Polyfest) is a real highlight mid year, when we celebrate and share our cultural dances. Usually there are nine groups representing many of the different cultures of our school: Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Tonga, Niue, Kuki Airani, Fiji, Kiribati and Kapa Haka. Each group selects its own leaders to lead and teach their dances, supported by tutors or teachers. Parents, whānau, kaiga, aiga and families show their appreciation too by making costumes and coming to practices to help teach. As well as having fun and working hard on their cultural dances, ākonga receive NCEA credits at all senior levels – mostly at excellence!

School Song

‘We Welcome You’

We welcome you (girls)
We welcome you (boys)
We welcome you with open arms
To share the love we have inside
We come together now as one
We extend our hands of friendship to you
As expression, expression of our love

(Chorus)

May the rising sun shine on you
And give you warmth and love
May the rising sun smile on you
And smile from up above

For this Marae’s a sacred place
Where people greet in Whiti Te Ra
Talofa, Kia orana, Malo lelei
We extend our hands of friendship to you
Kia kaha, kia kaha, Porirua