STAFF ONLY DAY
On Friday 17th June all staff will be involved in training and professional meetings throughout the day. This is not like Alert Level settings and is one of eight days granted to each school as part of the Primary Teachers Collective Agreement. At times we need all staff to hear the same message from training providers and can only do so as a whole staff.
School Closed Friday 17th June
As part of this year’s overarching theme of ‘Sustainability’, the Samoan community chose a theme that would reflect the journey of language revitalisation and maintenance as well as recognising the importance of having the right tools, good leadership skills, relationships and the correct medium (va’a) that is adaptable to faring the ocean and its elements.
This year marks 12 years since Samoa Language Week has been celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand. Following on from 2021, Samoa Language Week 2022 is led by three key organisations – FAGASA, Fotu ō Malama and SAASIA.
2022 is also a significant year for the Samoan community, being the 60th anniversary of Samoa Independence. Communities are organising activities to commemorate this milestone, which coincides with Samoa Language Week.
Samoa has a unique historical relationship with New Zealand. It is the only nation that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship. The Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand is about a commitment to partnership, friendship and a mutual endeavour to obtain for Tagata Samoa fuller opportunities for social progress. Language is critical in achieving this.
Below is a calendar of activities and events to be held throughout Aotearoa to embrace and celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa and the 60th Anniversary of Samoa Independence.
Stay connected online by visiting the official Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa Facebook page.
To support the umbrella Pacific Language Weeks theme of Sustainability, the Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta theme was chosen to build on from last year’s focus on the Four Pillars of Wellbeing.
In launching Rotuman Language Week 2022 today, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio said that “Sustainability aligns to New Zealand’s opportunity to build back better from COVID-19 as we reopen to the world and reconnect with one another.”
“The theme also aligns with UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which started this year, and recognises the right to preserve, revitalise and promote languages.”
The Hata Collective, representing many of the Rotuman communities in Aotearoa, selected the pillar that best supports the concept of sustainability – VETḀKI – which means to continuously do something without interruption.
“VETḀKI is a word rarely used in the current spoken language, so the use of this word in the theme signals the need for revival of Fäeag Rotuạm,” said Minister Sio.
“With only approximately 2,000 speakers on the islands of Rotuma, to nurture the Rotuman identity in Aotearoa, everyone must work together to revitalise and maintain Fäeag Rotuạm.”
Watch Minister Sio’s acknowledgement video above, as he officially launches Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week – for 2022.
Activities and events for Rotuman Language Week will be held throughout Aotearoa and online to showcase the richness of the Rotuman language, culture and traditions.
Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Rotuman Language Week Facebook page.
For more Information, Events and Resources visit Ministry for Pacific People – Rotuman Language Week
