Samoan students

Emerging Pacific leaders head to NZ for training as part of Dawn Raid’s apology commitments

On August 1 2021 the New Zealand Government offered a formal apology for the 1970’s Dawn Raids. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni says,  “In welcoming this cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand, we’re embracing the opportunity to grow a generation of Pacific leaders that will gain the knowledge and understanding to make a difference to their communities and countries.” 

Samoan students penalised in exam for reading banned stories

The Samoa Observer has revealed that last year hundreds of Year 12 students were taught from four banned texts.

A report into the results of last year's Year 12 English exam revealed the banned stories include Guilty Rain, Examination Day, and Wasteland.

Of 41 schools that held the exam, 12 had taught from the texts.

The report noted that schools needed to be aware that students are penalised for using banned short stories, and to stop teaching them, the Observer said.

Samoan students in Fiji say they’re safe

Savali newspaper reports Talai Onesemo and Luteru Junior Puletiuatioa Tupua are currently studying with Fulton Adventist University College in Nadi.

New cases of COVID-19 both border and local transmission have been reported in Fiji.

”God is still faithful to His promises,” reassures Luteru in an email to Savali. “He will never abandon us.”

For security purposes, the students reported that new regulations have been in place which include sealing off.

4 Samoans evacuated from Wuhan due to arrive in Samoa over the weekend

The Government of Samoa, working with the relevant New Zealand authorities and its offices in Wellington and Auckland had organised accommodation and made final arrangements for the students and their dependents to travel back to Samoa on 22 February 2020.

Three current students and a former student were evacuated to New Zealand on 5 February.    

The voluntary evacuation was undertaken by the Government of New Zealand for their nationals, Australians and five other Pacific countries including Samoa at the request of the Government of Samoa.

Students shine at flag raising welcome ceremony

The students braved intermittent rain to perform anthems and traditional dances from French Polynesia, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia as the flags of those countries were raised on the lawns of Falefono.

Sene Palepua, the vice principal of Maile Primary School that represented Palau at the ceremony, said her 445 students rose to the challenge of learning Palau’s national anthem, despite its unfamiliar words and sounds.

Students excited by ceremony choir involvement

“It’s a really good experience for the students to be involved in the choir in [the biggest] event that has ever happened here in Samoa,” said student Meafou Fiaui.

For Meafou, a young and passionate singer, performing at one of the largest sporting events in the Pacific is something that she had never imagined.

“Music class teaches you about notes and things like that, but going to the big stage you learn different kinds of voices,” she says.

“You have to know the different people that have different parts in the choir in order for you to know your part.”

Pasifika students raise money for Christchurch victims

Just over three weeks ago, the students were told they would not be performing at Polyfest because of the events in Christchurch.

On Sunday, more than 50 boys took to the stage at the school's gala day on its campus in the suburb of Glendowie.

One of the parents, Sharon Swann, said the boys agreed that all donations made at the performance would go to the victims of the Christchurch attacks.

The group had missed out on other chances to perform since 15 March, she said.

Samoan Scholarship students farewelled

A total of 28 students have been awarded the bilateral full scholarships and another four have been awarded China-South Pacific Regional Scholarships.

Samoa’s Foreign Affairs Chief Executive, Peseta Noumea Simi represented Government at the event.

Students driving Samoan farming at Taratahi

Now, after just three weeks at the training centre, she can drive tractors and quad bikes, and has learned valuable agricultural skills that she will pass on to the Samoan government.

As well as being the first female farm manager in Samoa, Miss Fou is also the youngest at just 23.

She manages the largest government-owned farm in Samoa, “10,000 acres”, which is just over 4000ha.

Miss Fou was selected alongside Elvis Tuaia, 28, to attend a 7-week bespoke course at the Wairarapa training centre.

Both work for Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.