Pasifika Initiatives

Albertian police are pictured with Pasifika Prefects and leaders, guest speakers Detective Inspector Fa’amanuia Va’aelua (back row, centre) and Detective Constable Fiao’o Fa’amausili, also Captain of the Black Ferns women’s rugby team, Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm and Head of Pasifika Initiatives Ms Va Anisi.

A dozen Albertian police officers attended the final Pasifika Assembly of the year to encourage students plan a career, and consider policing.

The Captain of the Black Ferns women’s rugby team, Detective Constable Fiao’o Fa’amausili, also attended, with her message particularly aimed at Pasifika girls.

Detective Inspector Fa’amanuia Va’aelua, whose daughter Aleisha is in Year 9 at MAGS, has been a policeman for nearly 30 years and is now one of the most highly ranked Pasifika officers in the country. He is in charge of co-ordinating serious crime investigations in the Counties Manukau district.

“Policing has taken me through New Zealand and around the world, including to my home country of Samoa, but its biggest reward is being able to help the community, particularly the Samoan community,” said Detective Inspector Va’aelua, adding that being fluent in a Pasifika language was a significant advantage. “The new Government has undertaken to recruit 1000 extra officers, and we are targetting Pasifika and ethnic recruits because Auckland is such a culturally diverse city.”

Detective Inspector Va’aelua, who was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for going above and beyond his duties to help the community, was backed by 12 Albertian police who had gathered from stations all over Auckland.

“I encourage you to consider policing as a career, but whatever you do, give it heaps.”

Detective Constable Fa’amausili, who led their Black Ferns to their fourth World Cup victory in August, said women and Pasifika people were still under-represented in the police, but that should not hold back Pasifika girls from considering the police as a career.

“You can do whatever you want to do, and you can make a difference. Keep your Pasifika identity, be proud of who we are, and it will also help you in your work.”

Whatever career paths the students chose to follow, Detective Constable Fa’amausili advised them to make a plan and follow through. “There will be struggles and setbacks, but remember, you never lose. You only learn, or win.”

MAGS’ Pasifika students celebrated new milestones in academic and leadership success at the Scholars’ and Leadership Assemblies in February.

Four students gained five NZQA Scholarships between them, and a record 19 were endorsed with Merit or Excellence in NCEA Level 3.

In Leadership, Denzel Robertson was named Head Boy, and ‘Alosi Bloomfield is Deputy Head Girl. A record 14 Pasifika students feature among the 2017 Prefect team.

Denzel Robertson (far left) is MAGS’ Head Boy for 2017, and ‘Alosi Bloomfield (far right) is Deputy Head Girl.

Academic success

Pasifika students who gained Excellence in NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3, and who attained NZQA Scholarships, received their Scholar Lion badges at the Scholars’ Assembly on Monday, 20 February.

Luke Fitzpatrick gained two Scholarships in Calculus and Statistics, 2016 Head Girl Leilani Ioelu attained Scholarship Statistics for the second time, Lorenzo Vea’ila gained Scholarship Drama, and Monique Kost attained Scholarship Dance. Only the top 3% of students who sit a Scholarship exam are awarded it.

Six students gained NCEA Level 3 with Excellence: Luke Fitzpatrick, Isabella Ieremia, Leilani Ioelu, Monique Kost, Caitlin Pritchard and Sabian Scott.

A further 13 Pasifika students gained Level 3 with Merit: Agnes Ah Yen, Ruth Alesana, Jessie Amiatu, Siosiua Atuekaho, France Bloomfield, Caleb Faleolo, Trent Kimiangatau, Jolame Maile, James Pickering, Paul Roache, Wally Tanoai, Folau Tu’inukuafe, Lorenzo Vea’ila

Pasifika Leadership

In addition to Denzel and ‘Alosi’s appointments to the Prefect Executive, the following Pasifika students were named as Prefects for 2017 at the Leadership Assembly on Thursday, 16 February: Aaron Fa’asalafa, Noah Foster, Fia Jones, Lausapai Nikoro, Desmond Petelo, Javvier Pitovao, Ceylonese Taumaoe, Ethan Taumaoe, William Sharkey, Paris Shum, Shakthi Singh, Vaimoana Va’ai.

The 14 Prefects will lead the Pasifika Council. Year 12 leaders will also contribute to the leadership group.