Sutton Park School Celebrates First-Ever Rotuman Language Week

Sutton Park School celebrates Advertisement ﬁ rst-ever Rotuman Language Week Wanting to help out with the relief effort, Sutton Park School principal Fa’atili Iosua Esera and the Tongan Bilingual unit Sia Ua put the idea together to ﬁ ll a container to send to their sister school in Tonga, Queen Salote College. Almost as soon as they had the idea, the donations started rolling in. The container was presented to Queen Salote College in March by a team from Sutton Park School, who travelled to Tonga for the occasion.

The Rotuman language week was embraced by both students and staff A moving ceremony was held to present - who said learning can’t be fun?! the container, where following singing and A prestigious and memorable occasion Atea students who sang it marvellously a prayer, Reverend Dr Asinate Samate, was held at Sutton Park School from May during assembly. principal of Queen Salote College, 7 - May 11 as the ﬁ rst ever inaugural The celebrations concluded with a special expressed her gratitude to Sutton Park Rotuman Language Week was celebrated. assembly where the school was joined by School for their love and generosity. a few representatives from the Rotuman Rotuman is an endangered language After the container keys were presented, which originates from the Polynesian Language Organising Group. Sutton Park School deputy principal Island of Rotuma, about 500km north of Vaitimu Togi Lemanu spoke in Tongan Fiji, with a sizeable community living in and English to acknowledge the Mangere New Zealand. Its language is listed on UNESCO’s list of endangered languages community, and thank Queen Salote as ‘vulnerable’ and it is not often spoken College for their warm hospitality. outside of Rotuma and its neighbouring Now back at Sutton Park, he has a few islands. closing words on the experience. At Sutton Park School, teachers and “I would like to acknowledge the different students embraced the uniqueness of a Kids and teachers alike enjoyed the Rotuman schools and businesses who also helped dying or soon to be extinct language that dance at the school’s special assembly to out bringing items for the containers. characterised a proud and unique minority conclude the week’s celebrations. Thank you Wayne Carroll from the group of people. After a Google slideshow about Rotuma Shuttle Express Ltd and your workers for and a Rotuman dance, the assembly the free container. ﬁ nished with entertainment featuring Mr Esera, Mrs Kaifa and some members “I would like to thank the team that of the Rotuman community in true accompanied me to Tonga. It was nice to Rotuman style! hear from Asinate who said they were very fortunate to have our school in Tonga, For the best part of the week, staff and visitors were blessed with a special in person, to present our container. and delicious koua (umu) prepared by She is very thankful to Sutton Park Students speak at the Rotuman Language Week, Mr Tui Lakokiperitania, and graced with school staff, students and our community held at Sutton Park School from May 7-11. the one and only Rotuman delicacy of for their continuous love and support A special Faieksia to Mr Esera and ‘Fekei’, prepared by Mr Katafono, for Queen Salote College. Malo ‘aupito – Mr Reupena and some Atea boys. Management for allowing the school to be Ofa lahi atu.” part of the celebrations and most of all to Once again Faieksia ‘e hanisi ma Gloria Tautaiolefua, Manuia Pelu, Ranadi Alalum! (Thank you so much for the Lako, and the Meke(Dance) group for love and support and STAY BLESSED!) saying the words - far better than most Rotumans themselves! From Mangere to Tonga, Activities of the Week included a Word with love for the Day, shared with the students and teachers. When Cyclone Gita hit Tonga in For the culmination of the week, February 2018, the destruction was shocking: bowling buildings, destroying Mr Katafono taught ‘Atumotu Helava’, Staff and students of Sutton Park School the Rotuman National Anthem to the infrastructure and causing severe beside the packed container they sent over to damage to the Island nation. their sister school, Queen Salote College in Tonga.

Sutton Park School Phone: 09 276 4560 89 Vine Street, Mangere East Email: mailofﬁ[email protected]

AU-8077077AB