The inaugural Tupaia Tapasā Quest took place last week at Waikato University. Secondary schools were invited to compete in a three-day event that showcased Pasifika culture and excellence through oratory competition, Kilikiti, and performance.
On Friday, we had students compete in a Junior and Senior Kilikiti team, and the officials named two of our students MVPs! Junior Kilikiti MVP – Paige Vave and Senior MVP – Henaka Tusa Soagia.
Our Pasifika performance group took the stage on Saturday, showcasing Tonga, Kiribati and Samoa dances. We are proud to announce that Sacred Heart Girls’ College Pasifika group were awarded the following accolades:
First place – Best Costume
Second place – Best Choreography
Second place – Skill and performance
Third place – Sportsmanship
Third place – Group dynamic
Overall, second place of the Mana Pasifika Shield!
Well done to our Pasifika stage performers, and thank you to all the teachers and families who worked behind the scenes to prepare the girls.
It does take a village to raise a child, and we are so grateful for ours.
What this means for us
Going into the Tupaia Tapasā Challenge for the first time, I had no expectations of being awarded anything. I just wanted to go out there and show my love for our cultures, so coming away with all these recognitions and awards has set the standard for our girls for the coming years. As the Pasifika Perspective Leader, I feel a great sense of pride in all of our group’s achievements on Saturday. Placing second overall in the Tupaia challenge signifies and recognises the hard work and dedication all of us have put into our preparation for the event. As both their peer and leader, I am incredibly proud of every single one of our girls who went out and showcased such a beautiful performance in front of our families, friends, and the wider community.
Winning ‘Best Costume’ highlighted those who worked in the background and their acts of service and contribution to our group. The mothers, aunties, and grandmothers volunteered their time and effort to make our outfits for the event. Again, I would like to send them a massive thank you because we may not have received this award without them. I would also like to thank our mentors, teachers, musicians, and student leaders who did their part in preparing us for the event and all our supporters who came down on Saturday to cheer us on. Seeing the support our girls received from the long hours of practice to the day of our performance has helped me recognise the incredible love and resilience we have within our school and out-of-school communities.
For me, it isn’t all about the awards we receive in the end; it is about the journey we took and the obstacles we overcame to get there.
Pasifika Perspective Leader – Lavelua Kaufononga