Polyfest Success This year, for the first time in the College’s history, Whangaparāoa College entered a Pasifika group at Auckland’s Polyfest. This was a joint venture with learners from Orewa College, led by Marina Vaha and a dedicated group of tutors, including past learners. The hours and weekends of rehearsals certainly paid off with an incredible performance on the Diversity Stage, which earned them third place in the Fusion category. Marina said this was “beyond the expectation and we are stoked for the recognition.” Indeed, we can all be proud and we are extremely grateful to all the tutors, cultural leaders, whanau and teachers who helped in a variety of ways to make this happen. Our Polyfusion performance was made up of a beautiful Tongan tau’alounga, Niue meke & a famous Samoan dance known to many as a Sasa. Our students wore beautiful Tongan tau’alounga costumes and Samoan puletasi. They looked magnificent on stage, and the pride, passion, skill and genuine enjoyment was clearly evident. The future is certainly bright for Pasifika at the College. We also took 3 buses full of eager supporters, including most of our international learners. After several year’s forced absence, it was wonderful to see the biggest school celebration of Pasifika in the world once again filled with culture, diverse performances and delicious food to be enjoyed by all. Pasifika Fusion: - Iman Makaola - Kennedy Makaola - Elena Iosefa - Ashleigh-Marie Iosefa - Christina Semulii - Kyra Barclay - Jess Washer - Lisa Murata - Rania Wilde - Vai Poafa - Justyce Baltus - Shakayla Clayton - Tanisha Clayton