It was an honour for our school to be part of the 2024 10 Year Anniversary of the Young, Free and Pacific' for Males
It was an honour for our school to be part of the 2024 10 Year Anniversary of the Young, Free and Pacific' for Males, event on Wednesday, 22 May, with Ben, Maangi, Random, Jonathan, Ona, Sione, and Tim. This influential leadership event was specifically designed for students from Pasifika ethnic backgrounds and aimed to provide a platform for empowerment and inspiration.
The conference was packed with engaging and thought-provoking guest speakers, such as John Pulu (in our group photo) who has worked and is currently a presenter on Tagata Pasifika TVNZ 1 on Saturday mornings since 2010. John Pulu shared words of wisdom and instilled confidence in all of us to embrace the theme of 'Leaders of today-Leaders for tomorrow.' Their powerful messages resonated with us and motivated us to actively engage with students from various schools across Auckland.
One of the most impactful aspects of the event was its focus on fostering a deeper understanding of not only our own cultures but also the rich diversity of Pasifika cultures, including Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, and many others. It emphasized the importance of embracing leadership roles. It highlighted the endless possibilities for creating pathways where Pasifika boys can break free from the stereotypes that are often associated with our proud nations.
Moreover, the YFP conference provided us with a valuable opportunity to participate in a wide range of interesting and entertaining workshops. These workshops covered diverse areas such as music, dance, spoken word, and arts. The hosts of these workshops were not only encouraging but also created a supportive environment where all boys could build their confidence and freely display their talents of creativity that may have been previously held back. The workshops were not only entertaining but also served as platforms for us to showcase our unique skills and abilities while gaining a deeper appreciation for the arts and creative expression. This experience left a lasting impact on all of us and further reinforced the importance of embracing leadership, creativity, and cultural diversity.
We would like to thank Mr Talamaivao and Mr Tagaloa for organising us and getting us to the venue and back safely.
Fa’afetai lava and Malo ‘aupito
Sione & Tim
