KING’ S STUDENTS
Pacific Island High Achievers
Supporting our students.
PIHA, an acronym for Pacific Island High Achievers was established some 10 years ago by former Headmaster, Roy Kelley who was concerned that Pacific Island students make the most of their opportunities at King’ s College and achieve their potential. I have looked after PIHA for the last eight years and thoroughly enjoy the wonderful company, warmth and humour of the students, as they participate in a round of regular Year-group morning tea meetings to track academic progress, identify challenges and offer support and encouragement. Time management, and striving for excellence are also emphasised.
Strong relationships have been built with university Pacifika staff, who visit the College and make inspirational, challenging presentations. A special highlight is when Old Collegians return to share their stories and give real heart-felt advice and encouragement to the group. Last year, Kevin FUAVAO, Gerald TUIMALEALIIFANO and Louis SAPETA, spoke to PIHA about their university studies: the transition from school, the differences and challenges, as well as managing to adapt to the demands and rigour of academic study.
Year 13 PIHA’ s attend STEAM Day, an initiative to provide an in-depth look at the various degree programmes offered by Auckland University. An afternoon visit to the university includes a tour of the campus, meeting Pacifika students, and attending a valuable presentation on the opportunities, support offered and how to manage the challenges, with good time management, hard work and commitment. Year 10 PIHA students combine with Maori students to participate in BEAMS Day. Similar to the STEAM initiative, the younger students are coached and encouraged by current Maori and Pacific Island piha 2013 under-graduate students, spending a busy day participating in a range of activities designed to introduce them to university study.
School leaver scholarships awarded to PIHA students vary from year-to-year but sometimes can be as many as eight. Students realise that high Year 12 marks count for school leaver scholarships, as well as leadership, cultural, sporting and community participation.
As to their futures, most PIHA’ s enrol in programmes at New Zealand universities and polytechnics, a few plan a GAP year before study, and all look forward to new challenges and study opportunities, knowing that all the tertiary institutions offer excellent support and mentoring for Pacific Island students, and that their King’ s College education provides a valuable foundation for future success in life.
Wendy Carey Teacher-in-charge of PIHA
PIHA students thoughts
I was born and raised in Apia, Samoa. I certainly knew about King’ s College as my brother was a Year 13 student when I was in Year 9, but I never thought that I would attend. But as I got older and my grades got better, my parents decided that King’ s was a very good option for me. I came for a campus tour and loved what I saw.
Coming in at Year 11 wasn’ t easy, but the fact that my brother Gerald was very well known certainly made it easier to fit in. Academically it was a big step up, but the small classroom sizes and the support from teachers helped me greatly. CIE was great because end of year exams worked for me.
The most difficult thing for me sometimes, was understanding other students – even though
I speak fluent English, the language they use and the context of it, particularly humour, was sometimes confusing.
The Chapel was the first thing that really felt like home. In Samoa the Church is at the heart of everything we do, and it’ s a bit the same here. Rev is a great listener, I feel confident talking to him about anything.
PIHA is great. Mrs Carey helps with subjects and options courses that need to be taken. Without having a pathway I probably would not have chosen the right subjects. It wasn’ t until I got here that I realised I was good at science – teachers made it so interesting- and now I want to do medicine at university.
Now in my last year, I can honestly say coming to King’ s was the best choice I ever made. I love the environment and the diversity of different people that I have met here. The House system is amazing. I feel like I’ m always on track and it’ s really structured and well organised, and competing in sport and music brings everyone to the same level – it means that being competitive is a good thing. Colin
TUIMALEALIIFANO( Year 13, St John’ s)
I was born in New Zealand; my father is of Cook Island descent, but I have been living in Australia for the past five years where I attended Stella Maris College in Manly. I decided to come back home and attend King’ s to experience all that living in a boarding House has to offer. Although I haven’ t been here for very long I am really enjoying it. I love the whole atmosphere of the school, the sense of community and being involved in co-curricular activities. I think that these next two years will be a great way to end my all-round secondary school education. Mackenzie WICHMAN( Year 12, Middlemore)
AUTUMN 2013 • KING’ S COURIER 9