St Andrew’s celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week from Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June, which focused on the Samoan language and identity.

Head of Māori and Pasifika, Kavanah Lene (Year 13), spoke at the Monday staff briefing, outlining the importance of Samoan Language Week, and highlighting the different activities on offer for staff and students. These included a Samoan Word of the Day Challenge, featuring videos made by Head Prefect, Lily Champion-Smith, with Laai Tausa, Cylas Tauti (both Year 13), Jairo Senio (Year 9) and Hannah Papali'i Taimalelagi Malietoa (Year 10), teaching people common Samoan words that could be used in everyday life. A Samoan Quiz hosted on TEAMS, included Samoan history, statistics, famous people, and the language, and there were chapel performances by the Māori and Pasifika Group. A Samoan Food Day was popular, giving students the opportunity to try traditional Samoan kai at a special celebration lunch. Several students wore Ie Faitaga for the week, proudly celebrating the Samoan culture. Children in the Pre-school also enjoyed celebrating the week. They practised Samoan greetings, learnt a traditional Samoan song, created artworks, and made a popular Samoan dish, pani popo (coconut buns).