Naenae College's Token Gesture: Another Empty Promise to the Pasifika Community

Naenae College, under the watchful eye of Principal Chris Taylor and Deputy Principal Katherine Stokes, has announced yet another event that seems more like a public relations stunt than a meaningful effort to support our Pasifika community. Scheduled for Thursday, 6 June, this event promises a workshop run by the Pasifika team at NZQA. However, past experiences suggest that these initiatives often fail to deliver any substantial benefits.

Superficial Efforts: While the school boasts about organizing the NCEA ma le Pasifika workshop, the reality is that such events have historically offered little beyond basic information already accessible online. The school’s reliance on external teams to cover crucial topics like NCEA changes, STEM importance, and career pathways indicates a lack of internal expertise and commitment.

Lack of Genuine Support: Naenae College claims to support young Pasifika students on their educational journey, yet there is scant evidence of any lasting impact from these workshops. Instead of providing continuous and comprehensive support, the school opts for sporadic events that do not address the ongoing needs of students and their families.

Token Community Engagement: The promise of updates on parent-teacher interviews, SchoolBridge, Poly Club, and other Pasifika initiatives sounds promising but often amounts to mere lip service. The school’s track record shows a pattern of superficial engagement without follow-through, leaving families disillusioned and underserved.

Convenient Timing: Holding the event on a Thursday evening may not be the most considerate timing for many working families. This scheduling choice reflects a lack of genuine consideration for the community's diverse needs and constraints.

It’s high time for Principal Chris Taylor and Deputy Principal Katherine Stokes to move beyond token gestures and provide genuine, sustained support to the Pasifika community. Our families and students deserve more than just another empty promise; they deserve real, impactful change.