Toloa Ao’ao’ina

Fa’afeiloaiga: Mālō le soifua maua, mālō le lagi e mamā! E muamua lava ona ave le fa’afetai i le Atua mo lenei avanoa matagofie, e aoaoina ai le gagana ma le aganu’u fa’a-Sāmoa, aemaise lava mo le fanau ma latou a’oa’oina. Matou te faʻafeiloaʻi atu ma le fa’aaloalo i lau asiasiga i le upega tafailagi a lo matou Samoan bilingual unit- Toloa A’oa’oina. Ia tupu, ia ola, ia manuia le fanau i latou a’oa’oga. Ia tatou galulue fa’atasi i lenei folauga, mo le lumana’i manuia a le fanau ma ia avea lenei space ma fa’avae malosi i le fa’atumauina o aganu’u ma 

Afio mai i le matou Samoan Bilingual Unit:

“A place where every child’s roots are nurtured to grow deep and stay connected, no matter where their journey leads, soaring with the assurance of always returning to where their roots are grounded.”

Alagaupu – “E lele le toloa ae ma’au i le vai” – The Toloa bird may fly to distant lands, but it will always return to the waters that nourished it.

 

The Story behind Toloa A’oa’oina:

Our Samoan bilingual unit, Toloa Aoaōina, is shaped by the voices of our aiga (families), ensuring that each child is nurtured in a way that supports their growth and learning. The Toloa, a grey bird, represents the journey of a child when raised with strong values and a solid foundation, they gain the confidence to explore, learn, and share their knowledge beyond familiar surroundings. No matter where life takes them, they remain connected to their gagana, carrying their cultural roots with them.

The name Toloa Aoaōina speaks to this journey. As the tamaititi (child) learn and grow, their connection to family, culture, and values deepens. At the heart of our unit, the Toloa symbolizes potential, resilience, and identity. Here, children engage with gāgāna Samoa, strengthening their understanding of heritage and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

What Can Toloa Aoaōina Offer Your Child?

At Toloa Aoaōina, your child will thrive in a supportive Samoan bilingual environment that nurtures both academic and cultural learning. Being part of our unit provides many benefits, including:

• Strong Cultural Identity – Children gain confidence in who they are by connecting with their Samoan heritage, language, and traditions.
• Bilingual Advantage – Learning in both Samoan and English strengthens communication, thinking skills, and future opportunities.
• Confidence in Language – Speaking, reading, and writing in Samoan helps keep their gagana alive while building fluency in both languages.
• Respect and Values – Through daily interactions, children learn important values from our classroom tulafono:
  • Fa’aaloalo (Respect)
  • Usita’i (Obedience)
  • Tautala i upu lelei (Use kind words)
  • Tu’u ou vae ma lima ia te oe (Keep your hands and feet to yourself)
  • Faalogo (Listen) 
• Whānau and Community – Aiga play a vital role in learning, helping keep cultural knowledge strong. E.g using our native language at home.
• Creative and Engaging Learning – A bilingual space encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork while celebrating Samoan identity.
• Pride in Traditions – Through music, arts, and customs, children develop a deep connection to their roots.
• Educational Trips – Thoughtfully planned experiences that enrich children’s learning, helping them explore new ideas and connect with their studies in a meaningful way.
• Pathways for Success – Being bilingual opens doors to learning, careers, and leadership in both Samoan and mainstream settings.
•  Passionate educators committed to academic excellence, guiding and supporting students to reach their full potential.

Toloa Aoaōina is a place where children grow, explore, and embrace their culture with pride. 

 

 

 

Enrolment 

If you’re interested in enrolling your tamariki in the Samoan bilingual unit, you can visit the main school office. The staff will either take your details or guide you to the Samoan unit if needed. There is a set process to follow, with specific criteria in place for children joining the bilingual unit. Feel free to reach out for more information

Ranui Primary School :
16a Ranui Station Road, Ranui 0612, Auckland
09 833 6286
radmin@ranui.school.nz

Faafetai, 

Team:

Pule lua (Deputy Principal) – Cindy Pile-Wetere cpilewetere@ranui.school.nz

Faiaoga (Teacher) – Year 1-3 Chantal Arona  carona@ranui.school.nz

Faiaoga (Teacher) – Year 4-6 Brenna Vaiula  bvaiula@ranui.school.nz

Faiaoga Fesoasoani (Teacher Aide) – Whaea Sara sbureta@ranui.school.nz