Pasifika students

Scolastica Samoa Faaluaseu Filipo (Samalaeulu, Vailele), 17, is the head girl of Marcellin College.

She lives with her parents and three siblings, and two extended family members stay in the granny flat.

But they are on the move.

Although her two older sisters attended a prestigious private girls school elsewhere in Tāmāki Makaurau, she insisted on enrolling into Marcellin so her parents would be less out of pocket.

Victoria University of Wellington says the course aims to help newly-enrolled first-year Pasifika students prepare for university life.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said the three day camp, in the week before orientation, will help students transition from high-school to university life.

She said, along with the academic focus, there will be a holistic approach to student well-being and cultural needs.

The three-day camp runs from the 22 to 24 of February and has a limited intake.

Students are encouraged to register their interest.

The dual language resources include 100 dual-language flip books, audio and online resources in Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands Māori and Niuean - as well as English, along with supporting materials for teachers and parents.

The Education Minister Hekia Parata said the materials are designed to build on the strengths of Pasifika new entrants' existing language skills to support the development of their English language and literacy skills.

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