MAGS bid a very fond farewell today to Mrs Anisi, our Pasifika Initiatives Coordinator, in the W.O.H Gibbs Room.
Mrs Anisi, who is retiring, was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues from her 38 years in teaching and 13 years at MAGS.
Staff members, including Mr Drumm, Deputy Principal Ms Hayes, and our Pasifika Liaison Mr Liuliu-Afoa, paid tribute to Mrs Anisi’s dedication, steely resolve and heart of gold when it came to uplifting Pasifika students.
Mr Drumm said, “Va has been the face of Pasifika education at MAGS. Her work over many years with both Api and Danny has set a high expectation culture for our Pasifika community with students thriving in this environment.”
Ms Hayes, who met Mrs Anisi when she began teaching in 1998 at Auckland Girls Grammar, said, “Students know that Va always has their back, but they also know not to push her and to behave in a way that it respectful to all, this is why often the mere sight of Va can change students’ behaviour!”
She added, “Over her time at MAGS Va has supported numerous Pasifika initiatives and student success. The list is many and varied and includes: being part of a group of staff to set up Komiti Faufautua, being a member of the group that established the Health Science Academies, establishing the student Pasifika Committee, establishing the annual Pasifika Awards Dinner, establishing the Siapo mentor classes, encouraging, motivating and championing students to have scholarship success – both NZQA and tertiary scholarships, allowing many students to feel comfortable in their skin and embracing their culture, being one of the teachers in charge of the Samoan group, supporting the local economy by buying thousands of pizzas as rewards for students.”
Mr Liuliu-Afoa, pictured below, said, “What I admire most is the strength with love; even in the toughest moments there is the desire to succeed and uplift our culture and have it honoured. Farewell not just goodbye but thank you. Thanks for years of service, wisdom, and what it looks like to lead with courage and conviction. Your legacy will not leave but will stay in the office and with every young person’s life you have touched.”
Mrs Anisi said, in her family, “Education was the dream and the expectation.”
In that regard, she paid tribute to her mentor, Mrs Toesulu Brown.
“She showed me how to hold onto balance: pursue education, but never forget who you are. Succeed, but always be proud as a Samoan, as Pasifika, as a teacher, and as a parent.”
Mrs Anisi said her success with Pasifika students at MAGS wouldn’t have been possible without the support of senior leadership and her colleagues across all departments.
“That is what I have always hoped for — that through the MAGS Pasifika Initiatives we’ve been able to give our students balance, maintain their Pasifika identity while seeking out opportunities and choices.”
