Penrhyn schools took a unique approach to celebrate Literacy Week by hosting an exciting spallation, a vibrant float parade combined with a pageant, earlier this month.

Apii Napa, principal of both Omoka and Tetautua schools, said these new events aimed to engage students, parents and the community in a fun and educational way, highlighting the importance of literacy while nurturing creativity and teamwork.

Tetautua School hosted a Spellathon that raised over an incredible $200 for a small population school of eight students.

These funds will be used to purchase new Māori reading books.

Omoka School on the other hand decided to host an all day and night carnival type celebration programme that began at 8.30am with a float parade.

Parents, students and the community gathered together to create seven float trailers which carried participants who registered for the Tama and Maine Sumaringa (boy and girl pageant).

Napa said each float was designed to their own themes “for example, blue pristine lagoon, uses of the coconut tree, the Moana theme, etc”.

Following the morning float programme, the night market started at 4pm that was run by students who didn’t register for the pageant.

“The night market was a follow through of our enterprise programme. The students sold a variety of food,” said Napa.

The sumaringa pageant began at 6pm featuring traditional and pareu wear judged by the mayor Rangitava Taia, Vodafone representative Manongi Latham and executive officer Puna Vano.

The carnival raised $2000 from the donations that poured in that day and night, which was a great fundraiser to also purchase Māori books for Omoka School.

There was a tie for both titles of Tama and Maine Sumaringa. Thomas Taime and Tahiri Matara both won the Tama Sumaringa, and Mama Hutu Isaaka and Teupoo Mamia were crowned Maine Sumaringa

All the sumaringa participants won cash prizes and top up vouchers.

The overall winners received a little more from BCI, Vodafone and the Parents Teachers Association.

Napa would like to acknowledge the Omoka School community, parents, teachers, students and visitors for their support and especially acknowledge their sponsors Vodafone, BCI and Omoka School committee for supporting this event.

“Kia Tupu, Kia Rongonui/Kia Mau te Serenga, Kia Mau te Napenga.”