Fiafia Night

On the 26th July, Fiafia Night—a joint event between Carmel and Rosmini—was held in the vibrant atmosphere of the Carmel gym. This celebration brought together students from both schools to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Islands. There was a spectacular variety of performances representing New Zealand (Aotearoa), Samoa, Tonga and more, each act telling its own unique story through traditional song and dance.

This event was an amazing celebration which allowed these talented students to proudly celebrate and share their cultural identity with the wider school community. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding, fostering connections between students from diverse backgrounds. Many international students from Carmel attended to watch and experience the vibrant Pasifika culture firsthand, creating an atmosphere of appreciation and learning.

During many of the captivating acts, enthusiastic audience members would spontaneously join the performers in dance, creating moments of joyful participation that embodied the inclusive spirit of Pacific culture. It is traditional in Pacific communities to show appreciation through monetary gifts, and many audience members honoured this custom by offering money or small gifts to the performers as a sign of respect and support.

Under the skilled leadership of Agatha Godinet, who coordinated the main performances, there was an impressive variety of different acts that kept the audience engaged throughout the night. This included the powerful Kapa Haka group showcasing Māori traditions, the harmonious junior choir, the dynamic Tonga Tau'olanga demonstrating Tongan war dances, the energetic Boys Fa'ataupati with their traditional Samoan slap dance, the graceful Girls Siva, an elegant partner dance performance, collaborative Carmel and Rosmini dance pieces that highlighted the partnership between the schools, a lighthearted Carmel and Rosmini fun dance, and a spectacular medley performance expertly performed by the mentors of the various acts, who demonstrated their experience and passion for preserving these cultural traditions.

The success of Fiafia Night demonstrated the importance of celebrating cultural diversity within our school communities and created lasting memories for all who attended.

Article by July Alegres and Victoria Sutrisna