Manaiakalani Team

Manaiakalani Cluster is located in Tamaki, Auckland.

Final SLJ intro (convert-video-online.com).mp4

CLUSTER MANAGER - JORDAN WALKER

Kia ora koutou

Ko Jordan Walker tōku ingoa. This summer I am lucky enough to be the Cluster Manager for the Summer Learning Journey in Manaiakalani (Tamaki, Auckland).

I am also the returning Cluster Manager for the Summer Learning Journey in Kootuitui (Papakura, South Auckland). This is my third summer working alongside the schools in the Kootuitui cluster. I’m confident that this is going to be the best year yet for both clusters.

I come from Tūranga-nui-a-kiwa (Gisborne, East Coast) and have recently moved back there after living in the big old land of Australia for several years. I love being home because I’m closer to my whānau and to tikanga Māori.

Earlier this year I completed my degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and English Literature. I am really passionate about indigenous people and supportive of their rights. As well as this, I love to write, whether it be poetry, short stories, playwriting or even screenwriting!

I’m really looking forward to engaging with our tamariki and helping them to hone their skills in their writing this summer.

If you need to reach me, you can email me at: manaiakalanicluster@gmail.com or please visit my SLJ blog: http://manaiakalanislj.blogspot.com/ with information for the Maniakalani Cluster.

Ngā mihi nui

Jordan

CLUSTER SUPPORT and BLOGGER - GEORGIA EDMONDS

I am Georgia and I am excited to be a part of the Manaiakalani & Kootuitui teams! I really enjoyed reading all your exciting and incredible blogs last year so I decided to come back and join the team for more. This year I will be working alongside our awesome cluster manager Jordan supporting the two clusters! I will then join the blog commenters in December.

I have just finished by studies in Bachelor of Education (Primary) and I'm really looking forward to graduating!

I come from a whānau of five (not including my 2 pets). I am born and bred in Auckland. I also live, gym and study in South Auckland! I love the community that South Auckland brings and I really look forward to hearing your stories.

I enjoy spending time outside as much as possible. This includes hiking, skiing and anything to do with water! I also love spending time with my dog and taking him on walks on the beach.

One of my biggest accomplishments was doing white-water kayaking in 2014. Although one of the scariest activities I have completed, it was also one of my most favourite moments!

I cannot wait to start reading your blogs! Hopefully I will also get to meet some of you during Jordan & my school visits.

See you soon!

Georgia

BLOGGER - PELIMANI FISI'IAHI

Malo e lei lei

My name is Pelimani Fisi’iahi and this summer will be my first time being part of the Summer Learning Journey in which I will have the pleasure of being a blog commenter. I have just finished the last year of my Bachelor’s degree in Education (Primary Teaching) and look forward to getting stuck into completing my honours degree next year.

I was born in Tonga and moved to New Zealand at a very young age, growing up all around South Auckland with an immediate family big enough to field a sevens rugby team. Fast forward to the present day and now I have 15 siblings who are situated all around the world!

Rugby is almost a religion in my family which has largely been influenced by my father who captained the International Tongan rugby team back in the day. Personally, rugby has allowed me to meet so many amazing people and taught me so many life lessons both physically and mentally. I have been playing rugby since I was 4 and I look forward to playing for Auckland Marist Rugby Club next year.

Music is also a huge part of my life as I have a passion for songwriting and singing. Prior to studying to be a primary school teacher, I studied at a Music Academy school where I had the privilege of performing in numerous bands and even got to record a few songs, including some originals. My dream is to one day write and record my own RnB/Soul album.

Growing up, my family and I didn't have much and the last thing that was on our minds was travelling. However, after I finished high school I decided to get a job stacking shelves at a supermarket for a few months so I could save enough money to travel. I ended up travelling all around Europe by myself and over 4 months I visited 13 countries. This is one of my proudest achievements to date.

Now that you know a little bit about me, I look forward to getting to you know you too and am so pumped to read all the wonderful blogs you are going to share. Let's get learning and remember, “knowledge is power”!

Kind regards,

Mani

BLOGGER - ERICA CORKIN

Kia Ora,

My name is Erica Corkin and this is my first year doing the Summer Learning Journey programme. I am currently a first year Bachelor of Education student, working towards doing my dream job of being a Primary School Teacher.

I grew up in Auckland on the North Shore where a lot of my fondest memories with school, family, and friends took place.

I value honesty, kindness, and compassion and I try to live by these values day to day. I enjoy painting, photography, yoga, reading and going to the beach. I love to travel, and try to do this as much as possible. I love to learn about other countries and cultures and like to choose books that are set in different places and times.

I'm very excited to be joining the Summer Learning Journey team! It will be a real pleasure to be able to read your blogs and get to know you all.

Erica