1 Week in Paradise

So, today marks exactly one week in Apia. A week of new experiences, good food and sweaty puletasis. Let me explain. 

So Monday came, and with it, a new school. I wasn’t so much nervous, but I certainly felt conspicuous  walking into Samoa College instead of Taita for day one of Term 4. For a person who’s been at the same school my entire adult life, this was completely foreign. The day started with assembly (outside, on the stones in 30 degree heat) All of the students sat diligently and listened respectfully - all chanting, “Good morning Miss Henderson,” as I was introduced to them. So here, I was, “fresh of the blane” (only Sete will get this one) and ready to experience my first full week at a new school. 

Turns out these kids weren’t much different from my TC children. They showed manaakitanga from the moment I walked in - bringing me a chair every time I walked into a class to observe. They all showed a shy interest in where I was from, asking (mostly) innocent questions about the differences between Taita and SAMCO. However, it didn’t take me long to remember that teenagers are the same everywhere (especially Year 10s - who didn’t disappoint) when the questions of; “Miss are you single?” “Do you know any Samoan swear words?” and, “are there any fights at your school?” were cheekily asked. Obviously I answered with “mind your business,” “all of them,” and “absolutely not,” respectively. 

The classes were similar too, with some students chatting instead of writing when the teachers asked them to complete essays, conveniently leaving their books ‘at home” when asked to find their notes and not completing homework that had been set the previous week.

The main differences in my observations were that EVERYONE had a pen, there are absolutely no cellphones, no computers, uniforms were perfect (although they are allowed to wear jandals every day) and skipping class was rewarded with “hard labour,” an ingenious idea - not unlike detention- where students spend the whole day cleaning and maintaining the school environment. Not quite sure cutting the grass with a machete would be accepted at TC, but I’m sure Matua would give it a go. On reflection, behind the adherence to these strict rules is a deeply ingrained culture, where respect, discipline and service are at its core

As much as I think they would have loved me to hit the ground running and teach straight away, I spent the week observing my new colleagues and this gave me a chance to get my bearings and figure out how I might approach their classes next week and offer the best sort of help. I worked alongside some students, which did not seem to be the norm - both teachers I observed, taught from the front and sat down when they had finished teaching and instructed the students to work. I was able to look at a few books and they were all very neatly kept - with a lot of notes from the year’s work. Definitions, vocabulary, literary terms, the poems, short stories and their written essays filled the books of almost every student I spoke to. The students all seem to value their chance at education. I can’t wait to start teaching next week. 

What else?  The week was jam packed, but here are a few final musings

1. Wearing a puletasi in 30 degree heat every day is not ideal

2. Full school singing practice was a serious vibe

3. If you’re a student - don’t get caught swearing in singing practice. Unless you want a sasa

4. Teachers. Eat first. Always. Who knew another school could provide as much free kai as TC

5. Collegiality is key. From pale day, shared morning teas and everyone wearing the same colour a few days  per week, it made fitting in so much easier. 

I ended this week with a beautiful day with my Samoan family at the Piula Cave pool; a day of sun, swimming and scenery. Check it out!