Week 7 Term 4: Totara House: Thanksgiving (November 17 - November 21)

Totara House @ Thanksgiving Assembly Term 4 2025

Every year, Totara House holds an annual Thanksgiving Assembly, a significant event where the entire house gathers to reflect on their journey throughout the year. This assembly serves as a crucial time to acknowledge accomplishments, overcome challenges, and appreciate shared experiences. It fosters a sense of gratitude for togetherness and the individual contributions made by each member, reinforcing the house values of Manaakitanga (respect, hospitality, and care), Kotahitanga (unity and togetherness), and Aroha (love and compassion). The assembly also provides an opportunity to look back on successes, such as Athletics Day and various Language Week campaigns, and to express hope for the future, ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and belonged.

Totara House Thanksgiving Assembly 2025

1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 18 reads “be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.” This verse encourages us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in every situation, good or bad. It suggests that thankfulness is a fundamental aspect of a life connected with Christ Jesus. Practicing gratitude helps shift our perspective, allowing us to find peace and contentment regardless of external circumstances. Ultimately, it reflects a trust in God's plan and presence in all aspects of our lives. 

Totara House Thanksgiving Assembly 2025

Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga and Aroha are the Totara House values for 2025. Totara House has strived to embody Manaakitanga (respect, hospitality and care), Kotahitanga (unity and togetherness), and Aroha (love and compassion) in their collective journey. These values would have guided their interactions, fostered a supportive environment, and strengthened their sense of community throughout the year.  

Totara House Thanksgiving Assembly 2025

I have truly enjoyed working alongside you all and witnessing your incredible growth within the Totara values of discipline, commitment, and passion. Our achievements this year, from Athletics Day to our Samoan Language Week, Cook Island Language Week and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Language Week campaigns in 2025, are a testament to the spirit of Kotahitanga that you embody, the Manaakitanga (care and service) and Aroha (love) that you pour into our House. As your Dean, what has resonated most deeply with me is our shared commitment to togetherness—the powerful understanding that we will always pull together and work as one. For this unwavering spirit, I am profoundly grateful and commend every single Totara House student for your invaluable contributions this year. Thank you all!

I would like to acknowledge the Totara House Mentorship team - Ms Tuitupou, Mr Edmonds, Ms Ferguson, Mrs Rani, Mr Krishna, Mr Niko, Mr Sevilla, Ms Kolo, Mr Koch and Matua Harley. I am deeply thankful for your unwavering commitment to our house, mentor classes, and values. It is a true privilege to collaborate with such an exceptional team of mentor teachers.

Totara House Leadership 2025 + 2026 @ Thanksgiving Assembly 2025

I extend my sincere appreciation to the Totara House Leadership team for 2025. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with such an exceptional group of gifted, talented, patient, and understanding students who have guided our house with aroha and mana. It has been an awesome, challenging and rewarding experience to journey through this with the House Leaders who have done an amazing job in leading their House this year. They have all led this house with integrity and mana and for that I am truly grateful and humbled. I want to acknowledge Tupou Peaua (House Captain), Louvina Palei (House Captain), Mamarei Henry Ru, Raymond Cullen, Viliami Misinale, Paula Pau’u and Etuate Toutai. Together, you ensured every student in our House felt safe, valued, and belonged. You ensured that our students were represented across the many House events and that representation was always guided by the spirit of togetherness and excellence.

Totara House Thanksgiving Assembly 2025

To the Year 13 students of 13TKl - Ms Kolo and all of our Year 13s - Thank you for your contribution, service and love that you have poured into Totara House since 2021. I remember when you started college in 2021 and how quiet and chill you were as a cohort. Your class may have changed over the years with the departure of your mentor teacher Ms Paketama who led you for Year 9, 10 and 11. I would like to acknowledge Ms Paketama for her leadership in setting the foundation with you all when you started in Year 9. To Ms Kolo who led you for Year 12 and Year 13 as your mentor teacher. As well as being your English teacher for 4 out of your 5 years at college. I want to acknowledge Ms Kolo’s commitment, stewardship and love that she wrapped around 13TKl. We remember all of the students who have come and gone from 13TKl and wish them all of the best in this new era.

In conclusion, let us carry the spirit of thanksgiving and the values of Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga, and Aroha with us. May the bonds of Totara House continue to strengthen as we look forward to another year of shared achievements and growth, forever grateful for our journey together.