Star Ah Kuoi

Maths Teacher

“I tell my students that maths is everywhere. We all need to understand it. Maths skills open up so many different, exciting career options.”

Star says he was inspired by his secondary teachers in Samoa. “They helped us to realise how important learning and education is. Even though when I was growing up all I had on my mind was playing rugby!”

Star was good at maths, science and business studies. “Other careers were suggested to me like banking and accountancy. When I started at university I took some science papers but it evolved into a maths degree.”

Star is now teaching at Naenae College near Wellington. While maths is the subject he teaches and enjoys, Pasifika culture is his passion. “We have a cultural group here which meets for one scheduled period each week. As well as learning Pasifika songs and dances we talk about the different cultures of Pacific nations.

” It is important to Star that Pasifika children understand their cultural heritage. “They need to know where they are from and identify the changes their ancestors went through in the past until now. I came to New Zealand from Samoa and attended Porirua College. The attitude of the other students, and their behavior, amazed me. It should be possible to socialise, have fun, but still know where to draw the line when it comes to school work. Commitment is very important. In Samoa children are bought up in a strict, but very happy, environment.”

Star would like students to understand that they can keep their culture and still be modern and cool. “And Pasifika culture means respecting our heritage. We can move forward and take our history, culture and values with us. That’s what makes people from Pasifika culture unique.” Pasifika children need support to keep themselves together and to retain their values and culture.

“Ask any Samoan family why they moved to New Zealand. The first thing they’ll say is ‘for our children to get a better education and employment’. Young people need to respect the efforts of their grandparents, parents and ancestors and make the best of the opportunities they are being given. In the face of all the distractions out there they need to have strong self belief to stay strong.”

“Our students need a good balance of discipline between sports and education as it will create more opportunities for them in the future. However, as most people would know, education is a survival tool in the world that we live in.”

And the boy with the rugby ball? He’s still there too. Star was assistant coach for Hillary Collegiate’s first fifteen. “This year I’m playing again myself for Western Suburbs in Wellington. “I love sport - it’s a great way to see a different side of our students, and help them to enjoy success in a different setting.”