Defending the pit: Sacred Heart College look to defend their Polyfest title

The Sacred Heart College Samoan group are looking to make history at this year's ASB Polyfest, in hopes to defend their back to back title.

ASB Polyfest is the world’s largest Pasifika cultural festival.

Secondary schools across Auckland come together to celebrate their Pasifika identity through music, dance, and language.

Last year was ASB Polyfest’s 50th anniversary, where the East Auckland boys school made history.

They delivered a powerful performance that evoked the true meaning of the Samoan culture and claimed first place on the Samoan stage.

The new head tutor of the Sacred Heart Samoan group, Tavale Tanuvasa, says “We do this for the love of our Samoan culture, especially in dance and music, all we want to do is just share it.”

“Sacred Heart has always been known to be the underdog school, but with the thought of being this year's favourites, it definitely raises the bar higher for the group as well as the tutors. I can see the boys are more eager and keen to learn and strive for excellence because they’ve had that taste of victory.”

Preparation has taken weeks of practice, with students practicing traditional songs and choreography after school while balancing academic commitments.

Students have been preparing for weeks practicing traditional songs and choreography while balancing their academic commitments.

For students who were part of last year's winning group the pressure to perform well is high.

As the experience carries a more significant meaning as they know how it feels to succeed.

One of five leaders of the Samoan group,  Sematagiolo Keil, says “it would be a great privilege to go back to back, not only for our school, but for our families too.

“For us year 13 students, it’s our last year, so we want to carry on last year's success leading into this year's ASB Polyfest, just keeping that momentum going and showing everyone what Sacred Heart is about.”

Tauilagi Hilbron, leader alongside Keil, says “It would be a great illustration of the hard work everyone has put in, from the college, to the parents, to the boys, it shows how hard we’re willing to repeat last year's efforts.

“With anything that you do, when you're the winner, there’s extra weight to that, but all we can do is be true to ourselves and perform to the best of our capabilities.

“Our toughest challenge has yet to come, it’ll be once we get on that stage and perform, because you can’t look to anyone for help but ourselves.”

Year 12 students, Spelman Tonga-Fa’alili and Tupua Laga’aia of the Samoan group say they are excited at the challenge of creating history once again.

Laga’aia says “If we win it’s a bonus, but getting to express our culture through the love of traditional music and dance, that’s the real winner at the end of the day.”

“We have to perform as one, because the Polyfest stage is not won by individual brilliance, however, it’s won through teamwork and togetherness,” says Tonga-Fa’alili.

Tanuvasa believes the key to the group’s strength is the bond students have with the man above.

“God is the foundation of everything, we always start with prayer, always end with prayer, and if he’s at the centre of everything we do, God willing, we will come out on top once again.”

Their ASB Polyfest performance is at 11:50am this Saturday 21 March at the Manukau Sports Bowl.

The Samoan group carry the hopes of continuing their school’s success and celebrating the culture that unites them.