Young leaders set for Fiji trip

Senior reporter Doug Laing shows Hastings Intermediate Leadership Academy students how a story is put together, in the Hawke's Bay Today newsroom yesterday. Looking on is editor Andrew Austin (top right). Photo / Duncan Brown

Promising young leaders of tomorrow jet off to Fiji on a life changing exchange this week.

The Hastings Intermediate Leadership Academy of 20 students will visit the tiny island of Wayalailai with a population of 250 and a small school of just 50.

These students will spend 10 days teaching lessons in te reo Maori, physical education, social behaviour and health.

Principal Andrew Shortcliffe has been travelling to Wayalailai with the academy for six years.

"It's about putting leadership into action," Mr Shortcliffe said.

"For most of the students, this will be the first time they will board a plane and travel overseas."

Students will be paired up and prepare lessons for classes ranging from kindergarten to Year 8, all in 35C heat as everything was done outside in the field.

However, it won't be all work and no play for the students, with class wrapping up at five giving them the evening to swim, snorkel and soak up the culture.

Mr Shortcliffe has seen dramatic improvement at the Fijian school during his six years of travelling to the island.

"They have taken to our teaching practices and I help run workshops to improve the education system on the island which can be a difficult task at times," he said.

"They have adopted our four virtues of courtesy, courage, commitment and cooperation and replicated our leadership programmes."

In 2013 the school helped the small island community recover from a devastating tropical cyclone in which more than 80 per cent of the village and school was damaged or destroyed.

They raised $20,000 for the relief effort which helped rebuild infrastructure and dormitory facilities, provided medical supplies and sports equipment.

The initiative has been incredibly successful, Mr Shortcliffe said.

"Most if not all the island students can recite our national anthem, perform our school haka and count to 20 in te reo thanks to the teachings of our academy members."

It was an unique opportunity for the students who should return with a greater appreciation for what they have, he said.

"They will learn to value family and time above all else."

The students would see children living with disabilities and deformities that would be treated in New Zealand, but due to a lack of medical resources on the island they have learnt to live with.

"It will be quite a shock."

Mr Shortcliffe said it will be a humbling experience for his students to work with children just a step above poverty and take on the responsibility of nurturing them.

"We become the doctors and nurses on the island."

Head girl and academy member Gabby Gray said she was looking forward to making strong connections on the island.