Letisiola (Tisi) Lynch

Tongan

Secondary Maths Teacher

“Coming to New Zealand from Tonga to study is a big step. You need a positive attitude and lots of determination to succeed.”

Tisi was educated at church schools in Tonga and came to New Zealand in 1988, in her seventh form year. “It was a huge move for me, everything was new. My father came over with me and worked here to pay for my education. My mother stayed in Tonga with my younger brothers and sister.”

When Tisi started university the following year she says she knew that she would have to work very hard, “My family was making such sacrifices for me to have this opportunity. We were still living with my auntie in Mangere. I travelled by bus to the university, and back, every day for three years. I was so determined to work hard and finish my maths degree as soon as I could, so I could go home – I was homesick and I really missed my mother and my brothers and sister!”

In January 1992, with her BSc in Maths complete, Tisi returned home to Tonga. “I taught at my old school for a year, then moved into banking where I stayed for five years!”

When the opportunity arose to complete a year’s post-graduate teacher education in Tonga, Tisi took it. “The New Zealand government set up a post-graduate programme to train secondary teachers using supervisors from Christchurch College of Education.” Tisi found the programme content really useful, despite her teaching experience. “We covered all the formalities – lesson plans, curriculum and so on.”

Letisiola then taught at three government schools in Tonga gaining extensive experience. She and her husband decided to move to New Zealand in July 2002. “I wasn’t sure how to look for a teaching job. I saw a TeachNZ ad on television then I looked up TeachNZ in the phone book and called them! Someone there kindly advised me how to access a computer and get onto the Education Gazette site.”

Tisi applied for teaching jobs while she was waiting for her registration to be processed (there was a log jam at the time). “I think I was quite lucky to get a positive response from the head of maths at Mt Roskill Grammar, and I am very proud and grateful to teach here.”

Students at this school are streamed in ability levels and Tisi says all teachers have a fair mixture of levels and years. “I have classes from year 9 to year 12 and different abilities. It’s all excellent experience.”

The attitude of some students in New Zealand shocked Tisi at first. “Back home students do not talk back or speak out openly. It takes time to adjust to the more free and open expression by young people here. It’s very different but you have to be strong and not give up easily.”

Tisi is very proud of the school’s Tongan cultural group and its achievements. She is one of the teachers responsible for their success. “This year we won the trophy for the ‘lakalaka’ at the secondary school Pasifika festival – it was wonderful.”