The Penrhyn schools of Tetautua and Omoka united for their respective curriculum enterprise programme which were introduced in both schools last year.

Last month, both schools set up stalls for the Enterprise Day at the Tongareva Island Government administration building on Omoka.

Tereapii Napa, principal of both schools, said the objective of the enterprise programme is to influence and encourage their students to think business, be business oriented and to influence entrepreneurship and support them to one day manage their own businesses.

Napa said the programme also links to business studies at secondary level, “so it makes sense that we start early so when they go to college at least they’ve been exposed to business concepts”.

Penrhyn students Tangomaiiau Joseph and Metuakore Marsters sell freshly made donuts tied together, doing away with plastic bags at their Enterprise Day. APII NAPA/23121231

Situated on separate islets at the north end of the island, the schools are divided by a vast lagoon reaching a depth of 200 metres. Tetautua students crossed their lagoon highway bringing with them their resources for their three stalls, while Omoka school set up 17 booths.

Napa said: “I’ve been trying to run combined events to bring both our school communities together so no one is left out, and our combined events have been a success so far this year.”

Tetautua and Omoka schools have combined for sports, maths quiz, Māori speeches and a picnic on one of the motu.

Penrhyn student Cina Makakea gets creative using coconut husk to hold up his food stall sign. APII NAPA/23121233

Most of the enterprise stalls sold desserts and plates of food including raw fish, steak stew, fish and chips, while the arts and craft stalls sold  “papatu” (pearl shell which the women use to weave rito on top of rito hats, half top hats and earrings).

A sponsored cash prize of $100 by pop up “O”, a small business, went to the best stall of the day which was judged by Puna Vano, the island’s executive officer, and Materau Ford, the protocol officer.

Siblings Maleva and Thomas Taime from Omoka School won the $100 prize for their delicious plates of steak kebabs smothered with yummy mushroom sauce, accompanied by hot chips, and their mango and banana fruit smoothies.