College Updates: Week 1 - Term 4

Salutation:

Greetings your Eminence and fellow Apifo'ou Family! May I warmly welcome you all to our fourth and final Term for the academic year 2024.

Admin Briefs

The first week of the final Term was an eventful one! There were four funerals connected to the Apifo'ou Family. Two ex-students who were relatively young. One was Lataimuli 'Anitoni, eldest son of Francis 'Anitoni from that renown family at 'Utulau. The other one was Susana Melekiola 'Aloua, daughter of the late Nivaleti Melekiola and Tukuofo. Nivaleti was a former Town Officer of Lapaha. The widow of the late Napole Falakiko, longtime tutor at 'Apifo'ou, also passed away and she was buried on Thursday. Lastly the funeral of Mrs. Makalita Kiutau 'Otumuli was held today.

Marist 'Apifo'ou Rugby Club

The week was not all sad and sorrowful though. Today at Teufaiva Park the AFC Marist Club beat the Ha'ateiho Spartans to win the Tongatapu club rugby Competition. After the game today they came to the Presbytery here at 'Apifo'ou as a token of their appreciation for the prayers and support offered for them daily.

It's certainly great to witness the pride and passion of the boys when they don the Apifo'ou jersey. They're always reminded of the Marist's Motto in sports, "Be gracious in defeat, be humble in victory!"

The key players in the Team, Tupou 'Ahome'e, Lolesio and 'Atonio above and below.

Teachers' Retreat Day

It's a normal practice now that at the beginning of each Term the teachers utilized the first day to conduct some sort of a retreat. It's the ideal opportunity to reflect upon all the efforts of the previous Term. The teachers are always reminded of the core vision and spirituality of Marist education which help them navigate their effort throughout the Term. We must "think, feel, judge, and act" like Mary in all that we do. We're very fortunate that we have Dr. Leonaitasi Hoponoa among the staff and he readily agreed to lead us through the activities of the day. The last past of the program is usually given to the Deputy Principal Ms. Laumanu Ma'afu to walk us through the remaining events of the school calendar for this academic year.

Seen above is Dr. Leo leading the Reflection session.

Seen below is DP Ms. Laumanu Ma'afu guiding us on this final term's curriculum.

Marist annual Retreat

The Marist Fathers made good use of the one-week break to have their annual Retreat. This was held at Lilo 'i Tafa'anga, Veitongo. Like the teachers the Marist Fathers also needed time to meditate, reflect & pray together as seen here below.

Retreat is a grace-filled time but also an opportunity for a good feed despite the fact that some of us really need slimming down!

Chiropractors

The college has been blessed to have the free service of a Team of Chiropractors from California. Whenever these people tour Tonga they include 'Apifo'ou in their itinerary. Seen here are the students making good use of these free treatments.

Makalita Kiutau 'Otumuli's Funeral

The Church at Longoteme was packed with people from the various sectors where Makalita first served as a Civil Servant. The CEO of the Ministry of Education was there and he delivered an account of Makalita's 20 years of service in government schools. The Secretary General of the Wesleyan Church in Tonga came to thank Makalita for her years of service at their schools in Vava'u and Ha'apai. It was wonderful to see the combined Brass Bands from the Police, Takuilau and 'Apifo'ou leading the procession to the cemetery. The 'Apifo'ou teachers and students formed the Guard of Honor in recognition of their fallen senior colleague.

The liturgies for the burial were led by the 'Apifo'ou College Brass Band and Choir.

Folau a Makalita pea ke si'i toka ai pe 'i he fiemalie 'a e Eiki.

Mrs. Siosi'ana Afu (RIP)

The college honored the widow of the late Dean and Tutor of St. John's High School at 'Api Fo'ou, Mr. Napole Falakiko. Siosi'ana is also the mother of Fr. Falakiko Afu.

Seen here is Fr. Falakiko Afu at the burial of his beloved mother. You can see the tombstone of the late Napole Falakiko just behind Fr. Falakiko in the image below.

Conclusion

May I extend to you all our heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and support for the college during this difficult time. At the same time, we never lose hope as we continue to entrust ourselves to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother, who has never abandoned anyone who seeks refuge under her protection.

Please continue to pray for our Form 6 students as they will embark on their Final Exams next week.

Viva AFC!

Ekuasi