Salutation:
Greetings your Eminence and fellow 'Apifo'ou Family!
Admin Briefs
This is the fourth week of Term 1 and the focus was on the coverage of the Syllabus. The class Timetables are more or less stable now, so the classes tend to flow without clashes or changes. There's one program that is emphasized to all the staffs and students to kick off the daily program. Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) is for all to read for 10 minutes before we start the usual programs for each day. This is an attempt to keep everyone focus and more importantly to improve literacy.
Department Meetings
All the Departments have been urged to hold regular meetings and seek Professional Development. This is a pivotal tool to harness collegiality among the staff members within the Departments. Besides, the Ministry of Education is now enforcing the Registration of all teachers plus the compulsory hours of Professional Development. The recent increase in govt grants from $400 to $700 per student is a clear indication that the government will enforce the Vetting System for teachers.
Seen here are the two main Departments in the college, English & Maths, having their monthly meeting. The teachers always look forward to those meetings, as the college provides a meal for them as part of these meetings.
Form 7
The Form 7 students joined the USP Family last week for their Orientation Week. It's a wonderful experience to rub shoulders with their colleagues from other schools in Tonga and the senior scholars at the university. For the record, Apifo'ou College was the first secondary school to enroll in the Foundation Program of the university. We now have Tailulu, Liahona, Toloa, and Queen Salote enrolling in the same program.
The Form 7 students have been reminded that they're the most senior students at the college. It is by right that they're all Prefects and do not need badges to signify that. They have to be role models but especially to the rest of the students.
Athletics Squad
The list of athletes to represent the college for this year's Inter-College Sports were announced today during Mass. There are about 90 athletes altogether! They'll march into camp this Sunday evening. They have roughly 5 weeks to prepare for this national event which will be held at Teufaiva Park from the 2nd to 5th of April.
Rugby League
The college has four Rugby League Teams to participate in the Inter-College rugby league tournament which will begin next week. There are girls and boys Teams in the Under-16 and Under-18 competition.
AFL Tonga
Officials from the AFL Tonga visited the school on Tuesday to present gifts to the college to acknowledge their gratitude for the 7 students who took part in the AFL Oceania competition in Suva last December. Our very own Milika Taupeamuhu was present together with the players that will be traveling to the Gold Coast, Australia.
National Under-20 Rugby Team aka Junior 'Ikale Tahi
The Sports Master and Rugby Coach, Taholo 'Anitoni, will travel with the National U20/Junior Ikale Tahi, to New Zealand for the Pacific Cup competition. Two of our students, Veliani Taukei'aho and star Lolesio Sailosi, have been picked for this team.
Teacher Volunteers
Each year we have ex-students who have achieved something in their field of study wanting to return and give something back to the college. This time round it's our Head Girl in 2021, Pauline Fakava, who obtained a Certificate / Diploma in Accounting from TIHE: Tonga Institute for Higher Education. She volunteered to teach here at 'Apifo'ou in these past 4 weeks. Today we hosted her to a small Morning Tea session to thank her for her generosity. Malo fau Pauline e fie tokoni.
Seen above is Mr. Ha'amonga presenting a small monetary gift from the college to teacher volunteer Pauline Fakava.
Pictorials from the funeral of the late Mr. 'Etuate Sakalia (RIP)
Kula 'i Toafa was the honorary title bestowed by Lord Fakafanua on him. He was the Head Prefect in 1967 and was among the first group that sat the NZ School Certificate Examinations in the same year. Up to last year, 'Etuate was still sponsoring the Awards for the top RE student from each level. He revealed to me that he won the highest marks in RE in his last year with a mark of 97! He then told me that until another student surpasses that mark, he won't stop this sponsorship that meant a lot to him. Well, I think Etuate's record will stand for some years yet!
Scholarship Initiatives for future teachers at 'Apifo'ou
We're very grateful to Moleni & Lona in Maui, Hawaii plus the many generous ex-students who continue to fund the scholarships for promising students who pursue their studies at tertiary level with the goal of returning with a diploma or degree to teach here at 'Apifo'ou. This time round it's 'Ana Sina Lopeti, one of our top Form 7 students from last year, who will be able to further her studies in Accounting & Economics. Fakamalo lahi atu Moleni & Lona hono uki e ngaue ma'ongo'onga ko eni.
Conclusion
Once again, may I take this opportunity to extend to you all the Apifo'ou Family, both here and abroad, our gratitude for your continuous support for our beloved college.
As mentioned above, the athletes are marching into camp this Sunday. Our four rugby league Teams will begin their competition next week. If you wish to contribute in cash or kind to the feeding of these sports teams, you're most welcome. Malo!
Viva AFC!
Ekuasi