Salutation
Greetings your Eminence and fellow AFC Family! May I take this opportunity to extend to you all a Happy & Blessed Feast Day!
Admin Briefs
Yesterday was the actual Feast Day of the college which is the feast of our Patronage, St. Peter Chanel. It also marks the 157th Anniversary of the college. Unfortunately, due to the current Orange state of the pandemic in Tonga we are still required to adhere to the protocols stipulated by the Ministry of Health. However, to mark the occasion the teachers gathered at the college for a para-liturgy followed by a BBQ. There is still a possibility to celebrate our Feast Day later on in the year.
The chief cook, Mrs. Oli 'Anitoni together with the Cassava Crew attended to the BBQ!
Seen below are the staff sharing a few bowls of grog to mark our Feast Day!
Preparations for the Reopening of the Schools
All schools throughout Tongatapu have been urged by the MoH and MoE to prepare well for the likely reopening of the schools in two weeks time. Training workshops have been conducted by the officers from UNICEF and MoH for this purpose.
Apart from that, the teachers continue to take advantage of these restricted weeks to prepare their Workbooks and Lesson Plans well.
Blessings in disguise!
During this lockdown period we're able to do things that we wouldn't be able to do if the normal school's program was running. During Holy Week I was able to plant a few Dragon fruit trees, Tahitian lemon, and Aussie mango trees!
Below are the professional golfers among the clergy in Tonga enjoying their Monday golfing session, and then a grog competition afterwards!
Seen above are the Marist Sector in Tonga gathering for their monthly meeting. Below is Fr. Mika who has just returned from a fishing trip with enough fish to last us for weeks. I've encouraged him to take Fr. Sten with him so that they can catch more and keep up that wonderful hobby!
Cassava for Melbourne
On Tuesday we concluded the harvest of our cassava with 123 bags bound for Melbourne. The Volunteer Group requested us for 100 bags and that round up our Agriculture project for this year. The teachers and few students who usually helped out yelled for joy at the end! It has been tough going for some teachers as they're not used to heavy physical work!
I've explained to the teachers and students the six-fold benefits of this project:
God helps those who help themselves! AFC don't wait for mana from heaven!
Good bonding exercise for the staff and students
Promoting healthy living and greener environment
Learning curve for first-timers to plant, pull, and peel
Affirming a career path for some
Mentally and spiritually nourishing
RIP Saimone Taumoepeau
Last Friday I was honored to bury the late Saimone Taumoepeau, the captain of AFC's victorious Senior Rugby Team of 1961. May his soul rest in the peace of Christ.
Conclusion
May I extend to you all our heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and support for our beloved college during this difficult period.
Viva AFC!
Ekuasi