Salutation
Greetings your Eminence and fellow 'Apifo'ou Family!
Admin Briefs
This is week 9 of Term 3, 2023. Our Form VI students continue with their preparations for their oncoming public exams, this time with their Internal Assessments. A big thank you to one and all for services rendered to the college throughout this week. The college received a number of blessings this week, beginning with the school Mass on Tuesday to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, titular feast of the Marist priests and nuns working at 'Apifo'ou and elsewhere in Tonga and beyond.
Tonga National Schools Rugby Team Tour of Australia
Also present at the Mass at the college on Tuesday were the Tonga National Under-18 Rugby Team before leaving the country on a three-week tour of Australia. These are Tonga's best ruggers at secondary school level, as they were picked from the Senior First XV of each college on Tongatapu at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Three students from 'Apifo'ou's Senior First XV were selected for this tour (Henry Vaihu, Lolesio Sailosi, and Soane Vea) and one from Takuilau (Sonatane Leha).
The manager of this national schools rugby team tour of Australia is our very own Principal, Fr. 'Ekuasi Manu. Also joining the team's staff is AFC's Mr. Taholo 'Anitoni as the Assistant Coach. After Mass, there was a shared luncheon at the college with the team and parents before they departed Tonga that same evening for Australia.
Seen below is Fr. 'Ekuasi introducing members of his touring team at the Luncheon.
Form VI Internal Assessment
Also happening on Tuesday was the internal assessment (IA) of Form VI students on the subject 'Design & Technology'. This subject is divided into two parts that might be more familiar to some of you: Industrial Arts and Home Economics & Hospitality. These students scored well in their IA, which may have to do with the fact that it took place on Tuesday on Mary's feast day while all the assessors were named 'Malia'.
And then on Thursday this week, it was the turn of our Form VI Music students to have their IA. And the official assessor was Mr. Savelio Mataele. Despite the fact that there was no Music Festival this year, our students did their very best as seen below.
At the end of their individual performances, and by popular demand, our Form VI Music students then wowed the audience with some compelling group items. Malie!
Alumni Group 'Kasia Fetakinima 1989'
Tuesday evening this week saw the start of a volunteer project by the ex-students group known as 'To'uako Kasia Fetakinima 1989'. The project concerns the renovation of one of the classrooms in the St. John Building. Our gratitude goes out to their President, Timote Holani, and members of this group for such a useful gesture. Malo!
Their work involves tiling the floor, changing the louvres and doors, painting the wall, while ensuring that the level of the new floor is higher than the verandah outside to ensure classroom remains dry during heavy rain, etc. There are still 4 classrooms in this St John Building in need of a similar renovation, so any volunteers are welcome!
Class Photos for School Magazine 2023: These are the five classes in Form 3
Class Photos for School Magazine 2023: These are the six classes in Form 5
One of the reasons for showing you these class photos is that the school's Magazine Committee will soon hold a fund-raising campaign for the printing and distribution of this year's school magazine, to which ex-students might be invited to contribute.
Awareness Program Against Domestic Violence
As shown below, Tonga Rugby League conducted an awareness program against domestic violence here at the college on Wednesday with our Form 3 students.
AFC teachers' ongoing development
It goes without saying that if teachers are to meet the standards expected of them, their ongoing professional development is a must. To that end, we salute 3 of our teachers who achieved various certificates at the recent TTI's graduation ceremony.
Evening Classes for Form VI Students
These much-needed classes for our Form Six students are ongoing, both here at the college and at the parish level. A big thank you to all who make them possible.
Seen below is Acting Principal, Fr. Valu Siua, conducting evening classes at Pea.
Conclusion
While we here at 'Apifo'ou look forward to a long weekend here in Tonga, thanks to the Crown Prince's Birthday on Monday, we do not forget all of you out there who continue to support the college in one way or another. Malo fau e 'ofa ki 'Api Fo'ou.
Viva AFC,
Ngungutau Tupola (for the Principal)
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