Ulimasao Marist Centre for Special Learning
Diary 2005
|
|
Ulimasao Marist Centre for Special Learning Diary 2005
|
|
Please click on our links below for more info News and Events (2004)
|
Welcome to our diary for 2005. On this page we will record events of significance to the Centre as when they happen. January 17: The Brothers' community for the new year is now complete with the arrival of Br Kees from New Zealand. Br James remains the community leader, and we are joined this year by Br Samisoni. January 31: The staff gather for the first meeting of the year. Mefi Tanuvasa, our art teacher, joins those not returning for the new year. But we are able to welcome Mr Paul Houchins and Ms Laura Holtan, who are to be our Peace Corps Volunteers for the next two years. Beside Br Samisoni, we are also joined by Fifita Taliva'a and Alipate Kaireti. Lumanei Siliako, a second chance student in 2004, joins the staff as the school secretary, while Anamaria Ioane will this year be assisting in the Special Needs Education Programme. See "Meet our Staff" page for further details of these new staff members. February 1: The first students arrive and are administered the entry assessment tests. A regular stream of students in fact continue to arrive all week, which is very encouraging. A lot of students are applying to join the "Second Chance" February 7: We are ready to begin school. The timetable has been posted, and everyone is anxious to begin. But for today the students are given an orientation to the school and especially to the Technical Departments. They are then given time to choose their Options for the year. February 8: Classes begin today. Students continue to enrol during the week. February 14: Tropical Cyclone "Olaf" forces the early clsure of our school, as the possibility of it coming closer to Samoa looms. We remain closed for the next two days. Fortunately, we suffer no damage. February 21: Our new art teacher joins us. He is Masua Taatiti. His arrival allows Ganisene to concentrate on his carving tutoring. Rugby, Netball and Volleyball practices begin after school. February 24: We receive a visit from Mr Stephen Hazelman from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, based in Fiji. He has come to hand over a grant of $ST12,500 to help us further develop our organic garden project. Click on this link to View the Press Release and Photo. February 25: The school participates in a 7's rugby, and netball and volleyball tournament for the Savai'i schools. It is held at Vaipouli, and necessitates a very early departure - 4.30am! Unfortunately Tropical Cyclone Percy, while far enough away not to cause undue alarm, does bring heavy rain to the island, and the games are cancelled well before their due finishing time, because of the very bad weather. March 2: A large load of taamu and two baskets of taro are harvested from our plantation in Salailua. The taamu sells quickly, though a glut in the market means our prices have to be competitive, so profits are down from ealier expectations. March 3: Marist Centre's own "Star Search" begins with SC3 showing their talents. We will be in for a good competition if today's efforts are anything to go by. March 4: Our Second Chance Students, attend the Career Day Expo at the Savaian Hotel in Salelologa. Our School roll is now 144 students, of which 85 are Second Chance and 59 Youth. March 10: The first fifteen rugby team at the Ulimasao Marist Centre for Special Learning were today the proud recipients of a complete new set of rugby uniforms - jerseys, shorts and socks. The set was sponsored by Bradley Mika and his parents, Jane and Moni Mika, who reside in Auckland, New Zealand. Bradley plays lock for the Auckland Blues Super 12 franchise. The Mika family is related to the Director of the Marist Centre, who made the presentation on behalf of the family. March 13: The staff gather on the verandah at the Brothers' house to celebrate Br James' birthday. A most pleasant evening March 14: The Centre is visited by the Director of Catholic Education, Ae'au Chris Hazelman. March 18: The school participates in the Zone Sports. Our First XV defeats Palauli Secondary School by 3 - nil. All our other teams come second! March 22: The school takes part in the Stations of the Cross, held on the school compound. March 23: Sports are held at Ulimasao. The netball team records a victory over Palauli, while the Ist XV records a 23-13 victory over Uesiliana College. March 29: Our prefects are named today. Gasologa Oata is Head Boy, with Siona Tapuloa his deputy. Tumama Amani is Head Girl, with Meripa Tili her Deputy. April 21: the First XV continues its winning streak, this time defeating Vaipouli College 3-0. This makes Marist Centre top team in Savaii along with Tuasive College, and qualifies both teams to play in the "Smoke Free" competition in Apia next week. April 29: Our Luau fundraising day is a great success. "Umu" cooked food is sold at $20 a ticket. We raise $10,330 tala. A great effort by all the staff and students. May 23: Our first fifteen rugby team took on Don Bosco in the Smoke Free Tournament in Apia. They drew 20 - 20, after a last ditch comeback by our team. But the rules of the tournament state that in the case of a draw, the team that scores first goes into the finals. Try again next year! June 6: The school takes time to off to celebrate the feast day of St. Marcellin Champagnat, the Founder of the Marist Brothers. A prayer, staff and students combined sporting events, and of course, a "feast", marked the day. To read more about this man, and the work of the Marist Brothers, Click here. June 10: We farewell Melesete Faivae, our sewing teacher, who has resigned for family reasons. Peti Mose replaces her. June 16: The Marist Centre 1st XV defeats the Tuasivi College 1st XV to become the Savaii Secondary Schools Under 19 champions for 2005. June 22: The Brothers receive a visit from Diana Lomax and Bill Fox, both from New Zealand, and friends of Peter and Jenny West. They brought with them a set of carving chisels for our art department, donated by Peter and Jenny in loving memory of Dr Michael Miles, a talented children's doctor who worked with the children of New Zealand and American Samoa, and passed away in March 2005. Thank you Peter and Jenny for this thoughtful assistance. July 10: We receive a visit from Dr Bill Fallis, from the George Brown Colllege in Toronto, Canada. Dr Bill is the Scientific Coordinator for the CSAP (Commonwealth Service Abroad Program). He has come to Samoa to assist in developing a delivery model for Second Chance Education. And where better to come than to a "going concern". August 9: We take part in the Zone C Athletics Meet at Uesilina College. Ten of our students qualify for the Champ of Champs in Apia. August 19: Out athetes participate in the "Champ of Champs" Secondary School Athletics Competition for all of Samoa. Our crack Intermediate relay team manages 4th over all, and Sulu, our own female competitor comes third in the Senior Girls Long Jump event. Win of the day goes to Sanele Paulo, who wins the Senior Boys Shot Put event. Well done to Sanele and all our athletes. August 23: The Tourism and Hospitality class undergo a practical test today. Check out the pics here. (Just click) September 26: The third term begins, Not too many students turn up today. We are joined by Clair Fitzgerald, our Australian Youth Ambassador, who takes the place of Paul Houchins in teaching the Tourism and Hospitality Classes. Paul has moved to Asau on the North side of Savaii, where he will work in the Early Intervention ministry. Thanks Paul, for your contribution to the Centre during your brief spell with us. October 24: Very few students at school today, and those who came, very sleepy. the palolo was rising early this morning, and by all accounts, the catch was plentiful. October 31: Our second chance students begin their work experience in Apia and Salelologa. All 73 students were placed, working in such varied places as Magik Cinemas, to Nu'u Agriculture Station, to banks, shops and the police force. (picture) November 5: The Marist Centre staff gather at the Brothers' house for a two day retreat. The retreat was well attended, and felt to be very beneficial. All students have also taken part in class retreats over the past few weeks. (picture) November 24: We welcome back to the Centre, Koji Yamamoto, who was a JICA volunteer here from 1998 to 2000. He is visiting Samoa with his wife, Shinobu Yamamoto. December
7: The
graduation ceremony for the 79 Second Chance Students at Ulimasao Marist
Centre took place at the School on today. Special guests included Fr
Spa Silva, who represented Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga, Afioga
Tautapilimai Levaopolo Esera, the C.E.O. for the Ministry of Education,
Sports and Culture, Aeau Chris Hazelman, the Director of Catholic
Education, and Br Brian Callaghan, the Chairman of the The
distribution of Graduation Certificates to all students took place after
the mass, which was celebrated by Fr Spa Silva and Fr Nimo, the Parish
priest of Vailoa. All the Youth students each also received a Certificate
of Achievement. The ceremony was well attended by many parents, local
dignitaries and friends of Ulimasao Marist Centre.
|
| Back to Home Page |
DPuri Foundation @ DDPuri.org For any questions or comments contact us at fmspalauli@lesamoa.net