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Diary for 2006
Greetings Web Readers !!
The following is the news and special events of Marist Centre in this year of the Lord, 2006.
February 6: School begins with the first staff meeting of the year. There are two new faces. Joshua Schoop is the new Peace Corps Volunteer, while Masepi Mulivai will be teaching the Tourism and Hospitality classes with Clair. (check out the "Meet the Staff" page. No longer with us are Ganisene, as well as Ana and Lumanei, who are now attending Teacher Trainee classes. The timetable for the first term is ready. We just await commencement of classes!
February 7: In what proves to be a busy week, we begin assessment of prospective students. Many students come, and continue to arrive, even after classes officially begin.
February 13: School begins. Today the students receive their exercise books, and choose their options.
February 14: Classes begin. All during the coming week, students continue to enroll.
February 22: Today is the dead line for our student numbers to be submitted to the Education Ministry. We now have 175 students. This is an increase even from last year, and is a good indications of the reputation the school has developed here in Savaii.
February 28: The school holds the
opening mass for the year in the Vailoa Parish Church. The mass was celebrated
by Fathers Nimo and Ilalio, both former students of the school. Aeau Chris
Hazelman, Director of Catholic Education in Samoa was also present. During the
mass, the 18 prefects for the year were inducted and handed their badges of
office. Malili Laulu is Head Boy, while Repeka Esau is the Head Girl.
March 2: A big clean up day at the school to prepare for the Savaii 7's tomorrow.
March 3: The under 19 and 17 Sevens championships are held here at the Centre. 13 schools took part, and games also included Volleyball and Netball. While the volleyball team was not placed, the senior netball team made it to the final, where they were narrowly defeated by Palauli Secondary School. The good news was that our Under 19 rugby 7's team not only made it to the final, but soundly defeated Vaiola College 38 - nil. We made it through to the National &'s competition for the following week.
March 6: The Organization for people with disabilities hold a week long workshop at the Centre. The workshop centred around the maintenance and repair of wheelchairs.
March 9: The Brothers take delivery of their new vehicle, a Kia truck. The vehicle will be used by both the community and the school.
March 10: The national school boys sevens are held at Prince Edward park on Savaii. Our team gave a creditable performance and was the only team of the four finalists from Savaii to make it to the Cup semi finals. We lost to Leulumoega 7 -nil, and again to Wesley College in the plate final. However, all in all, the boys played very well, and were a credit to the school.
March 11: The school holds its first fund raising "tausala" at Fa'ala village. We are raising funds for a possible Malaga to New Zealand at the end of the year. In a good start to this fundraising programme, $1,000 was raised.
April 10: Brother Edward Danielson joins the community of Brothers. Br Edward was previously at the Alafua community in Apia.
April 12: The students and staff take part in the annual "Stations of the Cross" to commemorate Christ's passion and death on the cross.
April 17: We receive a visit from Br Marcel Hall. Br Marcel is from Sacred Heart College in Auckland New Zealand. In September of this year he will be bringing a Malaga to Ulimasao Marist. Ten students and four adults. They intend to paint the roof of the main school building while they are here.
April 27: The school First XV wins the Savaii Under 19 rugby competition by defeating Uesiliana College 12 - nil. Unfortunately the post game "skirmishes" which resulted in damage to both school's vehicles, as well as some minor injuries, resulted in some negative publicity. Subsequent cultural ceremonies did much to ease the tensions created by this event, though the school was closed for a week by the local village council.
May 19: The school holds a successful Luau fundraising drive outside the ANZ Bank at Salelologa.
May 22: We celebrate the end of term one by inviting the students back to school for a Siva. good attendance.
June 28: The PTA gather at the school for the first meeting of the year. The large turn out of parents is very encouraging. Fiso from Vaitoomuli is elected the new Chairperson.
July 3: Professor Mandy Bonisteel from the George Brown College in Toronto, Canada, is here for a day. She is running a day long seminar for our staff on Curriculum development and preparation.
July 10: We are honoured to have a large contingent of Brother James' family from New Zealand visit us for the day. The teachers and students welcomed them with a traditional 'ava ceremony and entertained the group with song and dance.
We also welcome to Marist Centre Debbie Glass and Allisha Higo, two students from George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. They will be with us for a month.
July 17: Natalia Sosa, also from George Brown College, joins Allisha and Debbie for her practical teaching experience. Welcome, Natalia. Check out a photo of these three lovely ladies.
August 5 We farewell our visitors from Canada. Read their accounts of their experiences with us. (Click here)
August 22 We receive a visit from Mr Jim Barnes. Jim came bearing gifts from St Cuthbert's College in Auckland, New Zealand, in the form of assorted stationery items for our students. Our grateful thanks to Jim and the staff and students of St Cuthbert's for their generosity. This
August 24 Br James leaves for a Religious Education Seminar in New Zealand. Manuia le malaga!
August 25 The mini fundraising raffle is drawn
today. $2,475 is raised. The funds will go towards payment of staff
salaries.
Staff member Ioane Leituala leaves for a Champagnat Charism seminar being held
in Fiji. He will be away for a week.
September 25 The Sacred Heart College malaga group arrives from New Zealand. CLICK HERE for an update of photos of their stay with us.
September 29 The school band is formally blessed by Fr Nimo and the instruments unveiled by the PTA Chairperson (Fiso). A number of items were presented to the invited guests. The malaga group also performed some of their items to the parents and guests.
October 5 The Sacred Heart College malaga group returns to Apia, en route to New Zealand, mission accomplished.
October 10 95 Second Chance students head out on three weeks of work experience.
October 30 The Second Chance students return to
school, and we spend the morning in the Fale Samoa listening to their stories.
by all accounts they enjoyed the experience, and for some, the hope is there of
future employment. Click Here for some
photos of the students at their places of work.
And Click Here to see Kamuta based at
the ANZ Bank in Salelologa
November 21 Graduation day for 98 Second Chance
students. All receive their certificates and references. All the Youth students
also receive their certificates of merit. Mass was celebrated by Father Va'auli
Lagaaia, the Vicar General. Chief Guest was Aeau Chris Hazelman, Director of
Catholic Education. Click here
for a picture of the graduands in the Fale Samoa.
December 8 11 teachers and 33 students head off to
New Zealand on a fund raising malaga.