Diary for 2007
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Diary for 2007 |
Greetings Web Readers !!
The following is the news and special events of Marist Centre in this year of the Lord, 2007.
January 9: The first of the travellers return from New Zealand after a successful and enjoyable malaga.
January 16: Work begins on a revamp of the school administration area.
January 22: The staff gather for the first staff meeting of the year. No longer with us are Br Samisoni, Laura Holtan, Ale Fuiava and Fepai Filisounuu. We wish these teachers well in their new endeavours. New to the staff are Faisiota Autagavaia and Nana Taupo. Meet the staff: Click here.
January 23: Enrolments and assessments begin for the 2007 school year.
January 30: Classes begin for the year, and enrolments are to continue right through to the end of February.
February 2: Work on the school administration area is concluded. the staff room and all offices now sport tiled floors as well as a fresh coat of paint. The deputy principals have their own office, and the secretary has her own office separate from that of the principal.
February 16: The students enjoy a sports day among themselves after it becomes apparent that our school is to be kept out of Inter- school sports for 2007, courtesy of the Savaii Principals' Association. Oh well, we did win the Sevens and First 15 Comp last year, as well as the girls' volleyball. We'll be back to reclaim the supremacy again next year! The girls' rugby proved to be very exciting to watch. Lots of fun for all!! Check out the pics: (Click here)
February 28: The prefects for 2007 are announced. Head Boy is Oti Senetenari, while Head Girl is Aigaoalii Saulaulu Savaiinaea. The deputy head boys are Simi Nu'usolia, and Pau Leituala. The deputy head girls are Elisapeta Tinise Su and Averii Ropini. At the end of February, the school roll stands at 110.
March 2: The school rugby sevens teams departs for Apia, where they are to play St Joseph's College in a one off friendly match. Our students did well, but St Joseph's playing all their First XV players in turn, had the superiority of numbers and fitness, and were the eventual winners.
March 5: The Prefects induction mass took place at the Vailoa Catholic Church during a mass offered by Patele Nimo. (Click here for picture)
March 22: At an assembly in the school Fale Samoa, the staff and students formally thanked and farewelled Manabu Sato, our JICA volunteer. Manabu has been our Automotive Engineering teacher for the past two years. Br James, the principal, thanked him for his perseverance even when times got tough. In an emotional speech, Manabu thanked the students and staff for their gifts, their songs, and their acceptance of him. His special request song: the Samoan national Anthem. The students obliged with much vigour! Thank you and farewell Manabu. (Click here for picture)
March 26: Br Terence Costello arrives at the school from Auckland. He is here to do a full review of the school and its programmes
The fundraising raffle was drawn today during the Parents' Annual General Meeting. $5,400 was raised over the past three weeks- a very creditable effort. All prizes were claimed at the meeting. Fiso from Vaitoomuli remains as President of the PTA.
April 3: The school holds its annual cross walk. A bit different this year. the cross was carried from Maota to School in Vailoa. A wonderful experience for all. (Click here for photos)
April 16: St. Joseph's College Apia First Fifteen came for a rugby game. The final score: Ulimasao 12, St Joseph's 7. Well done Marist Centre.
April 20: The First Fifteen model their new rugby uniform, courtesy of Br James' aiga in New Zealand. A big fa'afetai tele lava for the beaut new uniforms. (Click here for photo)
April 24: The school held its Samoan and English language speech competition today. The speeches were of a very high quality, and the judges (Faifeau Fereti from Vaitoomuili, and Kapeneta, the Manager of the ANZ bank, Salelologa) had a difficult task. The prizes were awarded as follows: Second Chance Samoan Speech: Ruana from SC1. Second Chance English Speech: Elisabeta Tonise Su from SC3. Youth Samoan Speech: Lusia from Y3. Youth English Speech: Tava'e from Y3. Congratulations to all the participants.
In the evening we welcomed the Under 19 Rugby team from Chanel College in Apia, here to play our First Fifteen. They arrived just after 8pm, after a delayed sailing.
April 25: Result of the rugby game: Marist Centre - 27 Chanel College - 6. And a good time was had by all.
May 2: Another successful Luau fundraising nets the school around $10,800. Timely income indeed, as we needed to pay the teachers' wages for the coming holidays. The usual chaotic scenes ensued outside the ANZ Bank at Salelolologa as the rush was on to have tickets verified, pay for those not yet paid for, and then collect the basket of cooked umu food. Thanks to all the families who provided the food, as well as those buying the tickets
May 4: The school breaks up today for a three week holiday.
May 31: We formally welcome our new JICA volunteer, Banri Tobo, as well as our new computer teacher, Sera Kei, to the school. Click here for photos on our "Meet the Staff" page.
July 4: Our visitors from George Brown College in Toronto, Canada, arrive for a four week stay. They are Lisa Thibodeau. Nicole Cheung and Amy Walsh. As was the case last year, they will be taking Life Skills Classes during the time of their practicum. (Click here for Photo)
July 26: Br Kees returns to New Zealand to be with his dying mother.
July 30: Our Canadian visitors return to Canada. We thank them for their work with our students. To read their reflections on their stay, Click Here
August 6: This week the school is busy recording the CD for which they have been practising hard all term. By all accounts it will be a high quality piece of work. Watch this space for further details. The official launch will be early in the third term.
August 15: Today the school held a fundraising Tausala, to help towards the payment of the teachers' holiday wages. 4 weeks holiday start this coming Friday. A good turn out of parents and students ensured a successful event. Click Here for a photo of Aigaoalii taken just before her dance.
August 16: Today is the last day of term two. The school farewells two long serving staff members: Hemi Siaosi, and Brother Kees. (Click here for photos)
September 10: Today classes resume for the final term
September 19: The school welcomed officially our new staff member, Br Chris Poppelwell
September 21: Today saw the launch of the CD after all the effort it has taken. A good crowd of parents and supporters gathered, and students performed the actions of many of the songs on the CD. SBC TV gave coverage in the news, and there was keen interest in buying the CD, of which there are a limited number of copies. If you want one, contact UMC. The cost is $40. Check out some pics of the launch. (Click here for photos)
September 24: The Malaga group from Sacred Heart College arrive safely, having caught the ferry between the two main islands. They are welcomed with an 'Ava ceremony. (Click here for photos)
September 25: Work started today on the project of painting the Technology Block (Click here for photos)
October 3: We farewell the SHC Malaga group, after a painting job well done, and a job as ambassadors even better! Faafetai tele lava, guys. (Click here for Malaga photos)
October 4: We welcome a visit from the McGowan family from Waikato, New Zealand. They read about us on the website, and found out how they could support us in practical ways. A big malo for the sports gear you brought with you, and the computer room assistance. We will remember you as we play our sports. (Click here for photo)
October 11: Our CD, "Ulimasao La'u Pele" becomes Samoa's most popular CD... It's already common to hear it in shops, on buses, and at parties. Buy one for yourself before they run out!
October 12: Today we farewelled the Second Chance students going off to their Work Experience. The President of the PTA and a spokesman from the students spoke about what they are to do, and how to use this great opportunity well. By afternoon several students were already at their jobs in Salelologa, looking as though they had been on the job for years! Well done, guys, and we pray that this experience will be a major step forward in your lives. (Click here for photos)
October 18: Paint left over from the SHC work group allowed Youth students to paint their own classrooms. Some looked as though more paint went on themselves and their clothes than on the walls, but the result was rooms well spruced up. Let's hope the quality of work done inside is also refreshed!
November 5: The Second Chance students return from their Work Experience. Each reports to the assembly what they have done and how they found the experience. It was most encouraging for all to hear the very positive reports. Well done, guys! And a footnote to say that 24 have confirmed jobs to go to after they graduate next week, with many others possibly getting jobs at the firms they worked with.
November 14: Graduation Day. Fine weather with a light breeze made conditions very pleasant. The day began with a Mass at 9am, then the graduation ceremony, followed by entertainment and finally a meal together. It was most enjoyable, with plenty of excitement, especially in the dancing. Some great talents were shown by students and families. (Click here for photos)
Sadly, we farewelled our Director, Br James Skelton. He will go with the malaga to New Zealand next week, and stay on there before joining the diocese for training. Many tributes were paid to him for his efforts over the five years he led the Centre. (Click here for more)
Br Christopher is to become the new Director for 2008. We wish him well for the onerous task ahead.
November 18: The malaga group of 23, led by Br
James, departs for NZ at 1:30am. (Click here for
photos). One passport was at
the NZ High Commission, so one student had to wait and go next day. Guess which
parent wasn't too happy about that!
We wish everyone safe travel, and an enjoyable and beneficial experience.
November 26: The first of the two groups from Bendigo Catholic College arrive, with Simone and Tony. A wonderful boat trip and then truck ride to their billets made the gloriously fine day a memorable one, with lots of photo opportunities. Strange that a large article about them appeared in the Samoa Observer last Saturday, before they arrived! (Click for details)
December 2: Reports from Auckland say the First XV has lost its first game 12-16 to Savai'i Samoans, and beat Tokelau Samoans 20-6. There's another game on Dec 7 against Auckland Samoans. The malaga is reported to be going well.
The second group of Bendigo students are now billeted with UMC students, while the first group has gone to Apia. Ashley and Donna are making sure goals are achieved, but in a nice way.
December 6: The second group has departed to be in Apia for the next 2 days, before returning to Australia. Well done, everyone! (Click for more)
December 8: The final game was close, but we came second!
December 16: The tired malaga group returns, happy that they were so well received in Auckland. Grateful thanks to all who made the journey possible.
Here
endeth the Diary for 2007, and we wish you the peace and happiness
of the Christmas season, and a most prosperous New Year, 2008.
May your dreams become reality!!