Samoa College celebrates an era of education

Samoa College celebrates an era of education

The SAMOA COLLGE 60th Anniversary weekend in Auckland was an opportunity to pay tribute to the vision of our forefathers to have educated men and women to manage its own affairs as an independent country. It was a time of fond flections as well, also marking the special relationship between New Zealand and Samoa with the establishment of SAMOA COLLEGE.

Today many former Samoa College former teachers and students have set up home in New Zealand and abroad. Many have gone on to be respected members of their adopted communities. The 3 day event had all the fabric of Samoa College starting with an assembly led by Mangere deputy Principal and former Samoa College teacher Mele Ah Sam and former head boy Pastor Avele Tanielu. Lotu was led by Reverend Elder Leiite Setefano of Class of 1953 with Emeritus Professor of the University of Auckland Maualaivao Albert Wendt, the first Samoan to be principal of Samoa College giving the keynote address followed by a moment of silence to remember all school colleagues that have passed away. To top off the Opening Night of celebration was Punialava’a Band led by founding member and Samoa College old girl Vini Peteru belting out all their old classics during cocktail.

Calliope House took top price in both the Golf Tournament and Sports Day. According to lawyer Atoa Peter Petaia and former Calliope house captain, “The Houses are for fun, but it’s also about maintaining what is SAMCO.”

The SCOPA Community Health Outreach’ on Saturday an initiative of former Samoa College former students working in the health sector in New Zealand and abroad, provided FREE health checks and health information to the public. Health Star Pacific General Manager Togiai Vaifagaloa Naseri-Moepogai and Pacific Health Service Porirua CEO Eleni Mason both agreed, “This is a great initiative by SCOPA NZ to give back to the community.”

VAILIMA a ‘Made in Samoa’ product was the beer of choice at the SCOPA Ball at Pullman Hotel while dancing to the sound of Lapi Mariner and cover band 20 / 20. Mezzo soprano Elisha Fa’i Hulton delivered a solid and fun-filled set list by, her mum is an ex pupil of Samoa College.

Sunday Toanai was a fitting end to the three day event to farewell the SCOPA Samoa contingent and also SCOPA from around New Zealand and abroad until we meet again. Hopefully in the near future at the completion of the SCOPA Gym project now underway in Samoa.

END

© Scoop Media