Chanel College has celebrated a year’s worth of hard work, with a prize giving held at the weekend celebrating both students and staff.
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A mass was held to commence the celebration, followed by the addressing of the audience by the Director of Catholic Schools, Aeau Chris Hazelman.
“The end of another journey is the beginning of another one,” he said.
He thanked the parents, families and the pastors of all the students for their ongoing support throughout this year.
Lastly, he thanked the Principal and teachers of the school for their hard work. “Malo lava for a job well done.” It was an emotional event for all the students and teachers of Chanel College, for it was their last prize giving with their current Principal, Father Mikaele Tuimavave.
Father Tuimavave has been the Principal of Chanel College for four years, and is moving on to undergo further studies in the Philippines.
“My four years in this college were perhaps the best years of my life,” he said.
It was a journey filled with a lot of challenges and obstacles, Father Tuimavave said. However, he said their achievements outnumbered the challenges they faced.
He was both happy and sad to be leaving.
“I am happy for the time and memories that I made here with these kids,” he said.
“At the same time, I am going to miss being around them.” The prize giving was a joyful occasion for students and their families.
The highlight of the day was the loud shouts from the families and friends of Steve Ponifasio, who was named Dux for 2015.
He also won the Tamasese family gold medal for being the “Top year 13 student” for this year. It was a historic moment for the school, according to Father Tuimavave, as a boy had not been named Dux for a long time.
As for Steve Ponifasio, it was a moment he said he’d remember for the rest of his life.
“It was priceless seeing my mum so happy and excited today,” he said.
“All glory and thanks to our Heavenly Father, because if it weren’t for Him…I wouldn’t be able to make it this far [and] I wouldn’t be this happy right now. These are all His works, because He is the provider of wisdom and understanding, and I am forever grateful to Him.” The top student said he is now ready for the next step of his academic life and will give it his all to continue making his parents proud.
“I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer [since] I was little,” he said. Mr. Ponifasio said he will pursue his dreams by working hard and putting God first in everything he does. “I am ready for whatever the future holds for me,” he said.
The happy Dux said he had a lot of fun at Chanel College and will always look back at his time there with a smile.
“I will treasure all the memories I made in this school and all the friends that I made along the way. Chanel College will always be my second home.”
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