Happy 150th Jubilee, S.M.S.M!

A hundred and fifty years is sure worth a party.

And that’s exactly what hundreds of former and present St. Mary’s students, teachers and supporters of the school brought to the streets of Apia during the official parade to celebrate the milestone.

They came in different forms, styles and colours.

There was something for everybody. From Disneyland, Tasmania and all different parts of Australia to the land of the mighty All Blacks.

The Old pupils of St. Mary’s and Marist, educated by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM), paraded with pride and joy on Beach Road.

Great grandmothers, grandmothers and mothers of different ages relived their youthful years through a variety of humorous entertainment.

The Head of State and former Marist student, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi led the march.

He was followed by her Highness, Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese and hundreds of current and old pupils of St. Mary’s.

Rita Matafeo, of the S.M.S.M Committee, paid tribute to a school that has raised many national leaders.

“I would say to Samoa, there goes your Prime Minister,” she said. “There goes your Chief Justice (Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu) and there goes your parliament.

“Those are the seeds planted by S.M.S.M.” In delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi announced a $20,000 gift from the government.

The Prime Minister also promised that the long overdue proposal from church schools to have their teachers paid for by the government, would be looked at.

“Every year the government gives $6million to assist church schools,” he said. “It’s been done for the past years and the government is also helping by providing free fees for all schools.

“God will also show the way to pay for your teachers if not tomorrow, in another 500 years that will happen.

“We are tested in those ways if we still have people like Sr. Marie de la Merci and Sr. Marie Rose. But that will be discussed this afternoon by Cabinet.”

There were cheers from the crowd when the Prime Minister announced the plans.

“Those are the seeds planted by S.M.S.M.” In delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi announced a $20,000 gift from the government.

The Prime Minister also promised that the long overdue proposal from church schools to have their teachers paid for by the government, would be looked at.

“Every year the government gives $6million to assist church schools,” he said. “It’s been done for the past years and the government is also helping by providing free fees for all schools.

“God will also show the way to pay for your teachers if not tomorrow, in another 500 years that will happen.

“We are tested in those ways if we still have people like Sr. Marie de la Merci and Sr. Marie Rose. But that will be discussed this afternoon by Cabinet.”

There were cheers from the crowd when the Prime Minister announced the plans.

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