Avele College celebrated 90 years yesterday with a parade, speeches, a feast and $20,000 given to the school by the Government.
The College kicked off the festivities with a parade along Beach Road in Apia ending out the front of the Government Building where the official ceremony was held.
Vice Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Samoa, Reverend Dr. Tavita Pagaiali’i, opened the ceremony with a prayer and aksed for a moment of silence from the crowd in rememberence of the College’s Old Pupils who had passed on.
In attendence were Prime Minsiter, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Minister of Revenue, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei’ataua, New Zealand High Commissioner, Jackie Frizelle and special guest, Cook Island’s Queen’s Representative, Tom Marsters, who is an Avele College old boy.
Tuilaepa presented the school with a gift of $20,000.
The Prime Minsiter said in his speech that Avele is the school that not only holds many fond memories for many of its past students, it was also renowned for its disciplinary code.
“Students adhere to the motto, “those who are last refer to those who were first,” (e fa’alogo mulimai i a muamai),” he said.
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“I have no doubt that this type of discipline became the foundation for the success of the college in educational, sporting and other pursuits.” He also said that the journey Avele College took to reach its 90th Anniversary has not been easy.
“It was tested by storms that almost resulted in the demise of the college when it was closed in 1987,” said Tuilaepa.
“Tofilau Eti Alesana, former leader of the H.R.P.P, then promised that if his party was again elected the school would be resurrected.
“That promise has been kept by the government to this present day.”
Tuilaepa said the Government has come to recognise the school as one of the oldest colleges to be established in Samoa.
“Indeed the government cannot forget the historical significance of Avele,” said the Prime Minsiter.
“Many leaders have been educated and passed through the gates of Avele and those leaders are not only the sons and daughters of Samoa but also of our neighbouring island nations.”
He then encouraged the students of Avele College to retain the ideas and mottos of the school.
“I would encourage all ex-students to retain the ideas and mottos of Avele College, such as to honour those who ended the school before you and to ensure those who are wet behind their ies’, defer and seek the wisdom of those who are older and wiser,” said Tuilaepa.
One such Avele Old Pupil from a neighbouring island is the Cook Island’s Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters.
Not one to often make public adresseses, Mr. Marsters could not help but feel emotional about his former school and made an exception for the occasion.
“Talofa Avele, E le galo Avele,” he said.
“I take notes from the Prime Minister’s comments the statement concerning, ‘wet behind the ie’.
“In our language or the language of Avele we call that ‘muli susū (sic).
“That’s the language of Avele for wet behind the ie and Tuilaepa was absolutely correct when he talked about the discipline or rather the myth of discipline at Avele.
“I should know because I went through that myself as a ‘muli susū to start with.
“I am proud to be a tama tuai o Avele (old boy of Avele).”
Mr. Marsters said he is who he is today because of the grounding Avele College gave him.
“When the message came to me that there was a celebration being organised for Avele I (said I) wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said.
“It’s wonderful to know that I belong to a group of special people. To the present students and future students, look after our school because you will know this one day when you start journeying through your matured life that you will reflect on Avele.
“And I am sure that you will thank Avele for what it has done for you.”
During the ceremony special awards were also given out to the ex-students of Avele for their service within the school.
Tuilaepa also received a special award for the government’s help with rebuilding of new school buildings after Cyclone Evan.
The day continued with a big lunch and an ‘ava ceremony to welcome Mr. Marsters and also the Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and His Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese.
The celebration of the 90th Anniversary continues today with the school’s sports day at the Avele compound.
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