A TOTAL of 365 students graduated on Thursday during the RC Nicholson College annual graduation and prize-giving ceremony.
The colorful event was held at the school compound at Vonunu, South Vella, Western Province.
This year’s graduation was celebrated under the theme “Unity in Diversity, Quality Education for All.”
A large crowd of proud families, school staff, and special guests, who gathered to celebrate the achievements of the graduating students.
In his keynote address, College Principal Lawrence Zaza emphasized that the ceremony marked the culmination of students’ hard work and dedication to academic excellence.
Zaza said at RC Nicholson, they believe that unity in diversity enhances teamwork.
“Building trust and bonding among individuals fosters harmony and peace, values that represent our school and ensure tolerance throughout our learning environment.”
He stressed the importance of quality education in shaping the future leaders of Solomon Islands.
“Quality education provides the outcomes necessary for individual success and should empower students to become who God created them to be.
“It places learners at the center of their education, treating them with dignity and worth,” Principal Zaza remarked.
The principal highlighted that the success of education depends on the involvement of every stakeholder – from parents supporting their children with homework to teachers imparting knowledge in classrooms and school leaders casting vision for the institution.
“When students access quality education, they are equipped with both knowledge and right character to face life’s challenges and make a positive impact in the world,” he said.
Principal Zaza also reflected on the recent changes within the institution.
“This class has witnessed the birth of a new identity for the school. RC Nicholson College officially adopted its [current] name on July 6, 2023.”
He explained the initials ‘RC’ stand for Reginald Chapman and this to pay tribute to Reverend Reginald Chapman Nicholson, the Methodist missionary who introduced education in the locality in 1907.
The principal said since its establishment, the school has made significant strides toward academic success and the adoption of modern technology to align with the demands of the rapidly changing world.
“These developments represent a new era for the school, branding RC Nicholson College as an institution ready to meet the challenges of modern civilization.
“Dear graduates, you are part of this positive change. You carry the story of our school’s evolution, just a year after the renaming of the institution,” he said.
The principal congratulated the graduates, acknowledging their role in the school’s growth and recognizing them as part of the institution’s history.
RC Nicholson College currently enrolls 750 students, reflecting a significant increase in student numbers compared to previous years, signaling growing trust in the institution’s educational approach.
The graduation event ended with dancing and feasting.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
