To those unlucky ones don’t think the world has come to its end but have the right mind that education is an endless entity in one’s lifetime, says the guest of honour.
St. John’s catholic secondary school in West Kwara’ae had held its 6th graduation ceremony on Friday 31st October 2014.
Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Auki Fr. Moses Ouou presided over a graduation mass to open the programme at 9am at St. John’s church at Dala.
Co-celebrating with the Vicar are; Fr. Vaioleti Tuione sm, Fr. Valu Siua sm, Fr. John Taba and Deacon Sam Maetara sm.
The combination of grandaunts; standard 6, forms 3 and 5 plus the Dala parish choir at the liturgy started the day’s ceremony on a high note.
After mass graduating students and invited guests processed to the graduation venue at the secondary school compound.
Before the official programme starts a flag raising ceremony was conducted by a platoon of form four boys.
The military-type flag raising and lowering of Solomon Islands national flag was indeed one of the highlights of the day.
New chairman of St. John’s secondary school Mr. Peter Ufa made the opening remarks and welcomed invited guests, parents, guardians and everyone who came to witness the event before head girl Linda Buarafi presented her speech on behalf of the graduating students.
In a well orchestrated speech, the school Principal Fr. Valu Siua sm. highlighted some challenges, improvements and developments the school had achieved and accomplished since he took up the principal’s role early this year.
Mr. Coleman Holi an inspector of Malaita Education Authority was the guest of honour at the occasion.
Before delivering his speech the guest of honour acknowledged and applauds the parents, guardians and people of surrounding communities who had given up their time to come and witness this very important graduation of the students.
He added “today is another milestone in the era of education in the Solomon Islands as far as the development of education is concerned in Malaita Catholic Education Authority schools.”
Mr. Holi continued to congratulate graduating students particularly those who will exit to other schools and those who will continue and remain at St. John’s secondary school at Dala and in particular those who will be venturing into the world of work.
“I beg that you show to the world the identity of your family and culture. Behave well, act likewise and shine to your next school the essence of St. John’s catholic secondary school, your family and culture,” he said.
“To those unlucky ones don’t think the world has come to its end but have the right mind that education is an endless entity in one’s lifetime,” said the Guest of Honour.
After an interval there were academic prize presentations to all classes from standard six through to form 5, followed by awards to dux students Vincent Fred Osifelo for form three and Brandton Casoah in form 5.
Leadership awards are made to both primary, secondary divisions and the school prefects for year 2014 before the presentation of certificates to graduating students.
In congratulating the grandaunts, all the students of forms 1, 2 and 4 performed a graduation dance to the top graduation song of 2013. The performance was so stunning that it was requested to be performed twice.
Deputy Principal Primary Mr. Simon Orobulu made the final remarks and then captains of graduating classes cut the graduation cake and have it was distributed.
At 12:30pm the flag raising platoon paraded into the graduation compound and lowered the Solomon Islands National flag and Fr. Vaioleti Tuione sm made the closing prayer as the official ceremony of St. John’s Catholic Secondary School 6th Graduation 2014 comes to the end.
Feasting and entertainment followed.
By William Toli
