WORDS FROM THE WEBMASTER & OUR NEWSLETTER EDITOR:

Welcome to the THSESWS monthly newsletter for the month of May 2002, this month's newsletter has been published earlier than usual due to a request by New Zealand to have the program for the celebration published a bit earlier for ex-students abroad to view in order to make final decisions regarding travelling to New Zealand. It is only days away before the big event in New Zealand. The THSESWS is now pleased to bring to you the full Programme for the celebration.

It is a pleasure to present to you some news from our brothers and sisters from the Harbour City (Sydney). We have not heard from them for a long time. In fact, Sydney did not remain dormant at all after their brilliant work during the 2000 celebration. Sydney has been very active in their "ako faiva" for the New Zealand celebration and we are thankful that Tevita Tapa was kind enough to give us some news regarding the Sydney Chapter. Thank you so much Tevita!

The New Zealand Ex-students Association has put on a brilliant programme for the celebration of the school's birthday - thanks to the tireless work of the Auckland Chapter Working Committee and "behind the scene" supporters. The webmaster & Newsletter Editor cannot make it to the celebration but the THSESWS would like to ask everyone to please take group photos of your year level during the celebration and send them to the following address:

Mr Ross Loseli M Hafoka
Head of Information Technology Department
John Paul College
McMahons Road
FRANKSTON VIC 3199
Australia

Or if you are using a digital camera then please send your digital photos via email to Loseli so they can be published on the THSESWS for others to share! Use the email below so that photos(in large files) will be downloaded quicker. The email is:
hafr@jpc.vic.edu.au

To all the ex-students who are heading to Auckland, the THSESWS would like to wish you all a great time and to those who can't make it to Auckland - enjoy the school's birthday on whatever you are doing. No doubt, there will be BBQs everywhere on that day!

Faka'apa'apa atu

Loseli M Hafoka and Miss 'Amelia Piutau

NEWS FROM NEW ZEALAND:

Greetings from Aotearoa

Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula, G'day mate, Aloha, Kia Ora!!

Tulou! We, the Tonga High School Ex-Students Association of New Zealand are privileged and delighted to be hosting the 55th Anniversary of our beloved school here in Auckland. Welcome to our second Anniversary Celebrations outside of our homeland. We welcome all ex-students from around the globe, families, and friends to the Land of The Long White Cloud.

We come together to give God our grateful thanks for our school. We will celebrate and sing of His Goodness and love over the past 55 years. Over the weekend we will rekindle old friendships, and perhaps establish some new ones. We hope to generate a spirit of co-operation among ourselves in terms of providing support for Tonga High School in the light of its present predicament and its ongoing needs.

May this Anniversary Celebration be a stimulating and enjoyable time for everyone. Lets keep in touch so we can go beyond 55 years. Tonga High School has produced successful individuals in all walks of life. We need to walk life as one. While you are here, take in the essence of the largest Polynesian city in the World. Perhaps together we can share a few tears and laughs for old times' sake. So sit back, relax, share, link and enjoy the next three days for we, the Executive Committee, are committed to making your time with us a most enriching and memorable one.

As promised, the programme for the celebration can be downloaded by clicking here. Please Note that there might be some minor changes to the programme but any updates will be published here for everybody to see!

The Ex-Students of the "Land of the Long White Cloud" are now putting final touches to their preparation for the school's birthday celebration. One of the things that they have been practicising for a long time is their "faiva". We are glad to bring to you all a glimpse of what you will see in this celebration. Click Here and Enjoy!

Finally, the Venue for the Celebration is Auckland's Lakeside Convention Centre (sample pictures below). This is one of New Zealand's best in terms of facilities for large events such as our celebration. To have an idea of what the place is like, check out their website by clicking on any of the pictures below:

'OFA ATU

'Eseta Finau
Telusila Vea

NEWS FROM SYDNEY:

Greetings from the Sydney Chapter. Yes, we are still alive and kicking in case you are all wondering! Here is a report of what's been happening at Sydney.

Dance

We are pleased to announce that our fundraising dance was a great success. It was well supported by a lot of ex-students and what a fun night it turned out to be. Too bad for those ex-students who weren't there huh! Anyway, once again we would like to thank the Tongan Royal Airlines for their continual support and sponsorship. We must applaud the contributions made by the Liahona Ex-Students of $560. They have demonstrated the spirit that all ex-student bodies should adopt. Thank you Liahona! Osai Faiva's daughter performed a tau'olunga representing all THS ex-students. The Executive Committee, especially Losena, Wai and Pua, Sifa are to be congratulated for organising the night. $5,000 was raised but donations are still rolling in from some ex-students who weren't able to make it.

Ako Faiva & Ako Hiva

We are currently learning a SOKEE being taught by one of our well respected Punake from Tatakamotonga, VATUVEI. The executive committee opted to do a sokee instead of a ma'ulu'ulu because we are pushing for time. Pua and Tonga Lemoto are responsible for teaching a hiva usu for Sunday. All ex-students from Sydney who are thinking of going to NZ are invited to come along and participate or just show your support by turning up. Practice are held every Saturday from 3.00 to 6.00pm at Marrickville Youth Community Hall, Yabsley Street in Marrickville. Once again we urge all ex-students to come along and support. Tae Tuna'ula Faiva (Osai's wife) is organising the costumes. For details please ring her or see her on Saturday.

AGM

Sydney Chapter will be holding their AGM on Saturday, 25th May 2002 at Marrickville Youth Community Hall at 4pm. An election will be held, so we encouraged younger and willing ex-students to come forward and be part of the Executive Committee. The oldies will always be there for support at anytime and anyday.

There's going to be a dress rehearsal this Saturday so anyone interested in viewing the faiva and hiva are encouraged to come along.

Birthday Celebration in Auckland

So far here are those confirmed as going to Auckland NZ - Pua & Tonga Lemoto, Losena & Sione Taufateau, Osai & Tae Faiva, Sifa Hifo and wife, Harvard & Peti Tupouniua, Wai Tufui, Disney Tapa & wife, Linda Langi, Wendy Hoko'ila, Langitoto Tuitavuki, Senituli & Fifita Manu. Many others are yet to confirm. Please confirm with Disney or Losena if you'll be going. Auckland would like a list to be included in the program. A final list will be confirmed at the AGM and provided to Auckland by email on Monday, 27th May at the latest.

We are all looking forward to meeting up with everyone in Auckland. The preparation for the upcoming birthday celebration in Auckland is tremendous and they are to be congratulated on a job well done.

NSW Secretary
Tevita Disney Tapa
Air Scientist
Atmospheric Science Laboratory
NSW Environment Protection Authority
P.O. Box 29
Lidcombe, NSW 2141
Email: tapat@epa.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 02-96498768

NEWS FROM MELBOURNE:

The Melbourne Chapter held their AGM this morning (Saturday, 18 May) and due to the cold weather, only a handful turned up. It was decided that due to the success of our last function, the Melbourne Chapter will hold another function next year.

Only 5 people from the Melbourne Chapter will travel across the Tasman to represent us in New Zealand. A couple more might also travel across but their names are not confirmed yet. Janet Rollo (president of the Melbourne Chapter) will lead our small contingent to the celebration and the Melbourne Chapter hereby wish them all the best and a great time during the celebration in New Zealand.

More new photos from the Melbourne Chapter Function have been added to the photos already online and can be viewed by Clicking Here

NEWS FROM TONGA:

The current principal of Tonga High School - Lata Langi has informed us of the sport results for this year. According to Lata, "in comparison to past years - the school has performed very well. We won 8 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 6 bronze".

Record holders: The following students did extremely well in their repestive categories. Na'ati Fakatava (midget grade) - 200 m, and 200 m hurdles, Bernadette Feke (midget grade) - 80 m hurdles, Mele Lei (Intermediate girls) - Best athlete for the grade.

Term 2 resumed on the 13th of May 2002.

Until next time, please take care everyone!

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