Nuku’alofa CBD was flooded with red and white today, with students, ex-students and families of Tonga College ‘Atele, marching along Taufa’ahau Road to celebrate the schools 141st anniversary.
The school did not celebrate its 140th anniversary last year due to the recovery efforts after the 2022 HTHH volcanic eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s celebration was a combination of the 140th and 141st anniversaries.
Ex-student, Prince Tungi Tuku’aho, the guest of honor and President of his class, joined the parade.
The school pupils, together with ex-students gathered at the GPS Nuku’alofa for a flag raising ceremony to commence their program for the day.
Afterwards, they marched down the streets of Nuku’alofa to Pangai Si’i to pay their respects to King Tupou VI and the royal household. They then paraded back to the GPS Nuku’alofa, to end their ceremony with a closing prayer.
Today’s celebration was fortunate to enjoy nice weather, grey clouds, light breeze and no rain.
The celebrations over three days included events held at ‘Atele with participation from current students as well as ex-students. It was also announced that over the past two years, the ex-students alliance of Tonga College has raised $12 million for the current school.
Tonga College was founded by the Tongan government in 1882. Its establishment was a joint effort between King George Tupou I and Rev. Shirley Waldemar Baker who also both formed the Free Church of Tonga in 1885.