This article is basically my personal reflections and observations pertaining the magnificent transformation that has taken place at Infant School at Moamoa over the past ten years. I am extremely fortunate to have been in a very close relationships with the Infant School, firstly when I was a Principal of Chanel College from 2021 until 2016 and secondly, when I became the Director of Catholic Education from 2017 until 2022. I have been playing various roles and responsibilities in the school as a Spiritual Advisor, serving masses as well as conducting retreats and seminars for professional developments for the staff. This short report and reflections express my views on the significant role the school has contributed to the students of the Samoa as well as the propagation of the Catholic faith in Samoa. 

The school infrastructure.

Infant School has significantly improved in terms of facilities over the last ten years. They have built new classrooms with air conditioning as well as a new Staff Room, new toilets and a new shelter for the parents to drop and pick up their children. Having this in place create a safe place for the kids to come inside the school and leaving after. It is important to note that improving these facilities helps the school to create a safety environment, which enhance learning and thus provide healthy space for learning hence produce great outcome for the children as well as the staff.

Academic Performance.

In all honesty I think Infant has produced the highest academic results over the past ten years. The graduates of the school have often been demanded by many Catholic Primary Schools like St Mary’s and Marist Primary due to the high pass rate of the school to enter into their year 8. 

Education has become an essential requirement in the modern world. This is due to the role it plays in determining and shaping the career of an individual. Education gives individuals the knowledge and skills that is required to perform given roles in a specific profession. As a result, individuals who are learned stand a better chance of having desirable careers as compared to individuals who are not learned or perform poorly in school.

Parents and Teachers Relationships.

I have with great admiration the working together of the PTA with the Staff of this school. The great achievements in terms of infrastructure and academic is very much a reflection of the team work of the Principal and the PTA.Teachers and parents will work together as a team to achieve a common goal. Every years Infant has produced some of the best students as real evidence to team work and team spirit. 

The Spiritual Side.

Infant has been very much a school that is guided by Catholic Principles, Social teachings and values-based learning. These spiritual elements add value into the growth and lifelong learning of the students. Saint Pope Paul the II once said, “the people in the world no longer listen to teachers.” They only listen to witnesses”. That is why it is pivotal to not only to nourish our children with faith but more importantly are the teachers to be true witnesses of Christ. So In practice, the school has celebrate mass every term and feast days. They also have Religious Education class aside from the normal subjects. But what adds value and weight in to this is that the staff has often had an Annual Retreat every year to empower teachers to be true witnesses to your young people. 

Leadership.

I think the great success vested on the school all comes down to leadership. Sr Palepa Aloniu has been a real source of inspiration and motivator for all these young children of Samoa. The leadership has shaped the climate and the culture of learning at the school. Sr Palepa has mesmerized the standard of the school and thus among the best leader for education not only for the school but for the Church in Samoa. I have no hesitation in providing the necessary support for Sr Palepa in leading the school in order to fulfill its full potential 

Conclusion

Infant school has been a great force to Samoan education for over the past ten years. It has been a great leader of education in terms of academic results as well as leadership and infrastructure. I have always been proud to associate myself with Infant School because it has maximized the reputation of our Catholic Schools in Samoa in every component of education. It is my hope and prayers that Infant School will continue to flourish and prosperous for now and may it fulfill the essence of its calling in order to achieve true- and lifelong learning with the anticipated endeavors of the young people of Samoa.

Fr Mikaele Tuimavave, sm