27 Jun 2016

Tonga's oldest school continues lavish celebrations

7:14 pm on 27 June 2016
Celebrations at the 150th Anniversary of Tonga's oldest school, Tupou College.

Celebrations at the 150th Anniversary of Tonga's oldest school, Tupou College. Photo: Courtesy of Malo TV

A new memorial building at Tonga's oldest school, Tupou College, has been opened by King Tupou VI to celebrate the school's 150th anniversary.

Many of the college's alumni have travelled from overseas for the week-long celebration which also includes the launch of a book on the school's history.

The school received around 1 million dollars from old boys during this week's celebrations on top of materials for the school and more than 2 million dollars given just prior to the event.

Viliami Tangi, the alumni association's general secretary, said the college has played a huge part in Tonga's history.

"The president of the church, the general secretary of the church and all the leaders of the Methodist church in Tonga and also other churches in Tonga, the prime minister of Tonga at the moment, him and seven other previous prime ministers - trained in this school. There's a great history to continue," said Mr Tangi.