By SIONI RUMA
THE Port Moresby Grammar School yesterday witnessed the graduation of 63 Grade 12 students.
They received certificates and awards to mark their achievements and also end their secondary education.
Certificates in information technology were also awarded to the graduates.
A handful of graduates were dressed up with their traditional costumes which made the graduation ceremony a colourful one, representing at least the four regions of the country.
Speaking at the ceremony was the school’s principal Mele Olley.
She acknowledged the wisdom of the founder of the school Donald Daniels in providing an alternative for these students.
Mrs Olley stressed that they would still accept students who failed to get places in National High Schools or secondary schools and would continue to enrol these students.
She also pointed out that the dream of the country was to have its people literate, to have its industries booming and to have poverty eliminated.
Mrs Olley added that for a country to live its dreams, the very foundations to which it could build this should be harnessed and given high priority.
She assured parents and friends of Port Moresby Grammar School that the school would do its best to continue fulfilling their dreams for their children.
Mrs Olley was delighted to announce that seven teachers in the school would receive their Bachelor’s Degree in primary teaching from the Divine Word University which commenced in 2004 in which they dedicated themselves studying while working.
She then proudly announced that the school had produced a total of 1,005 graduates – small by comparison to other long-time established schools but significant to hundreds of families.
The co-coordinator of TAFE programme in POM Grammar Mr Diases, also outlined that learning and discovering, research and experiment is a student’s own responsibility and precedence.
He said the primary lesson the TAFE programme in POM Grammar was a challenge to the students, that learning was a never ending story.
He said there would be a big difference for them to accomplish things they have hoped for and that their careers and life itself was their responsibility.