Meli first grade 12 dux among pioneers at Kundu academy

LOMA Meli, from West New Britain, is the first grade 12 dux student of the Kundu International Academy (KIA) in Port Moresby.
Meli was among four pioneer grade 12 students who graduated from KIA on Wednesday.
“Being a pioneer, it really impacted me and gave me more confidence, and I hope I leave a legacy for the other students who follow,” she said.
Meli said being among a small group of the school’s first grade 12 students was strange at first but she had grown to appreciate it.
“When I first came to the school and didn’t like it, I wanted to be in a bigger group, but then being with a small group is very nice,” she said.
Meli said the advantage was that the students got to know each other well and found it easy to talk and express themselves as well as be leaders in the school. She said she had been home schooled by her parents from prep to grade nine using the accelerated Christian education programme and then her family moved to Port Moresby where she completed her secondary school.
Meli said her parents and family motivated her to strive and achieve her goals and were supportive throughout.
She said the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic had affected classes throughout the year, especially when they had to stay away from school because of the lockdowns.
Principal Noelene Wunum said KIA had a reputation for attaining good results from its students as it strived to provide the best education with dedicated staff and proper facilities.
“The school campus can cater for a maximum of 150 students, so the school enrollment for next year will be closed by the end of February next year,” she said.
“We try to be strict with our teachers, student ratio, no overcrowding in the classrooms.
“I believe if we control the situation, we will still achieve quality in our delivery.”
Wunum said the school would continue to improve its standard.