Pupils on excursion to festival

 TWELVE students from Higaturu Oil Palm International School in Northern, are attending the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture in Port Moresby this week.

The school, established just last year at the request of the New Britain Palm Oil management at Siroga in Popondetta, is now a force to be reckoned with.

On receiving an invitation from the organisers of the festival last year, the school wasted no time raising money for the trip.

Principal Nicholas Mkaranda appointed creative arts co-ordinator Luke Moses who took charge from day one. The result of the effort was a trip to Port Moresby, the team arriving on Monday full of excitement.

Moses took a trip earlier this year to do some ground work.

“We organise such trips to build confidence in the students and it’s good exposure for them,” Moses said.

“I’m grateful that most parents supported us and the company New Britain Palm Oil also gave us  much-needed assistance.” 

Moses said the students attended the Kokoda Day and the Oro Tapa and Tattoo Festival which had helped them break the barrier of attending such events.

“Their participation at the two festivals back home had prepared them for this much bigger event,” Moses said.

Besides participating at the festival, the children will also be visiting Parliament, the National Museum, Nature Park, Adventure Park and the University of Papua New Guinea. 

They have also been invited to the Korean ambassador’s residence where they will perform their traditional Binandere dance which they will perform at the festival as well on Saturday.

Students Theckla Elias said she was happy and excited and was looking forward to the festival and cultural groups.