School celebrates silver jubilee

STUDENTS of the Holy Rosary primary and elementary school in Port Moresby celebrated the school’s silver jubilee in style yesterday by organising themselves into provincial groups and entertaining guests and parents with spiritual songs and activities.
Headmaster Bona Ine’e said the school was founded by Catholic priest Fr Sam Driscoll, a Capuchin Franciscan, in 1984.
Fr Driscoll was among the guest speakers.
Mr Ine’e said there would also be a cultural show and a beauty contest today to mark the school’s achievements from its humble beginnings.
The school has 950 students at the primary level and another 600 in elementary school.
The school was on the verge of collapse in 2007 when parents and friends rallied to keep it going, he said.
Mr Ine’e also made special mention of a K19,000 assistance from the St Joseph’s International Catholic College in August to maintain the quality of education at the school.
Fr Driscoll said that he was honoured to be part of the celebrations.
Fr Driscoll added that all credit for the school’s establishment should go to former Moresby Northeast MP, the late Sir Anthony Siaguru, who was instrumental in getting the school off the ground.
“The school has really grown from only 300 students and six double classrooms to what it is today and I’m so happy,” he said.