A celebration was held Alton in Hampshire, England on Saturday 1st October to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Motufoua High School on the Pacific island of Vaitupu in the Dominion of Tuvalu. Other milestones celebrated were the 27th Anniversary of the Tuvaluans regaining their independence, having been the Ellice part of the British Colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands from about 1915 until 1978; and the 30th anniversary of internal self-government separate from the Gilbert Islands (now the Republic of Kiribati).

Motufoua Secondary School is the only government school at this level in Tuvalu. All over the world, former students, and teaching and support staff have been party to the celebrations. The small Tuvalu community in the UK and expatriates who worked in Motufoua were joined at Alton by fellow Tuvaluans from Europe and North America.

Among today's Polynesians, any activity whether sport or feasting, cannot start without God's blessing and therefore Reverend Ranford, an expatriate who worked in Motufoua many years ago, blessed the buffet. "Raise your glasses for Motufoua", said His Excellency Ambassador Enele S. Sopoaga, Tuvalu Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who came with his wife Salilo and some of their children, nieces and nephews from New York to join in the celebration. Even though the weather was not as bright in Alton as it must have been in Tuvalu, the pig roasted on the spit was succulent and well cooked. While the guests were enjoying the tropical foods of Tuvalu throughout the afternoon, not to mention the high tea in the early evening, they were well entertained with the Tuvalu dancing and singing. Eventually, this gave way to the inevitable "disco". Even so, most of the participants made it to Sunday's traditional English breakfast, some even finding time to grab forty winks.

One of the guests expressed it as, "A quite formal occasion, very religious yet very relaxing and fun, with lots of wine and laughter. The dancing costumes were superb".

On behalf of those Ikiribati and other KTA members present on Saturday, a very big FAFETAI LASI to Suliana and Paul for the effort they put on all aspects of this successful occasion. God bless Motufoua.

Hegnes

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