2015 School Year

BACK TO SCHOOL

The holidays and summer break is over and teachers are back.  We conducted in- service training for all of the Tongan Church Education System teachers from the four main islands.  Liahona hosted 144 teachers, counselors and administrators for welcome back in-service days.  Folau Kioa, assistant director of pacific schools, was the sponsor of this training.  He asked the ITEP missionaries to present the 2015 Seminary and Institute Priorities.  I presented on “Strengthening Unity”, Sherrie presented on “Elevate Learning”, Elder Myers spoke on “Seeking Truth”, and Elder Wood spoke on “Reaching the One”.

 We each had 30 minutes. I used a lot of pictorial examples of unity and discussed the concept of strengthening unity and some scripture references.  Sherrie used the example of an aircraft seeking to elevate and compared lift, drag, thrust and weight along with some stories from the general authorities.  We lead the charge before lunch and it felt real good what we presented and the engagement we had with the teachers.  It was pretty cool to be back in front of faculty ... but not be their supervisor or having the stress of school start up!  We love being ITEP missionaries. 

READING CAMP

A January reading camp for local village children was sponsored by Sherrie after the holidays concluded.  Many of the same students from the December session came to the January session, which is positive indication that they like her.  During this session Sherrie added some new ideas and approached rhyming using Doctor Seuss as an approach to building vocabulary, word sounds and English enunciation.  

The kids loved it and Sherrie had an enjoyable and rewarding time.  Though she had to deal with some behavior issues this go around, it seemed she was on her game with these kids and had a very productive two weeks with them.  At the end they got to take home some more books for keeps, which is always a special gift.   And of course many new friends have been gained and it is always rewarding to exchange greetings with them when we see each other.

 

Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple

This tree only blossoms in December and creates a beautiful setting at the temple.  We love attending this small, cozy and intimate temple.  This temple, in ratio with endowed members within the temple district, is a very busy temple and yet it has the most peaceful and pleasant atmosphere and is a blessing to all who seek to grow spiritually closer to the Lord. 

 

 

Wrapping up 2014

 

As we conclude 2014 we are very grateful to Heavenly Father for giving us this call to serve our mission in Tonga. We are grateful for the tender mercies shown us in preparing us for this mission, for helping us get through all that we needed to do in order to be ready to accept this call.  We recognize His blessing us with good health so we could be in the south pacific and work in Tonga at Liahona High with the gracious and loving Tongan Latter Day Saints, who are examples of great faith.  2014 has been a marvelous year for us and we are ever so grateful for this wonderful year.

 

 

Our Christmas Table

 

 

 

We are grateful for Jesus’ birth because there would be no Savior, no Resurrection, no Easter, no Salvation, no Plan of Happiness without his earthly entrance and mortal mission.  We share testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and that He is Our Savior.  We give our mission to Him and pray he is pleased with our efforts and attitudes.

 

Left – Wise men with gifts and ‘pig’

Right – Shepherds with staffs

Center - Two Angels and Shepherd boy

Back – Joseph and Mary and Baby

 

These Sister Missionaries came to our apartment and brought us a Book of Mormon and asked us to find someone we could gift the book to for Christmas. Christmas afternoon we visited the pediatric ward of the hospital and shared some Christmas wishes with those who were there.  We placed our Book of Mormon with a family who spent the day at the hospital with their 10 year old son.

 

Elder Gifford Nielson is in our South Pacific Area Presidency.  He came to Tonga and meet with the young missionaries and in a separate meeting he met with the Senior Missionaries.  He spoke to us saying we just don’t know how much, how often, or how many times we as Senior Missionaries are being an example and an influence on someone else.  We may never know when that influence is happening or who it is that is being influenced, but it is happening every day and almost every moment we are in the role of senior missionary.  As he bore testimony of the Savior and our being in the Savior’s work he shared this really cool thought.  When you think ordinary (about yourself) someone else is seeing extraordinary.

Who is looking at us and seeing extraordinary?  Who might be watching us and what impact might we be making?  How might we influence another brother or sister or child, how might we influence another couple or even a family?  Which teacher are we making a difference to?  We just never know and therefore we should be the example and light that the Savior exemplified for us.  We are to be Christ like; loving and charitable, accepting and embracing, reaching outward and loosing ourselves in this work, His Work, and lifting where we stand.

December Reading Camp

Sister Holbrook conducted English Reading Camp with these groups of children who live in the two near by villages.  What an experience where the children were introduced to a world of new horizons and we were introduced to some very fond and lasting relationships with these children.

 

We are grateful for family who love and support us while we are away.

 

End of School Year

The Southern Hemisphere is in summer and the school year is ending.  Here are pictures of “end of year school events and graduation 2014."

External Exams are administered by the Ministry of Education at the end of each school year.  These exams are required to promote to the next grade.

Sister Holbrook helping give awards from the Honor Stage

The Senior Class and their Principal Fafafehi Fifita

Outstanding Senior Students and recognition leis

Graduation Procession down center aisle and up to the stage

Graduation Ceremony

Graduation Celebrations with leis placed layer after layer by family and friends

Graduation Ball ... a fanfare celebratory event for graduates and family

Floor Show

 

A Funeral For a Princess

Princess Elisiva Fusipala passed away.  She is a cousin to the King.  Members of the Royal Family traditionally belong to the Wesleyan Church and Royals must marry other Royals.  Nobel Vahai and Princess Fusipala married and moved to California.  While in California Princess Fusipala was introduced to the LDS Church, took the missionary discussions and joined the Church 1989.  Nobel Vahai did not join the church until after his death in 2005 and The Princess and Nobel Vahai were sealed in the Temple. (think about that).  The Princess' funeral was held at a Stake Center, but because it was a Funeral for a Royal Family member special preparations had to be made at the church.

All the benches were removed from the chapel.  A platform was set up for the casket.  A second platform was set up for the King and Queen.  Matting was placed on the floor to represent Royal Space and blue felt chairs were put in place for the Royal Family to sit on.  All other attendees sat in the over flow/gym area.  Speakers where the Mission President, Temple President, Area Seventy and Area Presidency Counselor (who is Samoan). It was a great funeral and the Royal Family was taught well on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Princess was taken by hearse to her village and placed on another platform.













The Princess was carried on the shoulders of 30 men wearing traditional mourning clothing of black shirts, black tupenu (skirt) and grass tavalas.  A band led the procession playing funeral march music while the pallbearers carried the Princess to the cemetery about 1 mile in distance.




























At the cemetery the grave was dedicated, a family member spoke, and then the pallbearers transferred the casket to the grave, capped it and then fresh sand from the beach was placed over the grave.  Note matting was placed on the ground everywhere in her honor and in respect for being Royal.

Family members in traditional mourning attire sitting on tapa matting at the cemetery.  After words a big feast had been prepared by the villagers for all who wished to stay and socialize.

What We Do at Liahona High

We were called to be adjunct professors and to teach BYU-H Dept. of Education courses to members of the Liahona Staff who need to earn their "teaching certificate."  A diploma or certificate are not required to be hired as a teacher, as all secondary schools are 'private.'  LDS schools require new hires to earn a 'teacher certificate' by taking 10 required BYU-H courses which are taught by ITEP (International Teacher Education Program) Missionaries.  We have a handful of teachers who are taking the courses each afternoon after the students return home.  During the day we prepare our lessons for the courses and do classroom observations and give general support to the school.  Right now Bryce is teaching Technology in the Classroom on Mondays, Sherrie is teaching Human Growth and Development on Wednesdays, and we co-teach on Tuesday and Thursdays Effective Pedagogy and the Classroom.               This is the best mission in the church!

 Faculty members and Sister Holbrook standing in the back

Men of the faculty huddled together in faculty meeting 

Sister Holbrook teaching one of her afternoon classes 

Elder Holbrook's Technology class 

 

Elder Holbrook asking his class a real hard question ... or maybe it was just a dumb question!

World Teachers Day

 

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, established World Teachers' Day with the purpose to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed by the vital work of teachers.  Over 100 countries observe WTD, including Tonga.  School was cancelled across the island and ALL the teachers from ALL the Education Systems marched in a parade from Vanu Wharf to Teufaiva Stadium.

 The Ministry of Education sponsors primary schools (elementary) Class 1 through 6.  Secondary Education (Form 1 – 7 as they call each class, corresponding with our Grade levels of 7 – 13) is sponsored by other Church Organizations, Roman Catholic Schools, Free Wesleyan Schools, LDS Schools, Seventh Day Adventist Schools, Ocean of Light Schools, Anglican Schools, Free Church of Tonga Schools, and Tokaikolo Schools.   The Minister of Education and Staff led the Parade followed by Liahona High School Band and other LDS school entries.

Other school entries then followed and the parade lasted 30 minutes.  

At the Stadium each school sponsored a performance in recognition of teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our performers.  They really like the camera!

It was an eventful day with a lot of effort made in behalf of teacher recognition.

Schools In Tonga

Liahona High is the Church's Flagship School in the Pacific.  Other church schools on the islands of Samoa, Kirbati, and Fiji are a close second, but Liahona is the largest and nicest facility.  Below are some pictures of classrooms with students and teachers.  These will not look so different from the classrooms you remember as a student, but probably not as nice as the classrooms you see in today's modern schools in the states. 

Below are some pictures to give you a comparison of other schools on the island. 

This picture is looking from the road across the grounds of an elementary (primary) school.

GPS stands for Government Public School and Kahoua is the village name. 

This is a  primary school Class 1 thru Class 6 

Notice the sign "From the People of Japan" -- much aide is given to Tonga from Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Here is a primary classroom.  Two-to-a-bench and table is the norm. This class has flooring covering the concrete, most GPS do not have this nicety.

All Secondary Schools are sponsored by outside organizations or churches.     Here are some pictures of a Queen Solete High School -- double story buildings 

Here is a math classroom ... notice the environment and bench / tables

 

 

Another high school visit took us St. Andrews Anglican High School

I casually walked around and took pictures while Elder Meyers was talking to the office.  I felt comfortable and walked into the art classroom and found the art teacher.  He saw my name tag and gave me a Tongan check greeting and then told me he was a returned missionary, married in the temple and lives in the village behind Liahona, named Kahoua.  We had a very pleasant visit and upon leaving I in turn gave him a Tongan check goodbye, which he warmly accepted.