LAUNCHING OUR NEWSLETTER TEAM with two Form 6 (Year 12) students taking a turn doing an interview with our guests and exploring more news collection in future. More students from this year group will do the same in the upcoming weeks. Stay In Tune.
On Friday 24th of May, the school was privileged and grateful to welcome important guests to the school who conducted our school mass at Period 6. They are Fr.Kanoua Iotebwa and Deacon Tekaei. Raweaitina. Fr Kanoua Iotebwa was leading the mass and assisted by Deacon Tekaei Raweaitina. The former is not new to St Francis High School as he had assisted in the school some years back as Religious Education teacher. For Deacon Tekaei Raweaitina, this is his first visit to Kiritimati island.
Fr Kanoua Iotebwa born on 7th April 1987, comes from Butaritari, home island to both his father and mother. He completed his primary school years on Butaritari island and then went to do his secondary school education at King George 5th and Elaine Bernacchi School. After completing his secondary school education he decided to become a priest. He has done very well in his seminary education at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva resulting in his appointment as a Liturgical Coordinator of the seminary. It has been a great privilege to have him as our visitor since St Francis is also aspiring to see more of its students serve in similar vocation in future. When asked on what his message to leave with our students Fr Kanoua willingly left us this important message :
“Do what you are expected to do at all times in school and elsewhere. Respect school rules at all times. When I was young, I have always tried my best to abide by choosing to do right at all times.”
Deacon Tekaei Raweaitina was born on 6th November 1997 and his father is from Aranuka and Tamana while his mother is from Onotoa and Tabiteuea. He had his primary education in South Tarawa and was one of the pioneers joining the newly opened Junior Secondary Schools from 2001 to 2003 at JSS TUC 1 located in Bikenibeu West. He later completed his senior secondary education at King George 5th and Elaine Bernacchi School from 2004 to 2006. In 2007 he did his Form 7 at St Patrick in Betio. He became Deacon on 10th May 2024 and his ordination will soon to take place on the island of Onotoa in a few months time.
His piece of advice to all of us as students is :
“Open your hearts to the Lord’s calling and second, if the school calls you to serve, do not be afraid to respond to offer that service”.
The school staff had a little welcome gathering at Poverello Mwaneaba after mass on Friday to honor their visit and time to the school. Fr Kanoua Iotebwa is currently in Fanning visiting his parents and returning to Suva very soon and Deacon Tekaei Raweaitina has returned to Tarawa last Monday 27th May.
The First New Dispenser Ever at St.Francis High School - Appreciation to all MOE Paid Teachers.
Gratitude goes to Sister Lucy Betero for initiating the idea of purchasing the new water dispenser for staff at St.Francis High School. Being a mission school struggling with financial means at times, Sr Lucy Betero, Deputy Principal, has the full support of all MOE paid staff contributing $50.00 per head towards this $400.00 plus water dispenser.
Mission schools like us do not always get a full payment of our school fees subsidy like government schools in Term One so living within our means is also our priority. This new water dispenser was blessed to have the first hands of our important visitors, Fr Kanoua and Deacon Tekaei, as the locals address them, took their share of their drink from this first ever water dispenser.
Today, while at the staffroom before 0830 hrs. almost all staff were there enjoying a cup of hot coffee and tea before their first class at 0845 hrs.
Thank you all MOE paid staff and thank you MOE.