News

Happening on Fri 26th July 2024 at 2pm - A School-Based WASH Quiz @ St. Francis High School in honour of the Kiritimati WASH Day 2024.

To promote and preserve hygienic, safe water and better sanitation in our school community, many thanks to Linnix WASH officials for organising and generously sponsoring this quiz where each form has to compete for a prize.

In general, the quiz's major goal is literally to raise hygienic awareness in all areas. Ko raba te WASH, bravo participants ao kam raba staff for your support.

The WASHBRIS Team visited St Francis High School on Saturday 22nd of June 2024, performing the WASH workshop. The goal of this workshop was to facilitate the school in reaching the 3 Stars Criteria for quality water and sanitation. Thanks to the Nujulee and Ngaouea Neemia team for such a productive presentation and assistance.

Joining the workshop were the School Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and Teachers. Their participation was such a great milestone in the school improvement plans for our students and the whole community. Gratitude to you all for your presence and participation.

The strategic plans for better sanitation are one of the priority initiatives of the school. A secure, safe and healthy environment plays a huge role in promoting quality education - Let's all hand in hand to put these plans into action - "Walk the Talk".

A big shout to our academic ametur warriors for their outstanding performance during the Senior Secondary School Academic night competition at Xmas Mini Stadium as part of the celebration of our 45th independence anniversary in 2024. The whole school community witnessed the discipline and dedication of these students to an advanced level. Congratulations to you all and you have made us all proud of your excellent effort. Many thanks!!!

Also, thanks to the school academic Committee, Mrs Maere Tekanene, Mr Ueanterube Biriro, Mrs Moanibou Ngarueanga, Mrs Temari Morei and Mr Kaburoro Kautabwea and our cousins from our sister schools IMHS and LPSSS for organising such an epic event. Teachers and Supporting staff for your tireless hours in offereing the best training to our contestants, kam bati n raba.

The school was very proud of the outstanding performance of our March team during the 45th Parade to honour our beloved Kiribati Independence day 2024.

We want to thank these amazing students below and our dedicated staff, supportive people and talented coaches, for their outstanding organisation, preparation, positivity and incredible skills. Massive thanks for your tireless efforts and untold hours.

St.Francis High School staff and students were overjoyed to be the winners of this year’s competition. Schools participating included us, the Phoenix Islands Senior Secondary School (LPSSS), Itoini Mainiku High School and Kiritimati Atoll Junior Secondary School. This is history for all of us because it was the first time to introduce keeping a record of three important achievements:  school top track runners, shortest time used in the track events in all track events covered and finally the longest distance covered by field event competitors in the shot putt and long jump. 

Former sports national coach, Mr Maereti Burennatu, currently teaching Health and Physical Education and English at our school has advised on this new recording system.  These records will be used as school targets to obtain higher points by individuals and school teams in 2025 and the years to come.  Additionally, students whose names are on record are credited for their achievement. They are the ‘stars’ of their schools in sport. Next year, when students compete in the 5000 Intermediate, they will be reminded to break the records of Tawita Buranibeia in the senior category and Tebiria in the intermediate category. St.Francis has been highly privileged to have among the team one of the most experienced coaches and advisors to the sports committee, Mr Maereiti Burennatu. As the main coach for our school, the school is grateful for his commitment because St.Francis is setting top records this year. Details of these will be posted shortly. In the meantime the summary results is provided in the table below:

Record of Results of the Inter-School Sports held 9^th July 2024

St Francis High School                                                   Total Score: 226 Position: 1st 

Itoini Mainiku High School                                              Total Score: 193 Position: 2nd 

Line & Phoenix Senior Secondary School                      Total Score: 132 Position: 3rd

Kiritimati Atoll Junior Secondary School                         Total Score: 125  Position: 4th 

This year’s sports preparation was hosted by LPSSS. The sport committee comprised of each school’s representative had been the organizing body for all the preparations involved. This year has proved to be the most successful based on your e-newsletter’s observation and gratitude is extended to this highly professional committee. Starting time for the first event, the 5000 km race by both intermediate and senior boys began before the strong sun’s rays came to life.  Ending time also hit the clock.  

The school acknowledges the sacrificed time and expertise Maereiti Burennatu has given to the competitors during the five-week boarding duration. The school e-newsletter also extends its gratitude to all who had tirelessly given of their time spending evenings at Poverello serving as matron and warden. School Principal Mr Adrian and his wife Sakalio had been our strong pillars of support in filling up some absence gaps at Poverello Mwaneaba.  Our hats off to them and Teingoa, Teuribano, Alice, Tinomai and Kaburoro for leaving their comfort zones sometimes to join the camping team at Poverello Mwaneaba. Also let’s not forget to say our huge kam rabwa to the non-stop cooking by our kitchen ladies, Mangori Terube and Burao. Kuritaro for supplying the energy driver to the boarding squad. Finally, to all staff involved in one way or another amongst other duties. "Arigatou gozaimasu".                                                                                

 

Forms 4 and 5 Quiz Team are preparing before the upcoming Quiz to take place on the 14^th of July in Ronton.  Their opponents will be their sister schools on the island namely the Line and Phoenix Senior Secondary known for its short name LPSSS and Itoi ni Mainiku Secondary School.  It will be the first time for many to present themselves in public and speaking on stage to a larger audience so it’s going to be a real challenge but will be rewarding at the same time. These students are not only going to be excellent in their subjects but they should learn to respond within the short time limit permitted. 

The three schools' selected committee have met several times to consider how best to accommodate the event with no bias, agreeing on scoring sheets and how the questions are to be presented and others. Island Education Coordinator also participates as a neutral partner on the committee. He will be receiving all submitted questions from schools and sort the required procedures agreed on the morning of the set date. 

St Francis E-Newsletter wishes all staff and students involved the very best.  TEKERAOI. 

St Francis High School celebrated St Paul’s and St Peter’s Feast day on Friday 28^th June. The celebration began with a march parade by the two school teams named after our patron saints in the front area of the school compound. St Peter won in all competitions beginning from the morning march parade, field events and indoor events at the school mwaneaba,Poverello.

The posted photos of our Saints’ Feast are some great memories to look back to by all of us participating in  this year's celebration.  The function was well enjoyed with a lot of  laughing and great fun by all that were there.  Not only that but also some almost lost their sportsmanship skill of patience during the competition by some minor but settled arguments like Teuribano versus Kaburoro disagreeing on who were the winners of the tug of war.  And some like Sr Lucy Betero from St Peter gave it all by tying the rope around her waist to ensure that St Peter made the strongest force when pulling.  St Peter won the competition so we can say it was worth their stern serious look on their faces while pulling. Chaplain in red sulu being the heaviest in the blue team gave extra weight which made it harder for the Red Team, St Paul to pull to their side.  

The afternoon indoor games was opened with cake cutting by student leaders of both teams.  Gratitude goes to the social committee, Alice, Teatarake and Maereiti for making all the arrangement amongst other busy schedules and all teaching and support staff. The school was fortunate to receive some donations towards the event, a cake from Mrs Sakalio shared by both student teams after lunch, two bowld of ice cream from our parish priest Fr Tarajake Takakia and a kilo of kava and packets of lollies from Jacob Teem. After 3 pm the celebrations ended peacefully.  

 

Staff and students are at the peak of a hectic week of preparations before the upcoming 45^th independence anniversary which the school will also participate in for various events which include the marching parade, interschool sports competition, quiz competition, speech competition to name but a few.  At the same time staff are marking their examination papers, entering results after the mid-term school-based assessment convened during Weeks 6 to 7, ongoing literacy and numeracy tutorials and assessment, training of the squad team, having special classes for the quiz, speech presentation, march practising and boarding with selected  participants  staying at Poverello Mwaneaba . At the same time both Forms 6 Science and Arts and Commerce are meeting their IA deadlines in some of their subjects.  Teachers of concerned classes also try their best to get these done before this exciting anniversary when school will close for five working days. 

The school expresses gratitude for the positive response from our parish community providing voluntary service in the sewing of new marching uniforms. Not only that but some staff spouses have also extended their hands in assisting the march practice. The school is grateful also for the voluntary service provided by our principal’s wife, Mrs Sakalio Adrian, for supporting the kitchen staff in preparation of the boarding students’ 3 daily meals.

The school expresses a sincere heartfelt grateful towards all donations from some of our business community and current candidates for house of parliament for responding to our request regarding food supply beside the students’ and staff contribution.  Without this spirit of giving by many, the preparation at boarding would not have been possible.  It becomes hard at times with some teachers being absent for being sick and  attendance to family members’ illness. On Monday this week, staff absence was quite high with 6 having to be relieved by  other staff in attendance. Despite the odds, Principal and Deputy try and steer the moving canoe straight to its goal with our support staff living on school campus. Recently, given its last week of preparation Principal and Deputy are now joining the boarding team at Poverello Mwaneaba.

St.Francis Newsletter encourages all to hold firmly to the canoe steered by our Principal and Deputy with high commitment to combat the strong currents now coming our way. Let’s all be a team and abide by our school Motto : “Collaborate for the Best” Prior to closing, St Francis Newsletter wishes to share this African Proverb to keep us in high team spirit : “ If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. This African proverb means that working with others may be somewhat slow compared to solo work, but you'll need to collaborate if you want long-term success because one person cannot do everything by himself / herself at this hectic period in our school calendar and in all school undertakings and duties.