Tonga High School

Infobox School
name = Tonga High School
city = NukuOkinaalofa
country = Tonga
coordinates =
principal =
faculty =
enrollment =
type = State
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
motto = "Ki He Lelei Taha"
To The Best
established = 1947
medium = English
homepage =

Tonga High School is a selective state-owned co-ed secondary school located in NukuOkinaalofa, Tonga. The school educates students between the ages of 11 to 18 (Forms 1 - 7).

Background

Tonga High School was established in 1947 by Prince Tungi, the Minister of Education. Prince Tungi later became King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, the late King of Tonga (July 1918 to Sept 2006). The aim was to provide an opportunity for students to achieve a level of education equivalent to that offered in neighbouring countries such as New Zealand and Australia. [Sound files of Tonga New Zealand 1950, Andrew Afeaki, www.decisionmaker.co.nz/.../pacific citizens]

The school is situated in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa. The current school buildings were built with assistance from the Chinese Government. The buildings were officially opened on 2 July 2005. The facilities include 34 classrooms and 18 laboratories and can accommodate over a thousand students. ["Address on occasion of the Commissioning Ceremoney of new buildings for Tonga High School by HE Chinese Ambassador Mr. Gao Shanbai (2 July 2005), http:to2.mofcom.gov.cn/article/chinanews/2005] There is a planned second phase of reconstruction which is due to begin in 2009 with the building of a gymnasium, swimming pool and sports stadium.

The school's motto is "Ki he Lelei Taha" translated "To the Best", reflecting the founder's ambition for the country's brightest to achieve excellence in education. Entry to Form 1 is restricted to those achieving the highest marks in national examinations undertaken by pupils in their last year of primary school.

There were 1154 students enrolled at the school in 2005. [(Radio New Zelaand International, 12 Set 2005)] Students can be members of four houses: Nua (Yellow), Kava (Red), Sangone (Blue) and Tele'a (Green).

References

External links

* [http://www.tongahighschool.com/ Tonga High School Ex-Students' Web Site]