One of the renowned Anglican Church of Melanesia owned schools, SAINT NICHOLAS COLLEGE, celebrated its 31st anniversary for Kindergarten, 30 years for Primary and 20 years anniversary for the Secondary strand on Friday 16th 2015 at the school compound.
Along with the anniversary celebrations was the official opening of an estimated 2.1 Million dollar two storey building for the Primary school.
The theme for the celebration was: ‘Vision, Achievement and Progress by the Grace of God’.
According to the Principal of St. Nicholas College, Mrs. Christina Vunagi, the days’ celebration is to remember those whose vision has been achieved and is still progressing and those who contributed resources, time and effort towards the building up of St. Nicholas College.
“St. Nicholas College is greatly indebted to those who for the last twenty – thirty one years have put their kind hands, heads and hearts together to develop and build up the school to what it is today”, she said in her speech.
“Indeed the Anglican Church of Melanesia has been at the fore in its quest to provide education to as many Solomon Islanders as it can provide for. Today the Church in collaboration with the Government and other key stakeholders has moved education to where it is now. At St Nicholas College, we have classes from Early Childhood Care Education through to Primary and Form 7 Secondary Education, all in one campus”, The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), Dr Franco Rodie said in his address.
“We also witness as we look around the school compound the development of its infrastructure. There are more classrooms and teaching and learning facilities to accommodate and to help its students discover their talents and develop them to the fullest. My Ministry in partnership with the Church is committed to supporting the school in some of its development through the annual grants that the government provides as well as other projects”, the Permanent Secretary said.
Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Most Reverend George Takeli also thanked those who have worked so hard to brining St. Nicholas College to what it is today.
He also highlighted the importance of the church owned schools to continue providing education to students but be guided by the three pillars of education philosophy of the ACOM which is to teach “ true religion, sound learning and useful industry” to students.
“The strategic aim of this education philosophy is to equip students with good moral leadership for effective management and administration of life and work in the families, communities and the nation at large”, the Archbishop said in his anniversary speech.
The days’ program ended with exhibitions and displays from kindy, primary and secondary and entertainments.