St. Mary’s College class of 1991 students from Australia, New Zealand and Samoa showed their appreciation for their alma mater on Friday with a $10,000 tala gift made as part of their class reunion.

The gift was an appropriate reflection of the theme for the reunion: “Appreciation”. 

The ex-students say they wanted to give back to the school that gave them so much.

“We hope this money will contribute to the ongoing development and the improvement of the college for generation to come,” said the President of the Class from Australia, Joan Stowers.

“We are also here to see what the school needs because we come from overseas. We have been working, fundraising overseas, and that’s why we here for the reunion, that’s the main focus and to also donate.

“We are deciding on providing opportunities for girls’ scholarship so they can further their education especially the much more deserving girls who can’t really afford to further education. We understand that not all the students here come from families with good families – low social economic background.”

Fundraising for the donation began three years ago and this week former students from Australia, New Zealand and Samoa are emphasising the importance of education through their donation.

“We really believe in the education of our girls so we want to encourage and motivate and emphasise the importance of education because we know we are here today and where we are now with our lives because of the education we received at S.t Marys and as a token of our appreciation we want to give back," Mrs. Stowers said. 

“Your education can open doors, your education will give you the freedom to make well informed and sensible choices in your future and it can also take you places where you can achieve your dreams.”

Receiving the donation was the former Principal of the school, Sr. Losalia, who acknowledged the contribution by the women who were taught under her leadership.