The sound of demolition machinery now echoes across the compound of St. Mary’s Primary School in Savalalo, where a familiar two-story building that stood for decades is being brought down. 

The decision to demolish the structure comes after years of wear and damage, but it has stirred deep emotions among former students, staff, and members of the broader school community.

On Wednesday, a special Mass was held on the school grounds to bless the building and mark its final day. Attended by current students, teachers, alumni, and members of the Catholic community, the ceremony provided a moment of reflection and gratitude for a structure that served generations of young Samoan girls.

The building, which housed upper primary classrooms and the school’s library, had been a central part of school life for decades. Principal Iveta Vui Vaifale said the school reached a point where the building’s deteriorating condition made it no longer safe or suitable for use.

“We will miss the building, of course,” she said. “But it had become unsuitable, with leaks and other issues. We are now looking forward to a new, proper, and adequate school building.”

Vaifale confirmed that classes have been temporarily relocated within the school compound to ensure learning continues with minimal disruption while plans for a replacement facility are developed.

The school is now working closely with the St. Mary’s Old Girls Association (SMOGA), which has launched efforts to seek funding and support for the construction of a new building.

SMOGA President Sala Marlene Mulipola expressed the emotional weight the demolition carries for many who were educated in the building.

While she did not study in the building herself, Sala said it has deep meaning for many in the SMOGA network and that the association is committed to preserving the legacy of the school while helping it move forward.

“I did not attend St. Mary’s Primary, only the college at Vaimoso,” she said. “But most of my colleagues went here and are saddened by the demolition of this building, as they have so many memories of it. We are looking for funding for the new building.”

For former students, the building was more than a collection of classrooms. It was a space filled with laughter, learning, and friendship—a place where formative childhood experiences were shaped.

One alumna, Vaelei Von Dincklage, who attended St. Mary’s Primary from 2003 to 2010, shared how the building played a memorable role in her school life.

“When I was in Year 6, my classroom was Room 11, but in Year 8, my classroom was Room 13,” she said. “I had a lot of fun memories there. I remember the building was where the library was, where a cheeky student would be sent for detention,” she added with a laugh.

Another former student, Hellen Matulino, who studied at the school from 2012 to 2019, recalled a favourite childhood activity tied to the building’s unique design.

“We used to slide down the ramp of the staircase,” she said. “Those were fun memories and unforgettable.”

For many, the building was more than bricks and mortar. It was part of a daily rhythm of life: school bells ringing, assemblies in the morning, group projects in classrooms, and quiet moments in the library. The structure itself, though ageing, stood as a symbol of the values the school upheld discipline, humility, academic achievement, and community spirit.

Though the building had shown signs of decline in recent years, its demolition is still bittersweet. The farewell Mass provided an opportunity for collective remembrance and prayer, as the community came together to honour the past and look ahead to the future.

The school has not yet confirmed a construction timeline for the new building. However, the administration, alongside SMOGA, is actively seeking support and funding to ensure the next facility meets modern educational and safety standards.

Founded with a mission rooted in Catholic education, St. Mary’s Primary has long been one of Samoa’s most recognised schools for girls, offering a strong foundation in both academic and spiritual growth. While the physical building may no longer stand, the memories tied to it remain strong, and the school’s commitment to serving the next generation of students is unwavering.

As the debris is cleared and plans for the future take shape, the spirit of St. Mary’s endures. For those who studied within the now-demolished walls, it remains a treasured chapter of their personal history. For those just beginning their education journey at St. Mary’s, it marks the start of something new.