Feast Day celebrated at Marist Brothers Primary School

By Marietherese Nauer 12 June 2021, 12:00PM

A feast day to celebrate the birth of Saint Marcellin was held on Friday at the Marist Brothers Primary school in Apia. 

Marist education is said to be rooted in the spirituality and teaching methods of Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Congregation of the Marist Brothers. 

Students, parents and teachers of Marist Brothers Primary school gathered together in the morning for their church service at Mulivai Catholic Cathedral. 

The day also marked the appointment of Anitele’a Fidow, a newly graduated Brother for Marist Brothers Primary School.

Fidow was welcomed by students and staff of the school, and was given the chance to blow out the cake for both Saint Marcellin’s birthday and his welcome to the school campus. 

Students gathered in the school’s hall to perform their Samoan entertainment and performances, to commemorate the special day. 

Classes from Year 1 to Year 4 were tasked with the entertainment and performances on stage, while classes 5 to 8 were in charge of the umu and other Samoan food for the Feast Day. 

The Head of the Samoan Department, Toluiva Aunoa told the Samoa Observer that she added a recess program for the day, to allow students to produce Samoan Food. 


The teacher said she was is concerned about how children and students in general are growing up, as she sees how a lot of people rely on fast food now and don't bother to cook their own meals. 

“Aside from Marcellin’s birthday and welcoming Brother Anitele’a, our Samoan department came up with a recess program..." she said.

"The purpose is to increase their knowledge on how to make food on their own, to teach them the ways of how it is done so they won’t rely on others when they grow up."  

Proud parents of students performing on stage showed their support by handing money in the taualuga box for each class. 

Students who were assigned for making umu, faausi and other Samoan food, worked hand in hand and enjoyed learning from their teachers. Teaching skills when they are young is important in and out of the classroom. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, a student of Marist Primary School, Marist Aumua said he’s proud to have the same name as his school. 

“With today’s event, it has helped me to increase more knowledge about my culture and to know how to perform Samoan dance," he said. 

"I get to taste all sorts of Samoan food and it’s delicious, I also wish Saint Marcellin a Happy birthday and welcome to our school Brother Anitele’a."

By Marietherese Nauer 12 June 2021, 12:00PM
Samoa Observer

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