St. Mary's Primary School in Savalalo and St. Mary's College in Vaimoso have been the major successes for the Marist Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (S.M.S.M.) in Samoa.

This year they celebrate their 160th anniversary in Samoa,

They were the first teachers and principals for the two schools during the S.M.S.M's inception in 1864 and over the years, they have passed down the responsibilities to the old girls of the schools to lead the school on the academic side while they focus on the spiritual.

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In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the Coordinator for the Mission Ministry, Sister Pesio Iosefo, 73-years-old, said upon celebrating the 160 years of S.M.S.M in Samoa, they also look back to the many achievements they have had in Samoa through the two schools.

"The goal is to commemorate 160 years of our service in the country since the Marist Missionary sisters' arrival in 1864 up to this day," she said.

"These are the fruits of Samoa's support and prayers that we have reached these many years and we continue to carry out this service through these schools.

"Currently, we are more focused on the spiritual side of the schools while we let the old girls of the schools lead the schools, but we push them on the spiritual side including teachers, students and parents as we have seen the changes over the years."

There are currently close to 800 students in the St. Mary's Primary School and close to 600 at the College. Two Marist Missionary Sisters wo are serving in Savalalo and three in Vaimoso at the College.

S.M.S.M held a two-day celebration of their 160th anniversary starting on Monday. The celebration was marked with a parade early Friday morning in the township of Apia, where students of St. Marys College in Vaimoso, St. Marys Primary School in Savalalo, St. Marys Old Girls Association (S.M.O.G.A.), as well as sisters of the Catholic Church participated in.

The opening service was conducted in front of the government building where the government recognised the service of the sisters in Samoa over the years.

On Saturday, they held a mass at Mulivai Cathedral where the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II and her good lady, Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo attended and members of the government.

They later concluded with a feast at the St. Mary's College Hall in Vaimoso which was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio.

A donation of $20,000 from the St. Mary's Old Girls Association (S.M.O.G.A.) was also given to the S.M.S.M as part of the commemoration.