A challenge was laid to Saint Joseph's College's new principal Anamalia Anne-Marie Tauiliili-Li'a as she was welcomed in a special ceremony held at the school on Friday.

She has been tasked to make the school, the top in the nation once again.

She was brought to St Joseph's by her church community in Otara, New Zealand.

In her remarks, she emphasised the importance of discipline, time and perseverance in achieving success and expressed pride in the students of Saint Joseph's College. 

"When I received the news, I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was nervous because I didn't know how my children would react. I told them individually. They are God's gift to me, I was in tears when the one I thought would be upset the most said to me "Mom, you spent your whole life looking after us and doing things for us. You go and do something that you want to do for yourself," she said.

"I want to honour my children, the precious loves of my life, my heartbeat, and my soul because on Sunday I will remain in Samoa and work at St Joseph's College and they will return to New Zealand.

"I would like to acknowledge the staff of St Joseph's College for their hard work with our boys. I know as a team, we will collectively be able to increase our boys' achievements through hard work, perseverance and guidance from the Holy Spirit. To the students sitting in this hall, I am so proud of you. 

"I know you've been waiting for a while. I am proud of all you've accomplished, especially the boys who took part in the ava ceremony today. It took a lot of discipline, time, and perseverance, it is the same ingredients you will need to use to be successful in your learning in the classroom. You need time, discipline and perseverance."

President of the Marist Brother Old Boys Association, Aumua Ming Leung Wai in his address shared his dream of where he wants St Joseph's to be. 

"I have a dream that St Joseph's College will again be the number one school in Samoa. I have a dream that St Joseph's will once again top the national exams. I have a dream that St Joseph's will produce many God-fearing leaders who are strong in the Marist spirit. I have a dream that St Joseph's will again provide the next Prime Minister of Samoa. I have a dream that St Joseph's will again dominate all major sports events, especially rugby and athletics," he said.

Aumua said the aspiration to make St Joseph's great again is not an impossible dream because he believed that St Joseph's was great and they could be great again. 

"The Marist spirit emphasises values such as selfless service, humility, hard work, family, environment, loyalty, and presence. It is the Marist spirit that differentiates our school from other schools. Aside from the Marist spirit, our college always had to fend for itself. We fundraise to pay our teachers and run the school.

"We have chosen a principal who can turn our dreams into reality. Last year, we prayed to God, and we advertised the position three times, we interviewed applicants from here and overseas. The recruitment process was rigorous because we had to find the best. And I believe we have found the best."