St. Theresa Primary School at Lepea celebrated a very special anniversary on Thursday morning replete with singing dancing and so much reminiscing about the good old days.

The school's Golden Jubilee or fifty years since its founding in 1971 was an occasion for major celebration on school grounds and featured a float parade starting from the Marist Brothers rugby field all the way to Lepea.

Floats displayed messages of hope for the future, memories of the past and also the importance of public health during the global pandemic; even the competition winning Blue team urged people to get vaccinated.

In her keynote address on Thursday, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa highlighted the importance of the Golden Jubilee celebration.

"Looking back to its beginning, St Theresa was established here in Lepea by missionary Sister Matalena Vito of the Lady of Nazareth in Samoa," Fiame said.

She explained that the school started with one class which was Year one.

"The first teacher, who was also the first principal was Sister Jacinta Mulipola of the Lady of Nazareth in Lepea," she said.

"The school's classes grew in 1972 when [Year 2 was added] and continued to grow till this day."

As the school has now achieved its Golden Jubilee, Fiame said that the development of the school will not stop, as they have a lot planned ahead to improve the delivery of education within the school.

She then congratulated the ancestors, the Lord's servants, families, and friends of the school for their vision in the establishment of the St Theresa Primary School to educate the children.

Fiame also thanked the assembled crowd for their faith. 

Coming from Lepea, the Prime Minister said she remembers the time of the school's establishment and the important role it played in the community throughout her lifetime. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the Principal of St Theresa Primary School, Sister Maria Tevaga was thankful for the 50 years of the school's service in educating the children of Samoa.

"The commemoration of the Golden Jubilee or the 50th anniversary of the school is also a celebration of the work of the Sisters of Our Lady of Nazareth in Samoa," Sister Maria said.

She said that they also remember the Sisters who have passed away, priests and those who had helped in establishing the school 50 years ago.

"We hope to achieve another 50 years," she said.

Sister Maria explained that of the Sisters who had established the school, Sister Matalena Vito who was the pioneer is the only one who remains.

"The hope is to improve the standards and uplift the gifts of students' education," she said.

Sister Maria said that the country had answered them through the government of China, which will fund the construction of a new school building as an important gift to mark the school's 50th anniversary.

"The Lord has answered our prayers," Sister Maria said.

She also acknowledged the contribution of the former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and the government of China in funding the new school building.

"We thank the old students for accepting the invitation to celebrate this important day and especially the support of the Parents Teachers Association and the P.T.A Board," she said.

"We thank the students and the colleges that have been invited."