Some of our sparkly whetū kōhara (shining Merrin stars) recently celebrated an annual celebration called "White Sunday." Let's find out more about it...

White Sunday is a national holiday in Sāmoa. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of October. It is a day for parents and the Sāmoan part of our community to celebrate kids by hosting special programs during church services which include reciting scripture and awesome dance performances. Children get  gifts - sometimes new clothing on White Sunday, and they are allowed to do things that usually only their elders get to do, like being the first to be served food at family meal time.

On White Sunday, Sāmoan women and children dress almost completely in white clothing. In our photograph taken at Latu's church, everyone looks amazing in their white clothes and lava lavas.  White Sunday is also celebrated in Tonga.

Many of our Merrin kids celebrated White Sunday recently with their families,  here's what they have to say about it:

Latu: "It was a happy day. I did amazing things like memory verses. I'm good at that. There was lots of hugs. The grown-ups were checking our hats. We were showing respect for Jesus on that day.  Everyone was dressed in yellow and white. They looked lovely.

Dayline: On White Sunday kids get celebrated. It made me feel so happy. It took such a long time to get ready for it. I loved the food we shared at the second church we went to. Everyone was happy, (except the babies- they were crying).

White Sunday: another much-loved and important date in the rich, vibrant and diverse cultural calendar of Merrin School.