In week five we welcomed students, staff, and parents from Apifo’ou College, Tonga, to our college.

For many of them it was their first time out of Tonga, and they arrived to the coldest night of the winter!

Last year, our inaugural tour party had an amazing time in Tonga where the Apifo’ou College community opened their school, hearts and homes to us - it was now our time to reciprocate.

As a college we welcomed our visitors with a mihi whakatau and, from then on, they were well and truly part of the Bedean whānau.

 During their time here the tour party: 

• Spent time at school – in and out of the classroom

• Showed us what it really means to sing!

• Spent family time with their billets

• Visited the Crusaders Academy

• Visted the hot pools and water park of Hanmer

• Played rugby against St Thomas of Canterbury College

• Performed at the Kahui Ako Cultural performance at Marian College

• Played against a combined St Bede’s rugby team

• Completed acts of service here at St Bede’s – leaving a physical reminder of their time here

• Had dinner and a concert and mass with Tongan community.

Then it was time to say goodbye with a full school college haka. Our visitors made a massive impact on the families and boarders they lived with, and to us as a college. Tears at the airport when our Apifo’ou brothers left – from both sides – reflected this. 

We look forward to returning to Apifo’ou College next year as we continue to strengthen this relationship with them.