Tupou College

This is after they defeated Tonga College ‘Atele 12-10 in the final.

Toloa had a strong start and managed to lead the game at first half.

However, both teams were strong and capitalized in the defence area.

In the last seconds of the match, ‘Atele was just a few steps away from a try when the time ran out and it left the boys in red devestad.

The two institutions have the same founding Headmaster, Dr James Egan Moulton.

The visiting group from the Australian based college consisted of 27 boys and five staff members.

This is the first time Tupou College had received such visits since post Covid-19.

A statement said “The group were introduced to the Tongan culture, toured the school, helped the students in the class and farm work.”

“Newington College has a long-standing partnership with Tupou College with the late Dr James Egan Moulton starting Newington College in 1863 and Tupou College in 1866.”

RNZI reports a group of old boys from the United States used a local plane to scatter thousands of dollars worth of two and twenty dollar notes in Tongan currency, over Tupou College.

They are among many of the school's alumni association who have traveled from around the world to celebrate its week-long anniversary.

The school, established in 1866, claims to be the oldest secondary school in the region.

Its principal, Alifeleti Atiola, says they've received around 1 million USD in monetary donations and this year's anniversary is the biggest one yet.

A government statement says this special public holiday is a one-off and it is in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of Tupou College.

The college of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga is the first secondary school to the established in Tonga and to reach 150 years.

Tupou College also won 20 silver and 21 bronze medals, with sister college Queen Salote in second while Tupou High School came in third.

Kaniva News reports the top result has been applauded by thousands of supporters from the Free Wesleyan Church and ex-students as their boys boarding school is commemorating in June the 150 years since it was first established in 1866.

Radio Tonga reports that Tupou College delayed its reopening to clear the campus of mosquito breeding sites.

The health ministry said there have been five confirmed cases of zika in Tonga, with many more suspected to have it.

The zika virus has been linked to severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Brazil.