Tonga High School's 60th Anniversary Celebration was kicked off by the Class of 1962 today, with the unveiling of a foundation stone.

HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku'aho the guest of honour unveiled a memorial plaque at the school, listing about 80 names of students who entered Tonga High School in 1962.

The dux of the 1962 entrants Sione Taumoepeau, now Tonga's Director of Works, said ex-students from their year raised about $10,000 pa'anga for the foundation stone originally intending to commemorate the school's Golden Jubilee on June 4, 1997, however it was finished in time for the 60th.

Hon Lisiate 'Akolo the Minister of Labour and Commerce and one of the students of the year said in his thank you speech that the class of 1962 was a historical year when 80 students were accepted for entry. Tonga High School was established in 1947 and prior to 1962 the number entrants were limited to about 30 students a year. Lisiate also said their class were the first students to reach the school's first form six level in 1969 and sat the New Zealand University Entrance Examination.

The class of 1962 includes 'Ika Tameifuna the Manager of New Zealand Immigration office in Nuku'alofa, Saimone Helu the General Manager of the Tonga Water Board and Dr Malakai 'Ake and others.

The Tonga High School 60th Anniversary celebration will continue tomorrow with an ex-students and school students' parade that will begin from the school grounds to the Royal Tombs.

The celebration will conclude on Sunday July 29 with a Royal Luncheon at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.