Photos by Linny Folau

Tonga College, 'Atele, began celebrating its 125th anniversary this afternoon with a special laying of wreaths at the Royal Tombs Mala'ekula, in Nuku'alofa, by ex-students clad in their distinctive red and white school colours.

HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita, the guest of honour, laid the first of six wreaths at the Royal Tombs as a tribute from the school to the past monarchies of Tonga.

Prior to that a special parade by ex-students led by Hon Sitiveni Polule'ulingana Tuku'aho, a nephew of the King of Tonga, went from the Nuku'alofa Primary School to Mala'ekula fronted by the school brass band.

Celebrations will continue tomorrow, October 25, with the opening of the school's new gate, which cost around $300,000 pa'anga funded by the Parents Teachers Association.

On Friday the school will hold a school parade from Lopaukamea II to Manamo'ui, the 'Atele school ground, at 10:00am followed by a ball in the evening. The anniversary celebration continuing until Sunday October 28 is expected to draw hundreds of ex-students from overseas.