Queen Salote College has discontinued its boarding school for the academic year 2024, due to major renovations of their boarding houses, which is expected to start early in March.

Queen Salote College is the only all-girls high school in Tonga, which also offers a boarding school to its students.

This year, the school decided to discontinue their boarding school for the first time ever.

QSC Principal Mrs. Sela Latailakepa said, "Due to all the renovations needed, we decided it’s best that we put a pause with the boarding school this year, because living conditions are not up to a good standard for our students, that is the main reason.”

These renovations are handled by the QSC Ex-students Association, which has made the students' health and welfare a priority.

Queen Nanasipau’u is the Patron of the Association,

The renovation project will also include the renovation of the school hall, and the school fence.

Home skills

QSC students are known for their "nima poto", meaning skillful hands, in home skills like cleaning and cooking, as being taught during their times at boarding school.

"We have Petani, which is a home-setting house where girls are taught skills useful for the home, like cleaning," said Mrs Latailakepa.

TVET

Mrs Latailakepa said the school is bringing back TVET (technical and vocational education and training) to continue teaching and encouraging home skills like cooking and sewing.

Home Economics and Design Technology are part of their normal curriculum.

"We will re-schedule facilities so that skills and curriculum can share resources."

Aside from that, the principal said a lot of parents support the boarding school, especially those that live far away, and those in rural villages.

QSC Centenary

The school is looking forward to mark its Centenary in 2026.

"The school will be ready by then, when it’s presented to the Church and the Ex-students," said Mrs Latailakepa.