By Tupou Vaipulu Jr

Likamoana Kautoke (16) was the top academic achiever of 'Apifo’ou College, at the end of year prize-giving ceremony in Tongatapu today, 28 November.

The 'Apifo’ou College Dux will be announced next year after the national exam results are released. Under new Catholic education rules the external results are now taken into consideration.

Head Prefect, Likamoana, topped the Form 6 level in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Biblical studies. He was awarded cash prizes of over $4,000 pa’anga and a trophy.

Likamoana told Matangi Tonga that he aspires to be a doctor and will work hard to achieve his goal.

“I will continue my form 7 studies here in 'Apifo’ou next year and from there I will continue to USP or a school overseas for further studies,” he said.

Early starter

Likamoana takes his education seriously. “I’m very punctual when it comes to school and I believe that it’s an important trait to have.

“I come to school early, I follow the instructions given to me, I’ve never missed a school program and I always meet the needs of my teachers,” he said.

Likamoana believes in hard work and not giving up. He encouraged the next Form 6 students of 'Apifo’ou to do their very best in the next academic year and said that patience and persistence are important to succeed.

His family hails from the village of Fasi, Tongatapu, and Ha’ato’u, Ha’apai. 

The Catholic Church Department of Education at Toutaimana, made changes in the ranking of academic achievers this year. This means that the 'Apifo’ou College Dux will be the student that stands out in the external national exams, rather than selection based on the internal school performance.

They will no longer rank runner-ups and first place winners of levels and subjects. Instead, all students who pass a subject will now receive an award. However, the top student for each level will still be acknowledged in the prize-giving ceremonies to come.