With photos by Linny Folau and Adrienne L. Kaeppler

It was time for celebration, feasting and dancing, when HM King Taufa...’ahau Tupou IV officially opened Tonga High School's beautiful new buildings in Nuku'alofa on Saturday July 2.

The new campus has risen from the ashes of the 58 year old school, which was destroyed by fire on October 1, 2000.

In his opening address Tonga's Minister of Education, Rev. Dr Tevita Palefau thanked HE Mr Gao Shanhai, the Ambassador of the People...’s Republic of China, for funding the reconstruction of the school. The Tonga High School Reconstruction Project started in October 2003 with 52 classrooms constructed under $8.25 million funding from the People...’s Republic of China. Dr Palefau said that the complex included 34 standard classrooms and18 special classrooms for science laboratory and industrial arts.

The opening was attended by the Tongan Royal Family. HM King Taufa...’ahau Tupou IV unveiled the plaque of the new school and Crown Prince Tupouto...’a planted the first Heilala tree in the central courtyard.

A royal tour of the buildings was made before the King and Queen Halaevalu Mata...’aho joined students, families and ex-students for a royal feast in celebration of the opening.

Present at the ceremony was the Governor Togiola Tulafono and First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono of American Samoa who were amongst the many royal guests in Tonga attending the 87th birthday celebrations of the King.

The Royal feast was prepared by the students of Tonga High School and it included joyful presentations of traditional Tongan gifts to the King and his guests by ex-students of the school.

The celebration also featured Chinese dances, Tongan Tau...’olunga, and the Lakalaka "Takafalu" performed by the ex-students and the Lakalaka "Fakatapu" performed by students, as well as other items. The Hon. Fanetupouvava'u Tuita was the vahenga, for the "Takafalu"