First Graduation!

The first graduation for Maria de Mattias Secondary School is over!  We had a big day on Saturday after several fairly big days of preparation.  But everything went quite well and it seems as though the graduates and their families as well as the other students had a good time so that’s what counts.  We started the ceremony with a Mass at 10.00 a.m. with the graduates acting as the choir.  They did a very good job of singing, doing the readings, etc., and there were about half a dozen priests who helped con-celebrate.  The main celebrant gave a very good homily with emphasis on women and education, contrasting the privilege that the graduates have over the many girls living in villages who haven’t had the opportunity that they have had. 

After the Mass the entertainment started.  The students, graduates and lower forms, had all prepared songs or dances and they performed with lots of energy and enthusiasm.  In between there were some speeches, the graduates gave gifts  to the teachers, and plenty of loud music was also part of this segment.  Finally came the giving of gifts/awards to those students who performed well in various activities during their four years, e.g., sports and games, discipline, punctuality, neatness, and of course academics.  Then school-leaving certificates were awarded to each of the 80 graduates, they were showered with paper leis and gifts by their family members, and then this part was over.

We had contracted with a caterer to provide the food for the graduates and their guests and that went well, with about 300 plates being served.  The food was good:  plain rice and sauce, pilau, chicken, beef, cabbage, roasted potatoes, and fruit.  There was soda and water for everyone, and even some cake.  Everyone had enough to eat, I think, and enjoyed the time together.

By this time it was 5.00 p.m. and after paying for some of the services like food and sound system, (I was chairperson of the planning committee hence that was my job …) I left the students and their matrons to clean up and came home to rest.  I think I was sleeping by a little after 8.00 p.m., tired but happy that the day was over and that it was such a special one for the graduates.

Now I’m trying to remember everything that we did, what was done well, what wasn’t, what we forgot to do, problems that arose, so that next year the planning will go a little more smoothly.  Doing something the first time is always a bit problematic; next year should be easier.

 The school courtyard and decorations.

I was too busy to get more photos but here's one of Eva and I.