Education has been the gateway to opportunity for thousands of Samoans. Many students return later in life to help support their old schools or watch their own children being educated there.

Chanel College is one school that has a loyal following in Samoa. The Catholic school was established in 1962 overlooking Moamoa, and named after French Marist Priest, Saint Peter Chanel. Chanel traveled the Pacific with early missionaries and was matryed in Futuna in 1841. In 1954 he received his sainthood from the Catholic Church.

The school began as a single sex school for boys. In 1992, the school became a co-educational school for Year 9 to 12 students. It also has a combined senior school for Year 13 students.

Today the college has around 300 students but still relies heavily on money raised by the Chanel Old Pupils Association to pay for sporting equipment, building upgrades and maintenance around the property.

Regular fundraising in Samoa is no mean feat as Samoa is a small country with limited spare cash to go around. Samoan people however are always willing to give to a worthy cause. Even Samoans in overseas countries hold fundraisers in their adopted homes to send money back to Samoa.

The current Executive which includes the President - Tamaseu Randy Warren, Secretary - Peseta Fred Schmidt and Treasurer - Tumaa’i Alosio Enoka, all agree that the school has a good chance of surviving financially because of the support from many old students and the community.

The get together fundraising socials at St. Mary’s Hall in Savalalo organized by the Chanel Old Pupils’ Association, is now proving to be a huge hit and popular event in Apia. At the 2001 end of year fundraising, ex-Chanel student turned singer, Felise Mikaele, gave an electrifying performance, along with entertainer, Stock Vevesi.

The 21st of February 2002 event was no exception, raising approximately $6,000. Tickets were sold at $5.00 tala per person, which includes a light supper. According to Tamaseu Randy Warren, the money raise will go straight to the development of the school and to complete their plan of building a clubhouse for the old boys and girls of the school.
 

“The plan of building a clubhouse will be a dream for every old student of this school after years of fundraising,” adds Warren.

The Chanel Old Pupil’s Association is thinking of repairing the house that once belonged to the Vanilla School in the olden days a few miles from Chanel buildings. The church has agreed to lease a piece of land for use by the Association for their arrangements.

“The foundation is still there and just the matter of thatching the roof and rebuilding a well and stable house for future activities,” says the President of the Association.

To get the old students together, the Association met on Sunday 24th February at the School for mass led by school Principal - Chanel, Fr Kevin Macquire, and ‘to’onai’ afterwards. “There’s a strong feeling of comradeship with the Old Pupil’s Association, ready to support and keeping the school spirit alive.” says Fr Kevin Macquire.

Even the old students living in American Samoa keep regular contact with what’s happening at the school. Recently traveled to Apia to challenge the old students in Samoa in tennis at the Moamoa tennis courts. The American Samoa team won by one point overall. “All these activities are in preparation for the school’s 40th anniversary this year, and it will be a huge celebration” says Tumaa’i Alosio Enoka, the treasurer for the Old Student’s Association.

Fundraising will continue every Wednesday at the St. Mary’s Savalalo venue. The goal is to have a clubhouse for the Chanel Old Students, following in the steps of sister college, Marist St. Joseph. In the years to come when they pass the mantle on to the younger generation, what would their advice be? "Taofi Mau le Faatuatua" or "Cling Fast to the Faith" - the school motto!

For more information, telephone the school on (00685) 21-821 or Email: Chanel@samoa.ws or visit the website: www.samoa.ws/chanel

To all the members of the Chanel Old Pupils Association - Malo le Tautua!
 

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