Samoa College is a

secondary Secondary may refer to: Science and nature * Secondary emission, of particles ** Secondary electrons, electrons generated as ionization products * The secondary winding, or the electrical or electronic circuit connected to the secondary winding i ...

school in

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...

officially opened in 1953. It is

co-educational Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to ...

and teaches from years 9 to 13. It is in

Apia Apia () is the capital and largest city of Samoa, as well as the nation's only city. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō'') of Tuamasaga. Th ...

on the island of

Upolu Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long and in area, making it the second largest of the Samoan Islands by area. With approxim ...

and is considered the main college in the country. The early college and curriculum was modeled on secondary schools in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 List of islands of New Zealand, smaller islands. It is the ...

, reflecting the country's colonial history. Education in Samoa is overseen by the government's Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. Although the school has seen high academic achievements it is not multi-cultural.

History

The college was officially opened on 2 October 1953 by Charles E Beeby, the New Zealand Minister of Education. Samoa's education system is historically associated with New Zealand. Before the official opening of Samoa College, a system of 'accelerated' learning was developed in 1949 for selected pupils with top marks in exams from around the country. These pupils would make up the core of the new college. The accelerated pupils went to school at a '' fale'' in Malifa, near the capital

and later moved to the new school once it was opened. Former students include writer

Albert Wendt Albert Tuaopepe Wendt (born 27 October 1939) is a Samoan poet and writer who lives in New Zealand. He is one of the most influential writers in Oceania. His notable works include ''Sons for the Return Home'', published in 1973 (adapted into a ...

who became the school principal 1969 to 1973. His tenure saw the broadening of the curriculum to include arts subjects.

Alumni

Eti Saaga Eti Saaga, also spelled Eti Sa'aga, (February 2, 1950 – December 13, 2017) was a Samoan-born American Samoan poet, writer, journalist, press officer, television and radio host, and producer. His most well-known poem, "Me the Labourer", is studie ...

(1970), Samoan poet * Le Mamea Ropati, politician * Sapa'u Ruperake Petaia, poet

References

External links

SCOPA - Samoa College Old Pupils AssociationMinistry of Education, Sports & Culture, Samoa
Schools in Samoa Buildings and structures in Apia 1953 establishments in Western Samoa Trust Territory {{Samoa-stub