Avele College Explained

Avele College is a secondary school in Vailima, a suburb of Apia in Samoa.

The school was founded in 1924 as a residential secondary school, and officially opened on 12 June 1924 by Administrator of Western Samoa George Spafford Richardson.^[1] In 1957 it was converted to a regional post-primary agricultural college, intended to serve students from across the South Pacific.^[2] The school was originally boys-only, and female students were not admitted until 1996.

In 2010 the school's library was destroyed by a fire.^[3]

In May 2016 the school was closed for two weeks and threatened with permanent closure^[4] after a series of brawls with students of rival Malua Fou College^[5] which saw 22 students charged.^[6]

The school celebrated its centenary in June 2024.^[7]

Notable alumni

• Anapu Solofa, politician
• Vaʻai Kolone, former Prime Minister of Samoa^[8]
• Tom Marsters, King's Representative of the Cook Islands^{[9] [10]}
• Paul Wallwork, weightlifter
• Tuiloma Pule Lameko, politician
• Don Opeloge, weightlifter
• Kolone Alefosio, athlete
• Olo Fiti Vaai, politician

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. News: New School at Avele. . Samoanische Zeitung . 24 . 25 . 3 . 20 June 1924 . 13 June 2024 . Papers Past.
2. News: Western Samoa To Have Agricultural College . The Press . 15 . 15 October 1957 . 13 June 2024 . Papers Past.
3. Web site: Samoa fire service investigates a fire at local college . RNZ . 24 November 2010 . 13 June 2024.
4. Web site: Samoa govt threatens college with permanent closure . RNZ . 13 May 2016 . 13 June 2024.
5. Web site: Samoa's Avele College to reopen after student brawls . RNZ . 17 May 2016 . 13 June 2024.
6. Web site: Samoa police charge 22 students over brawls . RNZ . 5 May 2016 . 13 June 2024.
7. Web site: Avele College's 100th birthday officially opens . Samoa Observer . Talaia Mika . 12 June 2024 . 13 June 2024.
8. Web site: A.C.O.P.A. honours former students . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 12 June 2024 . 13 June 2024.
9. Web site: Cook Islands HOS part of Avele College celebrations . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 9 June 2024 . 13 June 2024.
10. Web site: Sir Tom Marsters recalls Avele days . Samoa Observer . Talaia Mika . 12 June 2024 . 13 June 2024.