Poinini, Kimbe: The National Catholic Teachers’ Day was celebrated by schools in West New Britain Province on Friday May 19, 2023 at Poinini Catholic Agricultural Technical Secondary School.
The celebration commenced with the arrival of the participating agency and government schools; Karl Hesse Primary School, St Joseph Ruango Junior High and Primary School, St. Monica Early Childhood, Callan Inclusive Education Resource Center, Gigo Primary, Mosa Primary, St. Philomena Laheri Primary School, Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice Banaule Primary School, Gaongo Elementary School, Kapore Primary School, Poinini FODE and Poinini Early Childhood.
The Holy Eucharistic Mass which was the main highlight of the day was celebrated by the School Chaplin Fr. Jazek Kedzior, a diocesan priest from Poland, and was animated by the staff and students of the hosting school.
The second part of the celebration was held in the school hall, where representatives of the participating schools gave 5 minutes of inspirational speeches on the theme, "A Catholic Teacher as Salt and Light" and the life of the Saint of the Day, St John Baptist De La Salle, Patron Saint of all teachers, with individual school choirs and dances.
A moment was also given to an important guest of the day, Officer Sergeant Narol from the Police Department in Kimbe, who shared some light with the teachers on the current crime issues in the province.
“Our findings show that the crimes are connected to school-aged children, thus, we are looking at schools as the avenue to make awareness and help correct these issues”, Officer Sergeant Narol said.
He challenged the teachers to be good Christian teachers and be the salt and light to the lives of the young generation.
The celebration concluded with the cake-cutting ceremony where the principal of the hosting school, Mr. Edmund Matawe, passed the knife to the administrator of the next hosting school followed by refreshments for everyone.
The National Catholic Teachers’ Day falls on May 15th but was postponed to May 19th.