Ever since I’ve been in Primary school I hated it. I hated reading, writing and math. My school goals were not really set, but my career goal was. When I moved to Havelu I saw education in a different way. I had started to love reading, writing and math. I had loads of goals every year. One of them was to top my grade every year, and become the DUX. To achieve that I had to change the way I lived and worked. Every day I would attend school, go home and do some chores and some other work, and then I would read my scriptures. I did this every day until the end of the school year. It was sometimes hard, but in the end it was all worth it. I had also finished reading my book of Mormon and the New Testament. This whole change had turned my life around and the way I worked. The hard work had brought me a proud family and good grades. I’ve learned that a person can change but that change comes from your works and what you believe to be possible. Try your best and you will see a difference. Even by placing in even a little bit of effort the lord will bless you in ways you could never imagine. ''Not Trying Is The Real Failure”
Loisi Nalesoni is an average girl who came to Form 1 here at Havelu Middle School in 2012 . Of all my homeroom students, this girl may not be in the most intelligent group or the most talented but in the working group. She is not giving up when I tell her to rewrite her essay even when it is the fourth time, she would never give up. Though there were times that she fall short I know that the seed planted through the’ living the gospel program’ encouraged her to live the gospel more. At the beginning of this term I was surprised to be approached by this girl asking to do the cleaning up of our classroom so I told her that I am grateful for that and I will give her a star but she refused to be awarded with a star. She said “ Sister Tualau, don’t worry about it. I don’t need it. I am not doing that for a star or for a reward, this is just my way of giving back to you and to Havelu Middle School for what I have accomplished because of the programs and different learning done in this school”. Since that day, Loisi never missed a day without coming to my room to do the cleaning up duty. Yesterday, which was May 13, 2014, I took a casual to attend a funeral and was surprised that Loisi brought her friend , Lavinia Faingata’a to do the cleaning up for the same purpose and not to earn any award. Lavinia who is also in my Homeroom, approached me this morning saying that she wants to help Loisi cleaning the classroom because Loisi shared with her the reason why she is offering her service and she decided to start helping her yesterday and they cleaned up the room which was witnessed by the substitute teacher while I was absent. I am pleased by Loisi and more by her way of influencing another student to do something good. I will be forever grateful for the teachings of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of students and the programs that the leaders of the church are inspired to instruct and guide both the teachers and students to experience change and live the gospel daily in life.
I came to HAVELU MIDDLE SCHOOL from G.P.S. Matuku as a probationary student. Although I didn’t pass my entrance exam, they took me in with good faith that I will excel if I try my best. Since that day I made a commitment to pass all my exams, live the gospel, obey the school rules, and participate in all school programs. I show my gratitude by being true to my commitment .I set my goals to study very hard with all my heart ,mind, and strength to be in the principal’s list, just to show Havelu my gratitude. I started by attending the Saturday tutorial program and my grades went from bottom 50 to the principals list, and I had kept it all year .
The other goal was to live the gospel so that Heavenly Father would be obligated to help me with my studies. I ‘ve got my merit award, sliver award ,gold award and complete my 50 hours of service, which rewards the ARMOUR OF GOD COIN AWARD.
Havelu has change my life, from a probationer student to a better student now. Without their help I wouldn’t be a form 3 student now, I wouldn’t be that person I am today. This is my last year to be at Havelu. Next year I will be leaving to the high school, my body will leave but my heart and mind will stay at HAVELU MIDDLE SCHOOL. I love attending at Havelu , because of their beautiful teachers, the cute students and the loveliest principal. I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW HAS HAVELU CHANGE MY LIFE TO WHO I AM TODAY, HAVELU IS THE MOST PRETTIEST SCHOOL TO ATTEND. “Those who cannot change their mind cannot change anything”
Fasting, Praying and Scripture Study has always helped me. Last term, (Term 3) I had achieved many goals, just because I sacrificed my time and energy to pray and fast for my educational improvement. I had received my gold and silver awards for the 100, 150 stars and above. During the three days of the final exam, I fasted and studied hard to help me achieve high marks in all my subjects. After the final exam, we had a one week break. During the break, I couldn't sleep well because I was very worried about my final exams and also my percentage for my report card. After the break, I went back to school feeling as if there were butterflies in my stomach. I went to all of my classes with that feeling. I received my English and my Tall exam with a total mark of 98 out of 100. I also received my Science exam, 83 out of 100. I had one of the top scores in my class, most kids in Form 3 had a below 70. I received my Math exam, 89 out of 100. I got 97 out of 100 for my TSC exam. I got 109 out of 110 in my Tongan exam. From this experience, I have learned that when you sacrifice your time to do spiritual things, the Lord will always provide a way for you to achieve what you want when you keep his commandments, as long as its good. The lord will pour out blessings for you when you do what is right.
Since this year, I promised my mother I would not fight in school or break the rules. I tried my best to keep that promise, but one day a when I was doing my work a girl shouted at me to move so that she could see the white board and I moved. Even though I moved, the girl slapped me on the face and I was mad at her but I just pushed her away. She told me she would fight me after school but I said no. She replied and said that if I wouldn't fight her, that would mean I lost to her. I told her she won but she shouted at me again and she hit me. I cried and apologized to her because I didn't want my mother to come to school and have to face the Principal for the mistakes I made and more importantly, I didn't want to break my promise to her. Since that day, I learned to control my anger and to never fight with my enemies but to befriend them because we are all sisters and brothers in the gospel. "The best way to destroy an enemy, is to make them a friend."
In 2011, I became a Form 1 student here at Havelu Middle School. When I entered the school, I felt happy because I felt like I was a grown up, but when I saw the words "English speaking only please" I felt like I didn't want to be here anymore. I met new friends and new teachers but the worse part of it was I didn't really know how to speak in English ever since I was in the government primary school. I only knew a few words like, "Yes, No, What and Why." The first day, the teacher told us to introduce ourselves and I was happy because I understood what he said, but when he asked me questions, my heart was beating really fast and I felt really nervous. I wasn't able to answer so I decided to pay my tithing, fast and pray to help me fix my problems and to help my studies. Now, I still cant believe I am able to speak in English, answer questions in English and write. This has encouraged me to speak in English, not only in my native language (Tongan) because it will open doors for me in the future and it will help provide a better life for myself...
In January 27, school started. I was very shy to go to my new homeroom, but I really regret being nervous before. When I went to period one, I found it very interesting because I met new friends and new teachers. I was so happy because they were all very kind. I also learnt to improve my attitude. I went home after my last day at school and I was thinking that when I first entered Havelu Middle School I felt very happy, and I like being at school because I'm encouraged to focus on school.
Thursday 16th May 2013, Gracelyn Fotu'aika was walking down the hallway to watch the rugby training, when she found money on her way out to the ground. She was excited thinking that it was a two dollar note, but when she opened the crumbled note she found that it was a five dollar note. She looked quickly to see if anyone was watching, and also and also see if there was a person that walked pass and dropped the cash; She didn't find anyone. Gracelyn chose to be honest and walked into Glenda Tafolo's classroom and handed the teacher the money. Glenda as so happy that Gracelyn was so honest, just as Gracelyn handed the money to Glenda, the security happened to walk by. Glenda asked Hala(the security)if he lost five dollars he checked his pocket and said yes. Glenda and Gracelyn smiled and handed the money to the security. The security was so happy that he rewarded Gracelyn with a dollar and thanked her for being honest. The next day, Glenda and Hala both reported it to me , as I was her homeroom teacher, and talked about how a form 1 student not only understood the gospel but lived it. Gracelyn was rewarded 5 stars for her achievements. I spoke with Gracelyn, she said she will continue to live the gospel everywhere she goes... this is what it means to live the gospel in Havelu Middle School. - Iona Laulotu (form 3 Tall and English teacher)
Falemaama Latu, a Form 2 student in my homeroom is from Nomuka, Ha'apai but is currently living with his uncle to go to school here at Havelu. At the beginning of the year, the merit award was introduced and sure enough everyone at school including him was very excited about the program but he received 10 stars during the first term. However, towards the end of the term, he made a very inappropriate choice that caused him to lose all his 10 stars. After counseling with him about making the right decisions in life, he worked hard and did all he could to get his stars back. To him it was one of the hardest tasks to do because he was far behind everyone. Fortunately, he shared how he repented and learned a great lesson from what happened in the first term and he has great joy now knowing that it is never too late to start anew, yes it is never too late to change ones character and attitude. He started this term to earn his stars each day. At this week, which is the 6th week of term 2, he received 107 stars. This merit award program in a way encourages good conduct and that is the exact experience that Falemaama had. It is indeed a blessing to be a teacher and to witness the marvelous things that are happening to Heavenly Father's children. -'Atelaite Tu'alau Form 3 English teacher
Losaline Taufu'i who is the second counselor of the young women in the Nuku'alofa 14th ward shared how she learned her lesson from 'Atieli Tulikihakau whom she invited to have dinner with on Saturday before the first Sunday of May 2013. The young boy is from a very humble family moving from of the smaller island groups of Tonga which is Ha'apai to attend Form two at Havelu Middle School while his older brothers go to Liahona High School. The Taufu'i family prepared a big feast which was part of a family occasion just as the boy came as an invited guest. The woman described how beautiful the dinner set up was and the delicious food that was prepared would easily attract any boy the same age as 'Atieli to think that rare opportunities like this one may never return especially when his parents are not watching, but when he was invited to eat he said," Malo 'aupito ka kuo'osi fakama'u 'eku 'aukai" which means " Thank you so much but I already opened my fast." Little things are happening around us and to our students which we may not recognize but it is indeed a great example of how our Havelu Middle School students live the gospel. - Siutiti Mahina Science teacher
This page is a blog that is dedicated to recognizing our many successes we have at Havelu Middle School. Read along with us as we earn Merit Awards or as we improve in one of our classes. We celebrate our accomplishments as we continue to aim for excellence in and outside of the classroom.