By Aldrin Peloko, Anglican Church of Melanesia

The Anglican Church of Melanesia’s Norman Palmer School this week formalised its longstanding relationship with three Church of England-owned schools in England: Tipton St John Primary School, Feniton Primary school and The King’s School.

Principal of Norman Palmer School, Matthias Rorai and the Executive Headteacher of Feniton Primary School and Tipton St John Primary School Colin Butler and Principal of Kings Secondary School Christine Calderwood signed the partnership agreement along with His Excellency Dominic Meiklejohn, British High Commissioner for Honiara ACoM General Secretary Dr Abraham Hauriasi and Norman Palmer’s School chairman Fr George Iniomea.

The signing of the partnership agreement was held at Norman Palmer School.

Under this agreement, Feniton Primary, Tipton St. John Primary and The King’s School in England will assist the Honiara school with school materials, school resources, funds, as well as capacity development for staff.

The relationship between the schools began back in September 2009 when Mr Butler consulted the Melanesian Mission in United Kingdom to look for partner schools in Solomon Islands. Later, in 2010, when the Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia the Most Reverend David Vunagi visited Feniton Primary School, the partnership started to grow.

In his address during the ceremony, Mr Butler referred to the partnership between the schools as a tree planted in 2009 which, with every visit, grows new fruits and leaves.

He urged the Principal and teachers of Norman Palmer School to keep in touch and keep the relationship of the schools growing from strength to strength.

“We need to work together to make the partnership fruitful,” Mr Butler said. “The partnership is now like two schools in partnership living in one world.”

His Excellency Mr Meiklejohn said the signing of the Partnership agreement was a great foundation for what the schools will be doing together.

 General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Melanesia Dr Abraham Hauriasi said the signing of the partnership agreement between the three church schools in England and Norman Palmer School signifies the continuous growth of the relationship between the Anglican Church in England and the Anglican Church in Melanesia especially in the field of education.

He said, “I trust the schools involved will make good use of this opportunity to promote better cultural awareness, share teaching, learning skills and resources, and, where appropriate, will encourage spiritual enrichment.”

Principal of Norman Palmer School, Mr Rorai also acknowledged the former Principal of Norman Palmer School Bernard Quanafia and former Education Secretary of the Anglican Church Joseph Takeli for their commitment and effort over the years to establish this relationship.

He also thanked Mr Butler for initiating the idea that has resulted in the signing of this partnership agreement.

During their stay in Solomon Islands, the visitors will be assisting the school in some administration duties, teaching and other outdoor activities.

 Norman Palmer School currently has 849 students from Kindergarten to Secondary Education level.