The Tonga Rugby and Service Learning tour has been an eye opening experience over the school holidays. It was an experience that all participants will never forget.

The Tupou staff were kind and willingly gave up their beds and mattresses (which we take for granted) for us to use while we were there. After being in Tupou, I and the other boys now know that a lot of the things we take for granted such as mattresses are a luxury in Tonga.

We arrived at Tongatapu airport on  July 3 at approximately 2 AM. Members of Tupou College including the Tupou College Principal Rev Alifeleti Atiola and numerous other staff and students greeted us and gave us each a floral lei.

Tired, hungry and thirsty the Tupou staff were then kind enough to provide an excellent meal for the Newington boys. Throughout the tour, the hospitality of our Tongan host family was unparalleled.  The Principal and staff were very generous in setting up an extremely comfortable Boarding House for us to stay and they even re-painted our accommodation and re-tiled the bathroom in time for our visit.

Throughout the week we visited some amazing locations and met some fantastic people. Some highlights of the week included watching the Tupou College 1st XV play at the National Stadium; visiting the blowholes (a stretch of 5 km which holds natural vents in the coralline limestone, and can propel water 30 m into the air.) , The Sunday Chapel Service where Mr Will Van Asperan gave a moving sermon and we were again lucky enough to hear the great voices of the Tupou College choir and congregation – some of the best singers in the world. This was followed on by a huge feast.

During the tour there was also a Rugby game held between Newington and Tupou College, the annual Newington Old Boys Dinner (this is a night where Tongan Old Boys of Newington and their families are invited to a dinner hosted by Newington College), the unloading of the container of donated resources (once again sponsored by Ken Grover from Gulliver’s Sport Travel) and an “Aussie BBQ” where for the first time this year we were allowed to repay some of the hospitality and cook for our wonderful hosts. On the night of the “Aussie BBQ” the Under 15 Rugby Team were also privileged enough to host  former Wallaby and Minister in Training, Viliami Ofahengaue. “Willie O”made a highly emotional and truly inspirational speech on that night.

Everyone at Tupou College was incredibly accepting and very kind towards us and although we tried to observe the local customs and rituals I am sure we got it wrong occasionally. Nevertheless, our hosts were accepting of our flaws and made us better people with their open arms and hearts.

We were surprised and overwhelmed by how they spoiled us with their limited resources, and it was inspiring to see how for Toloa boys, they were happy to share all their possessions with everyone.

The Tupou College grounds are amazing and the manner that the students conduct themselves while working on the farm is truly heartwarming. The College is mostly self-sustainable and when we sat down for each meal we knew the food we ate was grown and prepared at the College. The Tupou boys had gone to great efforts just to make our lives more comfortable and all the thanks in the world could not express how grateful and humbled we were by everyone there.

The touring party quickly realized that our relationship with Tupou College is something that should make every Newington boy feel proud. We should realize as a College how lucky we are because in the eight days we were in Tonga I think we learned more life skills from them then we would at Newington in years. The way Toloa boys are brought up is spectacular; they are brought up to work hard, remain true to their faith, stay humble and to look after their community.

The Tupou boys live demanding lives. They are awake and have to be ready for Rugby training at 4 AM before attending classes until 9 PM at night. They also work on the farm and rehearse for Band and Choir regularly. They have to earn their keep and for this reason no student is excess baggage. I cannot even imagine the daily strain and mental endurance required to get through a day at Tupou. Many of the boys live away from their parents and their whole families too.

The way the Tupou College choir sing is truly heartwarming and spectacular. Most of their songs are prayers and they come straight from the heart. It is something I will truly miss at Newington. The way the Tupou boys represent themselves through songs is something that I will remember for a very long time.

We donate a crate every year but this should be only a fraction of what we offer each year. We may have more material wealth than Tupou College but they have an incredible spiritual connection and emotional bond with each other and themselves that is more than money can bring.

The eight days in Tonga have been equally confronting, as they were life changing for all of us.

All the thanks we can express are not what they deserve. After staying there we hope that our love as twin brothers (quote from one of Mr. Quince’s speeches) can only grow stronger as the years go by.

Lachlan White (9/PR)

Read more about the Tonga Tour on Newington Blogs.