Gabutu, Port Moresby PNG, 23 May 2022 -- Family Day is an opportune time for parents and their children to celebrate the gift of being a family and to spend quality time with their loved ones. In Don Bosco Technical School this is also the time to have fun together through games and other fun activities. A time to listen to one another and a time to share a meal together.
On 8 May 2022, Salesians, Salesian Educators, Bosconians with their Parents and Guardians gathered for the first Family Day after two years of not having one due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The attendees were greeted by the colourful flaglets and the decorated PCTA park fit for the occasion and having the traces of the celebration of the Feast of St. Dominic Savio on 6 May. Mothers and fathers happily joined in the fun games. The coconut scraping contest awarded all the contestants with the coconut scrapers they used for the game.
The Principal Mr. Martin Dai welcomed everyone as well as Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, the school’s Spiritual Moderator on behalf of the school Rector, Fr. Pedro Sachitula, SDB who is currently in Thailand having his retreat with the Rector Major Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB along with other Salesians.
The PCTA President Mrs. Romanah Kuaisombi addressed the attendees with her message of joy that is also shared by all the parents and guardians, for being able to attain peace and reconciliation the past days especially for some Bosconians who were tested and were able to rise up and learn from the challenging situation.
The Family Day also coincided with the celebration of Mothers’ Day. Mothers were greeted likewise the fathers present by Russell Wanli of 12 Albera before they performed their mime and interpretation of the song ‘A Million Dreams’. He shared that the presentation is for the mothers and all the parents who have always been there to support them in their dreams.
At lunch time, the food and drinks brought by each class member and their family were shared together. No one was left without a plate of food. It was remarkable to see parents and students with their teachers sitting next to each other enjoying the meal together.
After the sumptuous lunch, the parents were ushered to their sons’ classroom for the report card giving. Patrons and Matrons patiently distributed and entertained the queries from parents regarding their son’s marks and deportment comments. In one classroom the students were seated on the floor next to their parents who were seated on their chairs and right there they discussed what was good for term one and what needs to be improved for term two.
“DBTS’ Family Day coincided with this year’s Mother’s Day. With me on this day was not my mother but my guardian who is my uncle’s wife. Wished that my real mom was around to witness how we paid tribute to all the mothers present. Still, I am grateful to my aunt who came to pick up my report card and for taking care of me. Her reaction when she saw the good marks on my report card was priceless and it made me feel more encouraged to do better”, said Joshua Akia, 12 Rinaldi.
The day ended at around 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. A tiring but fulfilling family day for Don Bosco Technical School. Another family day worth remembering.
