Ten students from the Year 6 class of St Joseph’s Primary School were inducted as prefects yesterday during a beautiful opening of the school year and prefect investiture church service at St Joseph’s Cathedral, led by Bishop Reynaldo Getalado.

The church service was well represented by proud parents, family and friends.

Three girls and seven boys were presented their badges during mass by Bishop Getalado.

The prefects are determined to become good role models for the younger students and want to help grow an environment of kindness, respect and cooperation in their school.

St Joseph’s Primary principal Anna Rauru was proud of the students and their smooth transition in leadership responsibility.

“We have only three girls in our Year 6 class which is why there are more male prefects,” said Rauru, who is confident that the prefects will take on their new roles responsibly with an importance on leadership guided by faith.

St Joseph’s Primary School head boy Karl Ingaua and his proud family rejoice after the investiture church service. MELINA ETCHES/25020715

Ten-year-old Karl Ingaua was selected as head boy, and Jespina Van Eijk (10) as head girl.

“I’m very happy and I will do my best to help our students and teachers, and my goal this year is to become Dux,” said an ambitious Ingaua.

“I feel really happy. I want to help our young students so they can learn more when they grow older, and I want to be a good leader for them,” said Van Eijk, who was delighted to step into her new role.

Year 6 teacher Ruth Macquarie said, “I want them to be better leaders this year. They’re the mediators, they go out and help during duty time and solve issues of the younger children like a family feel.”

Macquarie encouraged the prefects to be “independent leaders” so that they could do things for themselves rather than being told what to do.

St Joseph’s Primary School prefects Arikamei Akamoeau (left) and head girl Jespina Van Eijk are all smiles at the investiture. MELINA ETCHES/25020741

The 2025 St Joseph’s primary school prefects are: Head Boy – Karl Ingaua, Head Girl – Jespina Van Eijk, Deputy Head Boy – Isaia Vaurasi, Deputy Head Girl – Arikamei Akamoeau, Jonah Akaruru Akava, Wade Nicholas Fatefai, John Saunivalu, Beniamina Tuteru, Denzel Tupa Nicholas and Teberina Ioteva.

St Joseph’s Primary School started the year with an enrolment of 175 students. Twenty-five senior students have moved onto sister school, Nukutere College. 

This year, the school will be celebrating its 130^th anniversary from July 14 – 18.