FIFTY FIVE YEARS - IS AN EMERALD ANNIVERSARY!!

Why the Emerald Jubilee?

Our school, is now 55 years old, and the gemstone to celebrate 55 years is the EMERALD! Symbolically, we are returning to Waimanu after 55 years, to celebrate our 70th birthdays at the school we left 55 years ago. It doesn't matter if you are 70 or not, or if you have to wait yet another year, what is important, is that this celebration is for everyone!

The theme: "Le Printemps de la vie" is all about the Springtime of life. 70 is Springtime, and so is 17! A few points I found about the stone, the gem: "The Emerald is a stone of great harmony, wisdom and love. The Emerald can be a bridge between 2 people.

The Emerald vibrates with love. The Emerald is the sacred stone of the Goddess Venus. The Emerald

has long been thought to be the symbol of Hope. Jean Baptiste Camille Corot 1871, painted this famous painting:

'Le Printemps de la vie'

I title this something like: 'gather ye rosebuds while ye may!' from the poem of the same name. For the younger ones, this could be true, as life is about experiences, and the rosebuds will one day blossom. For the 'emeralds' it is time to see which ones blossomed, and which ones stayed as buds! At this stage they all matter, one way or another.

How the Programme celebrations are shaping up:
The launch for the Emerald Jubilee - Le Printemps de la vie, is the 19th March. The French Ambassador will be the guest of honour, and Bernadette Rounds will be the compare 'par excellence' to facilitate this event! I interrupted Sister Genevieve's breakfast the other morning and had a nice conversation with her. From Sister Genevieve's remarks, it sounds like this is going to be a 'grand' event, with a lot of effort being made to make it a very memorable occasion. Pictures will be included in the next email.

How did the French Embassy get involved? From conversations with Sister G. and I hope most of this is accurate... the Embassy 'got wind' of the celebrations and the French theme. They called to see if they could help!! Sister was invited to meet with the First Secretary and went to the Embassy. She related the origins of the Sisters de Cluny and the French connection...and how and why the Emerald Jubilee was happening. Sister was then asked to meet the Ambassador..To cut a story short...they asked if they could be involved. AND VOILA .. the launch was born with the Ambassador as chief guest, and with all of the essence that this connection signifies.

What the Emerald Jubilee committee has done is suggested that we get together in the decades. Which is a great idea. Below are the dates and the days, with the exception of our years, 50s and 60s, which we are trying to reorganize, due to extenuating circumstances, and to have changed to Thursday possibly Friday. For the details of what we will be doing on that day, is in discusson. We will advise later this month what is being suggested. We are very open to any suggestions. As you have noticed we are with the 'girls' of the 60s who are 'on the ground' there in Suva, so it would be good for them to take the lead, and we could cooperate with them.

Monday 25th July, 2011 - 50 & 60’s Decade (due to extenuating circumstances, we have requested that we have the date for our group changed to reflect Thursday or Friday - 28/29th July) Sister and her group are working on this, and will advise.

Tuesday 26th July, 2011 - 70’s Decade
Wednesday 27th July, 2011 – 80’s Decade
Thursday 28th July, 2011 – 90 to 2000 onwards
Friday 29th July, 2011 – Alumnae Cocktails
Saturday 30th July, 2011 - The Grand Finale “Emerald Pacifica Extravaganza”
Sunday 31st July, 2011 – Thanksgiving Mass at the Scared Heart Cathedral followed by a ‘Pot Luck’ Lunch at the school hall with their families.

ARE WE EXCITED YET!!!

A second piece of information is regarding a donation to the total fund for the overall major expenses for the celebrations.

Each decade will contribute $(F)500.00. Sister G reminded me that as there was no immediate need for this donation, and we could collect it from everyone when we are in Suva, and hand it in at that time. I am sure that everyone is so appreciative of the work being done in Suva by the committee, and more than happy to contribute about $25.00 maybe, per person. The groups in Fiji are collectively raising funds to meet costs i.e. the Launch on March 19th, and also to cover their overhead that will be incurred in July .

OKAY, start thinking 'green.' Whether it be outfits, for the finale, which is going to be quite the 'Extravaganza....' and from what I hear has to be moved to the Lami Convention center due to the numbers attending - or daily outfits, to attend any of the other events too!!!!! Let us all enjoy this wonderful opportunity to be together to remember the good, and the better times. For those who are 'thinking' about attending...don't waste your time thinking, it is going to be great, and you need to be there with the rest of us. If you don't make it, we will miss you, and if anyone is 'missing' it will be like a piece of the pie has been removed. So don't be that piece, come join the celebrations, and be part of the 'whole' pie. The years have flown quickly by, and who knows when we will see each other again like this...so make the effort, make the time, and be there!!

LOLOMA LEVU,
FROM THE CLASS OF '56
p.s. please forward to anyone who would like to be included.
Thank You
- Valerie Thomas Warren