The President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT), Dr Tevita Havea, has strongly condemned Queen Sālote College (QSC) authorities after alcohol was reportedly served at an ex-student centenary ball, calling the incident deeply disappointing and contrary to the values of a church‑run school.
A video sighted by Kaniva News shows Dr Havea meeting face‑to‑face with school leaders, including the principal, where he expressed deep disappointment over the event and the apparent approval of alcohol as part of the celebration.
Kaniva News understands that the ball had been announced as part of the centenary programme and was recently held at the Taufaʻāhau Wharf building in Maʻufanga.
Photos circulating on social media became the subject of widespread banter, showing former students posing beside tables laid out with beer and wine.
The FWCT, the largest Christian denomination in Tonga and the owner of QSC, maintains a firm anti‑alcohol stance and strictly prohibits any of its activities from involving alcohol.
Dr Havea told the school authorities that while former students were free to drink in their own time, it was unacceptable for a church‑run institution to allow alcohol to be associated with an official school centenary programme.
He reminded the staff that QSC has always been upheld as a school of high discipline, and allowing such an incident to occur undermined that long‑standing reputation.
While speaking to the staff, he said the Church was deeply disappointed by the incident, adding that although only a small group was responsible, the impact was felt across the entire Church.
“Do something about it,” he said.
Rev Havea also pointed to livestreams circulating on social media showing tables filled with alcohol at the event, implying the footage devastated him when he saw it.
During the exchange, several women—believed to be the principal and staff members—responded with “io” and “koia” (yes) in agreement, their voices sounding emotional as they acknowledged the president’s concerns.
Dr Havea’s remarks underscore the Church’s longstanding stance on alcohol and its expectations of discipline and moral leadership within its schools.
He said the incident had caused significant disappointment and urged the school to uphold the principles and values central to the Free Wesleyan faith.
It remained unclear whether the principal and staff had visited the president as part of the customary tala fatongia process to formally present and confirm the centenary programme, or whether the visit was prompted by an effort to apologise after learning of his disappointment over the ball.
The centenary main celebration is scheduled for Thursday, beginning with a prayer service expected to be attended by the King and Queen, followed by a series of activities running through to Sunday.
