Tupou College

Tupou College

Established 1866
Function Secondary School, Boarding for boys
Location Toloa, Tongatapu
Principal Rev. Tevita Palefau
Enrolment
Contact Address Office: +(676) 32-240

Founded in 1866 Tupou College, a Methodist School for boys, is the oldest secondary school operating in the Pacific Islands. Student enrollments are around 1,000 a year, all borders, study courses from Level 1 to Form 6.

Tutors of Tupou College, 1900. From a photograph in the Tupou College chapel, J.E. Moulton, founder of the college, is seated in the middle.

The school closely follows the national curriculum where senior students sit the national Tonga School Certificate at Form 5, and the Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) in Form 6. Examinations are set in the English language with a strong emphasis at the college on maintaining knowledge and skills in Tongan culture.

The college is open to boys of any denomination with the primary goals to train the boys in Christian Discipleship through a programme of worship, study, work and recreation.

To support this programm, the college has 750 acres on which students and staff work together to grow their own vegetables, fruits, and cash crops to supplement the needs of the college. This leads to a natural emphasis on agriculture and practical skills further emphasised in daily tasks students and staff perform to maintain and clean the buildings and land area on campus.

Twelve dormitories house the boys and the senior boys with the prefects take a considerable role in the ensuring the daily responsibilities, work are completed.


Hedley Fihaki, former science teacher at Tupou College.