A HISTORIC school in West New Britain has a strange nickname because there is a story behind it.
Airmen’s Memorial Primary School or “The School that Fell from the Sky” was built by an American pilot after World War II. The late Fred Hergesheimer constructed it as a form of appreciation to the people of Nakanai tribe, in Bialla, for saving his life when his plane was shot down by Japanese soldiers during the war. Hergesheimer served as a United States Army pilot during the war when his plane was attacked while he was on a mission on June 5, 1943 along the New Britain Island. When Hergesheimer left for the US after the war, he made a promise to the people that he would return and thank them (the people of Nakanai tribe) for risking their lives to hide him from Japanese soldiers. He returned in 1963 to Bialla and constructed the school in Ewasse village. The school was officially opened for enrollment in February 1964 where about 50 students were enrolled. The first head teacher of the school was an Australian, Jimmy Bai. All the teachers were expatriates when the school was opened. Hergesheimer and his wife also taught in the school in the 1970s. The school was initially owned and operated by the founder himself (Hergesheimer) and was funded by the Airmen’s Memorial Foundation (PNG). Years later the school was registered under the United Church agency. The school is now owned by a church agency and assisted by the Government. Parents also contributed to the operation of the school. The school has been successful in producing good students over the years who are now leaders, as well as becoming successful in other areas in life. The former chief magistrate of PNG, Jack August, began his primary education at this school, including the director of students’ services and welfare at University of PNG, Garua Peni, among many others. The number of students increased to about 600 in the 1980s when the school was the only one in Bialla. The recent establishment of new schools like Bialla Primary, Tiauru Primary, Mataururu Primary, Vilelo Primary and Baikakea Primary had caused a reduction in enrollment of students in Airmen’s Memorial. This year the school enrolled 237 students under the leadership of the head teacher Allan Baiai. Deputy head teacher Paul Sege told The National that the school had undergone a major improvement with the renovation of teachers’ houses. The school was fully fenced recently with the help of Hargy Oil Palm Ltd. The academic performance of the students is good and the learning environment is very friendly. The school’s aim is “To promote quality education” and the motto is “Aim high for success”. The school is looking forward to being upgraded to a high school in years to come. The school is Christian-oriented and the school chaplain is always present for religious education and counsel students who misbehave. Sege said the school was truly a historic and memorable school established by a fallen hero during World War II. He said the school was one of first schools in West New Britain. Chairperson of Airmen’s Memorial Foundation (PNG) Garua Peni told The National that the school was about 51 years old. Peni said the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee last year.
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