SELWYN College is set to resume the 2026 academic year on Monday, January 26.
The Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Education Provider (EP) has also outlined a strict schedule for registration and student arrivals.
ACOM Education Secretary Desmond Waita announced in the ACOM Facebook page that all students are required to be on campus by 4pm on Sunday, Jan 25.
Official school registration will be conducted off-site at the All Saints Church Hall, Mission Place. The registration window opens Wednesday, Jan 14, and will run through Friday, Jan 23.
To facilitate the process, Waita advised parents and guardians to secure the necessary documentation early.
“School fees proforma can be obtained from Mrs. Karen Ratu or Miss Vicky Samani at the ACOM PHQ Office, Mission Place,” he said.
The announcement comes as Selwyn College prepares for a full academic term under the updated 2026 school fee structure.
Meanwhile, for further details on registration requirements, parents can visit the Anglican Church of Melanesia headquarters.
THE Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Education Provider has announced a revised school fee structure for Selwyn College this year.
ACOM Education Secretary Desmond Waita confirmed in the ACOM Facebook page that Selwyn College Council has approved minor fee adjustments to address rising operational demands.
Under the new proposal, tuition for Forms 1-3 will increase by 10 percent, while fees for Forms 4-7 will see a 5 percent increase.
Waita said that the adjustments are necessary to combat inflationary pressures and ensure the long-term sustainability of the institution.
“These financial implications and proposed fee adjustments will enable the school to cover rising operational costs,” Waita said.
He noted that the additional revenue is earmarked for facility maintenance, the rollout of a 2026 “re-culturing initiative” and strengthening of student welfare and discipline actions.
The college also plans to invest in self-reliance projects to enhance institutional sustainability while maintaining its current standards for boarding and academic services.
In addition to the fee changes, the ACOM Education Provider is implementing major administrative reforms.
In alignment with the new Education Act, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has officially approved a new contract template for 2026.
This legislative shift will result in all current offer letters becoming null and void.
“All teachers currently teaching in ACOM schools will be issued new offer letters effective from 2026,” Waita confirmed.
A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder over the killing of a 15-year-old boy at Kuava Village, Vella La Vella, Western Province.
The suspect was charged contrary to Section 200, Cap 26 of the Penal Code and is remanded at the Gizo Correctional Facility awaiting trial.
Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) Provincial Tex Tafoa said the deceased was with two other boys from the same village when they went to the accused man’s house at the time of the incident.
“While they were standing together, the accused asked the deceased for his kitchen knife, and the deceased handed it over, not knowing what would happen next.
“It was alleged that the suspect then took the knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest,” Tafoa said.
Tafoa said the victim attempted to escape but collapsed and fell unconscious shortly after the attack. He was rushed to Gizo Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police confirmed that the deceased was a key crown witness in an ongoing murder case dating back to 2024, involving the death of a 70-year-old man from the same area.
Background to the 2024 murder case
In November last year, nine men from Quava Village, South Vella La Vella, appeared in the High Court for the first time after being charged in connection with the alleged murder of a 70-year-old man.
The case, which police say stemmed from a revenge attack linked to sorcery allegations, was briefly heard during the High Court circuit in Gizo.
Crown witnesses, including the now-deceased 15-year-old boy, were called to testify.
However, proceedings were adjourned due to time constraints and were scheduled to resume this year.
According to police reports, tensions between the parties began in 2023 following the death of a boy who allegedly consumed homemade alcohol, locally known as kwaso.
Hostilities escalated, and during the 2024 festive season, the accused allegedly attacked the elderly man, whose body was later found at a plantation near Sagorana.
Police said the attack was allegedly driven by anger and accusations that the deceased used witchcraft to kill a relative of the suspects.
The High Court is expected to resume hearing the 2024 murder case this year, now with one key witness deceased.
Plan for the construction of a permanent health clinic to replace the burnt-down New Tenabuti Health Clinic is underway, with a new site identified, said Guadalcanal Provincial Health Director Dr Ray Seleso.
He told this paper yesterday that the Guadalcanal Provincial Health Authority has confirmed that the New Tenabuti Health Clinic in Paripao Ward in North East Guadalcanal was deliberately burned down on the night of December 26, 2025.
He said that this was a criminal act of arson linked to ongoing land disputes and rising tensions associated with mining prospecting in the area.
The fire destroyed the clinic and all medical equipment, leaving communities in Paripao Ward without essential health services.
“We confirmed via investigation reports from Guadalcanal Province (GP) Law Enforcement team that there is no evidence of accidental causes, with witness accounts confirming suspicious activity and individuals fleeing the scene shortly before the fire erupted. The suspect has been arrested and is in custody,” Seleso said.
He also condemned the act of violence and the blatant disregard for a vital public health facility in the strongest terms, saying that such actions directly harm vulnerable communities and undermine public welfare.
He said that the clinic previously served as the primary health facility for surrounding villages, providing maternal and child health services, immunisation, outpatient care, and emergency treatment.
“In response, the GP Health team visited the community on December 30 2025 and confirmed an immediate plan to restore health services. In the immediate Restoration Plan, an incomplete, newly constructed building, owned by a local community member, has been voluntarily offered for use as a temporary health clinic.
“Architectural redesign and planning have been completed, and procurement of building materials is scheduled for this week. The temporary clinic is expected to commence operations towards the end of January 2026,” Seleso said.
He said that the repurposing of the building will be funded by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) through the Guadalcanal Provincial Health Grant, ensuring continuity of essential health services while long-term reconstruction plans are developed.
“Planning for the construction of a permanent health clinic is already underway. All future health facilities will require a proper land acquisition process and formal registration with GP Health, including the New Tenabuti clinic, to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he said.
He said that community members are advised to seek health services at Numbu Clinic or Good Samaritan Hospital until temporary services are operational.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) has confirmed that clouds are currently covering much of the northwest region of the country.
In an update posted yesterday afternoon, SIMS also forecasted wet weather for the weekend.
“Weather satellite images show rain clouds predominantly affecting areas in the northwest, including Choiseul, Isabel, Western Province, and parts of Malaita, especially Ontong Java Atolls,” SIMS said.
SIMS has indicated that these cloudy conditions will continue over the northwest throughout the week.
However, other regions of the country, including Temotu, Makira, Renbel, and surrounding areas, will experience generally fine weather, with only isolated showers expected in some parts.
“For those in the northwest, residents should prepare for a wet weekend and continuing rain into early next week,” SIMS said.
Sea and wind conditions remain stable, and there are no warnings in effect at this time. SIMS encourages everyone to stay informed through official weather updates.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) Weather Forecasting Office has reminded the general public that the country is in its peak month of the rainy and cyclone season.
A brief weather update over the weekend on Saturday, 3rd, issued by SIMS, said that this season could bring unstable weather.
“A trough is an elongated area of relatively low atmospheric pressure that can bring unsettled weather like clouds, showers, and thunderstorms,” SIMS advised.
The SIMS said that unsettled weather is anticipated over the country due to a trough that lies over the region.
“Currently, a trough lies over our region, so expect unsettled weather like clouds, showers, and thunderstorms to affect most provinces.
“No Warnings. Reminder, this is the rain and cyclone season, so weather can change at any time, so stay updated and note that we are now into the peak months of the rain and cyclone season,” SIMS said in their statement.
According to the SIMS Weather Forecast issued yesterday, Tuesday 6 January 2026, General Situation, a trough lies over Solomon Islands while Weather Warning is Nil.
Residents of Wainoni in Makira Ulawa Province will soon be able to access mobile network services for the first time ever.
For decades, people of ward 12 and 13 in Wainoni district have walked long distances just to make a phone call, and while that struggle is close to ending with the completion of three telecommunications towers, the facilities are yet to become operational as final requirements are still in progress before services can go live on air.
Stephaney Kehnasi, a civil engineer from the Solomon Towers limited, told Island Sun that out of the 18 new towers in Makira Ulawa Province, most of them were already completed and are awaiting installations of network services depending on the schedules with Our Telekom company network.
She also said that one challenge they faced is the geographical locations that most towers are located on.
Meanwhile, installations of network services to all completed towers on Makira-Ulawa Province will begin after the installations of network services in Malaita Province.
Kehnasi added that network installation is underway for most towers in Malaita starting this month, followed by all completed towers in Makira Ulawa Province.
Kehnasi said a total of eight towers were constructed in East Makira constituency, three in Wainoni District, two in Star Habour, one in Santa Catalina and two in Weathercoast of Makira.
All were completed along with other towers in mainland Makira except for other towers in Ulawa Island that are still in construction.
The completion of a telecommunications tower at Wainoni in Makira Ulawa Province marks a major step in bridging the digital divide, as three of the 18 new towers constructed in Makira will improve network access for rural communities in and around the province.
Northwest Guadalcanal Constituency (NWGC) is setting its sights on the former Livestock Development Authority (LDA) land at Poha in Northwest Guadalcanal to deliver major national projects.
Member of Parliament for Northwest Guadalcanal, Francis Sade, confirmed that the constituency is in talks with the national government to bring in key national projects to the area.
He made this announcement during the festive season when he handed over several projects for the constituency.
“Our focus is to bring development to our people, and we are committed to delivering more projects in the next two years.
“We are also negotiating with the national government and various ministries to bring national projects to our constituency. One of our top priorities is to take ownership of the LDA land at Poha, which we plan to develop into a growth center,” said Sade.
He also said that the constituency is looking at five national projects from the Ministry of Commerce to be established on the LDA land.
This initiative is part of a larger plan to create more opportunities for the people of Northwest Guadalcanal.
In addition, the constituency is set to receive heavy machinery, which will be used to upgrade roads in the region.
“Once the machinery arrives, we will begin improving the roads in the constituency.
“These are the basic services we want to provide to our people—access to health, better roads, and essential services to improve their livelihoods,” said Sade.
The Member of Parliament said that the next two years will be critical for the constituency as they work towards bringing tangible benefits and infrastructure to the people of Northwest Guadalcanal.
Malaita police to investigate death in West Are’are on New Year
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Auki, Malaita province, will launch an investigation into the death of a young man in West Are’are on New Year’s Day 2026.
RSIPF Auki Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Michael Ramosaea told Island Sun this in an interview on Tuesday.
A man, who requested anonymity, spoke to the paper from West Are’are on Monday this week saying that the incident was alcoholic related.
He said that the incident happened when the deceased and his friends were travelling back to their home village, Tawairoi, after leaving Uhu village.
The man said that the group were travelling on a 60-horsepower powered ray-boat.
Islands Sun’s follow-up on the incident with a close relative was unsuccessful on Monday this week, as they had opted to resolve the issue themselves.
Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, PPC Mr Ramosaea said that such serious issues should not be hidden from the Police.
“It is the community’s responsibility to report such an incident to the police. They shouldn’t have hidden it or dealt with it themselves. This is a matter of concern,” Ramosaea said.
He said that the police haven’t been aware of the incident since no formal report was made to them.
“We haven’t received any formal report, however, for now, since this is confirmed, we will talk with our officers at Maka police station to follow up on it. Life is lost, and for us, we cannot tolerate that.
“We will set up a team from the Police at Maka to follow up on the matter and conduct an investigation into the serious but sad incident. The reason is not to allow a similar incident to occur in the future. While we may respect their wish to solve the issue themselves, we too must do our work,” he said.
The grand opening of the Xiao Henderson Hotel in Central Guadalcanal on Saturday, January 3, 2026 marks another significant milestone in the country’s hospitality sector.
The magnificent hotel is owned by Mr You Qiang Xiao and his family, who are of Chinese origin, and is now officially open for service.
The side view of Xiao Henderson Hotel at Henderson in East Honiara
Xiao Henderson Hotel, a four-story building boasts of 60 rooms with 20 rooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor respectively.
Of the 20 rooms on each floor, there is a suite per floor.
Dragon dance was performed by members of Chinese community during the grand opening of Xiao Henderson Hotel, on Saturday over the weekendRibbon cutting takes place by officials to mark the grand opening ceremony of Xiao Henderson Hotel
To kick off the occasion a dragon dance was performed which was then followed by cutting of ribbon to mark the opening of the hotel.
This was then followed by speeches and a buffet.
Managing Director of Xiao Henderson Hotel, Mr Mr You Qiang Xiao delivering his remarks during the grand opening of the hotelDeputy Secretary of the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Philip Sukibuka delivering his address during the opening of Xiao Henderson Hotel, on Saturday over the weekendMr Walter Kola, who represents the management of Xiao Henderson Hotel is delivering his remark during the opening of the hotel
Guests included Deputy Prime Minister, Fredrick Kologeto.
Deputy Prime Minister Fredrick Kologeto (second from right) and Archbishop Most Rev. Christopher Cardone join two of the Chinese guests, who graced the opening of Xiao Hotel at Henderson
Speaking on behalf of the management of Xiao Henderson Hotel, Walter Kola said the opening represents the realization of a long-held dream — to provide exceptional hospitality services in the country.
He acknowledged the support of ANZ Bank, the construction teams, the national government, and other partners whose contributions made the successful completion of the hotel possible.
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Philip Sukibuka, described the opening of Xiao Henderson Hotel as a remarkable achievement and a welcome addition to the national tourism landscape.
He emphasized that the impressive development demonstrates what can be achieved when private sector investment aligns with national policies.
Sukibuka stressed that Xiao Henderson Hotel not only raises the standard of accommodation and service in the country, but also strongly supports the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) policy priorities of economic transformation, unity, stability, infrastructure development, and human capital development.
“Through job creation, local procurement, and the delivery of high-quality visitor experiences, this hotel contributes directly to economic diversification and inclusive growth.
“Its modern facilities strengthen our tourism infrastructure, while its investment in staff training and skills development supports our commitment to building strong human capital,” he said.
The Deputy Secretary also acknowledged the hotel’s management and expressed the ministry’s interest in working closely with them to develop a clear pathway for accessing the Chinese tourism market.
“Given your cultural understanding, networks, and market insights, we see valuable opportunities to work together on targeted promotion, service readiness, and market development that will grow arrivals and further advance our national tourism goals,” he said.
