Suli Niulala: a gentle man of God
Trinity mourns “universally loved” teacher
Junior School teacher Suli Niulala has been remembered as a humble, kind, strong, and wise man whose defining characteristic was his faith in God.
The Trinity flag is flying at half-mast this week in honour of Mr Niulala, who died in hospital on Sunday from liver cancer.
“Mr Niulala was universally respected and universally loved,” Head Master Tim Bowden told staff and students, many of whom had known him as their classroom teacher, at Monday’s quad assembly.
“He was one of those men whose powerful physique was combined with gentleness of character. He was humble, kind, strong, and wise. However, I do not think that it is an overstatement to say that the defining characteristic of Mr Niulala was his faith in God. The genuineness of his love for Jesus was evident in everything about him.”
Mr Niulala, who taught in the Junior School for 15 years, led singing and prayer in chapel, and coached rugby. He also led – and fed – a Bible study group for older boys.
He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Zoe, and two Trinitarian sons, Sam (11St) and Luke (9St).
Mr Bowden read from Romans 8:38-39: “I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
He led the School in prayer, saying Jesus had taught Christians not to grieve as people without hope.
“We thank you for Mr Suli Niulala. We thank you for his life, his service in our community, his impact on so many of us, and for his steadfast trust in you.
“We pray for his family, particularly Sam and Luke, and ask that you comfort them in their loss.
“Grant to us the same faith that we saw in Mr Niulala and help us to love you as he did.
“May we share the hope of resurrection and the inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade. “Help us to care for and support one another in these dark days, knowing that though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, there is nothing to fear. In Jesus’ name we pray.”
