A Journey of Faith and Friendship: My Connection with Solomon Islands

Published: June 18, 2025
Colin standing in front of a cross with teachers
Colin with staff from the Bishop Norman Palmer School

MMUK Trustee Colin Butler returned to the Solomon Islands this year and shares his reflections on what proved to be an emotional and meaningful visit.

My connection with Solomon Islands began in 2009 when I became the Headteacher of a rural Church of England Primary School in Feniton, East Devon. I had often passed a brick memorial along the old A30 route, but it was only after taking up my role as Headteacher that I discovered it commemorated Bishop John Coleridge Patteson. As I learned more about his life, I also came to understand the story of his martyrdom—killed as a result of the slave trade in the South Pacific, on Nukapu Island, on 20th September 1871.

Patteson’s Cross in East Devon

In 2010, the Archbishop of Melanesia, the Rt Revd David Vunagi visited Feniton School and presented us with a woven mat, symbolising the one in which Bishop Patteson’s body was wrapped. This marked the beginning of my personal relationship with Solomon Islands.

With funding from the British Council, I travelled to Solomon Islands in October 2011 for a two-week Headteacher exchange with the Norman Palmer School in Honiara. I visited several schools and helped open a new library. Experiencing the warmth, generosity, and joy of the people—often referred to as the “Happi Isles”—deepened my appreciation for this unique and meaningful connection.

The partnership continued to grow. In 2013, I returned with my family. An official ceremony was held to sign the partnership agreement between my school and the Norman Palmer School, attended by the then British High Commissioner, Dominic Micklejohn. My wife and I worked in classrooms, and our two sons attended lessons as Norman Palmer students. During this visit, we also helped facilitate the school’s first painting project. However, the most significant moment for me was the groundbreaking ceremony for a new classroom block, held with the Archbishop and the British High Commissioner. It was a moment of falling in love—with the place, the people, and the purpose.

Twelve years later, in May 2025, I returned once more—this time as a Trustee of the Melanesian Mission UK, with responsibility for education links. Standing in that very classroom block and explaining to teachers and pupils that I had been part of its groundbreaking ceremony filled me with immense pride.

During this visit, I reconnected with old friends and made many new ones. I visited seven schools and a Rural Training Centre. At each location, I was welcomed with singing, smiles, and heartfelt hospitality. Yet, I was also reminded of the ongoing challenges faced by a developing nation—social, political, and economic constraints that affect every aspect of life and work.

My main focus was to encourage schools to contribute to a collaborative book on Christian Values, with half of the content written by pupils in the UK and the other half by students from Solomon Islands. I also spent weekends with two religious orders—the Melanesian Brothers and the Sisters of the Church. Joining their daily services, beginning each day in prayer as the sun rose and birds sang (and at TNK, even the dogs joined in!), brought a deep spiritual stillness amidst a busy schedule.

I was also blessed to experience St. Mark’s Festival twice, complete with vibrant services, feasting, speeches, and joyful entertainment.

Among the many unforgettable moments of my visit, several stand out as particularly special. I was honoured to be danced into church at my welcome service by ten children dressed as traditional warriors—a deeply moving and joyful experience. I was continually struck by the incredible generosity of people who, despite having little in material terms, radiated a profound and abundant spirituality. One especially touching moment occurred at St. Francis, when a kindergarten teacher approached me and said, “In 2011 and 2013, I remember you visiting! I was in the choir at Norman Palmer, and I sang for you.” And to top it all off, my “Farewelling” service was featured in the local newspaper with a full-page spread—a humbling and heart-warming farewell.


If you would like more information about school partnerships and teacher exchanges, please contact the charity.