Listen well and be obedient were the key notes conveyed to students of St Vincent College during their passing-out parade in Natovi ground last week.
The message was from the Home Affairs and Immigration Minister and also a former student of the school, Pio Tikoduadua.
At the muddy ground of Natovi, 350 students endured drizzling rain and cold windy weather to showcase their military foot-drill. In front of invited guests, parents, guardians and teachers — students of St Vincent College display a successful military parade — after a lapse of four years.
Mr Tikoduadua thanked the students for an exceptional parade despite the gloomy weather.
He said students must take back with them the value of discipline and obedience from the military drill.
“Always listen to what is being said or what you are being told and do it,” he said.
“The things that you have learned here should be seen in your academic results too.
“This is the essence of cadetship, and it’s not only about discipline but for you to excel in your academic work because that is where your success is measured.”
School principal, Asilika Nacolatabua said the military training was much needed at the school because it was quite hard to control the changing behaviours of students.
“When we have soldiers come and assist, the students listen or become attentive towards them,” she said.
“For teachers, the students hear us every day so we have noticed that when the military personnel come in there was a big improvement to them listening, especially during the house competition (barrack week).
“The drill has made the students realise the importance of obedience and listening to instruction.
“When the students are called to do something, they do listen. The challenge now for us teachers is to continue to maintain.”
School head boy and the passing-out parade commander, Louis Moce was the recipient of the baton of honour for this year.
Moce, who hails and has maternal links to Natadradave Village in Dawasamu, Tailevu is a Year 13 student at the school.
He said he was happy to have received the award in front of his parents, especially during his final year at the school.
“During barrack week we went through a lot together as cadets, but we made sure that we maintained discipline and were obedient to our teachers and the soldiers,” he said.
“During our cadetship we had to adjust our attitude too and were respectful towards each other and our teachers. When we went home we also showed the same level of respect to our parents too.”
For their barrack week, the students had to showcase teamwork, discipline and cleanliness.
