Xavier College in Ba celebrated its 70th anniversary on September 14.
The celebration began with a jubilee mass by the Fiji Catholic Church Archbishop, Peter Loy Chong.
The jubilee celebration went on for three days. Xavier College teacher, carnival committee member and ex-student, Jonelle Muller said the jubilee mass served as a beacon for those present as it brought together students, alumni, staff and the community to express their gratitude for the school’s seven decades of unwavering commitment towards educational excellence.
“Students donned in traditional attire representing diverse cultural facets, presented a cornucopia of items each echoing Xavier’s 70 years of education eminence,” she said.
“Archbishop Chong paid homage to the indefatigable dedication exhibited by Xavier College’s faculty, administration and students.
“He paid homage to the enduring contributions of the Columban fathers, the Marist sisters and Montfort brothers who collectively propelled the institution to its zenith of academic distinction.
“He underscored the paramount importance of extracurricular pursuits, such as sports, quizzes, cultural nights, retreats and masses as the crucible of holistic development.”
These activities have imprinted themselves on Xavier’s legacy, moulding the character of its students in ways that extend beyond the classroom.
The 70th event went beyond the jubilee mass, as the school had activities planned out for September 15 and September 16 as well.
The chief guest at the event on September 15 was Deputy Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka, a former student of the school.
Ms Muller said that Mr Gavoka fondly reminisced about his days as a student at the institution from 1969 to 1970, and he praised the Columbans for their tireless dedication in making education a joyful endeavour.
Year 9R student, Sauhani said she participated in the celebration.
“My classmates and I poured our hearts and souls into manning our form’s stall, knowing that every dollar we raised would contribute to an exciting project, one that would benefit Xavier – the wider Ba community and the generation of students to come,” she said.
“My role extended beyond the stalls, it led me to the spotlight on stage where I performed a Tahitian dance.
“One of the most heartwarming aspects of the celebration was the realisation of the collective effort invested in shaping Xavier College’s infrastructure and success – it was genuinely inspiring.
“It was a testament to the enduring legacy of Xavier, a legacy that I’m now immensely proud to be a part of.” A total of 62 items were performed by the students in the last two-days of the celebration.
