On October 5, 1985, the Archbishop of Suva, the Reverend Petero Mataca, while speaking at the Cathedral Secondary School’s silver jubilee celebrations, urged students, parents, teachers, and friends to contribute towards the second quarter-century of the school.
An article published by The Fiji Times stated the school’s silver jubilee celebrations were held at the school grounds at Suva Point.
The day’s program began with a thanksgiving mass in the school hall celebrated by Archbishop Mataca.
Students performed the traditional Fijian ceremonies of welcome, including the qaloqalovi, sevusevu, yaqona qaravi, vosa vakaturaga and ulivi ni vosa. Archbishop Mataca then cut the 25th anniversary cake with Father Patrick Bambrick. Both priests were teachers at the school for 20 years at that point in time.
“After 25 years, the school is at a crossroads,” said the archbishop.
“It is an opportune time for us all to look back on the history of the school.
“The school has had its ups and downs. It has had its moments of success, joy, happiness, hope, sorrow, and frustration.
“We celebrate the fact that in spite of everything, the school is struggling to carry on the mission for which it was established 25 years ago.”
The acting principal of the school, Joe Nainima, said from humble beginnings of two teachers and 21 boys, the school had grown to 420 students, 28 members of staff, a secretary, a watchman, a handyman, a school manager and a board of governors.
“The school that you see now is very much indebted to the various religious congregations, clergy, parents, students, and staff, who through their co-operation, sacrifice, and toil have managed to bring into reality the dream and the wise thoughts of his Lordship, Bishop Victor Foley,” said Mr Nainima.
He said the school had a good racial composition with Fijians making up 57 per cent, Indians 18 per cent, Europeans and part-Europeans 11 per cent, Chinese six per cent, and others eight per cent.
Mr Nainima said about 50 per cent of the students were Catholics and the rest were made up of Methodists, Anglicans, Muslims, Hindus and others.
“As we enter into the next quarter century, let us hope and pray that the school will continue to impart the good work visualised by his Lordship Bishop Victor Foley so that students graduating from Cathedral could contribute effectively to the building of our nation,” he said.
