QVS Lodoni 1949 – Term 2, 1952 FROM January 1949, QVS was temporarily moved to Lodoni in Tailevu to be co-located with the host school Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS).
With a student roll of 173, QVS occupied the northern half and RKS (with 230 students) the southern section of the Lodoni site.
The new headmaster, C.J. Smith from Britain, was assisted by a Mr. Hallum from New Zealand and local teachers included Netani Druavesi, Semesa K. Sikivou and Ratu Seci Nawalowalo.
In the meantime, work proceeded on the construction of access roads and a landing jetty, and the building of six dormitories on the new site for QVS at Matavatucou.
In 1949, for the first time in the history of the school, three students sat for the New Zealand University Entrance (NZUE) Examination and the school Dux, Maikeli T. Vakacoko, (Tubou) obtained a good pass.
He later pursued further studies at the University College of Auckland. There was no sixth form as such.
The three students undertook their NZUE studies by private tuition organised by the principal.
Laying of the Foundation Stone, 1950
On July 19, 1950, the Governor, Sir Brian Freeston, in the presence of the GCC and a number of distinguished guests including Sir Henry Scott, the donor of the site, and Sir Alan Burns, the late Governor of the Gold Coast (Ghana), who was passing through the colony on a UN mission, laid the foundation stone of the new and permanent home of QVS.
The Governor arrived by sea, landing at the new school jetty and was received by the chiefs with a full Fijian welcome ceremony.
Prayers were offered by the Right Reverend Stanley Kempthorne, Bishop of Polynesia. In a concluding address, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, Secretary for Fijian Affairs and the senior most iTaukei in the British colonial administration, said: “When the captains and the kings depart and the scene is again normal, today’s impressive ceremony will surely be recognized as an outstanding landmark in the forward march of the Fijian race.”
He concluded by announcing the school motto – ‘Floreat Viti’, a Latin phrase which means ‘May Fiji flourish’ or ‘Me lagilagi ko Viti’. On this momentous day, therefore, the QVS boys in exile for so long and perennially on a sojourn in the wilderness, were afforded a glimpse of their ‘promised land.’
The following is a breakdown of the students at QVS in 1950: Tailevu — 18, Rewa — 3, Naitasiri — 3, Nadroga — 10, Ba — 9, Ra — 5, Serua —3, Lomaiviti — 8, Kadavu — 21, Lau — 8, Cakaudrove — 17, Bua — 4, Macuata — 3, Rotuma — 6, Banabans — 1, Gilbert & Ellice — 10, New Hebrides (Vanuatu) — 3, Solomon Islands — 1; Total = 133.
QVS, Matavatucou, from Term 3, 1952
After many years of anxious wait and anticipation, the day of coming home finally arrived. On August 29, 1952, during the term 2 holidays, 132 boys arrived at their promised permanent home.
The staff was made up of principal Christopher J. Smith (principal since 1949) and eight teachers – four expatriates and four locals – Semesa K Sikivou, Ratu Seci Nawalowalo, Netani T. Druavesi and Malakai Cama (woodwork).
Some of those who used the brand new facilities included Josevata Kamikamica, Etonia Moce, Filimoni Wainiqolo, A.T. Wailevu, Viliame Rayawa, Isireli Lewamarama, Aritiera Bauso, A. Seluka, Joeli Tadrau, Osea Tuidraki, Maciu Cerewale, Simione Suvarua, Osea Lagivala, A.T. Mua, Meli Tawanakoro, Jope L Nabou, E. Kacimaiwai, Ilisoni Naivalu, Tomasi Mara, Nacanieli Taleniwesi, Jone Vuatalevu, Timoci Naivalulevu, Save Lalanabaravi, John Kalsal, Tevita T Daugunu, Luke Tavuyara, Etuate Tavai, A Rafai, Volai Tagi, Koroiwale Vatani, Nacanieli Rika, Saula Ledua, Esaroma Daulako, Isaia V Gonewai, Joji N Guivalu, Timoci U. Bavadra, Isaia Vakabua, Josua D Cavalevu, Laisiasa Q. Bulamaibau, Nelson H. Delailomaloma, Peni N. Waqanivalu and Urupeni Senibulu.
S.Tui Mailekai recalls being struck by the brand new buildings, spotless surroundings, and spacious dormitories.
In the dining hall each boy was provided with a full set of crockery and cutlery.
For a young student coming out of Bucalevu in Taveuni, he was in a completely new and surreal world.
When it came to food, some of it was completely new to him and his group – New Zealand cheese, golden syrup, New Zealand Hellaby corned beef, Weetbix, cornflakes and baked beans.
They were totally naïve and unfamiliar to this new gastronomic experience!
It was also in 1952 that Josevata Kamikamica became the first student at Matavatucou to be successful in the NZUE Examination.
Formal Opening of the New QVS, 1953
Early in the afternoon of March 5, 1953, the Governor, Sir Ronald Garvey, and Lady Garvey left Natovi in the “Viti II”, for Matavatucou, where the chiefs boarded the vessel and the ceremony of cavuikelekele (raising of the anchor) was performed by Ratu Tevita Naulivou.
On landing, the Governor and Lady Garvey were met by the Director of Education, Howard Hayden, and the Acting Principal, Hector M. McMillan. Governor Garvey then inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the QVS Cadet Company, commanded by Captain Ratu Seci Nawalowalo.
At the vakatunuloa in front of the main school, the i qaloqalovi (tabua presentation) was performed by Ratu George K. Cakobau and was acknowledged by the Governor’s matanivanua, Ratu Rusiate Komaitai.
The i sevusevu (yaqona presentation) was performed by Ratu Niko Komaitai.
The yaqona ceremony was performed by the chiefs of Bau, the cup bearer being Ratu Jope K. Ralulu.
The wase ni yaqona (presentation of food) was presented by Etuate Sokiveta. The Governor then delivered a speech and formally opened the new school. The address was then formally accepted by the chiefs.
The dedicatory prayer was offered by the President of the Methodist Church, the Reverend Stanley G. Cowled, and the students then led the singing of the hymn ‘Land of our Birth.’ An address in Fijian by the Secretary for Fijian Affairs, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was followed by the singing of the national anthem.
After an interval the schoolboys performed a meke i wau (club dance) with precision and perfection befitting the occasion.
The ceremony was a grand one, attended by members of the GCC, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, church leaders and dignitaries.
1954
In 1954, the staff was made up of four expatriates (Principal, C. J. Smith) and five locals.
Included in the student roll of 159 were seven boys from other Pacific territories.
Two were successful in the NZUE examination in a small sixth form class of four students: Josua D. Cavalevu and Epeli Kacimaiwai (Dux).
Nineteen students were successful in the NZ School Certificate Examination of which nine enrolled at the Central Medical School – Aisea A.Rafai, Esaroma Daulako, Joji N.Guivalu, J. W. Kalsal, Nacanieli Taleniwesi, Timoci Tuinakelo, Timoci Bavadra, Koroiwale Vatani, Jone Vosarogo.
Athletics
In the 1950 British Empire Games held in Auckland, NZ, Mr McMillan, then a senior lecturer at the Nasinu Teachers College, was the coach and manager of a very successful Fiji team.
Two teacher trainees at Nasinu brought joy to the whole colony with their performance. Mataika Tuicakau won gold in the shot put, and silver in the discus throw.
Luke Tunabuna won the silver in the javelin throw. In 1951, Tuicakau was appointed Physical Education teacher at QVS and Mr McMillan joined the school in 1952.
Their scientific coaching and guidance were soon reflected in the success of the senior (Under 19) and junior (Under 17) grades in the Inter Secondary Schools Athletics Finals since 1951.
Josua D. Cavalevu, the national schools sprint champion was selected as a member of a small Fiji team (M. Tuicakau, Josefa Levula, J.D. Cavalevu) that toured Southland, NZ, in January, 1954.
1955
In July 1955, Mr. C. J. Smith who had been principal of the school since 1949 (Lodoni) left for a posting to Nyasaland (now Malawi). Mr McMillan, in his fourth year at the school, was appointed as Acting Principal.
The school roll was 170 with Josua D. Cavalevu as head boy and Nelson H. Delailomaloma as deputy head boy.
• EMITAI L. BOLADUADUA is a former senior civil servant and retired diplomat. The historical views shared in this article are the author’s and not necessarily of this newspaper.
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