Bullying at Queen Victoria School (QVS) has dropped to “almost zero level”, thanks to a combination of faith-based leadership, counselling, and divine intervention, and student cooperation.
In an interview alongside the school’s cadet passing-out parade this week at Matavatucou, principal Matia Loga said the transformation within the school community had been significant, with the students themselves leading the charge against the insensitive, heavy-handed culture in the dormitories.
“The bullying in the school has almost gone to zero level, something that I can be thankful for,” Mr Loga said. “The discipline in the dormitory, the no-bullying, has culminated in what we’ve seen today.”
Mr Loga said the new approach had shown out in many ways, allowing the junior boys to sleep in peace.
“We no longer see what happened in previous years, especially since last year, and I thank the senior boys for listening, obeying, and also transforming their mindset to be able to look after the junior boys.
“Now, the junior boys are enjoying their dormitory life.”
Mr Loga acknowledged the role of the Education Ministry in supporting the students’ mental health and behaviour.
Beyond professional intervention, Mr Loga attributed much of the student transformation to a spiritual reset at the start of the academic year.
In March this year, nine senior students allegedly inflicted corporal punishment on Year 9 and Year 10 students.
Shortly after, a special audit of all school operations was conducted, including the provision of counselling by the Substance Abuse Advisory Council.
