The following information’s were sourced from a presentation by Brother Kees, Dr Wadan Narsey launching of Brother Fegus’s book and the 25th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine of 1961.
1844 — The first Marist Brother (Brother Annet Perrol) started work in Lakeba, Lau
August 27 1888 – the three teaching Brothers Vincent, Harvey and Alphonsus arrive in Suva.
1894 — Marist Brothers begin teaching in at Saint John’s College Cawaci and remained there till 1951. The school was established for indigenous Fijian youths.
1897 — the Marist Brothers Indian School was opened and remain there till 1935 later became St Columbas under the guidance of Brother Alphonsus.
1898 — the Brothers begin teaching at Nailili.
1912 — St Felix College is built.
1926 — The College chapel is opened and is the first three-storey building in Fiji.
1936 — St Columba’s Claudius School is opened to replace the Marist Brothers Indian School.
1936 — Non-European boys were admitted at the college and were taught by Brother Augustine. The move was not welcomed by the Colonial government and the brothers were pressured to dismiss all non-Europeans students.
1937 — Department of education withdraws its opposition and new school known as Marist Brother Secondary School is open to all races.
1939 – the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara became the first itaukei to be enrolled in the school.
1940 — The first cricket games played against Suva Grammar School and QVS under the guidance of Brother Peter who was Sports master.
1941 — school roll was 60, 33 of whom were in Form 3, and because of this growing number the boys were divided into houses Alphonsus, Claudius, Augustine and Tasman. Tasman later was changed to Lambert.
1942 — The Brothers begin work at Wairiki on Taveuni and remained there till 1961.
1942 — 1944- school was disturbed because the Brothers were enrolled in the Civil Defense Organisation preparing for the Japanese invasion.
1944 — Brother Lambert writes in his memorandum the need to expand the school at Suva St. Sir Henry Scott offered a block of 7 acres in Bau.
1949 — the new school building in Bau St is opened. The formal opening was on Sunday February 6.
1949 — Harim Ram awarded the first scholarship in Fiji offered by the Government of India.
1953 — Champagnat Park was opened.
1955 — a special year for the Marist Brothers around the world when founder Marcellin Champagnat was raised to the rank of Blessed.
1956 — Discussion were made to move the top four standards of St Columba’s School to Rifle Range in Vatuwaqa.
1956 — the Colonial government finally decides to financially assist the Brothers in the running of the school.
1963 — St Felix and St Columba’s School were amalgamated and became Marist Brothers Primary School.
February 1963 — The school opened as Marist Brother Vatuwaqa. It was developed on a 16 acre property. The late Archbishop Petero Mataca rededicated the school as Marcellin Primary School on March 27, 1982.
1971 — The Marist Brothers Novitiate in Lomeri is built and opened.
1974 — The Brothers begin teaching at Napuka Junior Secondary School.
1974 — Construction of Lambert Hall which was opened a year later.
1980 — The Brothers begin work at St Bede’s College in Savarekareka.
2000 — Champagnat Institute opens its doors to disadvantaged students.
2017 — Opening of the first ever MOBA Secretariat.
