QUEEN Victoria School students led the school to an overall victory at the 2026 Kula Dance Awards.
Captain and prefect Mosese Koroitunidau said the 23-member team had only three weeks to prepare and trained twice a week. He said balancing academics, other activities and finances was the biggest challenge.
“For years QVS had only won most popular or best dancer awards. This year we won the overall competition.”
Mr Koroitunidau said most dancers had no prior experience. Some joined after a call for more members, while others were selected from the school. He said he was proud of the sacrifices the team made.
Dancer, Ratu Manasa Lesuma said the team gave everything in their performance.
“We wanted to show what QVS could do on stage.”
“We thank our teachers, families and supporters for motivating us and inspiring us to do our best.”
Teacher Sireli Bobo Waqa said the performance was built around a theme of diversity and interconnectedness to reflect Fiji’s races and cultures.
“Every move and every transition in the dance had a meaning, and that meaning depicted harmony and how when we understand each other, there is harmony.”
Mr Waqa said the theme was chosen to bring the nation together. He acknowledged the choreographer, librarian Louis Whippy, co-ordinator Apenisa Vasu, the principal, school administrators and parents.
Students said the win was unexpected, and they were proud to make their parents, teachers and school proud.
Other results:
1st Runner-Up: Xavier College
2nd Runner-Up: Swami Vivekananda College
Best Costume: Nadi Sangam College
Best Female Dancer: Xavier College – Student No. 9
Best Female Runner-Up: St Joseph Secondary School – Student No. 1
Best Male Dancer: Tavua College – Student No. 2
Best Male Runner-Up: Queen Victoria School – Student No. 13
