Queen Victoria School (Fiji)
| Queen Victoria School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Tailevu, Viti Levu, Fiji | |
| Information | |
| Type | Government |
| Motto | Floreat Viti - "Forward Fiji" |
| Established | 1906 |
| Principal | Mr Ilaitia Lewanavanua |
| Campus | Country |
| Color(s) | Blue |
| Website | www.vulinitu.com/index.html |
Queen Victoria School (QVS) is a school in Fiji. It was established in 1906 in Nasinu to provide education to the sons of Fijian Chiefs. It later moved to Nanukuloa in Ra when World War II broke out; then the school was moved to Lodoni where the two schools QVS and RKS operated side by side before eventually moving to its current site at Matavatucou, Tailevu. It then accepted students from Fijian villages based on their results in a secondary entrance examination.
The school is run as an academic college, but there is an adjoining farm which provides food to the school and serves as a training ground. Students are taught basic skills like crop and livestock husbandry, and there is a small dairy unit. These sessions usually last for about three hours and take place on Saturday morning. There is a farm manager and some permanent labourers who live on the compound.
The school is equipped with a library, chemistry and biology laboratories, computer lab and playing fields. This school takes part in cadet training and march for the passout parade. In Fiji, it is well known for high discipline.
Queen Victoria School consists of four houses: VERATA (blue), REWA (yellow), BAU (green) and TOVATA (red).
The school has a chapel in a position high on a hill and overlooking the sea and surrounding hills. The services are mainly Methodist, but other denominations are catered for. There is a school choir that performs at the Sunday morning service. The counterpart school for girls is Adi Cakobau School.
Rugby is a popular sport; ex-students have played in rugby teams in Fiji and abroad. The school has won the Deans Trophy 21 times. QVS is well known for partaking in the Secondary Schools Athletics meet, Secondary School Rugby League and the Deans trophy Rugby Cup.
Notable staff and students
- Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau - former Governor-General of Fiji
- Ratu Sir George Cakobau - former Governor-General of Fiji
- Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara - first Prime Minister of Fiji after independence in 1970 and President of Fiji
- Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda - President of Fiji 2001- 2009,
- Dr Timoci Bavadra - Prime Minister of Fiji 1987, ousted by the Rabuka coup d'état
- Joeli Kalou-Cabinet Minister 1987, 1995, Senator 2000-2004 and former Government Whip and Leader of the House
- Apisai Tora - Former Senator, Cabinet Minister, Leader of the Taukei movement and Trade Union leader
- Laisenia Qarase - Prime Minister of Fiji, 2000–2006, ousted by military
- Ratu Epeli Nailatikau - former Commander, Royal Fiji Military Forces (1982–1987), diplomat, Speaker of the Fijian House of representatives (2001–2006) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007), Interim appointee of the Bainimara led Military Government for current President of Fiji,
- Paul Manueli - former Commander Royal Fiji Military Forces
- Sitiveni Rabuka, instigator of the Fiji coups of 1987, former Commander of Fiji Military, former Prime Minister of Fiji
- Lagisoa Rabo Delana, former Agricultural Tribunal, Independent Arbitrator, Commissioner Western, Minister for Fijian Affairs (ALTA) in Rabuka SVT Government
- Dr Jona Senilagakali - interim Prime Minister in 2006 military government
- Filipe Bole - Minister for Education and former Deputy Prime Minister
- Joketani Cokanasiga - Minister for Primary Industries
- Ratu Wilisoni Malani, Fijian chief, medical doctor
- Akuila Savu - Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air Pacific, Chairman of Ports Authority of Fiji and Deputy Chairman of Yatu Lau Company.
- Savenaca Savu - Former Air Pacific Captain.
- Savenaca Siwatibau - former Governor Reserve Bank of Fiji, Director of ESCAP, Fijian academic leader and civil service administrator
- Savenaca Narube - former Governor Reserve Bank of Fiji
- Viliame Naupoto - Interim Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forests,in the Military Government
- Taito Waqa - Permanent Secretary for Labour and Industrial Relations
- Aisake Taito - CEO Fiji National Provident Fund
- Joeli Cawaki - Interim appointee for Commissioner Western, military led-Government/bainimarama
- Alifereti Doviverata - Fiji Rugby Captain
- Naibuka Vuli - Fiji Rugby Captain
- Mosese Taga - Fiji Rugby prop and Captain
- Bill Cavubati - heaviest Prop in international Rugby
- Epeli Kacimaiwai - former High Commissioner to Australia, former Permanent Secretary for Education and first Fijian Principal appointed to Queen Victoria School
- Waisea Luveniyali - Fijian International Fly-half
- Kini Murimurivalu - Fijian International Fullback
- Waisale Vatuvoka - former Naitasiri and Fiji International Centre
- Dr Apisalome Naqasima - Headboy 1943, physician (obstetrician and gynacologist specialist)
- Dr Uraia Naqasima - Medical Doctor
- Peni Naqasima- Headboy 1946 and 1947, M.P and politician in the Alliance Government
- Nemani Vuniqawa - Director of Immigration
- Joeli Vidiri - former Fiji and All Blacks player
- Akuila Vuakaca - Civil servant with distinction, Medical, Forestry and Fisheries
- Henry Speight - ACT Brumbies and Wallaby winger
- Patrick Osbourne - Otago Highlanders winger
- Peniasi Nakautoga - Director of Lands and Survey, Nauru
- Adriu Delai - Flying Fijians outside center
- Hon Toalipi Lauti - former Prime Minister of Tuvalu
- Josefa Dimuri - a politician
- Rokoseru Nabalarua - CEO Fiji Water
- Isikeli Taoi, Manager, Bank of South Pacific
- Dr Eloni Tora - Fiji's Permanent Secretary of Health
- Amena Yauvoli - Fiji's Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs
- Apolosa Gucake, Vice President, Bank of the West, Sacramento, USA
- Jesoni Vitusagavulu, former Fiji's Ambassador to the US & Canada
- Peceli Vocea - Fiji's Ambassador to the European Union
- Asaeli Tokelau - Manager Admin & Human Resources, Suva City Council
- Peni Kunatuba, former PS Agriculture, currently Deputy Commissioner of Prison & Correctional Services
- Late Dr Isikeli Leweniqila (Former Divisional Medical Officer Central Eastern,1992–96)
- Ratu Ovini Bokini, Late Turaga na Tui Tavua, former Chairman of Great Council of Chiefs
- Mesulame Dolokoto - Former Headboy and rugby captain(2013), ACT Brumbies winger.
- Usaia Ratuvili - Chief Magistrate
- Simione Rokolaqa Durutalo - First Secretary Representative, Brasil