Marist Brothers High School (Fiji)
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| Marist Brothers High School | |
| Motto | In Hoc Signo Vinces |
|---|---|
| Established | 1949 |
| School type | All Boys, Roman Catholic |
| Grade levels | Form 3-7 |
| Principal | Susau Managreve |
| Location | Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji |
| Colors | Red, White and Blue |
Marist Brother's High School is an Roman Catholic all-boys high school situated in Suva, the capital of the Fiji. It is a school in the Marist tradition, founded by in 1949 by order of Marist Brothers, who had had a presence in Fiji since 1844. The school is acknowledged as having a strong sporting history, and for producing some of the more high profile Roman Catholic men in Fiji and the surrounding region.
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[edit] Historical background
Marist Brothers High School was founded and run by members of the Marist Brothers order since it opened to students in 1949. Founded by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a Marist priest in France in 1816, the order went by the names of the Petits Frères de Marie (Little Brothers of Mary) and Fratres Maristae a Scolis (FMS or the Marist Brothers of the Schools, the post-nominal letters of the Marist Brothers). Marcellin's desire to have brothers to teach the rural children grew after his visit to the bedside of a sixteen-year-old, Jean Baptiste Montagne whom St. Marcellin discovered knew nothing of his faith. The first step to realising this occurred on 26 October 1816, when St. Marcellin asked Jean Marie Granjon to be a brother. The formation of Brothers was St. Marcellin’s project and it grew because of his faith, dedication, simplicity, family spirit and striving to follow Jesus as Mary did, all qualities he encouraged in his brothers and students. In his own words, he promoted that following Mary's example of humble piety for God, "To Jesus Through Mary", was to be the way of the Marist Brothers. The group quickly grew across the French countryside, and was approved as an institute of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX in 1863.
The Holy See, keen to get the Catholic faith established in the area known as the Vicariate Apostolic of Western Oceania (including Micronesia, Melanesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga), entrusted its evangelization efforts to the Marist priests. With the early connections with the Marist priests, the Brothers followed the priests as they journeyed to their first missionary efforts in Western Oceania. In 1837 a band of Marists, both Fathers and Champagnat’s Marist Brothers arrived in the Pacific. They began their work on Wallis and Futuna, where the first Marist martyr, Saint Peter Chanel, was killed in 1841.
In 1844 Fathers Roulleau sm and Breheret sm and Brother Annet fms arrived at Lakeba in the Lau Islands. Br. Annet died in 1848. He was the first Marist to be buried in Fiji. Brothers Paschase, Sorlin and Augustine arrived in 1851. Br. Sorlin worked for over fifty years in Fiji and is buried behind the old Loreto Mission on Ovalau. Brother Lucien Magnaudier worked in Rotuma from 1847 to 1853. These Brothers did not teach in schools but assisted the priests in their apostolic work as catechists and faithful to Champagnat’s charism, they were not afraid to work as farmers, carpenters and even boat builders. All of this helped the spread of the word throughout the mission areas of Fiji. True to Champagnat, they put their relationship with God before everything else.
Marist Brothers’ schools began in Australia in 1872 and in New Zealand in 1876. On 27 August 1888, three Brothers, Harvey, Vincent and Alphonsus, arrived in Suva to begin a school for the children of Catholic Europeans. This was in response to Bishop Vidal’s request to Brother Theophane the Brother Superior General in France. On 7 September 1888, they began their school in a house, just above the Lilac Theatre in Waimanu Road. In 1889 they moved to Suva Street. At first only European boys were admitted but by 1897 Bothers Columba and Claudius had begun a school for Indian boys and other races, known as the Indian School or the Cosmopolitan School, on the corner of Suva Street and Toorak Road. By 1936 this had developed into St Columba’s School.
In 1912, Brothers Augustine, Alphonsus and Loyola began secondary classes in St Felix College, also on the Suva Street property. In 1936, after a considerable struggle with the civil authorities, who opposed secondary education for locally born children, the Brothers were allowed to reopen their secondary classes to all races. Thus the Marist Brothers’ High School had its beginnings in Suva Street. The High School was built at Bau Street during 1948, ready to begin the year there in 1949.
1963 is noted for two significant developments in Marist primary education in Suva, both of them very much the work of Brother Raphael Penarroya. Saint Columba’s and Saint Felix College became overcrowded so it was decided to open a new primary school further out towards the areas where the population was spreading. Marist Bothers’ Primary School Vatuwaqa was opened under the leadership of Brother Sebastian Bendall (later, in 1982 it became co-educational and its name was changed to Marcellin Primary School). At Suva Street, St Columba’s and St Felix’s were combined into one school for all the boys regardless of race. It was named Marist Primary School Suva Street and Brother Raphael was the first Head Teacher.
Soon after their arrival in Fiji, the brothers became involved in rural education. They were part of the Catholic Mission at Cawaci, teaching there from 1894 until the refounding of St John’s College in 1951. They were active in Naililili Mission, teaching there from 1899 until 1954. In 1962 the Brothers ended twenty years of work at Wairiki, on Taveuni also. From 1974 to 1984 the Brothers helped Napuka Junior Secondary School for ten years, to establish a very good reputation. Brothers helped St Bede’s College at Savarekareka to a good start in 1980, together with the Cluny Sisters, Sisters of Nazareth, Marist and SMSM Sisters and dedicated lay teachers.
During their time at Cawaci on Ovalau, the Brothers ran a teacher training establishment called St Bede’s. Archbishop Mataca chose the same patron for the new school in Savarekareka, to continue the spirit of the first St. Bede’s. The work of teacher training at Corpus Christi College has been part of the Brothers’ work. A number of brothers including Brothers Bertrand, Paul Kelly, Montfort Hickey, John Blewman, Paulo Guibreteau, Fergus Garret, Douglas Dawick, Kees van Weert and Joseph McDermott (as Principal) have had full and part time involvement there.
[edit] Recent history
There has generally been a spirit of cooperation between the Brothers, the Bishop and priests. Since 1971 four Brothers have held the position of Diocesan Director of Education. They are Brothers John Blewman, Joseph McDermott, Clement McGougan and Douglas Dawick whose combined time totals over twenty years. Cathedral Secondary School has also long association with the Brothers, beginning with Brother Victor in 1963. Brothers John and Majella have had terms as Principal there and others, including Brothers Fergus Garrett, Samuel Eathorne and Paul Lavelle, have made significant contributions towards the growth of that school, up to the present time. Brother John is still working there part time.
In 1971 the training of Brothers from the Pacific Islands was begun at Lomary. There a novitiate has served the Brothers of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and, for a few years, India as well as Fiji. Having completed their Postulancy in their own lands, these young Brothers spend two years at Lomary. That is followed, after First Profession of vows, by three further years of religious and professional formation at the Marist Asia Pacific Centre in Manila in the Philippines.
Every living body adapts to changes in time and place. Over the past few years the institute of the Marist Brothers had followed a process of reorganising on a world-wide level. This has had its effect in the New Zealand and Australian Provinces of the Marist Brothers. These three Provinces now cooperate in all areas of the work.
[edit] Extra-Curricular Activities
MARIST ATHLETICS
Probably the most famous arm of the schools extra-curricular activities department, Marist Brothers' High School has for four decades dominated the schools athletics scene in Fiji. Known as the athletics hub of secondary schools in Fiji, this sport has its roots since the early days of the competition but joined late in the late 1960s after the Government run schools. As an individual sport, the success of Marist athletics is vested in it being an almost perfect vehicle for the school to foster the positive Marist ideals of sportsmanship, fair play, hard work, determination and overall - faith. The school is acknowledged as having a strong sporting history, and for producing some of the more high profile Roman Catholic men in Fiji and the surrounding region. Athletics is a corner stone of the school in the sense that it is also a uniting force for the Marist community who come together every year to help athletes train and perform at the annual Coke Games and later on in international meets. The school has been in partnership with the Marist Old Boys Community for the past two decades who come in every year and devote their time and energy for the first four months every year to help train athletes. In this instance, the old Scholars are only reflecting the teachings of the Marist brothers' which is a lifetime service to the school and its young men. To date, the products of the Marist athletics system have become great sporting heroes for Fiji and also well known people in the professional careers sector. As athletics is an individual event, so does Marist athletics try its best to build individuality and independence in their young men so that it helps them in their school work and in their adult life. For the last 16 Games since the medal system was introduced, the school has won 12 times, coming fourth in 1993, which Queen Victoria School won, 1997 to Ratu Kadavulevu School and in 2004 and 2007 to Suva Grammar School(29%). In 2008 , Suva Grammar School(29%) became the only school in the past 20 years to defeat Marist at the annual national championships two years in a row.
[edit] Noted Alumni
20TH CENTURY LEADERS OF FIJI
- The late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji's 1st Prime Minister, 1970;Late President of Fiji, Turaga Na Tui Nayau.
- The late Siddiq Moidin Koya, Former Leader of Opposition, National Federation party.
- The late Vijay R. Singh, served in various cabinet positions including Attorney General
- The late Ro Jone Mataitini former Ombudsman,Turaga na Vunivalu of Rewa
- The late Ro Simione Matanitobua former Snr education officer, Turaga na Vunivalu & Tui Namosi
Pioneers still surviving today:
John Artack Snr, age 88 - Class of 1936 in Toorak, is still alive and well in Rukuruku, Ovalau
GLOBAL REGION
- John Kotoisuva, NZ Politician/Candidate for Destiny NZ party;Engineering Tutor, Auckland University of Technology.
- Nick Narend Khelawan, President USA/Fiji Festival Association
- Vijay R Maharaj,President Fiji Islanders Soccer/Cultural Club, California USA
- Chris Wong, Cook Island Tourism Bureau, Chief Executive Officer
- Reennath Sreenivasan, Columbia University new media professor,Dean of Students, Graduate School of Journalism, WNBC-TV's technology reporter;Co-founder, South Asian Journalists Association
- Feleti Sevele, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga.
- Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa.
- L/S/C Josefa J.M. Vuwai, Victoria Police Force, Melbourne, Australia.
GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC SERVANTS
- H.E. Jesoni Vitusagavulu, Ex-Fiji Ambassador to USA,Canada and Mexico
- H.E. Ratu Tui Cavuilati, Fiji Ambassador to Brussels
MILITARY
- Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (1998 - present) and interim Prime Minister of Fiji (2007 - present).
- Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka, former Fiji Military Acting Land Force Commander.
- Commodore Esala Teleni,Commissioner Police, Naval officer; and Deputy Commander,FMF .
- Brigadier Ioane Naivalurua, New Prisons Commissioner
- Colonel Meli Saubulinayau, Former Land Force Commander, RFMF (Head Boy MBHS 76 & 77)
- Lt Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini, UN Advisor rep
- Colonel Rt Tevita Uluilakeba, Current 3FIR Commander
- Colonel Patrick Hennings, Former Senior Military Officer/Current Sherriff Modesto California USA
- Lieutenant Colonel John Pickering, Former Senior Military Officer/Current Air NZ Representative, Auckland NZ (Head Boy 82).
- Captain Shane Stevens, Disbanded CRW Head
- Captain Francis Kean, Fiji Navy Commander
- Colonel Pio Wong
- Colonel Evans
- Captain Lepani Vaniqi, Fiji Navy
- Colonel Waqanivavalagi
- Colonel K. Buadromo
- Colonel Sam Charles Pickering, Former Senior Fiji Military Officer and Battalion Commander in Sinai, Multinational Force and Observers/Currently Officer in the Australian Army (Prefect 1997)
LEGAL FRATERNITY
- Devanesh Sharma, Ex-President Fiji Law Society
- Jon Apted, Constitutional Lawyer, Arbitrator
- Daniel V. Fatiaki, Chief Justice of the Fijian judiciary
- Sir Moti Tikaram, first Fijian appointed as a High Court Judge and Ombudsman
- Isikeli Mataitoga, High Court Judge
- Sir Tuivaqa
- Bhupendra Solanki
- Eroni Maopa
- Sosefo Inoke
- Mosese Naivalu
- Anu Patel
- Amendra K Singh, Barrister, Sydney
ACADEMICS
- Dr Steven Ratuva political sociologist & Fijian Academic
- Ben Waqaliti, Asst Lecturer University of the South Pacific
- Dr Francis Mangubhai
Dr Wadan Lal Narsey
- Professor Vijay Naidu
- Apete Maraya - lecturer School of Literature and Theatre Arts, writer- University of South Pacific
- Rodney Yee - writer, Operations Manager University of South Pacific, expert on international relations and politics
POLITICS
- Ratu George Cakobau jnr, former senator appointed by the Great Council Of Chiefs
- Berenado Vunibobo, prominent politician & former Government Minister.
- Sir James Ah Koy, Ambassador to China, prominent Fijian politician and businessman.
- Ratu Finau Mara, former cabinet minister and Roving Ambassador/High Commissioner
- Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa, President CAMV Party; former senator.
- Ratu Timoci Silatolu, Appointed Minister in the Speight Govt during 2000 coup (currently serving
sentence).
- Ratu Apenisa Kalokalo Loki, Party President SDL
BUSINESS COMMERCE & PRIVATE SECTOR
- Lionel Yee, Former Chairman Fiji National Provident Fund.
- Tom Vakatora Jnr, CEO ATH.
- Tukana Bovoro, CEO Fiji Development Bank.
- Karl Smith, CEO Dominion Finance Limited.
- Robert Chang, CEO SCA Hygiene Australasia.
- Peter Chan, General Manager OPTUS Singtel Australia
- Ben Houng, CPA Director Ben Houng & Co Sydney
- Ilaitia Boila, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
- Chirk Yam, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
- Nitin Gandhi, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
- Wiliki Takiveikata, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
- Jerome Kado, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
- Michael Yee-Joy, Partner, KPMG.
- Nalin Patel, Partner, G+Lal Co.
- Nesbit Hazelman, Senior Manager Fiji Development Bank
- Iowane Naiveli, Partner, Naiveli & Associates.
- Lawrence Tikaram, Managing Director Marketing, Coca Cola Amatil.
- Anthony Ho, Partner, Anthony Ho & Associates.
- Narendra Kumar, General Manager Qantas Regional.
- Sarwan Kumar, Internal Audit & Risk Manager, ACT Health Canberra
- Samuela Loiti, Branch Manager Labasa, Fiji National Provident Fund
- John Konrote, Branch Manager Lautoka, Fiji National Provident Fund
- Manasa Kalouniviti, formerly PriceWaterhouse, freelance tax cosultant/accountant and business advisor
- Abel Kamillo - RICOH Western Branch manager
- Julian Sing - Coporate Affairs manager, Fiji School of Medicine, Consultant for Telecom Fiji and Post Fiji.
- Philp Mow - Credit Corp
- Maurice Erasito - Coporate Affairs - Clariti
- Opetaia Ravai - Customer Services manager, Telecom Fiji Ltd
- Taito Tabaleka - Telecom Fiji Ltd CEO
- Jone Waisele - FINTEL Senior manager
- Liga Gukisuva - Marketing and Corporate Affairs manager, Vodafone Fiji
TOURISM, AVIATION & TRANSPORT
- Dixon Seeto, President Fiji Hotel Association
- Patrick Wong, Chairman of the Board of the Fiji Visitors Bureau
- Tui Sikivou, Senior Lecturer/former hotelier, FNTC
- Josaia Rayawa, Former Regional Director, NZ,Aust, Americas, Fiji Visitors Bureau
- James Sowane, Managing Director Pacific Destinationz/Former RD NZ Fiji Visitors Bureau;Board Member FVB.
- Paresh Pant, Regional Director Australia, FVB, Former RDNZ FVB.
- Sitiveni Yaqona, Former CEO Fiji Visitors Bureau;Executive Fiji Cricket Association.
- Jimmy Okete, Senior Engineer, Air Pacific (former Fiji Soccer Star, 77)
- Alifereti Malo, Former CEO Air Terminal Services (ATS); Chairman SASL.
- Joe Kamali Snr, Former Manager Nadi International Airport.
- Captain Hurley Stevens Air Pacific
- Captain Tom Cama Saudi Airlines
- Captain Lewis Whitcom Air Pacific
- Captain Henry Lewaqila Air Pacific
- Captain Nitin Hiralal Air Pacific
- Etuate Tabakaucoro - Sheraton - Entertainment manager
- William Otterbech - Sofitel, assistant chief engineer
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT
- Danny Costello Jnr, Renowned Music Producer/Director, Singer.(Won School Music talent competition, 1978).
- George Chang, Kabani, Sydney (formerly of flagstaff).
- Richard Broadbridge, Chairman Fiji Audio Visual Commission, Skylite Productions/Mai TV
- Francis Herman, former Fiji Broadcasting Commission, Chief Executive Officer.
- Paula Tagiveitaua, Fiji Times,Senior Feature Columnist Writer
- Percy Kean, Fiji Times Online editor
- Geoffery Smith, Fiji TV Senior Journalist and producer
- Lepani Vikilanamata, FBCL, Senior radio sports journalist
- Henry Dyer, Fiji Times, Chief sub-editor,
- Jone Kalouniviti, Sports Writer- Mai Life/AFP, former national athletics rep
- Solomone Biumaiono, Freelance political writer/Columnist
- Robert Matau, Senior journalist, Fiji Times Ltd
- Ratu Josefa Tabakaucoro - musician/ producer/composer - One2Eight band founder, head prefect 1986
- Felix Chaudhry - Musician and song writer, formerly Blackrose, One2Eight founder
- Arthur Philitoga - musician and song writer
- Raymond Stoddart Ali, National Soccer Sports Broadcaster; Former Fiji soccer rep
- Antonio Rahiman, Current FM96 Breakfast Show Host
- Alex Elbourne, LegendFM Breakfast Show Host
- Freddy Kado - formerly Blackrose turned Divine singer
- Jim Ratusila - Blackrose band leader
- Russel Fong, FM96 Drive Time Host
- Samuel Fong, UnderDawg productions director, rap artist and music/video editor
- Knox (Inoke Kalounisiga)singer, songwriter.
- Edward Foster, Fiji Times, Web Designer
- Mathew Chand-Former Fiji TV Employee
- Nitesh Narayan, managing director, Active Media, publishers of Marama and Turaga magazine
TRADE UNIONS
- Ben Kush, President, Air Traffic Management Association of Fiji (ATMAF)
- Mathew Chand Former Employee of the old SASL
- Kenneth Zinck - Trade Unionist, Mai Life Sales consultant executive
SPORTS
- Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua, CEO, Fiji Rugby Union
- Ilivasi Tabua, Former Australian Wallaby and current Flying Fijian coach
- Ro Alivereti Doviverata, Former Flying Fijians captain.
- Pio Bosco Tikoisuva, Former FRU CEO
- Jimmy Damu - former Fiji rugby rep
- Esala Teleni - former Fiji rugby captain
- Sani Tagiveitaua, Former Fiji Rugby Rep
- Paula Nawalu, Former Fiji Rep, 7s & 15s; Japan National 7s Coach
- Aliposo Waqaliti, Former Fiji Rep and Former National 7's Captain.
- John Sanday, Former Fiji Rugby Rep, World Cup 87, Director Viti Mining Ltd
- Marika Vunibaka, former Fiji & Canterbury Crusaders Rugby winger.
- Pita Kean, Former Fiji Rugby Rep.
- Nemani Maretino, Former Fiji National Soccer rep and Captain 90s
- Asheesh Gautam, Former Fiji Chess rep, 2004-2006, first Fiji player to win a game against an International Master
- Sunia Koto, Hooker, FMF Flying Fijians, 2007
- Netani Talei, No. 8 and Flanker, FMF Flying Fijians, 2007
- Gaby Lovobalavu, Flying Fijians
- Dennis Miller, Programmes Manager, Oceania National Olympic Committees, Suva; International Swimming Referee
- Sitiveni Kalouniviti, first Cantebury rep - Ranfurly Shield defence 1970-1972
- Sakapo Vodivodi - Fiji rugby
- Leslie Copeland - javelin rated 7th at World Juniors
- James Goulding - regional javelin champion
- Joe Rodan Snr - athletics
- Joe Rodan Jnr - athletics
- Terio Vakatawa - national soccer and national basketball captain
- Yee brothers (Braeman and Calvin) - athletics
- Netani Talei - Flying Fijian
- Sosefo Fonorito, national shot put record holder
- Henry Elder - National rugby trainer
- Nacani Cawanibuka - National rugby trainer
- Bola Tafo'ou - National sprints coach
- Jone Kalouniviti - national jumps coach- development
- Foy Chung - swimming, Olympian
- Rajendra Prasad - regional, Oceania high jump champion
- Eugene Vollmer - three times Oceania U18, U20 triple jump champion
- Isaac Mow - former Fiji rugby rep
- Daniele Baleinadogo - former Fiji rugby rep
- Sunia Koto- FLying Fijian
- Max Olsson - Former Fiji rugby rep
- Isireli Naikelekelevesi - regional middle distance champion
- Jese Cirikisuva - captain of Fiji U20 Rugby team to Junior RWC 2008
ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS & TECHNOLOGISTS
- Alvin Sanjneel Mani, IT Analyst Programmer, Auckland
- Alex Fatiaki, Architect, Suva
- Bhagwat Hari Lal Rama, Pharmacist, Suva
- Ilai Tuilomani Masi - Lands Transport Authority, Operations
- Ovini Masi - Senior dental surgeon, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, former Fiji Army captain to Sinai
- Bryan Cornish, Surveyor, Suva
- Dr Clifford Yee, Lecturer UTS Sydney
- Elai Semisi, Civil Engineer, Alice Springs
- Josese Ravuvu, University of the South Pacific, IT and IS Manager
- Iliapi Taoi, Architect, Perth
- Jack Pei Shon Yuen, Civil Engineer, Sydney
- Joseph Ramalevu, Senior Mining Engineer, Egypt
- John Tavo, Civil Engineer, Suva
- Mata Inoke, Lecturer Alberta, Canada
- Michael Oh, Civil Engineer, Perth
- Paul Vilisoni, Civil Engineer, Suva
- Peter Ge Kong Lee, Food Technologist, Coca Cola
- Ronald Sokimi, Civil Engineer, London
- Ross Singh, Architect
- Setoki Tuiteci, architect
- Vincent Lobendahn Jnr, architect and civil engineer, Erasito Consultants
- Captain William Sokimi[1], Pacific Islands Regional Fisheries Development, SPC Noumea.
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