30
Sep, 2023

Adi Cakobau School

Adi Cakobau School was named after Adi Litia Cakobau, the granddaughter of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the King of Fiji who united the islands under his authority in 1871 before cession to Great Britain.

Located at Sawani in the Tikina o Tuna in the province of Naitasiri, Adi Cakobau School is a government owned and operated boarding school with a roll of approximately 500 students in the hostel and 500 who travel daily for classes.

Originally designed to provide an intermediate education for girls from noble families, Adi Cakobau School is now a merit entry based school which requires high academic and all rounder excellence.

Students of Adi Cakobau Schoo are housed and trained in four houses each named for Fijian flowers: Kakala, Mokosoi, Uci and Lagakali. An extra house which houses final year students is Charlton named for the schools founder.

Matua honoured as Sparkling Diamonds

A significant milestone was celebrated at the Borron House in Suva today as Adi Cakobau School (ACS) scholars, alumnae and pioneers commemorated the institution’s 75th year anniversary- the generation of Sparkling Diamonds.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, as stories were exchanged, memories rekindled, laughter shared, and the echoes of achievement reverberated through the crowd.

 In these moments, it was evident that ACS had not only imparted knowledge but had also sown the seeds of empowerment, shaping generations of women who have gone on to make significant contributions to their communities and the world at large.

The event began with a heartfelt welcome to all attendees by Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr Viliame Gavoka, who emphasised that the real guests of honour were the remarkable individuals who had been shaped by ACS over the years.

Seventy-five years ago, ACS opened its doors to its inaugural group of young girls, embarking on a journey that would transform countless lives. The first order of business was acknowledging and paying tribute to “The Matua” – the 62 pioneering young girls who set the foundation for ACS back in 1948.

Mr Gavoka said the commitment to the school’s motto, “Leave the world better than you found it,” still resonated today, evident in the high standards maintained by subsequent generations.

” ACS has produced women in all walks of life, those that have forged careers outside the home and those that have stayed home and raised their families. Many of you amazing women are credited with raising the next generation of leaders in their own fields,” stated Mr. Gavoka.

“As an institution, your founding values and principles have stood the test of time. When the current students and faculty leave, you will see the next generation move forward to carry on your legacy.”

In recognising the profound influence of ACS on the empowerment of indigenous women in Fiji, a new initiative was unveiled during the celebration – “The Matua Project.” This digital storytelling tribute aims to document the achievements, sacrifices, and wisdom of The Matua of the ACS alumnae, providing inspiration for the next generation.

In addition to The Matua Project, two websites were launched: one for the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association (ACSOG); and another for the school itself. These platforms will serve as vital resources for the ACS community, both past and present.

In Mr Gavoka’s closing remarks, he expressed gratitude to ACSOG branches worldwide for their continued support. He shared that their partnership with the Government of Fiji has significantly contributed to the school’s operations and its ongoing success.

The occasion also highlighted ACSOG’s commitment to investing in the school’s future, including upcoming urgent repairs. This year’s anniversary celebration underscored the dedication of teachers, students, and guardians who have played pivotal roles in ACS’s achievements.

With a call to continue building on the strong foundation laid by The Matua, attendees were encouraged to strive for excellence, ensuring a brighter future for ACS and generations to come.

As ACS marks its 75th anniversary, there is a strong sense of anticipation for the upcoming week’s celebrations which is expected to be commemorated with even greater enthusiasm and pride.

Matua Honoured as Sparkling Diamonds

In a momentous celebration at Borron House in Suva, Adi Cakobau School (ACS), old scholars, alumnae, and pioneers gathered to honour the institution’s 75th year anniversary – a generation of Sparkling Diamonds. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as stories were shared, memories rekindled, and laughter echoed through the crowd. It became evident that ACS had not only provided education but also empowered generations of women who have made significant contributions to their communities and the world.

By ALISI VUCAGO | ACSOG Media

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as stories were exchanged, memories rekindled, laughter shared, and the echoes of achievement reverberated through the crowd.

 In these moments, it was evident that ACS had not only imparted knowledge but had also sown the seeds of empowerment, shaping generations of women who have gone on to make significant contributions to their communities and the world at large.

The event began with a heartfelt welcome to all attendees by Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr Viliame Gavoka, who emphasised that the real guests of honour were the remarkable individuals who ACS had shaped over the years.

Seventy-five years ago, ACS opened its doors to its inaugural group of young girls, embarking on a journey that would transform countless lives. The first order of business was acknowledging and paying tribute to “The Matua” – the 62 pioneering young girls who set the foundation for ACS back in 1948.

Mr Gavoka said the commitment to the school’s motto, “Leave the world better than you found it,” still resonated today, evident in the high standards maintained by subsequent generations.

” ACS has produced women in all walks of life, those that have forged careers outside the home and those that have stayed home and raised their families. Many of you amazing women are credited with raising the next generation of leaders in their own fields,” stated Mr. Gavoka.

“As an institution, your founding values and principles have stood the test of time. When the current students and faculty leave, you will see the next generation move forward to carry on your legacy.”

In recognising the profound influence of ACS on the empowerment of indigenous women in Fiji, a new initiative was unveiled during the celebration – “The Matua Project.” This digital storytelling tribute aims to document the achievements, sacrifices, and wisdom of The Matua of the ACS alumnae, providing inspiration for the next generation.

In addition to The Matua Project, two websites were launched: one for the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association (ACSOG); and another for the school itself. These platforms will serve as vital resources for the ACS community, both past and present.

In Mr Gavoka’s closing remarks, he expressed gratitude to ACSOG branches worldwide for their continued support. He shared that their partnership with the Government of Fiji has significantly contributed to the school’s operations and its ongoing success.

The occasion also highlighted ACSOG’s commitment to investing in the school’s future, including upcoming urgent repairs. This year’s anniversary celebration underscored the dedication of teachers, students, and guardians who have played pivotal roles in ACS’s achievements.

With a call to continue building on the strong foundation laid by The Matua, attendees were encouraged to strive for excellence, ensuring a brighter future for ACS and generations to come.

As ACS marks its 75th anniversary, there is a strong sense of anticipation for the upcoming week’s celebrations, which is expected to be commemorated with even greater enthusiasm and pride.

Ends….

  • Alisi Vucago is a member of the Class of 2014. She is a communications officer for a Pacific regional organisation and volunteers on the ACSOG Media Team
4
Jul, 2023

Small yet a Giant by other measures

“Small in stature but a giant in every other way” 

Rest in Peace: Mereia Taufa Vakatale 1938-2023 

The Adi Cakobau School family is in mourning following the sad news of the passing of former student, teacher, principal, former President of the Old Girls Association, the late Dr. Mereia Taufa Vakatale. 

Ms Vakatale was one of the pioneer students who was selected from across Fiji to study at Adi Cakobau School in 1948, 75 years ago. She was only 9 years old at the time. 

Ms Vakatale was an excellent role model who inspired the younger female students to pursue their education. 

She was a first at many things – she was the first indigenous female student to receive a New Zealand University Entrance after she passed both the NZ UE and Senior Cambridge exams in the same year, first indigenous woman to attain a Bachelor of Arts and did so at the University of Auckland becoming the first indigenous female to attain a degree from that institution too. 

When she became Principal at Adi Cakobau School, she was the first indigenous woman to head a secondary school in Fiji and became the first local principal at that school.

She was the first national president of the Young Women Christian Association of Fiji. 

When she turned to the foreign service and served as Deputy High Commissioner to Britain, she became the first woman to attain that position. She was the first indigenous woman to be Permanent Secretary for Education, first indigenous woman to be Minister for Education. 

At the end of her political career, Ms Vakatale was the first woman Deputy Prime Minister and first woman to act as Prime Minister.

As another former student of Adi Cakobau School once said, “She was a very special OG who had contributed significantly to ACS as first local Principal, Permanent Secretary for Education, Minister for Education and Deputy Prime Minister.” After her years of service to the nation, she also contributed to our school association as its president over three years in the 90s.

All of this and more, she never once forgot her roots, or us her former students, who were not always well-behaved or well-mannered. We sang and danced with Ms Vakatale, never once doubting her leadership, her commitment to every aspect of the school’s life, to its progress and growth.

We celebrate our Principal and her legacy, recounting the many stories of the firsts that Ms Vakatale achieved in her education, career, community service and her personal life.

We extend our condolences to Alani Vakatale (90s Decade) and her family, Taufa Waqa and Marica Waqa (80s Decade), Sai Elliot and Salome Elliot (M1) and her extended family.

Rest in peace, Ma’am – Small in stature but a Giant in every other way.”

 Eda sa mai rogoca tiko na i tukutuku ni o loaloa ni rarawa e sa mai solegi keda vata tiko ena nona sa mai takali e na keda maliwa o Ms Taufa Vakatale. 

O Ms Vakatale e a dua vei ira na pioneer students, o ira era a digi me ra mai i tauyavu ni gone yalewa vuli e Adi Cakobau School e na 1948 – e na 75 na yabaki sa oti. E a se qai yabaki 9 toka ga e na gauna a mai tekivu kina. 

O Ms Vakatale e dua e a vakaraitaki vinaka ni veika saraga e a gadrevi vei ira na I sevu ni goneyalewa era a kumuni vata yani ya me ra vakavulici ena vuli torocake. 

E a liu e na veika ka kece ga -ai matai ni gone yalewa I Taukei e rawata na NZ UE, vakakoroi na Bachelor of Arts, Principal Marama ni dua na koronivuli I Viti, Deputy High Commissioner mai Peritania, Vunivola Tudei ni Vuli, Minister ni Vuli, I Vukevuke ni Prime Minister. 

E na mala ni vosa ni dua na tuakada ,” She was a very special OG who had contributed significantly to ACS as first local Principal, Permanent Secretary for Education, Minister for Education and Deputy Prime Minister.” Ni oti mai na nona veiqaravi vakamatanitu, e a mai veiliutaki talega e na noda I soqosoqo ni vuli oti e na 3 na yabaki e na 90 vakacaca. 

E dina ni rawata na veika kece oqo, e sega ni vakayawaki koya mai vei ira na nona I lala, vei keda eda gone cake, o keda eda sega ni vakaitutu cecere sara, se da tu vakavanua. E meke vata kei keda, e sega ni dau calata e dua na noda soqo se bose ka ni dau colata vakavinaka na nona I tavi e na kena vei tikina kece sara, ki na kena I vakatagedegede I cake sara. 

Eda sa mai cibitaka tu oqo na noda koronivuli kei na kena I rogorogo, ia era a sa tara oti mai na vatavata cecere o ira na a liu me vakataki Ms Vakatale e na veika era rawata vakavuli, vakacakacaka, vakaveiliutaki , ka vakatalega kina e na bula vakavanua kei na bula vakaveiwekani. 

Eda sa duavata kei Alani Vakatale (90s Decade) kei na nona matavuvale, o Taufa Waqa kei Marica Waqa (80s Decade), Sai Elliot kei Salome Elliot (M1) kei na matavuvale e na nona mai lolositaki o Ms Vakatale. 

Ni qai gole e na vakacegu , Ma’am – Small in stature but a Giant in every other way. Rest In Peace 

Vinaka vakalevu Sara, 
Ilisapeci Movono 
President – Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Inc. 

20
Jun, 2018

Weather Fails To Deter ACS Crowd

By Selita Bolanavanua, Sawani | 03 Jun 2018 

Heavy rain did not deter the big crowd that turned up at Adi Cakobau School grounds yesterday to celebrate the 2018 Waterlily Pageant.

Opening the event, Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan said the school had been performing well with high academic achieve­ments as well as excellent per­formance in extracurricular ac­tivities, in maintaining its school culture.

“The school too has remained committed and steadfast in its role of preparing young women lead­ers for our nation, a trend from the past and continuing unwaveringly today,” he said.

“For this, I commend and pay tribute to all the past administra­tors of the school, the parents and guardians, the past students, who are alumni members of the active ACSOG Association and all sup­porters.

“I understand that this is a re­vival of an age-old tradition of the school that normally was run only for the boarders and as a Saturday night activity to train girls on con­fidence and public speaking skills.

“It is now transformed to a larger scale to engage parents and fans and provide a forum for our stu­dents to expose their talents, build their confidence and enhance other learning skills.

“The strong bonds of the ACS fam­ily have always been a spectacular learning model for many schools around us. With this bonding, there is no doubt that ACS will continue to prosper in all facets of life.”

Organised by the parents’ execu­tive committee, which includes the teachers’ reps and the old girl’s reps, the event started last year.

The event was filled with music and entertainment by students and teachers.

The International Youth Fellow­ship group from South Korea also joined the event yesterday and en­tertained the crowd.