19
Jun, 2023
Queen Elizabeth II at Adi Cakobau School.

A short history of ACS

Adi Cakobau School in Fiji was founded in 1948 by the Fijian government as a boarding school to provide an intermediate education for Fijian girls. The idea for the school was proposed by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga to the colonial government.

Named after the granddaughter of Seru Epenisa Cakobau, recognised at the time before colonisation as the King of Fiji because of his ability to unite the Fiji islands under his authority in 1871 and ceded the nation to the United Kingdom three years later. 

The first principal of the school was Frances Lillian Charlton, a New Zealander whose vision for a holistic education for young ladies set the foundation for the school’s character. ACS became a full-fledged secondary school in 1954. The first Fijian principal was Taufa Vakatale. She was a pioneer girl at Adi Cakobau School and was later deputy prime minister of Fiji.

Its English language curriculum included traditional academic subjects, traditional dance, music, crafts and “chiefly protocol.”The school moved to its present location at Ro Camaisala Road, next to Sawani Village, in the province of Naitasiri in 1956. The counterpart school for boys is Queen Victoria School and Ratu Kadavulevu School, all of which were established in the same manner and with the same goals.

Entry to Form 3 (Year 9) is restricted to entry via merit. Only those achieving the highest marks in national examinations taken by pupils in their last year of primary school (Year 8) are entitled to enter.

Adi Cakobau School consists of 4 houses, named for native Fijian flowers – Mokosoi (Green), Kakala (Blue), Uci (Red) and Lagakali (Yellow).

31
Aug, 2013

ACS Old Girls Celebrate 65th

The Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association launched its 65th anniversary celebrations at their headquarters in Suva.

The Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association launched its 65th anniversary celebrations with kind support of BSP Life, Home Finance Company and Vodafone at their headquarters in Suva yesterday.
ACS Old Girls Association Adi Litia Qionibaravi said this was a historic moment for the association and members.
“Former students of ACS can come together and celebrate the week-long event from September 28 to October 5,” Mrs Qionibaravi said.
She said their main focus during the week’s events would be the official opening of their new headquarters on Tuesday, October 1.
“We will have a celebration march which will begin from Ratu Sukuna Park to our Knolly Street property.
“We also have various activities planned which will continue through the day and also throughout the week,” she said.
Ms Qionibaravi said it was only 2010 when the ex- scholars resolved to get into a serious commitment and invest in real estate.
“We have now achieved a tangible realisation which speaks volume of our historical bond as a sorority.
Ms Qionibaravi said Adi Cakobau School had produced many distinguished women in Fijian society over the past 65 years, all of whom have achieved status in academia, politics, education, health, business, banking, sports, civil society, government and various other fields.
“A few notable products of this all-girls indigenous school include Dr Esther Williams, the deputy vice- chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Dr Akanisi Keydrayale, dean of School of Arts and Law, Dr Adi Kesaia Seniloli acting dean of School of Business and Economics, Dr Adi Salanieta Bakalevu acting head of School of Education, Dr Laisa Naivalulevu the first Fijian female physician, Taufa Vakatale former Government Minister and politician, Anaseini Qionibaravi the first Fijian woman senator and Dr Adi Eci Nabalarua Dean of College of Education and Humanities at the Fiji National University.”
ACS project committee chairperson Viniana Kunabuli said this was a milestone achievement for all of them.
“We have about 2500 members,” Mrs Kunabuli said.
She said the association would continue to drive its mission to guide the ACS Old Girls contribution to the preservation of inherent indigenous values.
“We will continue to preserve the universal values in nurturing of women leaders at all levels of the Fiji’s societies.”
NewNet sales executive Paul Konou said people who wanted to know what was happening in the ACS Old Girls Association can now subscribe just by text messaging “sub ACSOG” to 777 to get all the latest updates.
“Each text costs 20 cents from which 20 per cent will go back to the association every month.
Mr Konou said this was a brilliant idea to constantly keep in touch and get all the important information of what was happening in the association.

Source: The Fiji SUN