Suva Grammar School
| Suva Grammar School | |
|---|---|
 "Seek and Ye Shall Find" | |
| Location | |
|
Vuya Road, Nasese Suva Fiji | |
| Information | |
| Type | Day School (Secondary Education) |
| Denomination | General Christian based education |
| Established | 1945 (on present site since 1960 - the celebrated date of foundation) |
| Principal | Ane Rika (Current) |
| Gender | Mixed-sexed education (Coeducational) |
| Enrolment | Approx. 1,300 (as of October 2015) |
| Colour(s) |
Blue and gold Attire (Males): Safari shirt, Pocket Sulu |
| Nickname | Grammarian Lions |
Suva Grammar School (or SGS) is a secondary school in Suva, Fiji. The school caters 6 streams for Forms 3 to 6 and 3 streams for Form 7. Suva Grammar has a school population of approximately 1300 students. The school is in a location near the heart of the city and by the seaside. They are known to be very competitive in sports particularly in athletics during the annual Coca-cola games & in Rugby union during the annual Deans Trophy competition against rival competitors Marist Brothers High School.
History
In 2004 the school, in cooperation with police, launched a pilot "Scholastic Crime Stoppers" programme targeting drug use, truancy and other problems.[1][2]
In 2008, members of the Suva Grammar Old Students Association made a request to the Fijian Minister for Education for school principal Ilikimi Kunagogo to be removed.[3]
In 2011, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, Grammar heads signed a partition in which Suva Grammar School was declared the 1st drug-free secondary institution in the country.
Sports
Grammar Athletics & Grammar Ruggers
Suva Grammar has won the coveted prize of school boys' rugby, the Deans Trophy on one occasion and played to a draw with Ratu Kadavulevu School in 2005.
SGS were the reigning athletics Coca Cola Games champions in the boys division of the Fiji Secondary School's athletics competitions, having successfully defended their title with 5 back-back wins before losing the reigns to rival competitors Marist Brothers High School in 2012.
Lions Cheerleaders
Suva Grammar is also noted for their renowned pom pom girls, who have been a fixture at the Annual Coca-Cola Games since 2002, revamping the 'Fiji style' of cheerleading in 2009 before introducing co-ed cheerleading at the 2010 Coca Cola Games, a testament to the Grammarian trailblazing spirit of innovation and ingenuity in the lead-up to the school's Golden Jubilee celebrations later in July. Grammar's influence in this aspect of secondary school life remains prevalent today with Adi Cakobau School revamping their own iconic cheerleading squad and other schools starting cheerleading squads as well such as Ballantine Memorial School, western prominent schools Saint Thomas High School, 2015 Coke Games Boys division champions Natabua High School and current Coke Games Girls division champions Jasper Williams High School, and even Saint John's College Cawaci from Ovalau.
Notable alumni
- Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase - returned to the school in March, 2006 to launch the Suva Declaration on Education.[4]
- Joni Madraiwiwi - Former Vice President of the Republic of Fiji
- Krishna Datt - former principal, government minister,[5]
- Human Rights and Constitutional Lawyers Richard Naidu and Tupou Draunidalo
- Nazhat Shameem - former High Court Judge; current Fiji's Permanent Representative to the UN
- Charles Ratakele - current Magistrate (youngest Magistrate in Fiji to be sworn in at the age of 26)
Sport
- Makelesi Bulikiobo - National Sprint-Queen who won the 200m event at the 2007 South Pacific Games.[6]
- Jone Delai - Former National Sprint-King who has achieved gold medals at the 1995 South Pacific Games in Pirae respectively for the 100m & 200m events. His next blue ribbon win came more than a decade later at the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia where he managed to claim gold for the 100m sprint. He is now Head-Coach of the Suva Grammar Athletics squad.
- Anthony Wise - Suva, Lautoka Rep, also a Flying Fijian,
- Sakiusa Matadigo - Suva, also a Flying Fijian,
- Wame Lewaravu - Suva, Sale Sharks a Flying Fijian,
- Manoa Vosawai - Treviso, Italy
- Akapusi Qera - Nadroga, Gloucester Flying Fijian,
- Ilikena Bolakoro - played 2 caps for the Flying Fijians, Biarritz Olympique, France
- Nikola Matawalu - Fiji 7's rep also a Flying Fijian,
- Henry Seniloli - Flying Fijian
- Tikiko Uluiviti - Police, Sukuna Bowl, Fiji Warriors,
- Niko Verekauta-Wardens, Fiji 7's Rep
- Saimoni Vaka - Agen, France
- Taqele Naiyaravoro - 2014 Super Rugby Season, New South Wales Waratahs winger
- Samuela Vunisa -Italy national rugby union team.
- Jerry Yanuyanutawa - Flying Fijian, plays for Glasgow Warriors. He grew up in Fiji, where he represented their Under 21 side.
- Viliame Mata -Fiji 7's Rep, Nadroga
- Sekonaia Kalou- Fijian national rugby team
- Alipate Mataivilia- Flying Fijian, Suva Rugby, Suva Stallion
References
- ↑ Fighting crime in school Fiji Times, 01 MAR 2005
- ↑ Police target school crime Fiji Times, 18 SEP 2004
- ↑ http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=83347
- ↑ Hon. Laisenia Qarase Remarks at Launch of Suva Declaration on Education (.pdf file)
- ↑ Krishna Datt (person) - Biography Research Guide
- ↑ Sprint queen bounces back track Fiji Times, January 11, 2007