Lelean Memorial School

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Lelean Memorial School
Lelean Memorial School
Nausori, Fiji
Information
TypeCo-ed, boarding & day students, Methodist Church
MottoSeek Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding [1]
Established1942; 84 years ago
PrincipalNapolioni Silatolu [2]
ColorsNavy blue, royal blue, sky blue, white
Nickname Korodredre, Davuilevu Sukulu, Lelean Knights, Blues, Home of the Brave
Website Lelean Memorial School

Lelean Memorial School was established on March 3, 1943 [3] and is run by the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. It is co-located at the Davuilevu Methodist Compound with the Davuilevu Theological College and the Young People's Department, which runs training for Methodist catechists.[ citation needed ] The school is named for Charles Oswald Lelean (d. 14 September 1942), who was a Methodist missionary in Fiji for 34 years. [4]

Contents

History

Davuilevu was the home station of Reverend Thomas Baker who was martyred and killed in 1867 by cannibals at Nubutautau in the upper reaches of the Navosa Hills. His famous words still ring true to those who enter Davuilevu. When warned of a possible plot against his missionary party, he replied in Fijian that "Sa yawa vei au ko Davuilevu, ka sa voleka vei au ko lomalagi," meaning, "Davuilevu is yet far, heaven for me is closer."

The Methodist Church moved its Theological College for Ministers and Bible School for Catechists from Navuloa to Davuilevu in 1907. Fiji's first technical and engineering school was also established here. Later the colonial government asked the assistance of the Methodist Church to help set up the government technical school. This was named the Derrick Technical Institute, after the founder and Principal of the Davuilevu Technical School, R.A. Derrick, and who was asked to set up the government technical school at Samabula, Suva. The Derrick Technical Institute was later renamed the Fiji Institute of Technology.

In 2017, 200 students in Year 9 were displaced when a fire destroyed five classrooms at the campus. [5]

In 2022, Lelean had 1,200 students in 29 classrooms. [3] In 2025, 1,500 of the school's cadets participated in a parade in Suva. [2]

Etymology

Davuilevu can be translated as "the large conch shell". The use of the adjective "large" in this context is used by the church to convey the significance of the duty bestowed upon church members who attend the Davuilevu institutions, which surpasses even its physical size. It is the premier institution of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma. Indigenous Fijians use the giant conch shell (Charonia tritonis) as a horn to herald important events such as the birth and death of a high ranking chief.

Rugby

Lelean has won the coveted Deans Trophy for the FSSRU Under-19 competition 14 times, and has drawn five times since it entered the competition in the mid-1940s.[ citation needed ] Lelean last held the Deans Trophy in 2014. Their previous victory in the Fiji secondary schools' competition was in 2010, [6] having also won it in 2009. [7]

Notable alumni

Government

Sports

Other

  • Paula Niukula - 9th President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. First Fijian Principal of the Davuilevu Theological College. First Masters recipient of the University of the South Pacific. Founder of the Fiji Council of Churches Research Group which evolved into ECREA - Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy.

References

  1. ↑ "Site coming soon". Lelean Memorial School - Seek Wisdom And Spiritual Understanding. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  2. 1 2 Toganivalu, Pita (August 14, 2025). "1,500 students participate in Lelean Cadet Passout". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Laddpeter, Meli (2022-03-29). "Back in history: Lelean marks golden jubilee". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  4. ↑ "Sep 15, 1942, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  5. ↑ fijivillage. "Five classrooms at Lelean Memorial School destroyed in fire". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  6. ↑ "Lelean makes Dean history - Fiji Times Online". www.fijitimes.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  7. ↑ "Lelean sing the blues - Fiji Times Online". www.fijitimes.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  8. ↑ Amrit, Ajay Bhai. "A beloved son of Fiji". Fiji Times .
  9. ↑ "RURAL VOTERS | Fiji Sun". fijisun.com.fj. Archived from the original on 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  10. ↑ "Sailosi Kepa - Teivovo.com". ducke.free.fr. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  11. ↑ "Ravai Fatiaki". www.ultimaterugby.com. Retrieved 2025-12-19.

Bibliography

18°2′11″S178°31′36″E / 18.03639°S 178.52667°E / -18.03639; 178.52667

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