Natabua High School

Last updated
Natabua High School    
Natabua.jpg
Address
Natabua High School
Drasa Avenue, Lautoka, Fiji

Lautoka
,
Western Division

Fiji
Information
Type Secondary School
MottoIn Scientia Fortitudo
Founded1930
PrincipalVirendra Sharma (2015 - )
Staff63
GradesYear 9 - Year 13
Number of students1529
Colour(s)Blue, White, Green and Gold     

Attire (Males) : Standard White shirt, Pocket Sulu
 

Attire (Females): Standard Dress
 
Team nameBlues
National ranking1st
NewspaperNat News
YearbookTatler
Informationnatoffice@connect.com.fj
Website Natabua High School

Natabua High School is a co-educational school based in Lautoka, Fiji. It is one of the biggest schools in the Pacific with a total student number of 1200.

Contents

The school was founded in 1930 as a boarding school for boys and was moved to its present location in 1960.

Students

There are more than 1200 students, in Year 9 to Year 13, led by the Head Boy and Head Girl under the Student Council. The school hostel provides accommodation for residents who join the school from rural and maritime locations and international communities from around the Pacific. The school hostel body is led by its own Hostel Head Boy, who is assisted by Deputy Heads that help to see its residents follow and maintain the rules of the school and the hostel.

The hostel students are colloquially known as the Lonehats which is an acronym for Living on Natabua Excels A Holistic Approach Towards School. A majority of its residents join the school from Year 9 and leave in Year 13, upon the completion of the last paper in the Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination at the end of the year.

Cadet Corp Programme

Natabua was one of the first schools in the country to start the Schools Cadet Corp. [1] The Cadet Corp program is undertaken by the school in collaboration with members of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces, who conduct instructional sessions on cadet drills and assist the school in the incorporation of word and visual formations on the ground during the day of the Annual Passout Parade. The school initiated the cadet-formation segment for the first time in 2015, to commemorate the historic win by the school in the Coca Cola Games that year. Over the years, it has formed other words and visual material from 2015 till 2019. The 2020 Review was not held because of health restrictions related to COVID-19.

Cadet parade formations

The scope and concept of the cadet formations take into account various events of educational, national and global significance which are done to bring awareness or garner support from the many spectators who make the annual pilgrimage to the school to view the cadet passout parade.

Natabua 2017.jpg Natabua 2018 Cadet Formation.jpg   Natabua 2019 Cadet Formation.png Natabua 2022 Cadets.png Natabua 2023 Cadet Formation.jpg   Natabua 2024 Cadet Formation.jpg

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017

The formation shows the words YET HIGHER, which was the school theme for the parade that year. The words "COP 23" are made in reference to Fiji holding the presidency of COP 23, the 23rd climate conference held in Bonn, Germany.

Friday, JULY 20, 2018

A coconut tree inside a rugby ball representing Fiji rugby with the words "RWC 7S, GO FIJI" were formed with the numbers 97 and 05 with 18 in Roman numerals - symbolizing the years Fiji won the coveted Melrose Cup of the RWC 7s in 1997 and 2005, and the school's show of support for the Fiji Airways men's seven's team at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, California, USA that year.

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2019

Peace and progress, the theme of the year's parade are formed at the top, followed by a hand making the universal symbol of peace and the peace sign in its palm.

The numbers 6 and 7 are the jersey numbers of Ratu Meli Derenalagi and Vilimone Botitu, whose surnames are also formed on the ground.

The two rugby sevens players were former scholars of the school and are now professional rugby players.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

A formation of three spirals, symbolising constant growth and change is depicted, with the words NAT for Natabua and the numbers 22 for the year 2022 were formed, illustrating the resurgence of normalcy and the start of change following the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted passout parades from 2020-2021.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2023

A heart with the words NAT for Natabua is held by two cradling hands, signifying the parade's theme of that year being love, peace and progress.

The numbers 20 and 23 are representative of the cadet year.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2024

The school expressed its support for the Fiji contingent to the 2024 Paris Olympics, particularly the men's rugby sevens team in the hopes of defending their gold medal for a third time, which was not the case as they settled for silver, with France scooping gold.

The five Olympic rings envelope the phrase NAT, GO FIJI, due to the Paris Olympics in France.

Meanwhile, 70 and YEARS represent the 70th year of the cadet programme in Natabua High School.

[2]

Sports and extra-curricular activities

Natabua has participated in sports ranging from indoor sports such as badminton, tennis, handball and table tennis to contact sports including rugby union, rugby league, netball, futsal, soccer and athletics.

In April 2015, Natabua became the first western school to win the boys division of the Coca Cola Games, which is the largest secondary school athletics competition in Fiji. [3]

Coca Cola Games

The historic win in the 2015 Fiji Finals was a significant victory not only for Natabua, but for the Western Division as a whole, with its female athletic counterparts Jasper Williams High School - collecting another win in the Girls Division as well. There was a city-wide celebration in Lautoka, and appearances by old scholars as well as political and sporting figures. However, in the following year, Natabua did not attain the win in the boys division.

In April 2017, Natabua High School won the Coca Cola Games in the boys division for the second time. The win was the result of athlete Shane Tuvusa's unexpected finish when his 4X400M first place finish, resulted in the win for Natabua. The competition during this particular race was the result of an intense battle between Natabua High School, Queen Victoria School and Ratu Kadavulevu School - three schools that all needed just one gold medal to claim the boys title.

2020: 90th anniversary and COVID-19

The year 2020 was the 90th year of the school's existence, but the COVID-19 pandemic having entered the country and the increasing health regulations put in place to safeguard lives and minimise any new cases, halted any significant displays of celebration - particularly in the Annual Cadet Corp Review Passout Parade, which was to be held in July 2020.

Despite the increased restrictions, the school was reopened for classes and students and teachers continued with face to face classes, after it was announced by the Fijian Prime Minister that the country had been COVID-contained.

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodward Academy</span> Private school in College Park, Georgia, United States

Woodward Academy is a private, co-educational college-preparatory school for pre-kindergarten to 12th grade on two campuses located in College Park and Johns Creek, Georgia, United States, within the Atlanta metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collegiate School, Bristol</span> Private day school in Stapleton, Bristol, England

Collegiate School is a private day school in Bristol, England, and is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seru Rabeni</span> Rugby player

Ratu Seru Rabeni was a Fijian rugby union player. He played as a centre or wing. At both club and international level, his physicality and heavy tackles earned him the nickname "Rambo".

Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Fiji since 1992.

Queen Victoria School (QVS) is a school in Fiji. It was established in 1906 in Nasinu to provide education to the sons of Fijian Chiefs. It later moved to Nanukuloa in Ra when World War II broke out; then the school was moved to Lodoni where the two schools QVS and RKS operated side by side before eventually moving to its current site at Matavatucou, Tailevu. It then accepted students from Fijian villages based on their results in a secondary entrance examination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suva Grammar School</span> Day school (secondary education) school in Vuya Road, Nasese Suva, Fiji

Suva Grammar School is a secondary school in Suva, Fiji. The school caters 6 streams for Forms 3 to 6 and 4 streams for Form 7. Suva Grammar has a school population of approximately 1200 students. The school is considered to be one of Fiji's premier schools. The school's location is near the heart of the city and by the seaside. They are known to be very competitive in sports–particularly in athletics at secondary school level during the annual Coca-Cola games and in the local secondary school's rugby union competition, the annual Deans Trophy, against rival competitors Marist Brothers High School, QVS, Lelean Memorial School and RKS and other sports including basketball, netball, swimming, and cricket. They include a variety of clubs such as chess, taekwondo, swimming, drama and art.

Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) is a union representing elementary and secondary education teachers in Fiji. It is a member of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, and Education International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deans Trophy</span> Fiji Rugby Union sport award

The Deans Trophy is the most prestigious and oldest sports award among Fiji Secondary Schools sporting competitions. The boys rugby union annual competition was first introduced in 1939 and is the oldest tournament in the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watisoni Votu</span> Fijian rugby player

Watisoni Votu is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays Wing or Centre for Fiji on international level. Watisoni also played for the province, Lautoka. Following a series of visa complications Votu's transfer was delayed to English Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Hughes</span> Rugby player

Nathan William Jeremy Hughes is a professional rugby union player who is currently playing in the Japan Rugby League One side Ricoh Black Rams having left Bristol Bears in 2022. Born in Fiji he qualified to play for England on residency and won 22 caps between 2016 and 2019, however due to the amendment in international selection by the WRU, Hughes hopes to participate in the France 2023 RWC for his home nation. He plays as a flanker, a number 8 or at lock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Tuwai</span> Rugby player

Seremaia Tuwai Vunisa, also known as Jerry Tuwai, is a Fiji rugby union player who plays for the Fiji national rugby sevens team. Tuwai made his debut for Fiji 7s at the 2014 Gold Coast Sevens. He was part of the Fiji Sevens team that won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jasa Veremalua</span> Fijian rugby union player (born 1988)

Jasa Veremalua is a Fijian rugby union player who plays for the Tel Aviv Heat. He played for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR). He also plays for the Fiji sevens team. Veremalua made his debut for Fiji 7s at the 2013 Wellington Sevens. He is from Korotogo Village in the Nadroga Navosa Province.

Manasa Moala Mataele is a Fijian and Tongan rugby union player. He plays for Western Force in the Super Rugby. He was signed by the Crusaders in 2016 and has played for them until the 2021 Super Rugby season. Mataele plays predominantly as a winger.

Sairusi Naituku was a Fijian rugby union player. He played as a prop

Vienna Kumar is a Fijian tennis player. She competed at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games representing Fiji. Kumar also plays tennis and has partnered with fellow Fijian jr. tennis player Ruby Coffin in Women's doubles. Kumar was the first tennis player from Fiji to win the Girls Under-16 singles and doubles titles in the Margaret Court Cup and Victorian Grass Court Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eroni Sau</span> Rugby player

Eroni Sau, nicknamed "The Sledgehammer", is a Fijian rugby union player currently playing for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby

Naipolioni Kuricibi is a Fijian former professional rugby league and rugby sevens footballer who played for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League. He primarily played at wing and centre.

Events of 2020 in Fiji.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiuta Wainiqolo</span> Fijian rugby union player

Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo is a Fijian rugby union player who currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14 competition in France and for the Flying Fijians 15s and 7s teams. During the 2020 Summer Olympics, he was a member of Fiji's Men's Rugby 7s team, which won the gold medal.

Inia Tabuavou is a Fijian international rugby union player.

References

  1. ↑ "Natabua High School - About" . Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  2. ↑ https://fijivillage.com/news/NHS-students-make-unique-formation-during-pass-out-parade-to-show-support-for-Fiji-7s-team-sk9r52
  3. ↑ Malo, Maciu. "Hard work pays off for Jasper, Natabua". Fiji Times . Retrieved 29 April 2015.

17°36′39″S177°27′22″E / 17.6107°S 177.4561°E / -17.6107; 177.4561

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.