Newly inducted prefects at Ratu Kadavulevu School have a mammoth responsibility on their shoulders this year.
Among these tasks will be the improvement of the overall image of the school in areas of education from academic, sports and general behavior.
In recent years the school’s image has been tarnished with reports of ill-discipline and poor academic results. The previously held perception of RKS as being a school of excellence both in sports and education has dropped because of this.
Yesterday, during their induction ceremony held at the Ai Volasiga school chapel, chief guest, old scholar and former Methodist Church of Fiji president, Reverend Manasa Lasaro said prefects must hold true to their pledge to be exemplary prefects of Ratu Kadavulevu School in their behavior, attitude, grooming and in the execution of their duties and responsibilities.
“Leadership of RKS must start with you as prefects, you play a part to lead students from dormitories to the farms to the dining hall and where ever the school calls you to perform your duties,” Rev Lasaro said.
“As prefects you must lead from the front. Lead by good example. You cannot expect your fellow students to obey school rules if you as prefects break school rules.
“If you don’t want your students to smoke cigarettes or marijuana in schools, then you yourselves must not do it.”
Reverend Lasaro told prefects and teachers gathered at the induction ceremony he was concerned both as a former student and a parent of RKS.
“We have been concerned all these years because all we’ve heard is of disciplinary issues and all bad reports,” he said.
“Let’s try and improve that image. It’s upon you prefects to control and pay dividends to your calling as leaders of your dormitories.
“You cannot be a good leader if you can’t manage your own self.
“Remember you have been called to serve to excellence and have pledged that calling to the school, to parents, teachers and the RKS community.”
Reverend Lasaro said the work of teachers at RKS would be a lot easier if prefects did their bit.
“Remember this calling to lead does not begin and end at RKS, it’s a beginning of a new life of leadership for you as a person and you will take that with you wherever you go,” he said.
“Lead from the front and lead with a good example because only through this can we achieve true excellences in education at RKS.
The new head boy Epeli Rayaqayaqa from Degei House took on board the challenge by Rev Lasaro and said this was exactly what he would want to achieve in his leadership at RKS.
“I would like to thank God for the opportunity to lead and also Rev Lasaro for those strong words of encouragement to all prefects inducted today,” Rayaqayaqa said.
“I have spoken about this same issue to my deputies, house captains and prefects and the challenge for us is make it happen.”
Rayaqayaqa will be assisted by deputy headboys Inasa Ketewai and Anare Lutukitoga.
School house and deputy captains include:
Bure Sukuna – Vilimone Turagarua and Eparama Sauvakatoga
Bure Degei – Sakapo Waqa and Akapusi Rokoqica
Bure Cakau – Peniasari Delai and Joeli Tuikoro
Bure Maafu – Peceli Mataitini and Stanley Qeleni
School Principal Nemani Bale in his first year at RKS was thankful to Rev Lasaro for his comments.
“ School excellence is part of the school motto and that is exactly what I intend to achieve for the school, students and community at RKS,” Mr Bale said.
“ I look forward to a good year of learning at RKS, where we can work together with students, teachers, parents, old scholars and supporters to lift the image of RKS.”
Prefects of Ratu Kadavulevu School.
-End-