The new-look and improved Queen Victoria School will open in January for the new academic year.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Minister for Education, Mahendra Reddy. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will open the all-boys school.

“We have started finalising the enrolment list and it’s confirmed that QVS will kick off with its classes this coming January,” Mr Reddy said.

“The date of official opening is yet to be confirmed, but we are happy to reopen one of Fiji’s oldest and prestigious schools,” Mr Reddy said.

Twenty-six staff quarters, eight classrooms, the dining hall and chapel were destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Winston in February.

QVS was adopted by the Indonesians under the FijiFirst Government’s ‘Adopt a School’ programme. Rebuilding works on the school ended in late August.

QVS was established in 1906 in Nasinu, then it was relocated to Nanukuloa in Ra when World War II broke out. The school was later moved to Lodoni where it operated side by side with Ratu Kadavulevu School before eventually moving to its current site at Matavatucou, Tailevu.

Notable ex-students of QVS:

Prime Minister of Fiji in 1987 – Dr Timoci Bavadra

Former Governor-General of Fiji – Ratu Sir George Cakobau

Heaviest Prop in International Rugby – Bill Cavubati

Flying Fijians outside centre – Adriu Delai

Fiji Rugby Captain – Ro Alifereti Doviverata

Former Governor-General of Fiji and first President of Fiji – Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau

Fijian International Fly-half – Waisea Luveniyali

First Prime Minister of Fiji and second President of Fiji – Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

Former President of Fiji – Ratu Epeli Nailatikau

Former Prime Minister of Fiji – Laisenia Qarase

Former Prime Minister of Fiji and current SODELPA party leader – Sitiveni Rabuka

Former Fiji and All Blacks rugby player – Joeli Vidiri

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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