Rotuman Boy Commits To Daily Novena, Achieves School’s Highest
The 18-year-old managed to score 377 out of 400 marks. He scored 91 marks in English, 100 in Mathematics, 95 in Physics and 91 in Chemistry.
Tuesday 09 February 2021 | 16:01
Central College student, Paul Nicana Dominiko, believes his family’s monthly nine-day Novena prayers were the key to his biggest achievement.
Originally from the district of Juju in Rotuma, Paul attained the highest grade in the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE) for Central College last year.
The 18-year-old managed to score 377 out of 400 marks. He scored 91 marks in English, 100 in Mathematics, 95 in Physics and 91 in Chemistry.
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Speaking to the Fiji Sun yesterday, Paul said he was grateful to the efforts of his parents for always instilling discipline in him and his three siblings.
He said being a Roman Catholic, his family was always committed to their prayers.
“We are Catholics and every month we have our nine days Novena; my mother always prays for our intensions and pushes us children to this. My family’s prayers helped me get this mark,” he said.
“My aim was to score the highest in the FY12CE because when I found out the school was awarding the top achievers I was motivated to get high grades.
“My parents had advised me that they cannot pay for university fees so the only thing that they motivated us to do was to score good marks so we can qualify for scholarships.”
The former deputy head boy said his father was his big inspiration.
“My dad is the only one working. He is an engineer at Design Engineering Limited and his hard work was what inspired me to achieve this,” he said.
Paul aims to secure a scholarship under the Australian Aid to pursue studies in bio-medical engineering in Sydney.
Vashnita Vivashni Chand topped the school in the Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination (FY13CE) last year scoring 378 out of 400.
Meanwhile, school principal, Amant Lal said he was thankful to the teachers for helping the students maintain a good result. The school attained a 100 per cent pass rate in the Year 13 level and a 99 per cent pass rate for the Year 12 level in 2020.
Edited by Jonathan Bryce
Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj
