•The District Head of School
• Teachers and staff
• The Chairman and members of the School Management Committee
• Momo na iVatawa
• Mutou riki na Turaga ni Yavusa
• Parents and Guardians
• Students,
•Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls.
Mu sa cola vina me and a very good morning to you all.
Firstly, I would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank the Head Teacher and School Management Committee for kindly inviting me to be your Chief Guest during this year’s Prefects’ Induction Ceremony.
I am so thankful, proud, and equally humbled by this great opportunity to be your chief guest at the institution that taught and contributed to where and who I am today!
It is also a great pleasure to be addressing you this morning as your Paramount Chief and the Patron of this beloved school.
As we gather here today, we are reminded of the rich history that laid the foundation for Sabeto District School. The school was founded by the vision of our forefathers. It was established to educate students of the Vanua o Betoraurau and those in Namaka and nearby villages. This visionary initiative has grown over the years, impacting countless lives and contributing to the educational landscape of the Vanua of Betoraurau and Fiji. This prestigious school was merely a seed in 1937. Today, it has become a mighty tree, producing leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, lawyers, pilots, teachers, nurses, pastors, professional rugby players, and influencers.
Ladies and gentlemen, I now turn your attention to the induction ceremony. To the Prefects of Sabeto District School 2024, that badge you wear will test who you really are. It is not a title. It is a responsibility. It gives you an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those around you. You have been chosen because you have qualities that inspire the trust of your teachers, the respect of your peers, and admiration from others. Your dedication to academic achievement, your compassionate nature, and your willingness to contribute to the betterment of your school have set you apart.
I was advised that the theme for this year’s prefects induction ceremony is “Using Your Gifts to Serve Others.” 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Our Lord Jesus exemplified this as He came to the world, and rather than be served by others, he himself served others with kindness and humility. From healing those who were sick or possessed and washing the disciple’s feet to dying a gruesome death on the cross, Jesus shows us what real love and the heart of a servant truly look like.
Be the role models that your peers can look up to, and always strive to lead with empathy, kindness, humility, and understanding. Prefects are not there to bully and show their authority with arrogance. You should lead by example and obey the rules. Be respectful, show selfless behavior at all times, and please do not ever abuse the ‘authority’ vested in you as a prefect; just be yourself.
As prefects, you should remain focused and committed to your studies, but at the same time, be an inspiration to your peers by instilling in them a sense of duty and a sense of responsibility and achievement.
To the prefects: congratulations and well done.
At this juncture, ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to acknowledge, commend, and thank the head teacher, the teachers, members of the school’s administrative staff, and the school management for your untiring efforts and for giving your best in educating the children of the vanua o Betoraurau. Vina du valevu na qwaravi tavi.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Parents, Guardians and Old Scholar of the school for their unwavering and continued support and encouragement for your sons, daughters, and dependents to continue to excel in their studies and hopefully become very disciplined, well-educated, and productive members of society in the future.
Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to digress a little bit from the gist and thrust of my presentation to highlight my concern about the emerging threats that drugs bring about. Since assuming the role of the Momo Levu na Tui Sabeto, I have been very vocal and committed to trying to support our national effort to effectively combat the prevalence of drugs in our midst. Me da tu vata qa da tu qwata na kea valuti na wainimate ni vivamateni taki. Me ra lai vece o kora o luveida na kea revureavu qania na kea bura.
Veikeda na I tubutubu. Sa lia na I tavi levu sa tau muni tu da lima meda qwaravia I na vuku ni ledra vuli o luveida. Na vivavulici e tekivu me I were. Na qasenivuli era me I vivavuli I na vuku ni kwa va vakasama. Na leda I tavi na ledra vavulici o luveida I na vuku ni na leda I tovo qania na leda I vakarau ni vivarokorokotaki.
The government has provided an enabling environment for free education, and I urge that all parents ensure the full participation of their children and act as part of the wider community to ensure that all children are in school.
I firmly believe that education is the key to a better Sabeto and a better Fiji.
Teachers, your roles have never been more demanding than ever before. I know that the professional demands on you are ever-increasing and that you have to balance wellness and family life. I also know that for all of you, it is also satisfying as well as a challenging choice of profession. I humbly request your 101% commitment this year. The children of Sabeto need you.
Our year 8 results last year was our best thus far and it was indeed a great cause of concern. I now challenge all of us that are present here today to support our children, the teachers, and the school. We need to work together to ensure that we have a 100% pass rate this year. Sa kua na dure yaravi. Mu toso me meda lavetia cake vata na vatagedegede ni vuli ni ledu vanua. God does commend its blessing when we come together in unity. He rewards our collective efforts.
I once again congratulate all the student prefects for their selection today, and I wish all stakeholders, teachers, parents, and students the very best for the 2024 academic year.
Vina du Valevu!
God Bless you!
God Bless Sabeto!
And God Bless Fiji!
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