Laucala Bay Secondary School

‘Demonstration Secondary School’ was established for University of the South Pacific teacher trainees.

On 1 March, Mr Pakhar Sandhu, the pioneer Acting Principal and 9 pioneer staff namely: Mr Verma, Mrs Das, Mr Veremo, Mrs Sushila Singh, Mr Sarjesh Singh, Mr Ratu B Bola, Mr Semesa Vadiga and Mrs Lavenia Kaurasi opened the school. The school started with only 80 students, and only three Forms: Form 3 and two Form 5s. The students did not have any uniforms. On 23 July, Mrs Lavenia Kaurasi was officially appointed as the Principal of DSS. On 26 July, the teachers increased to 13, the four new teachers being: Mr Semesa Veikauyaki, Mrs S. Maharaj, Mr Mohammed Tawfiq and Miss Joseph because the number of students had increased to 302 (110 boys and 192 girls) having Forms 1 to Form 5. Mrs Kaurasi and Mrs Dass (HOD Home Economics) helped designed the school uniform.

On 28 April DSS was officially changed to Laucala Bay Secondary School (LBSS). The school received donations from the different Embassies and from the University of the South Pacific. Mrs Joan Barber, wife of Professor Barber of the University of the South Pacific, helped set up the new school Library with a trainee assistant, Mrs Paulini Talili. On 12 August LBSS was officially opened by the British High Commissioner, Mr Stanley Arther. The guests included the Acting Vice-Chancellor USP, officials of the Ministry of Education, 250 parents and guardians and the Royal Fiji Military Force Band. On 9 December the first edition for the ‘LAUCALAN’ school magazine was launched.

The staff increased to 28 with the school roll of 543.

In March the National Sports Stadium was completed and students of LBSS were allowed to use it. On 18 July LBSS became the Center for the N.Z.U.E. Examinations in Suva.

In November the second edition of the ‘Laucalan’ School magazine was launched after three years.The students are allocated under houses known as Venus, Mars, Noble Neptune and Jupiter; the houses competed against each other in every school activity. The student enrolment increased and new blocks were constructed to cater for the growing intake.

On 9 June the School Monogram was designed by a student named Fereti Amoe, a ‘flying Eagle soaring high the island, the dawning of the day with the motto: “In Omnia Paratus” meaning “Be prepared for all things”. The school was damaged by Cyclone Oscar in March.

LBSS farewelled the pioneer Principal Mrs Lavenia Kaurasi who was posted to Nasinu Secondary School.

Mr Josua Roqica was appointed the new principal. Between 28 February and 12 March the Fiji Teachers Association (FTA) and F. T. U teachers striked, forcing LBSS to close. On 17 July the Multi-Purpose Hall and the new annex at the School was opened.

LBSS had the best external examination record in its history. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in April.

Mrs E. N. Weleilakeba was principal of LBSS with 34 teaching staff. LBSS top athletes that represented Fiji at the Mini South Pacific Games at Tonga was Vaciseva who received Bronze for the 100m, Silver in the 200m and Gold in the 4x400m relay. In Addition to the ‘89’ magazine, the Permanent Secretary for Education wrote a one page entitled ‘Looking Back and Looking Ahead’

Mr Setareki Delana became principal, with 39 teaching staff, and 17 Classes starting from Form 2 to Form 7.  In June the Fiji representatives to Guam XI South Pacific Games, Gyan Kumar who won Bronze medalist from Boxing and Athletics gold medalist Remesio Namara made the school proud of their outstanding achievement.

Mr Setarek Dlana was appointed principal until 2006. The May Coup led to the temporary closure of the school.

Unaisi Talolo Lekenaua was appointed principal with 42 teaching staff, and 700 students. USP and FIT sent their trainee teachers every term to do their practicals at the school. Forms 3 to Forms 6 have four classes and only one Form 7.

Mr Napolioni Silatolu was appointed principal with 39 teaching staff and a student roll of 740 (girls: 369 and boys: 371). There were 17 Forms starting from Forms 3 to Forms 7.

Mr Marika Uluinaceva was appointed principal with 36 teaching staff.  The number of students decreased to 400 and there are many pressures for the closure of the school.

Bill L Fotofili (prinicipal) and 27 teaching staff worked at the school during its “phase out period” in part because the Fiji Sports Council wanted to utilise the land and the government was consolidating its schools.

LBSS was closed.

The Fiji Sports City Council rented a few blocks to house Chinese contractors who were upgrading the Vodafone Arena. In late 2019 the upgrade was completed and the last classrooms were demolished.