Just two days after the funeral of Lasarusa Senibale, the beloved head teacher of Suva Methodist Primary School, students proudly participated in the Suva Zone One Primary School Athletics competition. The event’s opening ceremony included a poignant minute of silence to remember Senibale, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this week. Out of respect, the young athletes donned black armbands.
Edith Tawake, the acting head of the school and assistant head teacher, acknowledged the emotional strain of losing their leader but commended the team of 100 athletes for remaining focused and prepared. The students had been training rigorously for two months leading up to the event. Tawake noted, “It was sudden news for everyone, but it did not diminish the efforts put forth by the parents and students in preparation. Despite the shock affecting the staff, the children continued to train with individual coaches.”
The community demonstrated remarkable solidarity amidst challenges, such as some parents struggling to afford training fees. Other teachers and parents stepped in to provide crucial support to ensure that every child had the opportunity to compete. The athletes received guidance from professional coaches and benefited from an in-house teacher from Marist High School, training on various track and field events.
With an optimistic outlook, Tawake expressed confidence in her athletes, stating that the school aims to secure around 10 gold medals from the competition. The outpouring of support for Senibale was evident during his funeral, which saw many students and staff come together to pay tribute to a leader who made significant contributions as a head teacher and as a former assistant coach for the Fiji Schoolboys U18 rugby team.
Senibale’s influence extends beyond education, as reflected in the heartfelt tributes at his funeral, which united the education and rugby communities. As the school community continues to rally in his honor, it serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the students, highlighting the enduring spirit of support that thrives even in challenging times.