Just two days following the funeral of Lasarusa Senibale, the head teacher of Suva Methodist Primary School, students from the school participated in the Suva Zone One Primary School Athletics competition. A poignant minute of silence was held during the event’s opening ceremony to honor Senibale, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this week. The athletes showed their respect by wearing black armbands.
Edith Tawake, the acting head of the school and assistant head teacher, remarked that despite the emotional turmoil of losing their beloved headmaster, the team of 100 athletes remained focused and prepared. They had been training diligently for the past two months in preparation for the meet.
“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 of his passing affecting the staff, the children continued to train with individual coaches,” Tawake said.
In the face of certain challenges, including a training fee that some parents struggled to afford, the community came together, as other teachers and parents provided additional support to ensure that every child could participate. The students trained under both professional coaches and an in-house teacher from Marist High School, concentrating on a variety of track and field events.
Tawake expressed confidence in her athletes, saying that the school hopes to bring home approximately 10 gold medals from the competition. Earlier this week, many students and staff attended Senibale’s funeral service, where a significant turnout paid tribute to a leader remembered for his impactful contributions as a head teacher and as a former assistant coach for the Fiji Schoolboys U18 rugby team.
Senibale’s legacy goes beyond his role in education, as reflected in the heartfelt tributes delivered at his funeral service, which connected both the education and rugby communities. As the school community rallies to honor him, it highlights the resilience and determination of the students, epitomizing the supportive spirit that prevails even in challenging times.