The 2014 Fiji secondary schools essay writing competition produced the largest number of entries to date since the annual competition started six years ago. Seventy eight secondary schools participated, with three hundred and fifty essays sent to the New Zealand High Commission, Suva. The adjudicators, Lady June Hillary and Dr Satendra Singh said in their report a high standard was noted and essays reflected a wide view on the two topics.
The 2014 topics were – Where I see Fiji in ten years and Modern day culture links between Fiji and NZ. Students tackled many issues such as new technology, good governance, gender equality, economic advancement and environment. They also wrote on culture links between the two countries, noting such aspects as church music, traditional design and TV programs like Shortland Street.
The two overall winners were Ratika Sologar from Natabua High School, Lautoka and Shawnal Kumar from Jai Narayan College, Suva. Both wrote on the first topic. Ratika and Shawnal received $1000 cash, Certificates of Commendation, books and their schools received a special plaque, presented by the High Commission and the Association. Other winners selected in the six categories received cash, books and certifdicates from a prize pool of $8500. Twenty five winners were selected from Suva, Navua, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Rakiraki and Nausori. Several winners were also given a night’s free accommodation at a Suva hotel to enable their participation at the prize giving ceremony, held on 2 August at the NZ High Commissioner’s official residence. Among special guests present were Dr Satendra Singh, adjudicator of the competition, Mrs Basundra Kumar, Permanent Secretary of Education of Fiji, Acting Indian High Commissioner Mr Vikrant Rattan and Fiji’s Director of Secondary Education, Mr Jai Narayan. Addressing the winners and guests Acting High Commissioner of NZ, Mr Mark Ramsden said the annual competition was an important partnership between MFAT (ministry of external affairs) and ther Fiji Association. His Excellency praised the students who took part and commended school principals for the standard reported by the adjudicators.
The following schools were visited by the Trade Commissioner, Peter Land and Dr Satendra Singh from where several top winners emerged- Rampur College, Sigatoka Andhara College, Nadi Muslim College, Swami Vivekananda College, Natabua High School, Jai Narayan College, Shridhar Maharaj High Schjool, St Thomas College, Xavier College, Ra High School, Rishikul College, Suva Muslim College and Basden College. Books were presented to participating students from these schools.
The 2015 competition is expected to be announced in February at the start of term one.
NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMISSION 2014 NATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION OFFERED TO SENIOR STUDENTS AT FIJI SECONDARY SCHOOLS
LIST OF WINNERS
CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION
RATIKA SOLOGAR NATABUA HIGH SCHOOL, LAUTOKA
SHAWNAL KUMAR JAI NARAYAN COLLEGE, SUVA
(Winners’ Plaques for 2014 will be presented to Natabua High School and Jai Narayan College)
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION
RAASTIKA DEVI PENANG SANGAM HIGH SCHOOL, RAKIRAKI
JEREMY WAQA CHRISTIAN OUTREACH COLLEGE, NAKASI
MARRYANE WATSON NADI MUSLIM COLLEGE, NADI
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
SANDEEP LAL DAYANAND ANGLO VEDIC COLLEGE, SUVA
ROMIKA VILHASHNI SINGH MAHARISHI SANATAN COLLEGE, NADI
ASHVEEN GOUNDAR SWAMI VIVEKANANDA COLLEGE, NADI
ARFAAD HUSSEIN SUVA MUSLIM COLLEGE
ANASEINI LAWEIBAU ANDHRA SANGAM COLLEGE, LAUTOKA
CERTIFICATE OF SPECIAL MERIT
VARANISESE ROKOTARO SIGATOKA ANDHRA COLLEGE, SIGATOKA
ADAM JAMES IMMANUEL KONROTE TILAK HIGH SCHOOL, LAUTOKA
VISHAL PRASAD RISHIKUL COLLEGE, SUVA
ILISONI TUKALOU RAMPUR COLLEGE, NAVUA
AVNEEL ABHISHAY CHAND SANGAM SKM COLLEGE, NADI
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
EPARAMA QEREWAQA ST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL, LAUTOKA
PRIESH PRITAM SINGH KHALSA COLLEGE, BA
SHAYAL MANISHA NAND XAVIER COLLEGE, BA
NUNIA EALOMA RA HIGH SCHOOL, RAKI RAKI
SHEEMAL SHIVAGHNI KUMAR BA SANATAN COLLEGE, BA
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
LAISA ROQICA NAWAI SECONDARY SCHOOL, NADI
RANJITA MALA PANDIT SHREEDHAR MAHARAJ COLLEGE, NAUSORI
RAVINESH AMIT PRASAD BASDEN COLLEGE, SUVA
KAJAL MANISHA MULOMULO SECONDARY SCHOOL, NADI
SHAINIKA SHEEKA KUMAR CUVU COLLEGE, SIGATOKA |
