Teachers Retreat Help Build Unity

Pearl, Pacific Harbour -

Teachers of the LDS Primary School and LDS church college were privileged to participate in a two days retreat aimed at building unity and team work within the teaching fraternity.

The 2015 Retreat was held at the Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour on the 2nd week of the first term school Holidays.

This year's retreat was extra special as it was the first time the two schools came together along with their spouses to enjoy two days of training and activities. It was also an an opportunity to learn a bit more about each other as couples.

One of the spouses who attended said that he was blessed to have attended the retreat and really enjoyed the outdoors activity on the first day when he got to display his sailing skills to his wife when they went kayaking.

In reflecting on what they learnt from the retreat, a teacher said “We all learned, laughed, and ate together as a team. We were reminded of the importance of working together and about our divine calling as educators and fellow teachers”

Suva Fiji Stake YSA Training - 15 in 15

Raiwaqa, Suva -

More than 50 Young Single Adults from the Suva Fiji Stake gathered at the Suva Fiji Stake center for their 15 in 15 training organized by the Stake. Sis Sefeti and Sis Solanki conducted the training showing the young single adults how to register for an LDS account and to begin compiling their family history.

The second part of the activity was led by Sis Solanki. The YSA’s had an open discussion on ways to help reactivate inactive Young Single Adults. Sis Seru, a recently Returned Missionary suggested that in most instances, inactive members simply needed a buddy or a friend, to help them come back to church.

President Ratuvukivuki, 2nd counselor in the stake presidency, gave the concluding remarks reiterating the strength that comes in gatherings such as this. "We all have our own personal weaknesses and challenges, but when we come together like this, we are strengthened," Pres Ratuvukivuki also thanked the FM team for providing the necessary technologies and resources that assisted greatly in the running of the activity.

LDS College Hurricane Appeal for Vanuatu

Tamavua, Suva -

LDS Church College participated in a special fund raising Mufti-Day to assist a Government initiated Hurricane Appeal project to raise much needed funds for the victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. Students came in bright and vibrant colors as the dress code was Rasta Colors. Each donated coins in aid.

LDS Under 19 Soccer team qualifies for Nationals Finals

Tamavua, Suva -

The LDS Under 19 Soccer team has created history by Qualifying for the National Secondary Schools IDC tournament. What has come as a surprise to many is that this is the first time in more than a decade that LDS has fielded an under 19 soccer team.

In pool play they triumphed over their closes rivals, Nabua Secondary school, and Suva Muslim school. Having qualified for the Suva Zone Semi finals, they encountered the might of Defending Zone champions Gospel High school. They defeated Gospel in the semis and went on to beat Nabua in the Suva Zone finals, placing them as the number one seed from Suva.

Shalveen Lal, one of the coaches stated in an interview that the strength he finds in this team is that they never quit. Despite being down during a few games, they would always come back to close the game triumphant.  The school acknowledges this great Under 19 soccer team and the coaches, Rajneel Prasad, Shalveen Lal, and Viliame Levaci, who's guidance has brought about this Cinderella story. The IDC draws will be declared next week while the tournament will kick off in Nausori on the first week of Term 2 holidays.

Library Week - Unlimited Possibilities at your Library

Tamavua, Suva -

The College celebrated Library week in June of this year by challenging the school to bring out the creativity in them. The week-long activities culminated with the celebration of the school's 39th birthday on the Friday. Each homeroom produced works of art of their favorite animation characters which dazzled the Gymnasium during the costume parade.

Another highlight of the Library week was the character/costume parade which everyone, especially the teachers, thoroughly enjoyed. Students feedback on the Library week was that it was most fun, creative, and exciting Library week in recent years, as majority of students got to participate.

New Zealand High Commissioner Chief Guest at the Fiji Service Centre Seminar

GPH, Suva -

Staff of the Fiji Service Centre were last week priviledged to hear from the New Zealand High Commissioner in Fiji , His Excellency Mr Mark Ramsden, who was the chief guest at their annual seminar held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Mr Ramsden explained to the staff the role of his office in Fiji and the Pacific islands in building and managing relationships between the governments of New Zealand and Fiji.

On the trade opportunities available between the two countries he said that Fiji dalo exported to NZ has only met 50% of the needs of the New Zealand market. ‘Fiji is a key partner for New Zealand in the Pacific region”, he said. 40 staff and volunteers attended this seminar.

New President for the Suva Fiji Temple Called

SUVA, FIJI -

Jackson C. and Mele K. Yee

72 year old President Jackson Yee has just been called as the new President of the Fiji Suva Temple when it reopens in February 2016. His wife, Sister Mele Yee will serve alongside him as the Temple Matron.

President Yee had just been recently released as the first Counsellor in the Stake Presidency of the Suva North Stake and had also served as a Bishop for Samabula 2nd ward for over 7 years. He is currently the Welfare Manager for the Fiji Service Centre, a voluntary position he has been holding for 5 years.

Sis Yee has been the Human Resources Supervisor for the service Centre where she had worked for the past 24 years.

President and Sister Yee have four children and 6 grandchildren.