An era of change
STELLA Maris Primary School has long been an iconic site facing the blue sea off Nasese.
Resting on a hilltop, the school has stood strong for the past 86 years with one goal - to educate young minds.
Stella Maris Primary School continues its journey today under a different leadership following last month’s school handover by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva.
The school, famous for its popular light blue and white uniform, has bred top students through four generations, students such as Daniel Burese - a former student and the first ex-scholar to be headmaster of the school.
Stella Maris first opened its doors to students in 1954 and was named Stella Maris Preparatory College for boys and was established by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) with the support of Bishop Vincent Foley.
Sister Patricia Fitzgerald was appointed the first headteacher and the first class had an enrolment of six pupils, which was held in the current school office known as ‘The Cottage’.
With the enrolment of the first female in 1955, the school changed its name to Stella Maris Primary School, a fitting name for this beautifully situated school facing the sea on Queen Elizabeth Drive
The name ‘Stella Maris’ - Latin for Star of the Sea - resonates with the spirit of Pacific voyaging and navigating by the stars and the star is the main feature of the school crest, which was designed by one of the founding SMSM sisters.
The year 1962, Stella Maris became a fully functioning primary school with a complete block from classes one to eight.
Mr Burese, 60, recalled his childhood memories attending the school.
“I have great memories of the eight years I was there,” he said.
“I was in Stella Maris from 1968 to 1975 and we had students from every nationality schooling there, so it was a very competitive atmosphere fighting tooth and nail for the pole position in class.
“I come from a very large family and one of my fondest memories was there were seven of us from our family schooling at the same time and there was one in each class.
“There were very humble surroundings in those days. We used to walk from school through the guava patches and Pony Club through the University of the South Pacific grounds every afternoon.
“Being chosen as a prefect in year eight and being the one of only three boys from Stella Maris to get selected into Marist Brothers High School in 1976 was also a great achievement.”
He added holding the title of the headmaster for Stella Maris in 2009 until 2011was one of his greatest achievements.
“It was nostalgia all over. “Coming back to the school after 34 years was quite special for me.
“The first school in the urban area for me as a head of a school and it happened to be my former school.
“There have been many changes the school has undergone since my time, for example, the new computer lab, senior basketball court and lately the newly constructed kiosk but all new improvements to the school.”
On April 22, 2022, the SMSM sisters handed Stella Maris Primary School to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva for administration by the Parish of Holy Eucharist, Laucala Bay.
Sister Denise McMahon of the SMSM sisters said the occasion would mark the conclusion of 68 years of service by the SMSM Sisters.
“Over the years, many have spoken with appreciation of the school’s unique spirit, sense of family and community,” she said.
“The handover was an historic occasion and we warmly welcomed all former pupils, staff and friends to the celebration which was followed by entertainment by the students.”
Sister Denise said the change in leadership signified a new horizon for the school administrations, but for the SMSM sisters it was goodbye and she wished the new administration all the best.
“It has been a pleasure and honour being part of the school, but the journey must continue.”