For 86-year-old Marie Smith-Moceyawa, walking back into Gospel Primary School in Samabula was more than just a visit - it was a return to a place filled with memories from some of the most important years of her life.
Mrs Moceyawa, who taught at Gospel Primary School during the 1980s and 1990s, returned to the school as part of the ongoing 65 Days to 65 Years Countdown, ahead of the school’s Blue Sapphire anniversary.
Her return was organised by her five children, who are former Gospel students themselves and wanted to honour their mother by giving back to the school that meant so much to their family.
The Moceyawa family carried out a small refurbishment of the staff room, along with improvements to the washrooms, painting, repairs and beautification work.
As she walked through the school, Mrs Moceyawa began recalling familiar places, teachers and moments from her years at Gospel.
She says the staff room was particularly special to her because it was where teachers gathered for meetings, morning tea, lunch and conversations between classes.
INSERT: Mrs Moceyawa on memories 2nd Oct
Mrs Moceyawa also remembers her teaching years and says she taught several classes, with more than 40 students in some of her classes.
She recalls the traditional blackboards used in classrooms, where teachers would write spelling and handwriting exercises for students to complete.
She also remembers many of the teachers she worked with, including missionary teachers who had come from New Zealand to teach at Gospel.
As she looked around the school, the former teacher noticed the many changes that had taken place since her teaching days.
She also recognised some familiar features of the school and says it was special to hear the voices of children again.
Mrs Moceyawa also had a message for the current students of Gospel, encouraging them to work hard, take their education seriously and make the most of the opportunities they have.
She says students today are fortunate to have improved facilities and encourages them to appreciate what they have.
She also wished former students, teachers, management and current students well as Gospel celebrates 65 years.
Her daughter, Ela Waqanivavalagi says the family had been looking for a meaningful way to honour their mother when they heard about the Blue Sapphire anniversary celebrations.
Waqanivavalagi, who also attended the school for her primary and secondary education, says the project was a collective effort involving the family, including her siblings who live both in Fiji and overseas.
She says they eventually decided to focus on the staff room because of the memories their mother had there.
She says the family remains grateful for the many teachers who shaped their lives, including the missionary teachers who came from New Zealand.
Waqanivavalagi says there were many differences between the Gospel of her childhood and the school today, including new buildings and improved facilities.
However, she says the changes were positive and she was happy for the students who are at the school today.
She also reflected on the discipline and traditions of her school days, including wearing uniforms, staying behind for school duties, detention and writing lines when students misbehaved.
She says times have changed, but the memories remain important.
She adds the family hopes the anniversary celebration will encourage former students to stay connected and continue giving back to the school.
For the Moceyawa family, the refurbishment of the staff room is a small gesture with a much bigger meaning; it is their way of thanking Gospel for the role it played in their mother’s life and their own childhood, and in shaping generations of students.
The Gospel Schools, comprising Gospel Kindergarten, Gospel Primary Schools in Samabula and Nasinu, Gospel School for the Deaf, and Gospel High School, will celebrate their 65th Blue Sapphire Anniversary from November 27th to 29th.
