As we look back at our story, we find ourselves tracing back to the dawn and rich history of our establishment. International School Suva was founded by a dedicated and committed group of parents in 1973 with a vision to provide world class international education in Fiji and to positively shape the lives of future generations.
Over the years, our voyage has been marked by countless achievements and milestones from building developments, the introduction of renowned international curriculum, the awarding of important international accreditations, and most importantly the education of generations of students. Please see a visual timeline of some of those key moments:
School Founded
1973
Principal R. D. Murray
Introduction of Secondary School Prefect System
Completion of C Block (now Reception & Primary Arts room block)
Introduction of Fiji School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) – circa 1981
1st class of Seniors (Form 6) – 7 students only.
School had students from 26 different nations.
Ocean connection – school Aquarium Club. Students would go out to Makaluva Island (next to Nukulau) to collect fish etc for the school Aquarium. Bob Tuxson (marine biologist, PE teacher) ran the club.
1981
Lali replaced the siren. Lali Bure built – 1st Lali bure built near Block D school entrance – Built by the elders of Sawakasa village.
1982/83
First school logos introduced. Logo 1: Alex Szafraniec: International School Association on the outside, ISS (2nd S for Secondary) on the inside and for Primary iPS.
1982/1984
Senior Bure
1984
1st combined secondary and primary magazine
Lali Bure got a new roof
Reconstruction of seniors bure
1988
Principal Blair Forster, 1989 – 1992
1989
Fiji School Leaving Certificate
1989 - 1991
Fiji Form 7 Curriculum
Formal preparations for the introduction of the IB Diploma
Completion of Master Plan: expansion and development of the Laucala B. Estate Campus
School Magazine proofread and printed from floppy discs in the Computer lab
Full computerization of the Library System
Introduction of IB Diploma
Introduction of IGCSE
1991
Opening of B Block by Education Minister, Ms Taufa Vakatale
Opening of the school Bure in February
1992
Director David Hill, 1994 – September 1998
1994
1995 all teaching Staff put on Contracts
1995
ISS Pre-school Green cottage opens
Four school terms (2 Semesters) established
1996
Acting Director Anne Fowles, October – December 1998
Silver Jubilee
PYP and MYP introduced
1998
Principal Peter Krikstolitis, 1999 – 2001 (Civilian Coup of 2000)
IB PYP Authorised
Phasing out of FSLC/Fiji Form 7 exams
Formal development of the Alumni group initiated by Mrs Ethel Naidu, Mrs Carol Apted and Mr Wayne O’Connor
Development of the school website led by IT teacher, Sharon Singh
ISS Staff Association registered in March
Change of Governance structure – new School Council replaces the School Board, as per the McNally Report
The former leadership title of the ‘Principal’ is retained
Introduction of Evening Classes for adults: flower arrangement, cooking, computer classes etc
1999
Deputy Principal Geoff Wessling
2000
Principal Dianne Korare, 2003 – 2011
2003
Introduced BSSS ACT as a second tertiary qualification for all Y11 and 12 students
2004
Restructure of Secondary School, Middle School and High School, shared staffing & resources across both schools (January)
2005
Construction of MPH begins
2006
Opening of MPH in Nov 2007 – US Ambassador Larry Dinger (also a parent)
2007
Withdrew from MYP
2008
Maintenance workshop was constructed and completed
2009
Principal Anna Marsden, 2012 – 2016
Opening of new Administration block, Library.
Library moved from the ground floor of B Block to its current location.
2012
Admin/Library/IT/Canteen construction commenced
2013
Middle School Reform ( Dedicated building, redesigning of B Block, Staffing and Resources)
Introduction of MS school-based inquiry program, based on Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum.
Dedicated High School building – D Block
Two curriculum pathways for Y11 and 12 students choosing either the ACT or the IB Diploma program.\
IGCSE continues in Years 9 & 10
Admin/Library/IT/Canteen buildings completed\
L Block construction commenced
Logo 3 introduced: Shayna Patel – Logo competition winner – new logo launched March 2015.
2015
L Block completed
Primary Soft Play Area construction begins
Construction of access road begins
2016
Acting Principal, Hector Hatch ( Semester 1 2017)
2017
Principal Steve Cathers Semester 2 2017 – End Semester 1 2023
Primary Soft Play Area completed
2017
School-wide Oceans Program
Commencement of J Block
2018
B Block office construction
2019
Annex added to Middle School building to increase the instructional space to make space for increasing numbers
MYP authorised (reintroduced)
2020
Introduction of a school mascot, The Vai
Introduction of the School Motif and Flag
Completion and opening of the Cafe Vai
2023
Completion of J Block
Work on K Block commences
2021
Year 12 Study Center completed and opened
2022
Access road completed & opened
50th Anniversary Gala & Events
2023
Principal, Thomas van der Wielen Semester 2 2023
2023
Introduction of a school mascot, The Vai
Introduction of the School Motif and Flag
Completion and opening of the Cafe Vai
2023
From humble beginnings, we have grown into a prestigious institution renowned for fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, service to others, a deep appreciation for global perspectives, environmental stewardship with an emphasis on Ocean Literacy, a love for our home & host country, and an unstoppable focus on developing and empowering the students in our charge.
Yet, our story is not just one of individual student triumphs, but also of collective unity and resilience. Like a flotilla sailing in unison, our faculty, staff, parents, and alumni have stood together, weathering storms and celebrating victories as one cohesive community.