Today I was very fortunate to visit the Conua District Community School in the beautiful Sigatoka Valley, Fiji. The construction at the right is for two new classrooms to accommodate an influx of pupils. The school population is swelling to unprecedented levels due to the leadership and commitment of the principal and his team to improving outcomes for all students. They are aiming for a 100% pass rate in upcoming exams and the staff are working after school and on Saturdays with students to make sure that all the children are successful.

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The school has already upgraded the kindergarten and, as you can see on the blackboard, quality early childhood education is also a priority in Fiji. Early childhood educators are transitioning from a more caregiving oriented role to preparing children for school. They now work closely with the Year 1 and Year 2 teachers to better understand what will be expected of the children when they start their formal education.

The school rules made me smile - the river is beautiful and it would be extremely tempting to go for a swim.

It is a paradise but the conditions under which the students study and the educators work are very challenging. The basics we take for granted in Australian schools are not available and the school has to petition the Ministry of Education, the community and donors for anything above an extremely minimal amount of funding.

I was deeply touched that despite everything, expectations of the students were high - we spoke about the doctors and engineers and teachers of the future who were currently running around on the oval. I thought about sending books or stationery or computers, as many overseas donors have done in the past, but maybe I can help as an educational researcher and grant writer. Hopefully, I will get the chance to contribute my skills and knowledge to supporting education in paradise.