Port Vila International School

Today, more than 700 students from PVIS and Lycée français Le Clézio de Port Vila came together for a fantastic day of cross country, resilience and community spirit.

From our Foundation students tackling their very first 400m course to our Year 9 and 10 runners taking on 4.5km, every participant demonstrated courage, determination and a willingness to challenge themselves. From podium finishers to first-time runners, students displayed outstanding sportsmanship and perseverance throughout the day.

A huge thank you to Ms Birtukan Massin, the PVIS staff, the staff from Lycée Français Le Clézio and all the volunteers who helped make the day possible. We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the opportunity to strengthen the connection between our two school communities.

The year 9/10 French electives went on an excursion to the Aelan chocolate factory. There, they learnt how chocolate is made and how different cacao pods are processed into chocolate. The tour was entirely in French. They would like to thank our tour guide Rose who was amazing, patient, and funny. They also saw murals by Julliette Pita, which was a great introduction to the next step of their excursion, visiting the Foundation Suzanne Bastien in Pango. There, they saw multiple paintings by Juliette Pita and other Pacific-based artists. This excursion helped the year 9/10 elective class to use French in real-life situations and understand the value of speaking multiple languages. They would like to thank PVIS and Ms. Lapeyre for making this excursion possible.



Les étudiants de la classe d’année 9/10 spécialité français qui ont choisi d'étudié le français sont allés à l'usine d’Aelan Chocolat. Les élèves ont appris comment le chocolat est fabriqué et comment les différentes cabosses de cacao sont transformées en chocolat. Ils souhaitent dire merci à leur guide Rose qui a été géniale, très patiente, et rigolote. Ils ont vu des oeuvres murales de Julliette Pita qui était une parfaite introduction à la seconde étape de leur excursion : la visite de la Fondation Suzanne Bastien à Pango. Là, ils ont vu plusieurs œuvres de Julliette Pita et d'autres artistes du Pacifique. Cette excursion a aidé la classe de 9/10 à utiliser le français dans des situations en dehors de l'école pour comprendre la valeur de parler plusieurs langues. Les élèves voudraient aussi remercier PVIS et Madame Lapeyre d’avoir rendu cette excursion possible.



Ol yia 9 mo 10 wea oli tekem Franis, oli ko lo Aelan chocolate factory lo stella marie blo oli lanem process blo how cocoa emi kam chocolate. Full tour emi lo Franis. Oli wantem talem tank yiu lo tour guide blo mifala Apu Rose wea emi givem wan amazing experience blo mifala e lanem mo aboutem chocolate blo yumi lo Vanuatu. Oli luk ol painting’s blo Julliette Pita wea emi wan nice start blo tour blo olgeta, befo oli ko kasem Suzanne Bastien Foundation lo pango. Afta oli lukluk some mo wok blo Juliette Pita wetem ol nara artist wea oli base too lo pacific. Lo excursion ya, hemi allowem ol yia 9 mo 10 blo usum Franis aotsaed lo classroom mo blo gainem wan gudfala undastanding lo ol different languages mo too blo toktok lo hem. Oli talem tank yiu lo Port Vila International School (PVIS) mo Ms. Lapeyre blo mekem outing ya emi kam tru.

A student-led social Saturday chess tournament will be held at Amoremio on Saturday 20 June.

This event has been organised by students to help promote the growth of chess in Vanuatu and encourage more young people to get involved. Through friendly competition, students can develop important skills such as critical thinking, discipline, confidence and sportsmanship, while connecting with other chess players in the community.

There will be a cash prize pool with prizes awarded from 1st to 5th place:

All players are required to pay a registration fee of 1,000 VT, which can be paid on the day.

Please note that this is a student-led community event and there will be no PVIS staff member present for duty of care or supervision. Students under the age of 16 must have parent/guardian permission to attend.

For more information or to register your interest & persmission:
email name of child to: Brigitte Bailey: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing young players take part and contribute to building a stronger chess community in Vanuatu.

For PVIS Class of 2019 graduate Onophria Markia, completing Year 12 in Vanuatu provided the best of both worlds: an internationally recognised qualification and the support of family, culture and community.

Studying the SACEi at PVIS allowed her to gain a globally recognised qualification while remaining close to home, avoiding the financial and emotional challenges of moving overseas at a young age.

Looking back, Onophria says PVIS helped her build independence, discipline and confidence before taking her next steps into higher education and the workforce.

Her advice to students and families considering their options?

"You don't always have to leave home to receive a quality education."

Read more in our latest alumni feature https://mailchi.mp/pvis.edu.vu/pvis-classof2019_series-2026-5813139?e=d97da48d20

PVIS Junior School was proud to take part in The Australian National Simultaneous Storytime today, joining millions of children across the region to read Luna Roo together.

Our students enjoyed celebrating the joy of reading, storytelling and connection through this fun and inspiring story about courage, teamwork and chasing your dreams.

Middle School were privileged to have a visit from Peter Cowan this week. Peter is a Paralympian and bronze medallist visiting from New Zealand. He spoke to our students about the challenges he has faced, how he has worked to overcome them, and how he found his strength in Va’a (outrigger) paddling.

“He Waka Eke Noa” — we are all in the boat together”

Peter’s visit connects strongly with our current learning in Middle School. Students have been exploring how countries are connected with each other, and Va’a (valeki/ rarua) is a perfect example of this, with the sport growing in popularity while also maintaining strong links to cultural traditions across the Pacific. Before visiting our school, Peter first travelled to the Maskelyne Islands, where traditional canoes remain an important part of daily life.
Our students can also reflect on Peter’s journey as they prepare for their own sporting challenge, with the cross country competition coming up later this term. His perseverance, resilience, and positive mindset were inspiring of the importance of determination and grit.

Thank you to Peter Cowan, the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee and the New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu for providing this opportunity for our students.

What an incredible night at our International Food Festival!

A huge thank you to everyone in our community who put together such beautiful and delicious food stalls and for those who came to enjoy. From flavours from around the world to the wonderful performances throughout the evening, it was a fantastic celebration of the diversity and spirit of our community. It was wonderful to see our community come together in this way.

Get Curious

There was a real sense of energy across the school today as students arrived dressed as characters, ideas, and stories that have sparked their imagination.

Book Week at PVIS is always a highlight, but this year’s theme Get Curious felt especially fitting. Curiosity sits at the heart of how we learn. It is what leads students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and see the world from different perspectives.

Today was more than a dress-up day. It was a reminder of the role stories play in shaping thinking, building empathy, and opening up possibilities.

Thank you to our students, families, and staff for the creativity, effort, and joy you brought to the day.

PVIS Class of 2019: Where Are They Now?

From delayed plans during the pandemic to working at PVIS alongside those who once taught him, studying at Griffith University as an Australia Awards recipient, and returning home to Vanuatu, Richard Kaltongga’s journey is shaped by resilience, faith and community.

Today, Richard is back in Vanuatu, contributing his skills as an Operations Coordinator with the Pacific Aviation Safety Office.

“One door closes and another opens — keep your head up, you will find a way out.”

Read his full story https://mailchi.mp/pvis.edu.vu/pvis-classof2019_series-2026-5812092

At PVIS, we know there is no single version of success.

As we reconnect with our Class of 2019, we’re reminded that every graduate’s journey is shaped by challenge, courage and opportunity.

For Courtney Quigan, graduating in 2019 marked both the end of school and the beginning of a major life transition. After 12 years in Vanuatu, she moved to Adelaide to study at Flinders University, later graduating with a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources Management).

Today, Courtney works as an HR & Operations Generalist with The SCC Group.

“Moving somewhere you know no one is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. It was hard, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Read more of Courtney’s story. https://mailchi.mp/pvis.edu.vu/pvis-classof2019_series-2026-5811904