St. Mary's School, Yala

St. Mary's School, Yala
Location
Siaya
Kenya
Information
School type Public
Motto "Shine in everything everywhere"
Religious affiliation(s) Christian
Opened 1927
Status Open
Principal Bonaventure Ollando
Staff 40
Grades 9-12
Color(s) Grey
Website http://stmarysyala.ac.ke/

St. Mary’s School Yala is an extra county school for boys situated along the Kisumu-Busia highway in Yala Township in the Nyanza Province of Western Kenya.

Founded in 1927 by the Mill Hill missionaries notably Msgr. Brandsma who wanted to start a teachers college for catholic schools, the school opened its doors in 1927 making it one of the oldest schools in Kenya.[1]

The school eventually evolved to become a full primary school and junior secondary school that expanded to become the current St. Mary’s Yala. Over 1200 students attend the school each year and has a teaching staff of 40.

History

St. Mary's School Yala was a by-product of increased missionary activity in Kenya in the early 1900s when Monsignor Brandsma and a group of Mill Hill missionaries from Holland whose vision to expand catholic education and counter Anglican and other Protestant missions already developed in Kenya. Brandsma succeeded in obtaining land from the then local Chief Odera Okang'o. The school opened its doors to its first batch of students in 1927 and was upgraded to "A" level in 1957.[1]

Student Life

The student body is headed by the Chairman of the student leadership council .The position is currently held by Silas Omondi Ooko (2017/18) succeeding James Emmanuel Okore (2016/18) (Head Boy) together with secretaries( Secretary General, Secretary of Academics, Housing and catering,Students Welfare, Environment and Organizing Secretary) and Councillors. "Yala Old Boys Association” (YOBA), is the alumni organisation that brings together old boys of the school, who every now and then hold fundraising activities to help the school expand its core mission of providing quality education.

There are a total of 13 dormitories named after founders and prominent alumni of the school. These are divided into zones i.e.

  1. Northern zone's dormitories include: Stam House, Kennedy House, Brandsma House.
  2. Central zone's dormitories include: Rugambwa, Farmar/Tom Mboya, Bouma Kodhek.
  3. Eastern zone's dormitories include: Hall house, Annex I, Annex II, Kizito.
  4. Southern zone's dormitories include: Lambert, Grace Ogot and Lwanga.

Co-curriculum activities

The school offers various sporting disciplines, which include rugby, athletics, soccer, basketball, handball, indoor-games, volleyball, badminton and field hockey. The rugby team won the national secondary school rugby championship in 2003 and came in Third Place in 2017 and was able to proceed to Uganda for the EA championship. [2][3] The school is also a strong performer in drama and music with consistent top placement of its drama and music club compositions in festivals, students feted for the best stand up comedy in the 2015 edition of the competition.[4][5]

Administrative structure

The school was headed by Mr.Agoya up to 1989 when Mr.John Were took over up to 1998 when he retired. Marcellous K’ojwang joined as the Principal until 2005 when Mr. John Awiti replaced him in that capacity. Mr. Awiti brought on board a wealth of experience from St. Joseph Rapogi and Kisumu boys. Mrs. Rosemary Abuodha Omogo (Deputy Principal) deputized him till 2006 when Mr. Sammy Onyango took over as deputy Prinripal after Mrs Rosemary was transferred and promoted to the position of principal head at a different school. Mr Sammy Onyango too was promoted to Kilgoris Boys High school as the new Principal and his place was taken by Mr. Peter Auma with effect from May 2010. Mr Auma was later promoted to Nyabondo Boys High School as the new principal and his position taken by Mr. Denis Oyako. Mr Awiti, the former chairman and later secretary-general of Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) retired in 2016 and was replaced by Mr. Bonaventure Ollando (Yala, 86) who is also an alumnus of the school.

Facilities

The school undertook a lot of new projects and renovations during Awiti’s reign thus giving it a new facelift. New pavements connecting classes, labs and dormitories were laid. Beautiful landscaping around the assembly area was done besides the purchase of a new school bus,setting up departmental offices, the water project, a sick bay for the students and a laboratory named Yoba House, renovation of all the dormitories and renovation of staff houses . Current on-going projects include Construction of a new dormitory with a capacity of 900 students. The school has been upgraded to a six streams with over 880 students. The school is equipped with a library, which offers a range of reference books, periodicals and university prospectuses.

The school has 22 classrooms, 13 dormitories, administrative offices and research labs. A private guidance and counseling office is also available as well as computer rooms.

Notable alumni

Some of the notable alumni include Kenyan politicians Tom Mboya, Argwings Kodhek, Richard Onyonka. Academicians; Prof. John Odhiambo, Prof V. Onyango, both of Strathmore,Dr.Charles Olunga of UON, Philosopher Prof. Henry Odera Oruka. Others notable in cutting edge scientific research include Dr. Dennis Ndolo (ICGED), Dr. Spala Ohaga (Kisumu), Dr. Bonaventure Aman and Dr. Steve Ger (ICIPE). Judges and prominent lawyers include the late J.O Masime, Kopot, and Justice Emmanuel O'kubasu, Prominent Kenyans and government officials, including former PC Paul Olando, Austine Dieto, Assistant County Commissioner, Stanslas Oduor, Former PS Youth Ministry in the government of Kenya, James Waweru, Mr. Enos Oyaya, Director, Quality Assurance and Standards, Ministry of Education and Prof. John Lonyangapuo who is the current senator of West Pokot. Not forgetting the prominent politicians like the former Alego Usonga MP Joseph Oloo Aringo, the late Arthur Adhu Awiti and Mukhisa Kituyi. Others include Jack Onyando, a Health Systems Specialist with the United Nations, Joseph Omondi Ochieng', a Major at KDF, Tom Arody, a HRM Professional with various NGOs and David Odongo, a senior journalist with The Standard Group Limited and Kevin Onyango Ochola of Kvoch research and Consultants. Last but no least, prominent sportsmen like Lavin Asego, Eden Agero and Patrice Agunda all of Kenya Rugby 7s are products of St Mary's Yala and Peter Dawo who played for Gor Mahia and was among the squad that made history by bringing Mandela Cup North of the equator in 1987.

There are also alumni from the school in other fields like entertainment, notably KenRazy of the TiChi fame, Nicholas Okwach of Heartstrings Entertainment, one of the biggest theatre groups in the country and Brian Ongiyo, known for his contribution in the Kenya National Drama Festival.

References

  1. 1 2 "'Haunted' ground that became St Mary's Yala". Business Daily. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  2. ↑ Team, KTN Home Video, Standard Digital News - Secondary school games ends, retrieved 2018-06-19
  3. ↑ "St Mary's Yala clinch schools' rugby title at Shanzu". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  4. ↑ George, Orido. "Festival winners to perform in Nakuru gala". The Standard. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  5. ↑ Orido, George. "After captivating Kenya drama festival, what next for talented students?". The Standard. Retrieved 2018-06-19.

Coordinates: 0°05′48″N 34°31′54″E / 0.096609°N 34.531592°E / 0.096609; 34.531592

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