Holy Cross Convent School
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The Holy Cross Convent School is a school in Windhoek, Namibia. It was established in 1906 by the Holy Cross Sisters. The school was brought to Namibia by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate that brought to birth the host of educational intitatives in the German Protectorate of South West Africa, now the Republic of Namibia. The diocese of Windhoek originally formed a part of the Cimbebesia Prefecture in Portugese Angola but by a Brief of the Sacred Congregration of Propaganda, dated 1 August 1892, the Prfecture Apostolic of Lower Cimbebesia (now Archdiocese of Windhoek and Vicariate of Rundu) was created in South West Africa and entruste to the Oblates* (of Mary Immaculate. The prefecture, a missionary territory without a bishop would be in care of and Apostilic Prefect, an OMI Priest.
- McDonagh, L.M. Wordless Witness, pg. 342
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[edit] Our Significant Landmarks
The Seveties -School uniform was changed in 1972, navy with a red tie -Bishop Koppmann informed the Director of Education that as from the beginning of the 1977 school year, the Catholic Church would open her educational institutions to all population groups. The result of this move was the Education Department's withdrawal of subsidy to the school. The German Catholics made up for the loss of subsidy donating R15 000 annually to the school. -A 24 seater Nissan bus was purchased in 1977 -1979 CDM (Namdeb) donated R10 000 towards sports facilities which was used for new tennis courts
The Eighties -1982- The school was registered with the Department of National Education. From that time a quarterly subsidy was received. -1985- Holy Cross High School to close. Shock Announcement. On 4 December we bade farewell to 9 High School Staff and pupils. -1989- On 14 September, Swapo President Sam Nujoma arrived in Windhoek after 30 years in exile. Elections were held from 7th to 11th November. On 14 November the results were made known--Swapo received 5796 of the votes.
The Nineties
-1990- February- the new Namibia Flag was adopted, the Constitution was accepted and Sam Nujoma as President of the Republic of Namibia. March- Independence Day on 21 March was one of great rejoicing,
-1997- Year of the Jesus Christ -1998- Year of the Spirit -1999- Year of the Father -2000- The Year of Great Jubilee -2002- Our beloved Archbishop Bonifatius Haushiku CP died on 12 June 2002. R.I.P -2004- Archbishop Laborius Nashenda OMI was appointed Archbishop on 21 September 2004/ -2005- School reopened on 18 January with Yasmin Agnew as the new and first lay Principal. Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005. R.I.P. Pope Benedict XVI was installed as the new Pope on 24 April 2005.
School is open to all races and creeds. A form with essential information is completed by the parent/guardian on the School premises on a set date (usually mid August). A copy of the child's birth certificate is attached. The correct age is essential for entry into Pre School and Grade 1 in particular. The child must have attained the age of five / six years by 31 December of the preceding year.
Step 2: Interviews & Testing: Applicants are submitted to tests (English and Maths), compiled by Holy Cross Staff.
Step 3: Grading / Selection: Provided the age is correct and the test results are satisfactory, we give preference to a sibling of a child already at Holy Cross or a child of practising Catholic parents; remaining places are filled with other successful candidates.
Step 4: Within a fortnight of testing, parents are informed by phone whether their child has been placed for the following academic year or not.
Step 5: Registration: In order to secure the place (in fairness to the School Management and other successful candidates) we encourage a speedy non-refundable deposit of N$500.
The Holy Cross Primary School in January of 2004 We started the year with an enrollment of 470 pupils, two parallel classes per grade, Pre-school to Grade 7. There are twenty-three teachers on the staff, including five Sisters. We follow Curricula prescribed by the Namibian Ministry of Education and greatly supplement them. School hours of formal learning are from 7h15 - 13h00 and afternoon activities are conducted from 14h00 - 16h00. Pupils and Staff are encouraged to avail themselves of every opportunity to enter competitions organized by the Ministry of Education, Business or any Private Sector. All afternoon activities are monitored by a member of the staff. Classes and Activities are:
[edit] Convent Culture
The Holy Cross Convent performed "Oliver Twist" in 1999 and "Annie" in 2001. Our choir is the only primay school choir that is always invited to events such as the Women's Day meeting at the Country Club and the High School performance. In 2006, we performed "Frank Ass", based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi for our centenary.
[edit] 2006 and beyond...
Report by the Principal
The Holy Cross Convent legacy and what it entails
The Holy Cross Convent: -where academic excellence has always been appreciated, encouraged and achieved. On several occasions last year, I met with principals of secondary schools who were very complimentary about the ex-Convent pupils who had enrolled at the schools. They were particulary impressed with the fine prepartion that the children had received in English and Mathematics. -where social and cultural aspects of education have always played a large role in the curriculum. The advantages of staging musicals such as "Mary Poppins" in 2005 and "Frank Ass", which is to be staged in the centenary in September 2006, are incalculable. No wonder our children are generally self-confident, well-spoken and self-assured. -where children are encouraged to think about the needs of other people less fortunate than themselves. All the money collected on our "casual" days is used to support a good cause. -where the childrens safety and protection ae major concerns, especially because of our location in the heart of the business centre of the city. -where the care of the children extends beyond the school day. An after-care service is offered to help parents who find it difficult to pick their children up after school. We offer a chance for children to eat, play and do their homework under expert supervision. -where children are taught that actions have consequences. The detention system helps to teach children that discipline is important. -where the children are encouraged to broaden their interests by joining clubs and sporting activities. -where interactive communication is fostered between the management, teachers and parents so that the welfare of our children remains top priority. -where the tenets of our faith our taught and practised. The spiritual growth and development of our children are well taken care of by the sisters and teachers.
The Holy Cross Convent primary school is much more than can be put into words. It i impossible to give a full account of the impact and influence that this school has had on the community it serves. Suffice it to say that the school is well known and well known and well loved. God willing, the school will be able to continue its work for the next century.
Text is from Chimwemwe Undi. Not original, but taken from Centenary Year Book.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Edited by Chimwemwe Undi. Text extracted from the Centenary Year Book.
