Lenana School
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| Lenana School | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Nairobi, Kenya | |
| Coordinates | 1° 18' 0.957" S, 36° 43' 41.775" E [1] |
| Information | |
| Head teacher | Mr. P. W. Warui |
| Students | 1030 |
| Type | National, Public |
| Campus | Karen, Nairobi |
| Motto | Nihil Praeter Optimum |
| Color(s) | Maroon and Grey |
| Established | 1949 |
| whiterose | |
Lenana School is a high school in Nairobi, Kenya. It was formed in 1949 by colonial governor Philip Euen Mitchell in 1949, known then as the Duke of York School. The founding principal/headmaster was RH James.
Originally the school was reserved for white students only within the racial system of colonial Kenya Colony. All teachers (masters, as they were called at the time), were also white. The students were drawn from the sons of British settlers, most of whom were farmers in outlying areas. This required a primarily boarding facility for the students, although originally there were a few “day” students who came daily. The school system was modeled after the English “public school” system.
By the early 1960’s the school was fully developed with its own well kept 9 hole golf course, rifle range, horse stables, and ample sports fields for cricket, rugby, football, hockey, swimming, tennis, squash, and other sports. The astronomy club as well endowed with telescopes, the science labs well equipped, and off site school facilities provided for sailing, mountain climbing and other distractions. The school had its own water supply from boreholes, and its own sewage treatment plant. A large contingent of resident “subordinate” staff were housed on the campus, and saw to the well-being of the faculty and students. They provided all janitorial, laundry, dining, grounds keeping and similar labor, leaving the students free to pursue learning and leisure activities..
After Kenyan independence in 1963 there were gradual changes that led to the first few black and Asian students being admitted in the mid 1960's. These pioneer students were subjected to severe conditions and discrimination as they opened the doors to other Kenyans to come behind them. Black teachers began to be employed in the early 1970's and were similarly subjected to difficult circumstances.
The school was renamed Lenana School in 1967. The first Kenyan headmaster (principal) of the school was Mr. James Kamunge.
Lenana School currently has 1200 students. In 2006, it was ranked 26th best high school in Kenya based on Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results.[2] Through the 1990s and into the 21st century, Lenana School has maintained high academic standards.
The current School principal is Mr. P.K. Warui who is deputised by Mr.Wandera.
Contents |
[edit] School Motto
- Nihil Praeter Optimum, Latin for 'Nothing But The Best'
[edit] School Anthem
Thoughts and deeds shall bide with task.
Keep the Rose brightly ye our emblem.
Sieve the trash dear Lord we ask.
For Nihil Praeter Optimum.
In pride we ride.
With rules abide.
As all the boys and staff combine.
All members here in Lenana.
We aim at Nothing But The Best.
[edit] Academics
Lenana School is categorized as a National school, meaning it recruits students from all over the country who do well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) examination. Its nationwide recruitment objectives means that each entering class of fresh students is large and extremely diverse having representatives from all over the country. The classes offered run the full gamut of sciences and arts as well as life skills classes for the students thus inclined. The curriculum might be considered heavy on the sciences but equal attention is paid to providing the students with extensive humanities classes ensuring that all benefit from a well-rounded experience and maximum opportunities for life after high school. The school routinely has a good showing in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) nationwide and is consistently ranked highly in its category of schools with large enrollment.[3] [4] Students graduating from Lenana School go on to pursue a myriad of careers.
[edit] Extracurricular Activities
Being a boarding school, extracurricular activities play a huge part in the day-to-day of the student. To this end, there is no shortage of activities into which the students can throw themselves into. Some of these activities are mandated by the school and so time is alloted to the completion of these activities. Community Work (not so popularly referred to as Comm work) is designed to empower the student to take charge of maintaining his surroundings, basically janitorial duties performed at early morning hours and extended hours of weekend mornings, except Sunday. Students also participate in drama activities. There are intramural (between houses) competitions in drama, music and all manner of sports that are taken very seriously and from these contests are the school representatives selected to compete externally.
There are a large number of clubs catering to different niches that provide students with opportunities to interact with others of like interest within and without the school. Examples of these clubs include the Commonwealth Club(formerly United Nations Club), the French Club, the Rifle Club, the Boy Scouts, the Duma (prefects' club) and Christian Union, to name a few. From time to time, the school is called upon to host festivals and functions (funkies) with invited guests from other schools, near and far. These include Drama festivals/contests, music festivals/contests, Science Congress and many others. School magazines are also a popular activity, be they the formal school newsletter, the Laibon or those of the gossip variety (Scandal, Peep, etc).
[edit] Sports
Changez (as Lenana School is known widely) has a nationwide recruitment tableau bringing in students from all corners of the country. This means that there are as many different sporting activities as there are student backgrounds. Most students come in to Changez having previously been involved in organized sports and for those who have not, they soon get involved in intramural contests. Given the size and the make-up of the student body, there is a heightened competitive nature prevailing within these friendly confines. Facilities are available for many of the sporting activities ranging from rugby and soccer pitches, tracks, hockey fields, cricket pavilion, a gymnasium, tennis and basketball courts, competition-size swimming pool, squash court, wooded terrain (ideal for cross-country), a rifle range and a 9-hole golf course. The inter-house competitions are held with regularity. From these ripe fields are the school's representatives selected. The school always fields competitive teams in soccer, athletics, cross-country, basketball, swimming, hockey, karate and volleyball.
Their rugby is steeped in school tradition and has been a major part of the school's scenery since the school's inception in 1949. Back then the sport (and the school) was the reserve of the elite (predominantly white). Since then Lenana has been one of the four elite rugby schools,[5] winning many accolades, trophies, tournaments and being the only high school team ever to win a championship at club level (see Eric Shirley Shield 1977). The school is always represented in the Kenyan high schools premier rugby league - the Prescott Cup, Damu Pevu Shield, the National Rugby championship, the Blackrock Rugby Festival and all other tournaments open to high school rugby. The school also hosts the John Andrews Memorial 7-a-side Rugby Tournament, in honour of a former student. Many former students have gone on to represent the country on the national team in international tournaments as well as play professionally abroad.[6] The team is known as the 'Mean Maroon' and adorns the maroon jersey emblazoned with the white rose for home meets. A sampling of the rugby team's exploits can be found here.
[edit] Blocks/Dorms
The dormitories have had some names changed over the course of time. This was done to acknowledge the changing times from the colonial era to independence and the many heroes involved in the independence movement in Kenya, as well as folk heroes. A few of the houses still retain their original names, evidently.
Block 1:
- Kibaki House (formerly Thomson House) - named after the 3rd (and incumbent) President of Kenya Honorable Mr. Mwai Kibaki. The house color is brown.
- Kinyanjui House (formerly Delamare House) - named after Chief Kinyanjui who was a Kikuyu leader during the colonial era leading to the independence. The house color is red.
Block 2:
- Mitchell House - named after the colonial Governor of Kenya at the time when the school was founded, Sir Philip Euen Mitchell. The house color is yellow.
- Moi House (formerly Kirk House) - named after the second President of Kenya (retired), Hon. Daniel arap Moi. The house color is blue.
Block 3:
- Kenyatta House (formerly Lugard House) - named after the first President of the Republic of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. The house color is green.
- Ronald Ngala House (formerly Speke House) - named after pre-independence freedom hero and post-colonial politician who campaigned for the rights of the minority tribes, Ronald Ngala.The house color is purple.
Block 4:
- Carey Francis House (formerly Lower Junior House)- named after a colonial era Kenyan nationalist and education pioneer. Carey Francis is credit with establishing the Kenyan education system modelling it after the British public system and was the Principal at Maseno and Alliance High School (Kenya). The house color is orange.
- Tom Mboya House (formerly Upper Junior House) - named after a pre-independence political leader Tom Mboya. The house colors are white with red stripes.
Block 5:
- James House - named after the first Principal of the school, Mr. R. H. James. The house color is black.
- Mumia House (formerly Grogan House) - named after Nabongo Mumia, who was a leader/king of the Luhya people during the colonial era. The house color is baby blue.
