Dear Students, Staff, Parents, Alumni and Friends of JMC,
Ours was an eventful penultimate month of the term and calendar year; and we are profoundly grateful to God without whom none of our memorable experiences and many accomplishments would have been possible. Taking a cue from the psalmist whose words echo in my ears as I write this piece, I give glory and eternal praise to God for his graciousness towards us, as a college community.
The month began on a celebratory note for the Phoenixes who enjoyed their class free day on the Solemnity of All Saints, an event which affords them the opportunity to celebrate the Patrons and Patroness of their respective Houses whose lives they get to learn more about individually as well as collectively. Another notable celebration of the month was the 5th Annual Inter-House Sports competition, which, from every indication, was a huge success thanks to your unwavering support prior to the event as well as your active participation on the D-day. In a special way, I thank the chairperson of the occasion, Barrister (Mrs) Chika Oparaeche, for her inspiring witness to the great value of sports in the integral development of the human person. Drawing on her insightful address, I entreat parents to encourage our Phoenixes, especially our girls, to cease the opportunity which abounds in the college to play at least one sport for their holistic development, and continued wellness. That said, I wish to recognize Bryan Boritsede IHENSEKHIEN (Class of 2024), Jayden Ehidiamen IHENSEKHIEN (Class of 2026), and Angel Onyinyechukwu NWABUDE (Class of 2026) for their outstanding participation in this year’s Inter-House Sports competition which saw them win a combination of 22 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medals. The trio together with Victor Prosper ECHEM (Class of 2024), and Chibuikem Nnanyere AMUNEKE (Class of 2025), who obtained 1500 and 1390 in the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) respectively, are our Phoenixes of the Month.
Following the impressive performance of the 26 Phoenixes of the Class of 2024 who took the October 7, 2023, SAT, 17 of their mates equally took the November 4 SAT performing well with the highest and least score obtained being 1500 and 1220 respectively. I applaud their brilliance as they continue their pursuit of academic excellence here at the Heights. In the same vein, I applaud the 58 Phoenixes of the Class of 2025 for their good achievement in the PSAT of October 25. (See charts below for the analysis of their performance). That said, I wish the 16 Phoenixes of the Class of 2024 duly registered for the SAT of December 2, 2023 the very best of preparations and outcomes.
Elsewhere on the academic front, I am pleased to report that 24 and 10 Phoenixes took the Diplôme D’Études En Langue Française (DELF) A1 and A2 exams respectively on the twenty-first and twenty-third day of the month. Both exams test the proficiency of students in the French Language thus, one that is worth the try for anyone with interest in international studies and diplomacy. I wish the Phoenixes who took the exam a successful outcome and applaud the commitment of Ms. Theresa EKEH and Mr. Jean KONO of the French Unit for the great commitment they showed in preparing the candidates for the exam, and in coordinating their movements to and from the examination centre.
Meanwhile, it gives me great joy to inform you that the delegates of the college to the 2023 Nigerian Model United Nations Society (NISSMUN) Conference, as was reported in the October newsletter edition, shone brightly at the conference as they were adjudged the third best school delegation out of a total of thirty two schools in attendance. In addition to the notable group recognition of our delegation, most of them were recognized for the individual brilliance they
demonstrated during the conference. I congratulate our delegation to the 2023 NISSMUN conference for being excellent ambassodors of the college and making us proud. I also congratulate the Phoenix who was part of the Nigerian delegates to the 2023 World Robot Olympiad competition which took place in Panama earlier in the month: Kanaetochukwu Hector AMASIANI (Class of 2024). Thanks to the ingenuity and tenacity of Naetochukwu and his teammates at the competition, our dear nation was ranked 69th out of 120 competing countries.
In furthering the reach for excellence in character and learning of our excellent Phoenixes, the management of the college cannot overemphasize the need for parents/guardians to visit their children/wards on visiting days and interact with their educators and formators to keep tab on their academic progress and character formation. This has become increasingly necessary owing to the observation that most parents/guardians spend much of their time on visiting days interacting solely with their children/wards with little or no recourse to their class and subject teachers. Such a practice undermines the principle of collaboration crucial for the holistic education of our Phoenixes, hence the advancement of the mission and vision of the college. That said, I wish to reiterate that visitation of our Phoenixes on visiting days is obligatory for parents/guardians residing in the country while those residing out of the country are encouraged to visit once in a while as they are able.
While I strongly encourage the visitation of our Phoenixes on visiting days, I wish to equally appeal against making the said visit if one has an infection that is contagious or has been exposed to such; all for the safety our Phoenixes. My humble appeal is coming on the back of the serious outbreak of conjunctivitis following the Inter-House Sports and Visiting Day weekend. Though not a life threatening infection, the fact remains that the outbreak was discomforting for our Phoenixes and disrupted the rhythm of life of our college community. As I write, the outbreak has subsided and the Phoenixes are in good spirit as those of the examination classes (JS3 and SS3) continue with their Mock certificate exams, while the rest prepare for the End of Term examinations scheduled for Monday, December 4, through Friday, December 8, 2023. I hereby commend our Phoenixes to your fervent prayers for good health and peace of mind as they give account in the coming days of the term which they have had.
As the month of November gives way to the 12th and final month of the calendar year; a month with deep historical import to the foundation of our college, I would like to remind one and all that we shall be honouring the memory of our beloved Sixty Angels on Sunday, December 10, 2023, the 18th Anniversary of their transition into eternal life. Being a Sunday, we shall begin our Memorial Day Celebration by 9:00 a.m. with the celebration of Holy Mass – liturgy of the Second Sunday of Advent – continuing later in the day, 4:00 p.m. to be precise, with the Memorial Day drama presentation and musical performance which will be followed immediately by a Candle Light Service and Procession. On behalf of the staff and students of the college community, I invite you all to this year’s Memorial Day celebration even as I commend to your prayers the peaceful and eternal repose of our beloved Angels. May they and all our beloved dead continue to rest eternally in God’s bosom and may their memory be for us, their parents, siblings, relatives and friends great source of consolation and blessing.
I wish you all a joyful and peaceful end to the year praying that God’s love would envelop us all as we prepare to rest in His arms this holiday season.
Fr. Alexander E. Irechukwu, S.J.
