[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dear Students, Staff, Parents, Alumni and Friends of JMC,

Choicest greetings from the Heights!

It gives me great joy to welcome you all to the eleventh academic session of the college and to express profound gratitude to God by whose grace the session got off to an amazing and exciting start. Indeed, the beginning of the 2023/2024 school year has gone according to plan with greater success, thanks, largely, to God’s graciousness and faithfulness. While it is natural for students to have a bit of anxiety, and maybe even a few questions, “What will my teacher(s) be like? What changes could the principal be considering, etc.? We have made concerted efforts to help them embrace this moment, undergo the necessary transition, and make the most out of it for their continued growth and development.

In this regard, we do not underestimate the importance of the God almighty, with whom all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Thus, in keeping with the well-established Jesuit tradition, we invoked the spirit of God to guide and direct all our endeavours this academic year entrusting all our hopes, plans, and aspirations to God on the occasion of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which we celebrated on the 24th day of the month. The Mass, which marked the end of the orientation of our baby Phoenixes of the Class of 2029, and the new Phoenixes of the Class of 2026, as they were inducted into the college, was well attended by alumni, friends, and parents, especially those of the inductees. On behalf of the school community, I welcome all newly inducted Phoenixes to the college and I applaud their resolve to imbibe the spirit of the college, and learn her way of proceeding for greater success in their academic and non-academic pursuits.

I also laud all the Phoenixes who were duly recognized during the Mass of the Holy Spirit for their outstanding performance in character and learning in the 2022/2023 school year. Worthy of special mention is Michelle Ezehiose DAKARE (Class of 2027) who with 94.73 % emerged the overall Best Student in Academics of the said session. Also deserving of recognition is Jayden Ehidiamen IHENSEKHIEN (Class of 2026) who made it to the final rounds of the 200 metres race and long jump in the just concluded National Youth Games held in Asaba, Delta State, coming in 6th and 7th place nationwide respectively. Michelle and Jayden are our Phoenixes of the Month, and I congratulate them for their varied accomplishments.

Since the commencement of teaching and learning this academic term and session, our incredible staff, who spent the last week of August as well as the first week of September in various pre-resumption programmes, have been working hard to ensure a smooth start for each and every Phoenix, especially those transitioning from primary school to secondary school as well as those from junior secondary school to senior secondary school. As Jesuit educators, they strive to encourage creative and active classroom participation, which foster in our Phoenixes a lifetime love for learning. Fortunately, this has been enhanced by the provision and use of smart boards in all classrooms and science laboratories of the college this academic session. Thus, we are grateful for your support that has made this possible even as we continue to solicit more of the same in the awareness that your partnership is crucial to addressing our many infrastructural needs as an institution. Helping our excellent Phoenixes get a strong and vibrant education is a gift – a priceless gift that will last a lifetime.

In view of the upcoming tenth anniversary of the establishment of the college, there is great energy and excitement among staff and students as we prepare for the yearlong celebration scheduled to commence on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Echoing the following words of the college’s anthem, “…much more than a school, JMC is family, forever to love and to serve,” we encourage you to be part of the epoch marking celebration for the greater advancement of Hope Reborn.

As part of this year’s National Day celebration, the college witnessed the changing of the guard in Student Leadership as the school prefects-designate assumed their leadership responsibility following their inauguration on the Solemnity of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. The liturgy of their inauguration presided over by the chaplain was beautifully animated by Joseph House Phoenixes with great passion and enthusiasm. We congratulate the new Student Leadership of the college while thanking their immediate predecessors for their dedicated, generous, and selfless leadership.

The 2023/2024 school year promises to be an amazing year, and we are excited to share the journey ahead with you, as we continue the twin mission of educating and forming our excellent Phoenixes into men and women who are open to growth, intellectually competent, loving, religious, and committed to justice. I thank you for your support and collaboration in this endeavour.

Yours in the service of Hope Reborn,
Fr Alexander E. Irechukwu, S.J.
Principal

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