GRATITUDE: Warm greetings to you all. In our Jesuit tradition, we commence this update with deep gratitude to God for His gift of life and countless blessings on the Home of the Phoenixes! We bless the Lord for the safe return of our students. We have successfully started the new academic year.
MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Mass of the Holy Spirit, which officially commences the academic year of Jesuit schools, is a Jesuit tradition that dates back to 1548 — when we opened our first Jesuit school in Messina, Italy. On September 29, 2024, Jesuit Memorial College had its Mass of the Holy Spirit, and we committed all our activities of the 2024/2025 academic session into the hands of God. We also recognized and rewarded students who had excelled in learning and character and inducted our new Phoenixes (the Class of 2030 and the new thirteen members of the Class of 2027). Many Parents of the Phoenixes came for the Mass of the Holy Spirit.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and 2027 for their stellar performances in WASSCE and NECO-BECE respectively. We wish the Class of 2024 the best as they proceed to tertiary education. We also wish the Class of 2027 the best of luck in their three years of senior secondary education.
GRATITUDE TO PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS: We thank the JMC Parents’ Association (PA) branches and Mrs. Jane Frances Agba—Nojik Computer Accessories—for assisting parents in the bulk purchase of laptops for their children. We encourage the PAs to sustain such initiatives and networking among parents.
ONGOING FENCING OF NEW LAND FOR JMC STAFF QUARTERS: The fencing of the new land for staff quarters, given to JMC by the Rivers State Government, continues in good pace. We remain grateful to the Rivers State Government for the 10 hectares of land, and we thank the JMC PTA and an anonymous donor for the funds given to support JMC in the fencing of our new land.
SEPARATION OF ACADEMIC BLOCK FROM GRID: For energy sustainability, the energy for lights, fans, and smartboards of the academic block have now been disconnected from the grid. These appliances are now powered by energy harnessed through solar panels to inverters. This project was undertaken during the vacation. With the support of parents and benefactors, we hope to do the same in the students’ hostels.
INSTALLATION OF ENERGY SAVING FANS: To reduce energy consumption, we installed some energy-saving fans in Jesuit Loyola Academy, JMC Academic Block, and some parts of the refectory.
STAFF MEDICAL TEST: In tandem with the axiom, “Prevention is better than cure,” the staff of JMC underwent health check before resuming the academic year. The tests included vital signs and laboratory investigations. It was done in collaboration between JMC Clinic and Spring Rose Hospital.
RETREAT FOR ACADEMIC STAFF AND NON-ACADEMIC STAFF: Fr. Obiora Chukwunonso, S.J., the Director, Agroecological Institute—Xavier Jesuit Institute, Ijebu Ode, gave a refreshing retreat to the academic staff and non-academic staff of JMC from August 28, 2024 through August 30, 2024 and September 2, 2024 through September 4, 2024 respectively. Through an ecological lens, he led the staff to reflect on self-identity, neighbour consciousness, and ecological consciousness and conversion. We thank Fr. Obiora, S.J. for a rejuvenating retreat, and we thank the Chaplain, Fr. Uche Oguike, S.J., for assisting in the planning of this pre-resumption retreat.
TRANSITIONING FROM ANALOGUE TO NETWORKED DIGITAL CLASSROOM: In preparation for the enhanced teaching of the Phoenixes in a networked digital interactive classroom, the faculty staff had a three-day development workshop focused on creative ways to utilize interactive multimedia boards to making learning more student-centred. Fr. Amaechi Ugwu, S.J., the Assistant Director for Educational Leadership—Xavier Jesuit Institute, Ijebu Ode, worked in sync with the ICT Director of JMC, Mr. Kelvin Ntah, and led the teaching staff through creative and efficient ways of pedagogy in a learning community using smart-boards and laptops in the 21st century. We thank the Principal, Fr. Alex Irechukwu, S.J., for assisting in the planning of this pre-resumption workshop.
MEDICAL STAFF TRAINING: Our Medical Staff had a training session with a member of the Medical World Nigeria. This was a Basic Life Support Training (BLS). The training was designed to equip our nurses, lab tech, and doctor with essential lifesaving skills for emergency preparedness. It included hands-on practice sessions, CPR, scenario-based management practices, and a written exam at the end to ensure proficiency.
COUNSELLORS’ CONFERENCE: Some of our counsellors attended the 48th International Conference of the Counselling Association of Nigeria held in Delta State from August 19, 2024 through August 23, 2024. The theme of the conference was “Counselling Approaches for Economic Sustainability in the 21st Century. They looked at the impact of economic crisis on individuals, families, and communities, and its implication for counselling. Additionally, they discussed realistic goal-getting for economic sustainability, skill acquisition, and educational guidance and training programmes in preparing adolescents for the workforce. The counsellors plan to pass on the insights gained from the conference to Phoenixes and JMC staff through different avenues.
KITCHEN STAFF TRAINING: Full Edge Impact Consults had a training session with the kitchen staff on general kitchen management, kitchen efficiency, food wastage and control, meal planning, work ethics, and job integrity.
CANISIUS UNIVERSITY MEETS PORT HARCOURT PARENTS: On September 7, 2024, Mr. Amo-Augustus Kubeyinje, the Admission Director of Canisius University, Buffalo, New York, met with JMC parents of Port Harcourt, whose children are in senior school. He gave them insights into strategies for university applications in the United States and scholarship opportunities. The meeting took place at Golden Tulip Hostel, Port Harcourt. Canisius University, one of the 27 Jesuit universities in the United States, offers a 50% scholarship to any student of JMC who gains admission.
NET-WORKING VISIT: The new Facility Manger of Loyola Jesuit College Abuja, Mr. Peter Odey, had two weeks of internship with the Facility Manager and Assistant Facility Manager of Jesuit Memorial College. During the internship, they networked and exchanged ideas.
BARR (MRS.) IFEYINWA ISABELA UBOZOR IS LAID TO REST: On August 22, 2024, the earthly remains of one of our parents, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Isabela Ubozor was laid to rest after requiem Mass at her husband’s compound in Ihiala, Anambra State. His Lordship, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye (Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese) presided at the Mass. May she rest in perfect peace, and may God continue to grant succour to Chief (Engr) Casmir Ubozor, his children, and the entire family.
INAUGURATION OF NEW PREFECTS: On Sunday, September 15, 2024, the new prefects of JMC were inaugurated during Mass. We thank the past prefects for their one-year tenure of leadership and service to JMC, and we congratulate the new set of prefects for the 2024/2025 academic year and wish them a successful tenure of service and leadership.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION FOR CLASS OF 2030 AND THE NEW STUDENTS OF CLASS OF 2027: The Chaplain, Fr. Uche Oguike, S.J., and Jesuit regents, Mr. Michael Ikpodon, S.J. and Mr. Martin Kundari, S.J., had a day of recollection for the newest Phoenixes of JMC on September 21, 2024 and September 22, 2024. They focused on endings and beginnings, and each day of the recollection ended with Mass.
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
(FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD)