St John’s was founded in 1962 by the Capuchin Franciscan Order and our history is very much rooted in the story of St Columba’s school in Lukulu. The Capuchins stayed for two years then the Christian Brothers took over the running of the school and remain here to the present day. The seedlings of St John’s were first laid out in the town of Lukulu, which lies 120 kilometres north of Mongu. The school was transferred here to Mongu in 1962. When the school started, it was a boys’ boarding school, but boarding was phased out in 1989 and, another big change was when we went co-educational – in 1996 girls were allowed in the school.
Boys and girls of St Johns’ come from the local area around Mongu. We are a selective school, for students to get a place at St John’s they have to pass grade seven (7) national exams and they are selected according to the results they have achieved. The school has junior and senior levels. Junior is grade 8 and grade 9 and these are in the range of 13 years and 14 years old. At the end of grade 9, students sit national examinations which they must pass in order to be accepted into grade 10. Grade 10 is the senior level, and it goes up to grade 12 when students are aged 15-17. After grade 12 they can progress to college or university or different types of tertiary level training.
The vision of the Christian Brothers is to liberate the young people through education and to spread the word of God through engagement and teaching. Today’s core values of the Christian Brothers resonate very well within our school. Presence, which is the first core value, in the school is very important. The second one is Compassion, we urge all our teachers to teach with compassion and to love the students and the third value is Liberation. We see on a day-to-day basis that when someone is educated, you are truly liberating them.
The vision statement of the school: To implement the values that Christ lived for, through the work of teachers and pupils. To provide conducive teaching and learning environment befitting the holistic formation of a person that is built on the culture and religious aspect of people.
The mission statement: To educate the young people so as to prepare them for life that is based on the Gospel values which affirms the dignity of all persons and working for peace in a truly just society.
Motto: Educating the mind and heart and appreciating the presence of God.
Br Kephas Ndalama
Principal, St John’s Secondary School
Mongu, Zambia
O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.