SISTERS APPLAUDED FOR TAKING CARE OF THE TEENAGE GIRLS IN SCHOOLS
Joy and jubilation characterised the mood of celebration at Ibenga Girls Secondary School as the school commemorated its Diamond Jubilee under the theme “60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST”. The girls, parents and scores of people from other walks of life especially the Ibenga alumni flocked to the school for the festival. Mrs. Joyce Chibuye, the Alumni chairperson, who went to the school in 1975 could not hide her joy as she fully participated in all the activities lined up for the day. As Ibenga celebrates its diamond Jubilee in 2023, it gives me shivers, this morning I must have shed tears of joy as we were preparing to come to the celebration. It is really moving for me. Joyce Joyce has passionately commended the religious sisters who have worked at the school since its inception for gallantly taking care of the girls in their teen age stage. She says the teenage stage is one of the most challenging stages in life to manage. This why I give a big hand to the sisters at Ibenga for they took care of us and are still trying their best to manage teenagers who are actually very demanding to handle. Joyce She has encouraged the young Ibenga girls to listen to what the sisters and their teachers are telling them as they would never regret. It’s only when we grow old that we realise there are things we shouldn’t have done but when we were growing up as youngsters, we wanted to experience a lot of things because that’s part of life. I would like the girls to be attentive and take their studies seriously so that they end up like some of us or even better. We would like to have the first woman president coming from Ibenga. Joyce Joyce recollects the days of Ibenga in the 70’s and the many things she learnt from the then head teacher Sr. Alacoque of the Dominican sisters of the Sacred Heart. She says that Sister used to follow up the girls to make sure they did what was right. Am grateful to the Dominican Sisters especially Sr. Alacoque who is still living in Germany who taught me to glorify God above everything else. Each time I come to Ibenga and I look at the church, it gives me happiness because I learnt that God should come first in everything that one does as a teenager. Even today, we put God first and everything came back in full view of what we used to enjoy here at Ibenga. Joyce Meanwhile Joan Chipunza a grade twelve pupil who was the head prefect of the ushers during the celebration said the girls woke up with smiles and enthusiasm to put in the best to make the celebration a success. Everyone has put in so much that you could not know who the coordinator was anymore. I thank the girls for such great cooperation. Some are Ushers, Majorettes, Alter girls and others Stellas. Everyone is participating in some activity. Joan Joan also recalls how she had come to like the school and considers it the best school ever. Over the years, the school has had good results and great standards. They have taught us good morals, how to maintain cleanliness and how to have fun together during entertainment. On a personal level, I have learnt to put things aside and not jump to conclusion but to behave in a mature way. Joan Upe Nalungwe also praised the sisters for imparting good values to the girls. She recounts how Sr. Estella Kasonde, the head teacher always told the prefects to be alert and vigilant by looking around and making sure all is in place and avoid the sin of omission. And Mercy Kazembe, the president of the interact club is also proud to be at Ibenga saying, “It’s the best school ever and I cannot imagine myself elsewhere”. She has thanked the school management for running the school with excellence and all the activities that they organise for the girls as they teach them many things.
IBENGA GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL TOASTS DIAMOND JUBILEE
Right Reverand Benjamin Phiri, Catholic Bishop of Ndola Diocese has described Ibenga Girls Secondary School Diamond Jubilee celebration as victory of knowledge over ignorance as it has brought everyone closer to God. Speaking during his homily, Bishop Phiri reminded all to take the celebration as an appraisal of all their achievements. The diamond jubilee was celebrated under the theme “60 years of excellence in the light of Christ”. He noted that the establishment of the school by the Missionaries was meant to help them develop themselves in the process of knowing God so that they could pass on the knowledge for the salvation of souls. As we celebrate 60 years, we should evaluate ourselves if we have become better by relating well with others as God is in the neighbour. The children whom we train should be children pleasing to God. Someone may achieve academic education, become a great scientist talked about but if they do not know God, they are no better than the animal of the field. If we are able to relate better, then we are able to celebrate together. Bishop Benjamin And Bishop Phiri has encouraged the girls at Ibenga to remain focused on what made the school to be counted among the best schools in the country. Many girls come from afar to learn at Ibenga, as it is counted among the most prestigious and best schools in the country. Therefore, work hard if you want to pass. Bishop Benjamin Meanwhile, Bishop Phiri has advised the modern parents to impart good values and practices which will help the girls contribute positively to society. Nowadays, there are rights which children have which seem to obstruct any instruction of the child. Without any prejudice, God guides us and tells us what is right or wrong. True education is being able to know God. Christian education is paramount. Let us teach the children what God wants. Discipline, good behaviour by following what God wants will make the girls better citizens. Bishop Benjamin The celebration also acknowledged deserving people through the presentation of awards for distinguished service to the school during the period of its existence. Among those awarded were the late Bishop Francis Mazzierri posthumously the founder of the school and the first Head Mistress Sr. De Pace of the Dominican sisters and all past administrators. The representatives of the past managing agencies and heads in the three orders were acknowledged. Other notable awards went to the Alumni Chairperson Mrs. Joyce Chibuye for her unmatched commitment and one Ibenga girl who designed the diamond jubilee Chitenge. The school which is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ndola was opened in 1963 by the Dominican sisters. The sisters worked until 1994 when they handed over the school to the Franciscan missionary sisters of Assisi. The sisters ran the school till 2020 when the Daughters of the Redeemer took over.