Juba Diocesan Model Secondary School

After a talk to senior girls at St.Mary's School, Calne. St.Mary's has kindly provided some microscopes for JDMSS; also some 6th form girls at the School organised a sponsored dance which raised over GBP500 for the Girls Boarding House.

Dr Margaret Griffin.

We were delighted to welcome back Commander Richard Dean, grandfather of 2012 leaver Natasha, who introduced the girls to Dr Margaret Griffin, an educationalist and former headmistress. The purpose of their visit was to tell us about the exciting developments taking place in Southern Sudan, where, having both been instrumental in establishing the highly successful Juba Diocesan Secondary School (JDMSS), they were now progressing plans to build a girls’ boarding house.

In a school where we have seven such buildings, and plans in progress for the second phase of Sixth Form House, we might be forgiven for wondering what was so remarkable. However, in a country where only two percent of girls attend secondary school and where, in 2011, just four-hundred girls managed to complete their final year of studies, it suddenly becomes apparent what an extraordinary step this is.

With so few girls having the necessary academic qualifications to go to university, teaching staff in Southern Sudan are predominantly male, leading to a lack of female role models. The JDMSS, which is coeducational, has nearly four-hundred-and-fifty pupils, forty-seven percent of them girls, but only two female teaching staff, one of whom is part-time. The success of this school, which welcomed its first intake of ninety pupils in 2007, is reflected in the number of girls attending, and proves that the lack of past education is not down to sexual discrimination and opposition, but to tradition. Quite simply, a girl’s role was to help out with the domestic chores in the family home and took priority over their schooling.

Dr Griffin and Cdr Dean have been overwhelmed by the progress the pupils had made since the JDMSS first opened its doors, even recently establishing a Debating Society. Lessons are taught in English and they cover many of the same core subjects as our own school, including Maths, the Sciences, English, History and Geography, as well as Fine Art. Annual results continue to improve, with one-hundred percent of pupils passing their School Certificate last year. Originally a three year programme, the South Sudanese Government has recently decreed that the course should be lengthened to four, which will put additional pressure on the school’s resources but, they are determined to succeed.

To help the girls focus on their studies and to avoid the long and sometimes hazardous daily journeys to school, a girls’ boarding house has become an important and vital part of the next phase of an impressive school development programme. Planning to accommodate fifty pupils, they hope that a safe and studious environment will give the girls every opportunity to reach their full academic potential. So far, they have been able to raise around half of the £200,000 required but, although there is still some way to go, Dr Griffin, Cdr Dean and indeed all those who have been involved in the school, are determined to make it happen.

Southern Sudan has the lowest primary school enrolment rate in the world. In a country where a young girl is three times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than reach Year 8 aged thirteen, this ambitious project offers a new generation of girls a new hope and the building of a brighter future.

To read more about the appeal to build a girls' boarding house, click here http://www.stmaryscalne.org/weblinks/Lectures/Juba%20Leaflet.pdf

Contact Us

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:39:28 +0000

Chairman Support Group Col Retd. Charlie Thackway - charlesthackway@hotmail.com - 01373 832048

Education Dr.Margaret Griffin - drmargaretgriffin@gmail.com - 01227 457314

Treasurer Dick Beath rhwbeath@swordfishman.com - 07941 184487

Secretary Dr Margaret Thackway - maggiethackway@icloud.com - 01373832048

Bursaries Dr Margaret Thackway - maggiethackway@icloud.com - 01373832048

The funds are held in the account of 'Salisbury Diocesan Board of Finance (Juba School)', Registered Charity Number 240833

South Sudan: A brief History

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:37:49 +0000

South Sudan: A brief History user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:37

South Sudan

Background to the troubles.

Amidst much celebration and high hopes for the future, South Sudan gained its independence on 9 July 2011, However, two and a half years later, on 15 December 2013, fighting between rival factions in the South Sudanese Army. This continued in and around Juba for the next three days and many people were killed and wounded. The main hospital, which has 130 beds, had 1,000 in-patients.

Though the fighting in Juba stopped after three days, inter-tribal conflict had been sparked by what had occurred and this has continued in most of the 10 states in the country, especially in Unity and Upper Nile States. Many thousands of people have been killed and over 1.8 million displaced from their homes. Many are sheltering in UN camps. Because of the conflict 2.2 million people are suffering from the widespread famine. The normal harvest has greatly reduced and it is difficult for NGO’s and the UN to distribute food. In addition the South Sudan currency is in freefall and this rampant inflation has further put up the prices of already scarce food and resources.

For over 2 years efforts have been made to form an interim Government of Unity, representative of all of South Sudan’s tribal groups. These efforts were still in progress when further trouble erupted in Juba on 7 July 2016, two days before the fifth anniversary of independence. Fighting broke out between soldiers loyal to the President and those loyal to the Vice President. YThis time over 270 people in Juba were killed and many more wounded. One area of the town called Jebel, was devastated by artillery fire. Throughout the town, people hid in their homes or sheltered with friends. The Headmaster’s home was in Jebel and he and his wife and child moved into the School. Mercifully his home was not damaged or broken into. There was widespread looting in the town.

The Africa Union are seeking to mediate and the South Sudan Council of Churches has issued an urgent call for repentance and a true commitment to peace and reconciliation.

The School. Following the eruptions of violence in the town, the School was closed, in 2013 for 2 weeks, straddling the Christmas holidays, and in 2016 for one week. At all other times the students have been going to and from School, smartly turned out as usual. We give thanks to God that JDMSS is functioning so well and is a beacon of normality and of hope for the future.

Our Needs

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:35:41 +0000

Our Needs user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:35

Below are the needs of the school.

Solar Heating System (£8,000)

Admin Block (£63,000 needed.)

Science Lab Extension (Further £35,000 needed.)

Some structural repairs to existing buildings (£30,000 needed.)

We are delighted to say that because of the hard efforts from multiple donors and sponsors we have recently been able to build/ supply;

-The headmasters House

- The perimeter wall

- A girls boarding house

- A medical centre

-An I.C.T classroom

- Teacher training courses

- A school minibus

- A new photocopier

This extraordinary effort wouldn't have achievable without the amazing donations, fundraising and grants. Thank you.

Donate

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:33:16 +0000

Donate user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:33

How to donate

We welcome donations of all sizes for the building fund, and/or offers to sponsor a student for £150 annually for four years. If you are a taxpayer we would ask you to gift-aid your donation so that we may claim back the tax you have paid on it. In this way, without further cost to yourself, you increase the value of your gift by 25%. (UK Tax payers only)

Donations may be made in the following ways:

• Regular donations monthly, quarterly, six monthly or annually by contacting the sponsorship secretary Dr Margaret Thackway- maggiethackway@icloud.com - 01373832048

• One–off lump sum payments may be made in the same way.

• If you would like to sponsor a student contact Dr Margaret Thackway- maggiethackway@icloud.com - 01373832048, to discuss and obtain forms.

Below is a picture of 4 of the bursary students, Thank you.

Girls Boarding House

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:31:21 +0000

Girls Boarding House user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:31

The Girls Boarding House was officially opened by Baroness Caroline Cox on 19 October 2013. 40 girls can be accommodated. It started very well in the autumn term of 2013 with 28 girls in residence. Closed during 2014 for security reasons it has now reopened but with only 12 girls in residence at present. Posing in front of a banana tree outside the house is the senior mistress, Charity Korir, with 10 of the girls, 3 of whom are from Western Equatoria. The school is expecting more girls to register next term.

Our Story

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:30:28 +0000

Our Story user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:30

In 2005 St Francis Church, Salisbury undertake to renovate their own church and pledge £40,000 to be seed money for a project in South Sudan. The Sudanese Archbishop had asked for help to build a church secondary school in Juba, where the church was already running 10 primary schools. The challenge was accepted and in April 2007 the school opened its doors to its first intake of students.

Generous giving by the people of Salisbury, private individuals and Christian Charities has enabled the construction of classroom blocks, (in time for the new intake of students each year), together with a Science laboratory (2011) a Girls Boarding House (2013 and a boys toilet block (2014). On 27 March 2015 a 2-storey building was opened providing 3 new classrooms and another staff room for the teachers. There is an urgent need for 3 more classrooms and a computer room.

Each year over 25 students from needy homes have been sponsored by supporters in the UK, providing £150 p.a. for each of the four years of schooling. There are now over 100 sponsorship's at the School.

The School Sign at the Main gate includes the strap line: ‘Quality Education with Christian Values’. Christian values are all important at the school. At Daily Assembly it is students who lead worship and prayers, praying for their teachers, their School, their Country

The number of students at the School has increased year by year since the opening in 2007. In 2016 there are 750 students. It is expected the number will rise to 800, but no further. In line with school policy there are now 50% girls at JDMSS.

In the 2014 South Sudan Certificate of Education, (SSCE), 93 students took the exam, each having to pass in 7 subjects. And 44 of them secured averages over 80%. The highest score was 89.2% and the lowest a creditable 64.8%. The top10 students were well represented both subject-wise and by gender – five girls and five boys and 5 for each subject block – 3 girls for Arts and 2 for Science, 3 boys for Science and 2 for Arts. JDMSS was the top English-speaking school in the country. All credit must go to the Head Teacher, Deputy Head and all the teaching staff for their commitment and perseverance in what has been a difficult year.

Lavina Keji received a bursary as one of a number awarded by the Headmaster to children from poor families in Juba. In Lavina’s case, the bursary was paid for through a donation by a doctor in the UK. Lavina was a diligent student and passed her School Certificate with high grades. She went on to study at university in Cairo, where she graduated in nursing. Following the death of her mother, Lavina returned to Juba to look after her family and to work at the Juba Medical Clinic, where currently some Covid-19 patients are being treated. Lavina volunteered to work for a Christian Charity called ‘Samaritan’s Purse’ in a hospital they had set up in the north of South Sudan. Before leaving the medical centre in Juba to go there Lavina caught Covid 19. With the help of Samaritan’s Purse she recovered and duly went north to serve her Lord. Recently she has returned to a town near Juba to be closer to her family. She is working for another charity called ‘HealthCare’ in the operating theatre of their hospital.

News

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:27:40 +0000

News user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:27

News July 2016

Leadership Team at JDMSS

Headmaster – Robert Kei

Deputy Head – Ochava Sebit

Acting School Officer – Kenyi Chaplain – Head of Science Department.

Acting Assistant School Officer – Charity Korir – Head of languages

Staff

Full time teachers – 17

Part time teachers – 13

Support Staff

1 Secretary, 1 Finance Officer, 1 Matron, 1 Site Manager

2 Watchmen, 2 Policemen, Cleaners and Cooks

2 Ex-students have been appointed to fill 2 roles – Receptionist at the new entrance (a boy) and Lab Technician, (a girl).

Students

Total 749 in 13 classes as follows:

Senior 1 = 255 (4 classes)

Senior 2 = 247 (4 classes)

Senior 3 = 144 (classes – 2 science = 79 students, 1 Arts = 62 students)

Senior 4 – 103 (2 classes – science 62 students, Arts – 40 students.)

The 2019 South Sudan Certificate of Education exams were held in December and results were released in February 2020.

The certificate results have reached the school. It's all fantastic with 28 scoring average marks of 90s, 106 scoring average of 80s and only 4 scoring average of 70s.

Top girl, Judith Peter Osman 93.1 Arts

Top boy, Hillary Ramzi John 92.9 Arts

Distinction in Arts, Rebecca Poni Edward 92.3

Distinction in science, Matthew Jada Yenkopiong 91.1

The prize giving that normally occurs in April has been postponed because the school has been closed due to Covid-19. This does not mean that students won't get prizes but they will receive them at a later date.

Girl’s Boarding House – there are over 60 girls in residence. 3 girls from Western Equatoria have bursaries for their boarding fees.

Bursaries – around 100 students are in receipt of bursaries – i.e. two thirds of their school fees.

Parent Teacher’s Association, (PTA). There is an active PTA under the chairmanship of Rev.Simon Peter. The PTA has raised funds for the reception building at the new main gate and towards a new vehicle for the School.

Security.

To increase security a perimeter wall, topped with razor wire was completed in 2018. In addition re-inforced entranced gates were also installed at the same time.

Buildings.

In 2015 a new main entrance, main gate and reception was built. In 2016 a four-classroom, two-storey block has been built, paid for by ‘Christian Aid’. One room is now a computer room complete with laptops and computer furniture.

The girls boarding house has now had a dining room added in 2019. This has enabled an additional dormitory to be occupied in the girls boarding house increasing its capacity to 60.

A medical centre was constructed in 2019 to save the students leaving the campus for minor injuries and illness and reduce the time away from the school. There are plans to expand the medical centre this year.

In 2019 a house just to the rear of the school grounds was renovated for the headmaster and his family. We are delighted to report that they moved in over the Christmas holidays of 2019 and are extremely pleased to be living close by the school and readily on hand. This also nogates the need for a time consuming and risky commute for the headmaster and provides more security for his family.

This is now an aspiration for an Admin Block and an extension to the Science Lab.

Information and Computer Technology (ICT) Course has taken place for the JDMSS teachers and primary school teachers.

An ICT course for Year 4 students. Four JDMSS teachers have already been trained in ICT to provide the instruction. Thirty laptop computers have been installed in the new Computer Room.

Friend of JDMSS-

Previously known as the support group, friends of JDMSS is a group providing support from the UK aiding in fund raising, sponsorship funds, educational advise and training, prayer support and financial management.

Current Appointments include-

Chair- Charles Thackway

Vice Chair and treasurer- Dick Beath

Secretary- Dr Margaret Thackway

Educational Advisor- Dr Margaret Griffin

Sponsorship Secretary- Dr Margaret Thackway

Sponsorship Assistant- Louise Dirke

Sponsorship Assistant- Natasha Dean

Sponsorship Assistant- David Heydon

Sponsorship Assistant- Jenny Wilson

Country Advisor- Robert Heywood

Building Projects- Ian Curtis

Tech Advisory and Website Update- Robert Thackway / Ian Nicholson

We are looking for a sponsorship assistant at present. Please contact Dr Margaret Thackway- maggiethackway@icloud.com - 01373832048 if you can help.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

user — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:15:21 +0000

LET THERE BE LIGHT user Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:15

For the story so far click here.

After almost half a century of bloody civil war, peace came to South Sudan in 2005, and the Country became independent in 2011. Hopes were high and progress was made, but in December 2013 peace was shattered, and, ever since, much of the Country has suffered the tragedy of inter-tribal conflict.

Juba Diocesan Model Secondary School was opened in 2007 with an initial intake of 80 students. Today there are 888 students, on the school roll, 50% of whom are girls. 798 applied for 240 places in Senior 1 because the school is now recognised as being exceptional being ranked the first at national level in February 2020. The School provides equal opportunities for girls, and the recent School Certificate results show boys and girls are gaining equal achievements.

This website provides you with the news and history of our school as well as the opportunities to be involved in a school that strives for success and achieves it year upon year. With so much success there is still a great deal to be done. Funds are continually being raised to provide the students with the best opportunities and resources so they can achieve their dreams and shape South Sudan for its bright future.