What Makes St. Aloysius Primary School a Second Home For Me
My memories and attachment to St. Aloysius Primary School are nostalgic that I just can’t call it anything less than home.
Claire Ankwatse
St. Aloysius Primary School (STAPS): Where Dreams Took Flight
In 2007, a young pupil with a heart full of dreams ventured into St. Aloysius Primary School, a place that would forever alter the course of her life. At the tender class of P.3, English was but a foreign language, and the academic challenges at STAPS seemed to be light years ahead of the humble village school she had known. However, this was no ordinary school; this was a place where dreams took flight.
What made STAPS truly extraordinary was not just its rigorous academic standards, but the unwavering support and care that enveloped every pupil who walked through its doors. In those early days, a lifeline was extended by none other than Mr. Kamujuni JohnBosco, the Deputy Headteacher at the time. He was a guardian angel, always ensuring that I was not sent home for unpaid school fees, knowing that the path to greatness often began with compassion.
STAPS wasn’t just a school; it was a family tradition. A legacy that had been passed down through generations, where education was revered and success was the norm. Grandfathers, uncles and my elder siblings all found their roots at STAPS. Even today, the echoes of this legacy resound as my niece, Haisibwa Maria Vivian, graces the precincts of STAPS as a P.4 pupil.
For our family, STAPS had become the cornerstone of our educational journey, a sacred institution that paved the way for entry into reputable secondary schools. This was a place where futures were sculpted, where dreams were nurtured.
Behind the scenes, key administrators played pivotal roles. Mrs. Kashaija Betty, Headteacher from 2001 to 2020, was a guiding force, shaping the destinies of countless young minds. The late Mr. Kamujuni JohnBosco, Deputy Headteacher from 1998 to 2009, was more than an educator; he was a mentor and protector. Mrs. Mutungi Margaret, a teacher, Senior Woman, and Deputy Headteacher from 2009 to 2022, embodied selflessness and genuine care for students’ well-being.
STAPS was more than an educational institution; it was a sanctuary for dreams and ambitions. It embraced students from all walks of life, rejecting discrimination in favour of nurturing the best in each child. It was a place where educators saw potential where others might not, where they believed in the power of education to change lives.
Upon graduating from P.7 in 2011 with an AGG 8 in PLE, a new chapter unfolded. A door that was supposed to open to Maryhill High School didn’t, but destiny had its own plans. Maryhill had sold me to Immaculate Heart which I didn’t want to go to, but Mrs. Mutungi Margaret intervened, and a path to the prestigious Maryhill High School beckoned. It was at Maryhill that a passion for languages ignited, with French taking centre stage, and today, it’s the language that puts food on the table.
This incredible journey, the foundation of which was laid at STAPS, is a testament to the profound impact of educators and institutions that care. Madam Margaret Mutungi (Mrs) stands as a beacon of selflessness, both in the classroom and in her unwavering support for pupils’ welfare.
In the end, it’s a story of gratitude and ambition, of a lifelong connection to a school that became a home. STAPS, the school that moulded dreams, the school that built futures, the school that remains a source of pride and inspiration. The journey continues, and success is the destination.
STAPS: Where Dreams Took Flight, and Where They Continue to Soar. 🌟🎓📚
