The History of Holy Child School

The history of Holy Child School cannot be divorced from the vision of the venerable Cornelia Connelly; founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. She was anything but typical-a zealous convert to the faith. Later in life, she set up her first convent in Derby, England in 1846 with the primary mission of educating children, mostly girls from the poorer sections of the country. Over the centuries, the Society has established schools for the education of girls; from all classes, across many countries and continents.

Cornelia believed that teaching was best accomplished when each student was trusted and cared for with a reverence for the dignity of every human being. She also sought to live her life with joy and as “one continuous act of love.” This vision is what characterized a Holy Child Education and makes this institution inimitable.

After the establishment of St. Augustine’s College in January of 1935, His Lordship Bishop Porter turned his focus on meeting the increasing demand for more extensive educational facilities for girls. In 1930, the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus had come to Africa and established schools in what was then Eastern Nigeria. The pioneers of the African Mission included Mother Joachim Foster, a pioneer in the Gold Coast Mission. The success of their mission attracted Bishop Porter of Cape Coast who wrote to the Provincial at Mayfield, Rev Mother Paul O’Connor, SHCJ in 1934 to send sisters to the then Gold Coast Vicariate with the intent of establishing a girls’ school. Early in May 1935, Bishop Porter received the excellent news that Rev. Mother Paul had selected the staff for the new school to his immense gratitude. On January 28th, 1946, the first three pioneers, Rev Mother Joachim Foster, Rev Mother Cyril Smith, and Rev Mother St Edward Charlton sailed from England aboard the Sobieski and disembarked at Takoradi on February 20th, 1946. They were met at the wharf by the Rev. Father Fisher, Vicar Delegate of Bishop Porter, who proved to be a faithful friend and invaluable counsellor.

Before 5th March 1946, the lower school buildings, the convent, three dormitory blocks, two dining rooms, a water tower, and two bungalows had been put up. All buildings stood on different levels; dormitory blocks, dining halls, and kitchens receding upwards from the convent, and college-blocks fronting the compound. HolyChild School/College admitted 120 students: 70 for the training college and 50 for the secondary school.

As his Lordship William Porter continued to encourage parents to send their daughters to Holy Child College, the student population doubled in size within a few years. Consequently, by 1955 it became necessary to transfer the Training College Department to Takoradi. Holy Child School, which started with 50 students, now has over 3000 students and Holy Child College, over 1000.

At the formal opening of the School/College on 21st June 1946; the Governor of the colony, Sir Alan Maxwell Burns, who performed the ceremony gave a speech attesting to the excellent educational methodology of the Holy Child Sisters. His daughters, he was careful to point out, had been educated by the Holy Child Sisters in Mayfield, England. His Excellency appealed to all parents to send their daughters to the college; according to him “it will provide a good education for its students under the supervision of members of an Order which, in England, is regarded as a first-class Teaching Order; an Order to which I entrusted the education of my own two daughters. It is not often that I should be vain enough or rash enough to suggest that my example should be followed, but in this matter, I see no need to be diffident in making such a request”.

From 1946-1976 the administration in Holy Child School had been managed by the members of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. In 1976, Mother Colum (Sr. Mary Connelly) had to hand over the school to her assistant, Mrs Rosemary Ampomah, who became the first Ghanaian headmistress of the School. Holy Child School passed through the hands of nine headmistresses; five expatriates and four Ghanaians.

• Rev. Mother Mary Joachim SHCJ 1945 - 1955
• Rev. Mother Mary Cyril SHCJ 1955 - 1961
• Rev. Mother Mary Marcella SHCJ 1961 - 1967
• Rev. Mother Mary Colum SHCJ 1967 - 1976
• Mrs. Rosemary Ampomah 1976 - 1978
• Rev. Sr. Marile Michele Puma SHCJ 1978 - 1980
• Mrs. Alice Marie Agyeman 1980 - 2003
• Mrs. Veronica Mintah-Nyarko 2003 - 2010
• Rev. Sr. Josephine Anto SHCJ 2010 - 2020
• Mrs. Anastasia Thomford Okyere 2020 - 2021
• Mrs Linda Appiah 2021 - date

The school offers courses in Home Economics, Visual Arts, General Arts, Business, and Science. Before 1955, students did their sixth form course at St Augustine’s College.The School’s academic record has been one of the best in Ghana and across the African subcontinent.

The school also has an enviable record in national sports and games, quiz and debates.The School has provided the right environment for girls to learn, thrive and excel not just academically, but holistically in all aspects of their burgeoning lives and as such has produced highly qualified professional women who have given credence to the contribution of the Catholic Church in the area of education.

The phenomenal past students of Holy Child School, as a result of their incredible level of achievements, hold positions of influence in many local and worldwide institutions and are principal contributors to social and economic change. Holy Child School boasts an active and involved alumnae network that considers it their inherent duty to foster the continual advancement and training of a new generation of female change leaders in the way of the Holy Child Jesus.