HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF STRATHMORE SCHOOL

1958	The first members of Opus Dei arrived in Kenya. They were prompted by Opus Deis founder Msgr. Josemaria Escriva (canonized a saint in October 2002) to establish themselves professionally in the country in order to serve it with their work and spread the ideals which have animated Opus Dei from its start. Those professional men soon realized that many African and Asian students were unable to obtain A-level qualifications and proceed towards university studies. They took it upon themselves to start an educational institution open to all students without discrimination. The building project was then entrusted to Edmund Hernandez, an architect, and to Kevin O'Byrne, a structural engineer. In June of that year ground was broken by Hugh Pierce Ltd., the contractor.
1961	Strathmore was opened as a Sixth Form College by a group of professionals. Classes started on March 6th, owing to a three month delay in the construction. 60 Form V students were accepted, 80% of them from the rural areas of Kenya. The 8 members of staff were David Sperling (principal and English); Kevin O'Byrne (Vice-principal, Maths and Physics); Silvano Borruso (bursar); Jeremy White, (General paper); David Hogg (Chemistry); Michael Bennett (History); Colm Stanley (Biology); Patrick Ferguson (Geography). This first group of students attended classes in the first two floors of the residential block, using the upper two floors as dormitories.
1962	The second group of Form V students inaugurated the new tuition block, built between October 1961 and February
1963	Strathmore switched from the Cambridge School Certificate Examination to the London G.C.E. The level of university entrance was 90% and above. Strathmore wins the first African and Asian Colleges and Schools rugby competition. The first issue of 'The Scroll', Strathmore's school magazine, is published.
1964	Economics was added to the curriculum, with Prof. T. C. I. Ryan as a lecturer. Construction of the Library and Administration Block commenced.
1965	The principal applied to the Ministry of Education to start professional accountancy courses the following academic year. The library building and the administration block, financed by the German foundation Misereor, were built during the year.
1966	The accountancy courses started with about 25 students from the three East African territories. The Accountancy course was officially opened by the Minister for Education, Dr. Kiano. Peter Mc'Dermott takes over from Kevin O'Byrne as Vice-Principal. 100% of the students qualified for university admission.
1967	A new residence (for 80 students), financed by the Ford Foundation, was inaugurated in January. Strathmore wins the Jarnail Singh Cup (Six-a-side Hockey tournament). 94% of the students qualified for university admission.
1968	The number of boarders, both A-level and accountancy students, reached a peak of 220. Jim McFie becomes the first old boy to be a member of Strathmore's staff. The car park was paved for the first time. 96% of the students qualified for university admission.
1969	93% of the students qualified for university admission.
1970	The Arts stream was discontinued. 90% of students qualified for university admission.
1971	Strathmore emerged champion of the Nairobi Provincial Volleyball championships. 96% of the students qualified for university admission.
1972	Following the Education Act of 1968, Strathmore decided to acquire the status of private school. Boarding was gradually phased out, beginning this year. Strathmore emerged champion of the Nairobi Provincial Basketball championships. 85% of the students qualified for university admission.
1975	With encouragement from old boys with children of school age, Strathmore applied to start the Secondary level from Form I to IV. 87% of the students qualified for university admission.
1977	Twenty four students enrolled to start Form I. Strathmore tops the EAACE examinations. Strathmore emerged champion of the Nairobi Provincial Volleyball championships. 86% of students qualified for university admission.
1978	Strathmore emerged champion of the Nairobi Provincial Volleyball championships and the Nairobi Provincial School championship 20 Km walk. 85% of students qualified for university admission.
1980	The last of the boarding students left. Places in the residence were made available for university students and young professionals.
1981	The School gets its first Registration Certificate as a Private School.
1982	The first African priest of Opus Dei, Fr. Paul Cyril Mimbi, old boy of the School, was ordained in Rome by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Strathmore agreed to introduce courses in Accountancy after normal working hours; evening course started in October 1982, with 60 students being sponsored by different companies.
1983	The changing room was built.
1985	No form one intake since there was a change in the education system. The first Standard 8 class was introduced in the school system.
1986	President Moi came for the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Strathmore. David Sperling handed over the job of principal to John Branya, who, on Parents Day, announced the start of the primary in 1987. The New Education Act introduced the 8-4-4 system of education following the American Model. By this year, the problems of having a high school and professional courses on the same Lavington campus were obvious. The trustees made a request to the Government to donate land for the construction of a new campus where all the professional courses would be offered. The Government agreed to back the Madaraka Campus project. The donors were keen to support a co-educational University that woiuld offer courses in Management and Accountancy. Kianda Secretarial College, an undertaking of Kianda Foundation, agreed to run their professional courses in the new Madaraka campus. A mass was officiated by H.E. Cardinal Otunga outside the library. Strathmore tops the K.C.E examinations. The A-level arts course was re-started and offered for the next three years. Fr. Cormac Burke, chaplain since 1977, left for Rome after being nominated to the Sacred Rota by the Pope.
1987	The first stream of Standard One enrolled at the School.
1988	The tuition block was expanded to accommodate the growing needs of the School and the School of Accountancy. The Kenya national soccer team, The Harambee Stars, trains at the school.
1989	The first group of form four K.C.S.E. candidates sit their examinations. They emerged eighth overall in the country. 75% of students were admitted to public universities. The last group of form six K.A.C.E. candidates sit their examinations. The Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr Alvaro del Portillo, visited the Strathmore. A-level classes were phased out by the 8-4-4 educational reform. Construction of the new campus at Madaraka commenced in September.
1990	Parents and teachers organised a walk and other fundraising events which resulted in the purchase of two new buses. The first Basketball under 19 tournament, Strathmore cup, is held. Strathmore wins the tournament. The candidates sit their exams in October and emerge 3rd overall in the country. 82% of students are admitted to public universities.
1991	The Information Technology Centre was started to run computer courses leading to the Institute for the Management of Information Systems (formerly Institute of Data Processing Management) Diploma and Higher Diploma. Strathmore wins the Strathmore Cup. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 2nd overall in the country. 91% of students are admitted to public universities.
1992	A Distance Learning Centre was opened to offer correspondence courses in Accountancy to students unable to attend lectures. The Beatification of Blessed Josemaria Escriva is held at Rome. A trip is organised for Strathmore parents, teachers and students. Strathmore wins the Strathmore Cup. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 3rd overall in the country. 80% of students are admitted to public universities.
1993	Strathmore College moved out to Madaraka Estate. The new complex comprises the School of Accountancy, the Information Technology Centre, the Distance Learning Centre and the School of Administration Management, formerly Kianda College. The Lavington Campus houses Strathmore School (primary and secondary) exclusively. Strathmore wins the Strathmore Cup. The School pennants are introduced in the Secondary section. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 4th in the country. 84% of students are admitted to public universities.
1994	The first Std. 8 of the Primary Section sat the K.C.P.E. for the first time. Twenty-four students were readmitted the following year in Form 1. The first K.C.P.E. exams for the primary are sat. The Strathmore Junior Rangers is started. Aquinas High wins the Strathmore Cup. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 2nd in the country. 84% of students are admitted to public universities.
1995	The Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria, visited Kenya and had a public meeting in the School attended by about 4 ,000 people. Aquinas High wins the Strathmore Cup. In Rugby, Strathmore reaches the Prescott Cup semi-finals. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 2nd in the country. 87% of students are admitted to public universities.
1996	John Branya handed over the job of headmaster to Rafa Gortazar, who had been teaching at the School since 1977. The Strathmore Computer lab is refurbished and networked. In November, the Strathmore School website was launched, making the School one of the first to have their own web-site in Kenya. Aquinas High wins the Strathmore Cup. In rugby, Strathmore is 3rd position in its pool in the Prescott Cup. A mural version of the Scroll Magazine is revived by form two students. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 4th in the country. 81% of students are admitted to public universities.
1997	The 1st Annual General Reunion for alumni takes place on September 6th. Computer Studies is introduced as a subject in form one. The first Strathmore Basketball Cup for Under-14s is held. French School wins the cup. St. Austins wins the Strathmore Cup Under-19 tournament. In rugby, Strathmore reached the semi-finals of the Prescott Cup. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 6th in the country. 80% of students are admitted to public universities.
1998	The Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Giovanni Tonucci, visits the school. The Computer Department organised the first IT Symposium which attracted other leading Schools. Strathmore Form 3 & 4 students took part in the Mangu Mathematics Contest. The School won in the school's category, overall student, second best student and Form 3 best student. Aquinas wins the Strathmore Cup, Under-19 and St. Austins wins the Under-14 cup. The Junior Rangers have their first camp at Mountain Rock Nanyuki. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 3rd in the country. 92% of students are admitted to public universities.
1999	Monsignor Cormac Burke retired from his job at the Vatican and returned to the School. A new School Management Board is appointed to assist the School in its development. It established three working committees: Parents Committee; Past Students Committee and Projects & Finances Committee. Mr. Peter McDermot who was a popular Mathematics Teacher, Sports' Master and Deputy Headmaster dies in London after a prolonged sickness. The first parenting course for new Standard One parents is held. The Form 4's revived the school magazine, The Scroll, which had been out of circulation since 1973. The Community Service Program begins. 44 students take part. St. Austins wins the Strathmore Cup. In rugby, the school team is relegated to the Damu Pevu league from the Prescott league. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 3rd in the country. 87% of students are admitted to public universities.
2000	The Tuition Block roofs were remade and room was left under them for future classrooms. Now all the buildings have pitched roofs. French is re-introduced as a subject in form one. International School of Kenya wins the Strathmore Cup. In Rugby, Strathmore are the champions of the Damu Pevu League. Strathmore also win the Strathmore under-13 rugby tournament. The K.C.S.E.candidates emerge 2nd in the country. 95% of students are admitted to public universities.
2001	Strathmore celebrated it's 40th anniversary. A walk was held to raise funds for the building of the long awaited pool. A family fun day was held to celebrate its anniversary. The construction of the long awaited swimming pool also began. The Chotai family fund the building of the Ajay Chotai Science centre in the school, next to the main computer lab. Archbishop Ndingi celebrates mass in the school. The first French Symposium is organised at the school. St. Austins wins the Strathmore Cup under-19 and Strathmore wins the Strathmore Cup under-14. In soccer, Strathmore wins the under-12 Strathmore tournament, the under-12 Braeside tournament and the under-12 St. Austins tournament. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 1st in the country. 90% of students are admitted to public universities.
2002	The Grand opening of the pool took place in July. A family day was held on this day.
2003	The Canonization of Josemaria Escriva took place in October. Some students, parents and teachers of the school took part in a pilgrimage to Rome to witness the canonization. Bishop Ireri celebrates a mass in the school for the blessing of the form four K.C.S.E candidates. The last under-19 Strathmore Cup is organised. Strathmore wins the coveted cup for the first time since 1993. I.S.K. wins the under-14 Strathmore Cup. In soccer, Strathmore wins the under-10 Strathmore tournament, the under-12 St. Austins tournament, the under-12 Consolata tournament, the under-18 ISSSL soccer league and the under-18 Rosslyn tournament. The K.C.S.E. candidates emerge 4th in the country. `Josemaria Escriva, Founder of Opus Dei, was canonized by Pope John Paul II on Sunday 6 October 2002`