50 years of excellent academic and spiritual education in Xavier

By Francis Xavier Tuokuu (2003 batch)
St. Francis Xavier Seminary is fifty (50) years this year (1963-2013). Fifty years of academic excellence and spiritual training is a great milestone and this calls for celebrations by present and past students, staff, family and friends as well as sympathisers of this great institution which is affectionately called Xavier.
St Francis Xavier was established in 1963 by the late Cardinal Peter Porekuu Dery to train young Christian gentlemen to serve the church and the world. Over the years, the school has produced great men who are all contributing to development in various fields of endeavour; academia, priesthood, military, medicine, law, engineering, business, inter alia.
The school is located in Kpaguri, near Wa in the Upper West Region and is arguably the best secondary school in Ghana in terms of academic excellence. Students from Xavier over the years have gained unconditional admissions into highly placed universities both in Ghana and abroad. It has always scored 100 per cent on the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE), now West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). During my year group, 2003, Xavier was the only Senior High School in Ghana to obtain 100 per cent in the SSSCE, according to reports published by the examining body, West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The school’s motto, Lumen Splendeat, which means, Let Your Light Shine clearly resonates in the lives of the students and old boys of this great institution. Not only that, but also, the motto also captures the vision and mission of the school.
One thing is that, I have never seen any words that best inspires the present and past students of the school than the school’s anthem which was composed in honour of the patron of the school, St. Francis Xavier.
I have often believed that, the success of every young man depends largely on his own prayers, hard work, integrity, discipline and acceptable behaviour. Discipline has been the hallmark of the success of this noble institution, aptly described by former Nuncio to Ghana, George Kocherry as, ‘‘small, but big Xavier’’.
The daily routine of the life of a Xavier student is centred on ‘‘The Three (3) Hs’’ which are, ‘‘HEAD, HEART and HAND’’. This means that, every Xavier boy is trained to use his head to learn and think. His heart to love just as God loves us and his hand to work (manual work) for the Good Book teaches us not to give food to the lazy person. The academic training in Xavier is very rigorous and it is not surprising that, students who find it difficult to cope are either sacked by the school’s administration or run away by themselves.
The academic rivalry and competition in the various classes will compel a non-serious student to learn and that has been one of the secrets of Xavier. The record of Xavier boys has been an enviable one and is the dream of every boy especially in the Upper West Region to go to Xavier. Over a decade ago, in my Junior High School, St. Augustine’s JHS, Jirapa, some of my mates referred to themselves as Xavier boys but unfortunately did not make it at the entrance exams. It is indeed a privilege to be a student of Xavier.
The school has demonstrated over the years that, it is among the tops when it comes to scholarship and this is evident in the numerous competitions it has won in the country and beyond. The school won Ghana’s presidential independence debate competition in 2006. The school also won the first Ghana national science robotics quiz competition and was given the ticket to represent Ghana at the international level. The school again won a national quiz competition on sanitation, water and environment and represented Ghana in South Africa in 2011. In addition, Xavier has won the national quiz competition organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on two occasions (2011 and 2012). On their way to the finals of the 2012 National Science and Maths Quiz, Xavier convincingly beat Wesley Girls, Opoku Ware School, Achimota School, Presbyterian boys, Legon in that order.
As the school celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, it is important to give back to the school what it has given us by contributing both in kind and in cash to support the school. This will help the staff and students to continue to shine and live out the true meaning of the school.
Francis Xavier Tuokuu holds an MSc degree in Corporate Social Responsibility and Energy from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK. He is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Resource Development. He completed Xavier in 2003, where he was Environmental Prefect, President of Debate Society and President of Legion of Mary. He was also the National President of XAPSA-Students’ Chapter from 2006-2008. You can reach him via fxtuokuu@yahoo.com