St Augustine’s College- Blazing the trail: 87 years of excellence
Named after the Patron Saint Aurelius Augustinus, St. Augustine’s College is every bit a reflection of the life of the illustrious saint. Established some 87 years ago, this great institution has been through thick and thin, ups and downs, happy and sad moments, and has at least, over the years shaped the lives and destinies of over 10,000 boys (and girls) scattered across the globe and imparting humanity in special ways.
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But how did St. Augustine’s College start? Our story began in the year 1893 when Rev. Fr. Michon purchased a piece of land at Amisano on behalf of the Catholic Church (then called the ‘ Elmina Mission’ which sought to establish a Teacher training college and Seminary for Catholic boys.
About 35 years later, construction work started in earnest. Operational difficulties and other challenges led to the need to separate the seminary from the training college.
The leadership of the Cape Coast Vicariate changed hands and on board came Monsignor W.T. Porter under whose leadership the idea for a Catholic Secondary School was first discussed. With the existence of rival schools started by ‘rival’ churches, it wouldn’t be long before the local Catholic faithful would demand a boys’ secondary school of their own. The conception of the great school went a step further when on August 6, 1933 a historic meeting at Cape Coast outlined among others, the following criteria about the institution. They insisted that the new institution should be:
• a Catholic one, built with Catholic funds for Catholic children
• easily accessible
• on a hill and not too steep
• endowed with facilities for agriculture
• Enough space for a playground and sports field
• Located in an area where cost of living is cheap
These criteria reflected the desire of the school’s founders to produce high calibre personnel for the society. Boys who would be all rounded and intelligent sportsmen who would be self-sufficient in food production.
Fundraising started in earnest both locally and abroad. Locally, the Vicariate raised 2,000 pounds while Bishop Hauger raised funds from abroad to the tune of 10,000 pounds.
On January 15, 1935, the foundation stone was laid by the then Governor, Arnold Hodson and blessed by Bishop Porter with support from the Bishops of Keta, Navrongo and Kumasi. Construction work progressed steadily and almost a year after, the training college was transferred to Cape Coast.
A year and week after the laying of the foundation, St Augustine’s College admitted its first batch of students (145 in number) under Fr Maurice Kelly as the first headmaster. It is worthy of note that both the secondary school and the training college operated together.
Through its eight-decade existence the college has definitely gone through its proud moments and challenging ones. Nevertheless its motto, (Omnia Vincit Labor) has spurred it on through thick and thin by reminding its proponents that hard work truly conquers everything.
Today, St. Augustine’s College’s pride of place has been achieved through hard work, dedication and passion. It has been achieved through the tireless efforts of teaching and support staff and willingness and desire of students to learn. Augustinians can be found in leadership in almost sphere of life: from academia, business, sports, industry, you name it.
For the institution, the achievements are too many to highlight
All we can ask, is for our younger brothers currently in the great college and those who will soon join to understand this great tradition so that when the school’s story is being written after 150 years, the same exploits will be recounted. Always remember our motto: Omnia Vincit Labor—‘hardwork conquers all’ Mbo Ogesten!!!!
Prof. Francis Werner Ekow Ofei — Guest Speaker
Giving back to St. Augustine’s College
As has been the tradition of APSU, the Class of 1992 hosted the 87th anniversary of the college, after 25 years of completion. They adopted the then Arts and Biology blocks and the Music Department.
The Art and Biology block is the most used academic facility on the campus located to the west of the Quadrangle. It is made up of two separate single-storey blocks joined by a short walkway.
It originally served as Clinic, Art Hall, Tuck Shop, Science Laboratories and offices for teachers and the Laboratory Technicians. With time however, the clinic was moved to the basement of St. George’s/St. Luke’s block and another room added for the teaching of Fine Art. When the Junior Science laboratory was constructed in the 1950s and dedicated to the teaching of Physics and Chemistry, the two Science Laboratories were re-designated as Biology and Agricultural Science laboratories.
Following an appeal by the headmaster of the school and a remarkable display by the school band, the year group included the music department to its project. This department can be located below St. Patrick’s and St. Stephen’s dormitories, overlooking the then ‘Augusco market’. Our classmates studied music in the class in the junior years in the school.
These structures have been dilapidated particularly due to the effects of the erosion and usage over the years. Having been adopted by APSU 92, these structures have been refurbished to bring it up to standard. These have been stocked with laboratory equipment including beakers, human skeleton, to mention a few.
Speech Day festivities:
The programme outline for the Speech Day commenced on Wednesday with a medical screening in Cape Coast. This was championed by medical practitioners from the year group led by Dr Francis Akoto Ampaw, a Medical Director of the Atibie Hospital. Members in support were Dr Ato Quansah, a consultant at KATH, Major Dr Anthony Bandoh, a consultant at the 37 military hospital, Dr Alfred Yawson, a consultant at the School of Public Health. Members of the year group were present and in support of the year group.
Together with the year group members, individuals and corporate institutions contributed to making the project worthwhile. These include:
• Quality Insurance Company,
• NDK Financial Services
• JL Properties
• Nosway Company Limited
• Pitseways
• Price x Green incorporated
• Tobinco Pharmaceuticals
• Adwinsa Publications
Year group members who have helped in diverse ways include:
• Kobena Addison – Chief Executive Officer, Quality Insurance Company
• Felix Hagan - General Manager, NDK Financial Services
• Ishmael Yamson - Nosway Company Limited
• Emmanuel Diamond, UK,
• Thomas Addaquay, USA.
• Edward Ocran, USA
• Kwaku Oppong Amponsah, Managing Director, Adwinsa Publications
• Dr Martin Ezan, Bristol Hospital, UK
• Dr Edward Ocran, USA.
It is our hope that our contribution to the college will transform the lives of the immediate beneficiaries, the school, and the society at large.
Compiled by Joel Boakye and Kobla Afadzinu.