Every great journey begins with a single, well-guided step, and for Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School’s newest students, that step was taken on Tuesday, 8th September 2026, inside the Chapel of Christ. As the 2026/2027 academic session approached, the school opened its arms to its incoming JSS1 students and mid-stream admissions with a full day of orientation, part welcome, part induction and part gentle preparation for the years ahead.
For a school built on the conviction that “God Opens” doors for those who are ready, orientation day is never just an administrative formality. It is the first real encounter a new student has with the culture, values and expectations that will shape their time at Jephthah and this year’s programme was designed to leave no part of that introduction to chance.
A Beginning Rooted in Worship and Identity
The day opened, fittingly, with prayer, praise and worship. A reminder from the very first minute that Jephthah is, above all else, a Christian institution. This was followed by a welcome address and a brief history of the school delivered by the Administrator, Pastor (Mrs.) E.I. Chukwuogo, who walked the new students through the story behind the name “Jephthah,” and introduced them to the school’s mission, vision and core values, the very foundation upon which every other lesson of the day would be built.
From there, Mr. Joshua Okonkwo led the students through the School Anthem, the National Anthem, the Faith Anthem and the National Pledge, equipping them with the words and rhythms that would soon become second nature at every school assembly. A session with the Head/Representative of the school’s Nursing team followed, introducing students to the clinic’s services, how to respond during a medical emergency nand how to recognise the medical staff who would be looking out for their wellbeing throughout the term.
After Morning Assembly and breakfast, the real work of orientation began in earnest.
Understanding the Academic Journey Ahead
No part of the day mattered more to a new student’s future than the sessions dedicated to academics. The Vice Principal, Mrs. Chinenye Asobie, introduced students to Jephthah’s academic programme, carefully explaining the shift from Nigeria’s traditional 6-3-3-4 educational structure to the newer 9-3-4 system now guiding junior and senior secondary education nationwide. She followed this with an overview of the subjects offered at Junior Secondary level and helped familiarise students with the school timetable and preparatory (prep) periods.
The Head of Department for Languages, Mr. Nwogidi O., built on this foundation, while the Officer in Charge of the Day School, Ms. Iwuala Ogechi, took day students specifically through the activities and expectations unique to non-boarding life at Jephthah, ensuring that both boarding and day students left the session with total clarity on what their academic year would look like.
Mrs. Asobie returned later to introduce students to the wide range of facilities and activities available to them beyond the classroom: sports and games, extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, including the school’s Debate and Book Appreciation (DBA) society. This is aimed at giving new students their first real sense of the fuller, well-rounded life awaiting them at Jephthah.
Learning the Rhythms of Daily School Life
Practical, everyday matters received just as much attention as academics. Ms. Akpenyi Gloria, Head of the Vocational Department, took students through the rules and etiquette of dining hall activities, while the Exam and Records Officer, Mr. Igwe Prince, introduced them to the school’s examination calendar, covering the Principal’s party, Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) and formal examinations and encouraged students to begin setting realistic academic goals for the session ahead, with clear plans for achieving them.
Life in the Boarding House, Discipline, and Faith
For many new students, boarding school life is an entirely new world and Jephthah made sure this transition received careful, dedicated attention. The Senior Boarding House Assessor, Elder Ijioma, walked students through the school’s rules and regulations, the realities of boarding house life and the consequences of stepping outside expected boundaries.
The Chief Academic Assessor, Mr. Musa Samson, explained the role of academic assessors and how they work alongside students to maintain discipline within the school block, while the School Chaplain, Mr. Paul Wosu, introduced students to the various religious activities of the school and the participation expected of every student thereby reaffirming, once again, that spiritual formation sits at the very centre of a Jephthah education.
This block of sessions closed with an open questions-and-answers segment, giving students the chance to seek clarity directly from the very facilitators who had spent the morning guiding them.
Finding Their Way Around the City of Christ
After a well-earned break, the newest members of the Jephthah community set out on a familiarisation tour of the City of Christ led by the Orientation Committee, comprising the Chaplain, the Dean of Studies, the Students’ Affairs Officer (Academics) and JSS1 form teachers. By the end of the tour, students could confidently locate the school’s offices, laboratories, resource centres, workshops, hostels, sickbay and muster points, laying the groundwork for the independence they would need to navigate school life confidently from day one.
Settling In: Classes and a Formal Welcome
The day’s final academic session brought a sense of belonging into sharp focus, as students were formally divided into their JSS1 classes and introduced to their form teachers under the coordination of the Junior School Exam and Records Officer, Mrs Ekene.
The programme drew to a close with remarks from the Principal, Dr. Mrs. Olley, C.F. who encouraged the students to stay focused and commit to improving their capabilities. Ms. Raina Umezurike, the coordinator of the programme, ensured that the students understood every phase of the orientation before bringing the event to a close.
More Than an Orientation — A First Impression That Lasts
By the time the closing remarks were made, Jephthah’s newest students had done far more than learn a school timetable. They had been introduced to a history, a mission, a set of values, a community of teachers and assessors, a system of discipline rooted in care and a faith that underpins everything the school stands for. It is a comprehensive introduction by design because at Jephthah, the belief has always been that a student who understands where they are, and why, is a student who is ready to thrive.
To the JSS1 and mid-stream students of the 2026/2027 session: welcome home. The doors are open. Now, it’s your turn to walk through them and become responsible contributors to the global community.
Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School is a Christian secondary school located at KM4, East-West Road, Rumuome-Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, offering Junior and Senior Secondary education accredited by ACSI and approved by the Rivers State Ministry of Education. To learn more about admissions, visit jephthah.net/admissions.
