On October 12, 2024, we held a Career Day specifically designed for Form 3 students and their parents. The primary objective of this event was to equip the Form 3s with essential information regarding university applications, diverse career choices and strategies for success at the university level.

The thoughtfully curated agenda featured various speakers who addressed critical topics such as university funding, the overall university experience, potential successes and challenges students may encounter and informed career choices. By sharing their insights and experiences, these speakers highlighted the importance of informed decision-making in shaping one’s educational and career journey.

The event showcased a total of 25 institutions, predominantly universities and colleges, each of which had dedicated stands. Here, representatives provided detailed explanations of the various courses offered, helping students to better understand the academic pathways available to them.

For many students, this Career Day was an invaluable opportunity as they prepare for their final year of high school and contemplate their transition to university. It inspired them to explore their options, ask questions and envision their future academic and professional endeavors. By fostering this kind of awareness and discourse, we aim to empower the next generation of leaders to make informed choices that will set the foundation for their success.

From September 24 to October 9, our primary students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 participated in an exciting round-robin football tournament to determine the champions of the Primary Interclass Football Championship!

The competition was fierce, but it was Grade 6 that emerged victorious, showcasing their impressive skills on the field. Grade 5 put up a strong fight, finishing closely behind, while Grade 4 held their own, proving they have potential for the future.

The energy and enthusiasm displayed by all the teams were truly inspiring and the level of skill and teamwork was commendable. With such talent on show, the future of football looks bright for these young players! Congratulations to all participants!

This year’s prize-giving day was nothing short of a delightful celebration!

We were thrilled to welcome our Special Guests, the Mwagona and Kiai families. Mr. Mwagona, a cherished alumnus and proud grandparent, beamed with pride as he watched his grandson graduate from the Form 4 class of 2024. And the joy didn’t stop there! Mr. Kiai, a former student who now serves as a dedicated teacher and Dean of Studies, had the honor of celebrating his own son’s graduation from the same class. It was a heartwarming sight to see the generations come together!

The event turned into a beautiful reunion, as Mr. Mwagona caught up with former colleagues and students, reminiscing about the good old days at the school. Meanwhile, Mr. Kiai joyfully shared tales from his own school days, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and laughter that filled the air with happiness.

We also celebrated our outstanding achievers, such as Besel Onyango, who proudly took home the Sportsman of the Year award and Kyle Angwenyi, our brilliant Scholar of the Year for 2023. Their accomplishments lit up the stage and inspired us all!

In addition to recognizing athletic prowess and academic excellence, we acknowledged remarkable students who have excelled in various fields outside the classroom, as well as devoted staff members who have dedicated their time and hearts to our school for many years.

As the day drew to a close, families and friends gathered together, sharing laughter and heartfelt conversations. It was truly a joyful afternoon — a wonderful get-together. Here’s to many more moments of celebration and unity!

On 7th September we had a total of 26 teams for the annual U11 and U13 football tournaments. In the Under 11 years (U11) category Regis School won and in the Under 13 years (U13) category Naisula School won. The following were the individual awards:

U11 Category:

Finn (German School) – Top Scorer
James (Regis School) – Most Valuable Player
Sean Kinuthia (Strathmore School) – Best Goal Keeper

U13 Category:
Hayden Nyori (Regis School) – Top Scorer
John Wambua (Diamond Junior School) – Best Goal Keeper
Keita Abondo (Strathmore) – Most Valuable Player

2 of our boys: Curtis Kamotho and Adam Otieno, put in hard work and dedication to be selected to represent Kenya in the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association games held at Bukedea Comprehensive School in Uganda on August 24, 2024.

The air was filled with excitement and nerves as the Kenyan Schools Swim Team arrived at the venue. Curtis, with his swift strokes and determination, was ready to take on the 5 events he had entered. Adam, equally eager, lined up for his 4 events, believing he could make his country proud.

The competition was fierce, but Curtis shone brightly in the pool. He secured a remarkable silver medal in four different events: the 100m Backstroke, 200m Medley Relay, 200m Mixed Relay and the 100m Breaststroke. Only his 50m Backstroke kept him from the podium, where he finished in 4th place, just missing out on the medal.

Meanwhile, Adam also put in a solid performance. His strategy and speed earned him bronze in both the 200m Individual Medley and the 50m Breaststroke. But what made him particularly proud were his silver medals in the 100m Freestyle and as part of the 200m Medley Relay team.

As the event concluded their efforts were instrumental in securing 2nd place for the Kenyan Schools Swim Team overall.

In the end, Curtis and Adam didn’t just bring home medals; they brought back lifelong memories, making their families, school and country proud. We hope for future championships for the two swimmers and possibly more swimmers from our school.

 

On August 10, 2024, the Mwilu Family organized a successful charity football tournament to support needy students at our school. With strong backing from parents, who not only contributed financially but also attended in large numbers, the event was a fantastic effort.

17 teams, mostly comprised of students, participated in the 7-a-side tournament, with each player contributing Ksh. 1,000. Tournament T-shirts were also sold to raise additional funds. Thanks to the excellent organization and the dedication of parents, an impressive Ksh. 334,000 was raised to help students in need. Thank you to everyone who made this initiative a great success!

On the 1st week of August 2024 in Eldoret town, the National Music Festival was held, showcasing the talents of musicians and performers from different schools around the country. Strathmore School had 13 entries for the National Music festivals.

The following were our performances:

In the piano category, the duet from Class 1107H dazzled the audience, securing an impressive 2nd position in the advanced category. Nearby, the eloquent French public speaker, Dante Mbugua, from Class 2318JA also captured hearts, earning their own 2nd position.

The highlight of the festival came from Class 323A, our Junior Secondary full choir which performed an original composition, winning 1st place. Their harmonies resonated through the hall, enchanting all who listened. In contrast, Class 322’s choir performed an African American Spiritual, earning 6th place, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.

Classes continued to impress: Class 257 presented an engaging own composition focused on the KICD curriculum, achieving 4th place; while Class 366JA’s choir sang about “Planting Trees,” also placing 4th, spreading an important environmental message. Class 268 raised awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, landing in 5th place.

Meanwhile, Class 324JA explored popular African tunes with a lively arrangement of “Ngulo,” finishing 8th, and Class 264 tackled the theme of anti-counterfeit goods, also coming in at 8th.

Other entries included Class 261’s thoughtful composition on “Citizenship,” which finished 7th, and Class 266, which the primary school choir sang passionately about planting trees, placing it 6th.

This year’s festival is the 96th Music Festival and it was themed “Talent Development for Growth of the Creative Economy”. It celebrated the talents and hard work of all the young performers, making it memorable for everyone involved.

Towards the end of Term 2 2024 the bustling basketball courts of Strathmore School, bubbled with excitement and enthusiasm as we hosted the Junior Secondary Schools Basketball 3 on 3 tournament. The tournament saw Strathmore’s young athletes journey through challenges that would forge unforgettable memories and deep camaraderie—not just on the court, but off of it as well.

Zonal Stage: A Display of Dominance

The tournament kicked off with the zonal games, where Strathmore School showcased a remarkable run. Their first match against Lavington was nothing short of spectacular. Strathmore, with their strategic play and teamwork, triumphed with a score of 22-2. It set a powerful tone for the tournament. The team continued their winning streak with a commanding 22-0 victory over Saint Mary’s School, followed by another overwhelming performance against Muthangari, ending that game 22-0.

As they advanced to the zonal finals, the intensity rose. The match against Makini School was thrilling, with Strathmore narrowly winning 18-16. It was a testament to their grit and determination, showcasing not just their skill but their ability to work as a cohesive unit. With the zonal title secured, smiles were wide and spirits ran high as the team celebrated their achievements together.

Sub-County Stage: A Test of Tenacity

Next came the sub-county games, where Strathmore aimed to maintain their momentum. In their first match against Westlands Primary, they managed a hard-fought victory with a score of 15-11. The competition continued against Tumshangilie Primary, which saw Strathmore clinching a straightforward win, finishing at 6-2.

The sub-county finals brought yet another challenge, but Strathmore, undeterred, faced Makini School once more. With a relentless defense and an air-tight strategy, they secured the win with a score of 10-4, further solidifying their reputation within the league.

County Stage: The Climb Gets Steeper

Having conquered the sub-county, the young athletes pressed on to compete at the county level where they represented Westlands and fought against other sub-counties. Their first match against Embakasi was a nail-biter, ending in a narrow defeat of 7-10. However, that setback didn’t deter the team. Showcasing resilience, they bounced back in their next match against Kibra, winning 9-8—this game showcased the unwavering teamwork and tenacity that Strathmore athletes are known for.

The next match against Starehe was another showcase of strategic play, concluding in a tightly contested 5-4 victory. Yet, the strain of the previous match-ups weighed on them as they faced Makadara in the quarter-finals. In a fierce battle, Strathmore fought valiantly but lost narrowly 4-6.

A Journey of Growth and Sportsmanship

While the tournament concluded with mixed outcomes, what remained was an undeniable sense of achievement and bond among the players. Coaches and teammates celebrated not just the points scored and matches won, but the journey they undertook together. Every dribble and pass had been infused with lessons in teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship.

The players left the tournament having learnt that even in defeat, there is victory in the growth, laughter and shared experiences that come with being part of a team.

Strathmore School’s basketball journey is a testament to the spirit of youth sports—a joyous celebration of hard work and the indomitable spirit of players.

Born in Galway, Ireland, in 1934 and educated at the Patrician Brothers’ School and St Joseph’s College, Kevin O’Byrne graduated from University College Galway with a First Class Honours Degree in Civil Engineering, he worked with the ESB and with British Reinforced Concrete, before leaving for Nairobi in 1958 where he would spend the rest of his life until his passing in 2008.

In 1958 racial tensions were running high in Kenya, but Kevin arrived in Kenya with a mission to help establish what was to become Strathmore College, the first multi-racial college in East Africa. The buildings of the college are still the same ones where we are today at Strathmore School.

Kevin O’Byrne was an outstanding all-around sportsman who excelled in rugby, football, golf and tennis. He represented Kenya and East Africa as scrum-half from 1960-65.

As a multifaceted individual, Kevin contributed to the engineering aspects of the school buildings, taught mathematics when the school started in 1961, served as the first Deputy Principal of the school, helped find teachers for the school from his rugby circles and coached the first multiracial rugby team in Kenya, the Strathmore College Team, which was a formidable force in rugby. Kevin’s ability in bring people together to create a winning synergy was evident in the people he would select to setup formidable teams in: the teaching staff of the school, the school rugby teams he formed and the players from the school team who he conivnced to join the club teams he was playing for. Kevin played Scrum Half for Kenya Harlequins, Kenyan National Team and East Africa. After his playing days he transitioned to refereeing and became the Chairman of the Kenya Rugby Referees Society; a top-notch rugby referee; known for his excellent game management skills on the field.

The layout of our sports fields are thanks to his efforts and they they remain unchanged since he laid them out. Kevin introduced rugby to our school and became our first coach and has been an inspiration to many generations of teachers, students and sportsmen in our school. As a coach Kevin was a no-nonsense leader who demanded the best from his players.

To celebrate Kevin’s remarkable life and achievements, on 20th July 2024, we hosted The 2024 O’Byrne Under 16 memorial 10-a-side boys Rugby tournament which had 5 teams: Sunshine Secondary School, Lenana School A, Lenana School B, Strathmore School A and Strathmore School B. All the teams were able to test each other’s strengths in a round-robin set of matches. After all the points and scores were collated at the end of the tournament, Strathmore School A were winners and Lenana School A took 2nd place. What an electrifying Saturday! We look forward to making this tournament an annual event in our school’s sporting calendar.

We also continue to pray for the eternal repose of Kevin’s soul and celebrate the lasting impact he had on our school and community.

Support our bursary fund!