Holy Cross International College, Yaoundé, marked the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on Sept. 24 with a renewed commitment to its founding principle: the Cross. The celebrations, which took place in the school chapel, centered on a renewed call for students, administration, and parents to focus on the Cross as the source of salvation and redemption.
The school’s chaplain emphasized the day’s significance in his homily. “It is an important day in the institution because Holy Cross, as I said during the homily, is the cross of redemption,” he stated. “Look up to the cross because it is on that particular cross our salvation and redemption spring from. The cross is significant in this institution.”
A Year of Success, Favor, and Discipline
The chaplain also set a tone for the new academic year. “Every academic year is unique, and for this academic year, I have termed it a year of success, favor, and discipline,” he added. “Success cannot come without discipline, so I expect the students to be more disciplined than last year.”
Annamae-Iessy N. Endeley, an Upper Sixth student in the national section, described the gathering as a welcome relief. “The mass this morning was very relieving because it’s been a while since we got to come together and to sing as a community,” she said. “I learned about the seven things Jesus Christ said before dying.”
Endeley outlined the students’ goals for the year: “We have started and are looking forward to passing with good grades. We have to start now. We need to focus on the cross and work hard while praying and living in harmony and love. Everything will be smooth.”
Anais Tabot, a former Vice Prime Minister who graduated in the 2024 General Certificate of Education advanced-level session, expressed her joy at returning. “It’s very nostalgic to be back here, and I’m happy seeing them once, and happy seeing my schoolmates,” she told the school media. “I wish to tell the junior ones; they have to be steadfast.”
Mario Tanka, who graduated last year after seven years at the college, encouraged current students to work hard. “Our batch has seen the most cultural change,” he recalled. “From the beginning, things were not easy, but gradually, things started changing. I don’t want to sugarcoat, but my experience in this school has been the best. I have never regretted coming to HCIC.” His advice: “Pray, play, and study hard.”
New and Returning Students Share Motivation
Students in the Cambridge International Section also shared their enthusiasm for the new term. Tamira Mbanya, a Year 11 student, was glad to be back. “It feels so good coming back because I had missed my teachers and fellow class and schoolmates,” she said. “However, since I came back, things have been going on well. I miss the environment and everyone. To succeed, I need to be focused because I want to make myself and parents proud.”
Fellow Year 11 student Lydia Ayompe acknowledged the work ahead. “Honestly, I anticipate a few challenges that I will face this year, but I came back more motivated to achieve my goals,” she explained.
Parents Express Joy and Expectations
Parents expressed happiness after meeting their children just a week after school resumed. “As a new parent, after a week, I shed tears because my child is experiencing this for the first time,” one parent shared. “It is not easy, but after seeing him today, I am happy because he is fine. I am expecting good conduct as well as academic excellence.”
Meanwhile, studies in the international section began with a two-day orientation. “We drilled on the values of the school,” an administrator noted. “We had to know the learners and tailor lessons to meet the need of the individual learners.”
