Gayaza High School

Location

The school is located in the town of Gayaza, in Wakiso District, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The school grounds cover an area of 140 acres (57 ha) on a hilltop, running roughly south to north. It is bounded on the north by Makerere University Farm at Kabanyolo and on the west by smallholdings and the Gayaza - Namulonge road. The area between the school farm and the road from Kampala to Kalagi, Mukono, Uganda comprises a swamp and more smallholdings. Gayaza High School lies immediately north of a small settlement known as Gayaza Market. At this point, the main road from Kampala forks; one road leading to Kalagi in Mukono District and the other to Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Research Institute (NAARI), and on to Zirobwe. The lane between them leading up to the school, past the primary day schools and the parish church, is a cul de sac, which accounts for the school's relative security in times of trouble. The coordinates of the school are:0°27'36.0"N, 32°36'39.0"E (Latitude:0.460000; Longitude:32.610833).

History

Christian missionaries belonging to the Church Missionary Society of England founded Gayaza High School in January 1905 with four students. By July 1905, the number of students had grown to 43. The land was donated to the Church by Kabaka Daudi Cwa II.

The purpose was to train girls, especially the daughters of chiefs of the Kingdom of Buganda, in those skills that would make them better wives. This was the only basis of security approval from the traditional and traditionalist leaders of that time. The founders however had a different motive: to educate girls based on a strong Christian foundation. They realized that the best way of entrenching Christianity was by having Christian mothers under whom children spent all their formative years.

In the beginning, the curriculum included agriculture, handiwork, child-care and needlework, as well as scripture, reading, writing, arithmetic and geography. Academic excellence and social excellence are traditions in Gayaza High School. It is therefore not surprising that the school is one of the most sought after high schools in Uganda. In 2009, Gayaza High School was selected as the 68th best high school in Africa.

Originally, any girl, as long as she was a daughter of a chief in the Buganda Kingdom, was admitted to Gayaza. Later, even those from rich families were able to enter the school. Eventually the system changed further so that one had to pass both their oral and written examinations to get into Gayaza. Today this is still the practice.

Mehta Library

In 1962 Mehta library was opened by Mr. Mehta J.B. The library composed of magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and educational literature novels. The students use the library for personal reading, research meetings, and seminars.

Student residences

The student dormitories are named after prominent Ugandans or after past administrators at the school:

Rhoda Nsibambi House

The last house is named after the late Rhoda Nsibambi, former wife to the immediate past Prime Minister of Uganda, Apollo Nsibambi. She was an alumnus. Ham & Apollo House is named after Ham Mukasa and Apollo Kaggwa. Kennedy House was named after John F. Kennedy.

Hutchinson House

It is located in the middle of the school and was built by Lena and Joseph Hutchison . It is the second largest house after Rhoda Nsibambi. It has been good in sports for the past few years.

Corby House

Corby House is one of the oldest dormitories in Gayaza High School. It was opened in 1963 and was named after Miss Nancy Corby, a former Headmistress of the school. The theme colour is blue and the motto is ‘Forward Ever, Backward Never’. The house has two blocks; the senior block and the junior block. The junior block has 8 rooms, 2 of which are prefects’ rooms. The senior block has 12 rooms and 1 belongs to the House Prefect.

Corby House Anthem

Situated at the end Of Gayaza High School Is Corby House.The dorm of quality Creativity unity ability Hardworking God gave it all To Corby House. Corby we praise the Lord, Corby we thank the Lord!

Kennedy house

Kennedy house was opened in 1964 and named after the then President of the United States of America,John.F.Kennedy.The motto of the house is written in kiswahilli,KUA MFANO,which means 'be an example'.The house is symbolized by an eagle representing the quick minded residents and the house color is red to symbolize boldness and strength.

Senior Houses

In 1905, when the school was started on the eastern side, the mission house on the western slope was for the priest-missioner of the area. Later, the mission house was occupied first by the staff of the Teacher Training Course which was moved to Buloba. This remained the senior house for the headmistress, until the new headmistress`s house was built in the 1990s. Currently the old senior house is being used as staff quarters and the new senior house is the house of the headmistress.

Notable alumni