HISTORY AND PROFILE OF ST. BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS SCHOOL
The dream of establishing a Catholic School in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, for the growing community of Dansoman by the late Emeritus His Grace, Dominic Kwodwo Andoh, the then Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Accra, gave birth to the existence of this great institution, St. Bernadette Soubirous School. His vision to provide an excellent and holistic Catholic Education has not only come true but serves as a memorial to the hard work of its staff, students and management, both past and present.
The foundation stone for the first classroom block and a temporary office was laid in 1978 but due to logistic problems, the project was suspended until it was completed and formally commissioned in February 1979. Its commissioning coincided with the centenary celebrations of the death of Saint Bernadette Soubirous (The Lady of Lourdes 1879-1979). The Late Emeritus, His Grace, Dominic Kwodwo Andoh, thus, named the school St. Bernadette Soubirous School to commemorate the occasion.
The opening ceremony was on the 18th of February 1979 and was officiated by Rev.Fr. Albert. Krestchmer, SVD, a visiting priest to the then St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Before its commissioning, Kindergarten and class one tutoring had started on the premises of St. Theresa’s School at North Kaneshie in Accra.
Upon commissioning, pupils were moved to the school’s new site under the headship of Sr. Luchina Schapendonk of blessed memory. Rev. Fr. Peter Madden was the first Local Manager (Priest / Bishop’s representative) of the school. Mrs. Agamah and Ms. Gagli were the first teaching staff. With a classroom block (Sr. Mary Laureen Block) of 4 classroom units and 29 pupils, the school started its humble beginnings with an additional class each year. This block hosted parishners of the then St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church during its infant years before moving to the Basement (now the Straathof Parish Hall). She returned to her home country upon retirement in 1984.
Sr. Mary Laureen, the second headmistress held the fort from 1984 with Rev. Fr. Richard Van Der Wurff, SVD, as the first resident Parish Priest of the then St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and hence the Local Manager of the school. With hard work and dedication, the school recorded a steady growth. Additional classroom blocks (Sr. Luchina Schapendonk and Archbishop Dominic Andoh Blocks) were put up to hold the increasing numbers which led to the expansion of the streams.
In August 1993, the school presented its first batch of 69 JSS students for the BECE. Out of these, 50 scored aggregate six 6.
Later Developments…..
The school has seen massive infrastructurural transformation and educational reforms under successive Heads and Managements with an institited Board of Governors.
The Archdiocesan Education Committee (AEC), under the office of the Archbishop of the Accra Archdiocese, was established to oversee to academic development and ensure a common curriculum for all sister school under the Diocese.
Three streams are run concurrently.
The following have been the substantive heads after the establishment of the school….
Head
Mrs. Mary Aquiline Cato. 1986 – 2012
Assistants
Mrs. Henrietta Amissah-Nyarko
Mrs. Yakoba Tagoe (late)
Ms. Margaret Wayo,
Mr. Albert Adotey Coffie
Mrs. Rebecca Antwi-Boasiako (late)
Head
Mrs. Ernestina Anna Britwum. 2012- 2023
Assistants
Mr. Albert Adotey Coffie
Mrs. Rebecca Antwi-Boasiako (late)
Mrs. Yvonne Oduro
Ms. Dzifa Dokernoo
Head
Mrs. Magdalena Korlikie Adjemfra
Assistants
Mrs. Vincentia Nyoagbe
Ms. Nerissa Ashigbey
Local Managers
Rev. Fr. Peter Madden 1979- 1984
Rev. Fr. Richard Van Der Wurff 1984- 1991
Rev. Fr. Marek Kowalik, SVD 1991- 1993
Rev. Fr John Straathof SVD, 1993 -2006
Rev. Fr. Patrick Ofori SVD 2026 – 2015
Rev. Fr. Francis Mastan SVD 2015-2020
Rev. Fr. John Prempeh SVD 2020- 2025