About Us
Welcome to St. Johns Secondary School, Amoke: A Brief History
St. John’s Secondary School was established in 1972 in Amoke, Apa Local Government Area (formally Otukpo Native Authority) of Benue State but Benue Plateau State then, by the then Catholic Diocese of Makurdi under Bishop Donald Murray, now Catholic Diocese of Otukpo to cater for the educational needs of the children of Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas, Adoka District of Otukpo and some parts of Kogi State in particular and the entire nation in general.
The first Principal of the school, Rev. Fr. Patrick an Irish National, who was hitherto the Principal of St. Emmanuel Secondary
School, Ugbokolo was transferred to establish St. John’s Secondary School, Amoke. He worked so hard that the school moved from the temporary site to the permanent site within one year when he had put in place a block of classroom and hostel each and the principal’s quarter for himself.
At its inception, the school started with a group of 36 boys who got admitted by the principal. However, due to pressure from the feeder communities and the need to give sound education to the Girl-Child, it was considered necessary that the school be co-educational. The first set of girls were admitted in September 1999.
Since her inception, St. Johns Secondary School has had fourteen past principals and is currently under the stewardship of Rev.Fr Donatus Peter Ochai who has ensured that the standard of academics and morality are upheld for the good of students and the society at large. Till date, the school is known for its morality, academics and discipline.
Mission Statement
At St. John’s Secondary School, our mission is to nurture the holistic development of each student, instilling in them a lifelong passion for learning, a deep sense of moral integrity, and a commitment to service and leadership in their communities.
Our Core Values
- Excellence, Integrity, Faith, Community, and Service.
Our Philosophy
At St. John’s Secondary School, we believe in the transformative power of education to shape hearts, minds, and futures. Guided by the principles of Catholic social teaching, we seek to empower our students to become compassionate leaders and responsible global citizens, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to navigate the world with integrity and purpose.
Principal’s Desk
The Church was given a divine mandate of being a Teacher and Mother of God’s people. Thus the church acquired the supreme teaching authority – The magisterium – meaning the authorized and authoritative teacher. In the same way, by being a mother, the church has the mandate to take care of the spiritual and moral formation of God’s children. In other words, the responsibility to educate is given to the church by Christ himself.
The Catholic Church through the ages, has always seen education as an integral part of her mission and has always accepted this divine mandate by establishing schools in the different dioceses. The church’s involvement in education keeps to her role as a mother in love for the well-being of her flock. This involvement is not because of material gains but it is in consonant with the basic mission/commission of – the Lord as directed in Matthew chapter 28:17 i.e. “Go ye therefore and teach all nations”. This assignment takes into account the whole person.
Rev. Fr. Donatus Peter Ochai, Ph.D — Principal
Management Team
Rev. Fr. Donatus Peter Ochai, Ph.D
Principal
Mr. Awodi Obed Otene
Vice Principal
Mr. Omaji Noah
Dean of Studies
