Dear Sister Daniela Molinari cms. Directress, dear Ato Issayas Mulugeta, Vice Director, dear teachers and staff, and you dear students and parents of Hawassa Secondary and Preparatory Catholic School, dear benefactors. am glad that we. Catholic Church of Hawassa, together with you, with the local authorities and all people of good will of Hawassa town, celebrate the 25th anniversary of our Comboni Secondary and Preparatory School. am truly overwhelmed with gratitude for the journey done by our Secondary and Preparatory Catholic School in the field of education in Hawassa town in all past years. Yes, gratitude and celebration is the spirit I want to express as start my Ministry as 4th bishop of this multi-coloured, blessed and challenging Vicariate after the sudden death of Abatacchin Yohannes Migliorati (RIP). The work of human promotion that the Catholic Church of Hawassa has done through the evangelizing educational ministry the Comboni Sisters have faithfully carried out in these 25 years in this school is something to be happy, grateful for and proud of. The Comboni School was built under bishop Armido Gasparini administration. He got the land (there was just one tree and now we have almost a forest!), and had the first three blocks built in 1990 G.C. (1982 E.C.) The school entrusted to the Comboni Sisters started operating in October 1991 G.C. (1984 E.C.) with grade 9 only. It was Sr Guditta Gasparotto who organized the starting of the school year and in the first trimester Sr Mariapia Co- lombo arrived as first School Directress and carried that responsibility until year 2006/07 G.C. (1999 E.C.). In this long period. Sr. Mariapia was able to animate a serious building development classrooms, library, laboratories, technical drawing room were added to the original building. In 1995/96 E.C.(2003 G.C.) she managed to get more land and to almost double the school compound. More classrooms were added and the idea of starting a teacher training college was born. Sr. Mariolina Cattaneo took over the direction of the school from 2007 to 2010 G.C. (2000-2003 E.C.) at that time, the number of students was consistently increased. It is in the year 2010 G.C. (2003 E.C.) that Sr. Daniela Mollnari, the present Directress (appointed to the school since 2008 G.C. (2001 E.C.]), took over the direction. In the last school year 2015/16 G.C. (2008 E.C.)the 731 students were distributed in six sections of grade 9, five sections grade 10, five sections grade 11 and four sections grade 12. While 28 were the teachers and 27 Sub-Staff. At the exam of grade 10 there were 161 students and 151 took the entrance exam to university. The excellency of our school is surely witnessed by the high score and excellent results of our students at the exams of grade 10 and entrance exam to university. Certainly it is a fruit of a hidden and often unseen witness to Jesus Love for young people that keeps us missionaries committed to our vocation in this sacred land of Ethiopia. Our love for Jesus adds an unseen value and a creative spirit to our work and to each and all the subjects that are taught English, Ethics, Amharic, Civics, Information Technology, Health and Physical Education, Maths, Physics Chemistry, Biology. Technical Drawing, Geography, History, General Business, Economics Our love for jesus gives a special colour to the Extra Curricular Activities of the school: to the Great Comboni Run, Comboni Football League. Basket ball Tournament, Mini Media. Environmental Club, Reading Club, Maths Olympics. Yes, it is our relationship with Jesus that mould us when we organize different Special Events through the school year: Comboni Day, Flag Day. Cultural Day, Christmas Celebration, Comboni Family Day, International Women Day, Special Days and Graduation Ceremony for grade 12 students. Tax Competition, Quiz and Debate competitions. In this occasion as we thank God for the permanent care and protection that through all these years we have experienced we extend our gratitude and blessings to everyone that since the starting of this school have been dedicating themselves for the growth and the quality education provided by the school. The many students (girls and boys) that every year enrol and succeed in the school, the teachers committing themselves day after day, the Comboni Missionary Sisters following, caring and evaluating with dedication the journey of the school. Yes, they (we) are a live HUMAN RAINBOW, a sign of hope, in the town of Hawassa and in the whole country. An earthly sign of heavenly gifts upon us and our people: wisdom, tolerance, dialogue, education, respect, growth and peace.

Msgr. Roberto Bergamaschil Bishop of Hawassa