For years, Bishop Sulumeti Girls Senior School, Lugari, has built a formidable reputation as one of Western Kenya’s most competitive girls’ volleyball teams, consistently flying the constituency’s flag at county, regional, and national competitions.
Its crowning sporting moment came in 2025 when the school qualified for the East Africa Secondary School Games, where the team battled against some of the continent’s finest sides before securing a bronze medal. The achievement not only placed the senior school among East Africa’s elite but also etched the school’s name into the region’s sporting history.
The milestone remains a source of immense pride for the school and the wider Lugari community. Speaking to the Western Kenya Times, the school’s Head of Institution, Rebecca Alwena, said volleyball has become part of Bishop Sulumeti’s identity, with generations of students helping build a winning culture that continues to inspire younger learners.
“Our volleyball programme has remained strong over the years, and we are proud of what our girls have achieved. Their success has put both the school and Lugari Constituency on the map,” she said.
Rising above setbacks
Success, however, has not come without challenges. Although Bishop Sulumeti Girls reached the Kakamega County volleyball championships in both 2024 and 2026, the team was unable to progress beyond that stage.
Madam Alwena believes this year’s campaign was significantly affected by student unrest that interrupted the school calendar and disrupted preparations.
When students were sent home, sporting activities came to an abrupt halt, leaving the volleyball team with only two days of training after learning resumed before heading into competition.
“The unrest was the main challenge because all students had gone home. We had only two days to prepare before the competition, and that was not enough,” she explained.
Despite the setback, she was quick to defend the players, noting that none of the volleyball team members participated in the unrest.
“They are disciplined students who always report for training and matches on time. They remained focused despite the challenges,” she said.
Beyond volleyball: A school of sporting champions
While volleyball remains the school’s flagship sport, the institution is increasingly becoming a cradle of talent across multiple disciplines.
This year, the school will represent the Western Region in Beach Volleyball at the national championships, further strengthening its growing reputation in the sport.
Individual students have also earned places in Kenya’s national secondary school competitions after excelling in various disciplines, including:
- Badminton: Two students selected.
- Lawn Tennis: One student selected.
- Table Tennis: One student selected.
The broad representation reflects the school’s deliberate investment in nurturing talent beyond a single sport.
Madam Alwena says these achievements demonstrate that Bishop Sulumeti Girls are producing well-rounded learners capable of excelling both inside and outside the classroom.
“Our community is proud of what the girls continue to achieve. Every success motivates us to aim even higher,” she noted.
Academic ambitions gathering momentum
Away from the sports fields, Bishop Sulmet Girls is quietly transforming its academic fortunes.
The school’s 2025 KCSE results signaled encouraging progress, with 22 out of 257 candidates attaining university entry grades. The school posted a mean score of 4.28, laying a foundation for even stronger performance in the years ahead.
This year, expectations are significantly higher. The school has registered 186 KCSE candidates and has set an ambitious target of attaining a mean score of 6.0 while increasing university admissions to at least 30 students.
Madam Alwena revealed that the institution ultimately hopes to achieve a university transition rate of about 40 percent.
“Our university entry target is about 40 percent, and as a school we are working very hard to ensure we achieve that goal,” she said.
The school’s strategy includes strengthened academic support programs, close monitoring of learner progress, and creating an environment where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in both academics and co-curricular activities.
Recognising community support
Madam Alwena also credited initiatives spearheaded by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera for contributing to improved academic performance across the constituency.
She said the programmes have strengthened learning outcomes and inspired schools to pursue higher academic standards.
“As for me, I can give Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera a score of 90 percent. As a first-term Member of Parliament, he has done a tremendous job in improving education in Lugari through various academic programs. The impact is already visible in our schools and university admissions,” she said.
