Indeed the foundation for academic excellence was built very early into the history of the school as documented hereunder. In honor of the people who laid the foundation for the greatest educational institution of our time, with gratitude , we reproduce an excerpt   from the history of the school  with a picture of the late Mr Eric Christensen  and Alhagi IBM Garba Jahumpa, two of the most all time celebrated old boys in the 80 glorious years of the schools existence.  

Academic Achievements  

"Academic achievements  in the new Secondary School attracted  little attention in the 1930’s. Among  the pupil teachers at the school was Ibrima Garba-Jahumpa (a Preliminary Cambridge student of 1931).      In 1938 St. Augustine’s Secondary  School  presented 1 candidate for the Junior Cambridge and 4 for the  Preliminary  Cambridge. These were the first Cambridge candidates from the school.

In 1939  there were three candidates for  the Junior Cambridge and all passed at this first attempt.  Among the students then were Sam Sylva (RIP) and Eric Christensen.  Felix Blain was a private candidate  for the Senior Cambridge.

In 1940 there were 3 candidates for the Junior Cambridge and 1 candidate for the Senior  Cambridge.  All candidates passed  again this year.  Eric Christensen was the first successful Senior Cambidge candidate from the  school. In 1944 there were two successful Junior Cambridge  candidates from St. Augustine’s Secondary  School viz. Tijan Foon and Ousman Jallow.

These were  modest efforts in our eyes  today but behind them lies effort, sweat and tears which will remain unsung. Let us not forget  that the  successful Preliminary Cambridge student of the day was assured  of a position in the Civil Service or in Commerce.  Two of the High School Principals of that  period are still  with us Thank God viz. Rev Fr. Francis Farrell and Rev Fr. Andrew Carroll. The story they unfold  of the 40’s deserves a paper on its own.

It was the war period when new kinds of  war-work  attracted  teachers and students away  from the  classroom.  Secondary Teachers found it difficult to accept a lower status than their colleagues in the Elementary  schools. But despite these setbacks through lack of  personnel and money the determination to succeed was there."