Chapter Ten

"The Inter-House Sports will be starting next week," Chinasa announced to Chioma as they stood in front of the notice board in front of the teachers' office. "What sport are you good at? They should have it in your form when you registered."

Chioma recalled filling that space on the form she was given at the principal's office.

"I played a bit of soccer at my old school," she replied. "A little bit of basketball too."

"I'm a good spectator," Chinasa said. "Never been good at the games. I'll cheer you on if you decide to feature in the games. House B has an impressive team but won't hurt for you to try out."

"When?"

"Today," Chinasa led the way to the hostel. "There's no classes for the week to allow the various teams practice. It's such a big deal around here as the Bishop will be in attendance and some boys might come around from the boys College."

Chioma observed other girls gathering in groups to discuss the upcoming Inter-House Sports event.

She recognized the palpable excitement that accompanied this period of spirited competition. The air buzzed with anticipation as various teams were set to clash in a medley of sporting competitions.

The allure of the event extended beyond the school grounds, often drawing attention from representatives of the state government. 

Their presence added an extra layer of significance, transforming the school competition into a potential scouting ground for talented athletes who could go on to represent the state in broader arenas.

As the girls gathered, the shared enthusiasm and friendly rivalries painted a vibrant picture of camaraderie amid the competitive spirit. 

The Inter-House Sports event, a nexus of athletic prowess and communal bonding, held the promise of not only school glory but also the potential to launch promising athletes onto a larger stage.

"Where will I register?" Chioma asked.

"Let's go to the House Mistress," Chinasa said. "She is responsible for those competing from our house. She'll register you and decide which sport to feature you in."

Eager with anticipation, the Chioma and Chinasa swiftly made their way to the teachers' quarters, converging on Miss Charity's room. 

The animated chatter of excitement filled the air as they joined a stream of other girls heading in the same direction. The buzz of voices created a lively atmosphere, punctuated by laughter and snippets of conversation about the upcoming Inter-House Sports event.

As they approached Miss Charity's room, the corridor echoed with the patter of their footsteps and the collective hum of anticipation. The prospect of discussing and possibly strategizing for the sports event added an extra layer of enthusiasm to the journey. 

Inside her room at the teachers' quarters, Miss Charity had preemptively set the stage for organizational efficiency. 

A large book lay open on her desk, its pages waiting to capture the aspirations of the eager girls. 

With a pen in hand, she meticulously inscribed their names, aligning them according to the specific sporting events they expressed interest in participating in.

The atmosphere in the room crackled with anticipation as each girl, fueled by enthusiasm, eagerly conveyed their athletic preferences. 

Miss Charity, took some time to interview them and sometimes make suggestions to them on the best choices to follow.

The pen danced across the pages, etching a narrative of individual aspirations and collective enthusiasm. 

As the names found their place on the pages, the room became a hub of anticipation, setting the stage for the forthcoming athletic showcase that would bring the school together in a celebration of skill, teamwork, and friendly rivalry.

In the quiet confines of her office, the principal, Sister Agatha orchestrated the administrative aspects of the school's Inter-House Sports event. Engaged in dual conversations, she deftly toggled between calls with the diocese and the ministry for sports, ensuring that both entities were informed about the imminent athletic showcase.

Her voice, a steady and purposeful cadence, resonated with updates and details as she relayed information about the upcoming event. The conversations were a fusion of logistical coordination and shared enthusiasm for the school's commitment to sports and community engagement.

Sister Agatha, with a sense of responsibility, navigated the intricacies of communication, weaving together the threads that connected the school's celebration of athleticism with the broader ecclesiastical and governmental support. 

"Of course the Bishop is coming," she told the person at the other end of the connection. "Yes. Thank you very much. We'll be expecting your presence, Honourable Commissioner."

Sister Agatha slowly ended the call and placed the phone on her desk. She shifted her attention to the Vice Principal, Sister Maria Dorothy, who sat patiently across the desk. 

The room, steeped in an air of administrative diligence, bore witness to the critical conversation that had just taken place with the Sports Commissioner of the state.

"He has promised to attend," Sister Agatha announced. "So now we have to start making preparations to host the Bishop and those who will come with him, as well as the Commissioner and his staff."

"How many people are we going to prepare for?"

"I will think we make reservations for thirty people," Sister Agatha replied. "Call the Social Mistress, she should be able to guide us in these sort of things."

The Social Mistress, a tall and elegant young woman who was always dressed in well tailored suits walked into the principal's office a few minutes later.

Miss Gloria's journey as a former personal aide to various government functionaries before she decided to retire from politics and become a teacher at St. Alice, equipped her with a nuanced understanding of political intricacies.

Sister Agatha briefed her on the content of her conversation and the array of expected attendees both from the church and the state government who would be coming to the school for the Inter-House Sports event.

"So we'll be having the Lord Bishop and his entourage," Sister Agatha said. "And the Commissioner for Sports will also be coming. I was of the view that the Bishop might come with about ten people, plus or minus but you can give us a better picture on what to expect from the politicians.

"You can also oversee the menu for the day, what you think we should serve them with. I'm not accustomed to these sort of things but I believe this is your area of specialization."

"I'll draw up a comprehensive report within the hour Sister Agatha," Miss Gloria replied.

"Please do so. I'll then give you a note for the burser," Sister Agatha said.

As Miss Gloria exited the principal's office, her purposeful stride led her straight to the heart of the school's professional hub—the staff office. 

The centralized space served as a microcosm of the collective efforts of St. Alice's teaching staff, where each educator had their own desk and personal locker. 

Within these confines, a symphony of lesson planning, administrative tasks, and personal organization played out daily.

The staff office, with its rows of desks, was a crucible for collaboration and idea exchange among teachers. 

As Miss Gloria settled into the comfort of her chair, she embarked on a deliberate exploration of her extensive background as a former political aide. The clatter of keys and rustling papers in the staff office became the backdrop to her introspective journey. With a keen sense of purpose, she sifted through the intricacies of political maneuvering, drawing upon the wealth of experiences she had accumulated.

In this reflective process, she sought to unearth not just isolated anecdotes but a cohesive narrative that could be woven into a workable plan for the impending event. Each keystroke and review of documents represented a deliberate effort to distill the essence of her political insights, transforming them into a blueprint that would resonate within the context of the school's environment. Her goal was not merely to present a plan but to seamlessly merge her political know-how with the ethos of St. Alice, creating a strategy that would navigate the complexities of the event and leave a lasting impact on both the church and state representatives in attendance.

"Have the girls started registering?" Sister Agatha asked the Vice Principal.

Before Sister Maria Dorothy could respond, Sister Agatha's phone rang. It was the Commissioner. Her heart missed a beat. Was he calling back to cancel?

"Good day sir," she said and listened.

She nodded after a while, "Alright sir, it would be a great pleasure."

The Vice Principal looked at her in tense anticipation as Sister Agatha cut the connection.

"Call Miss Gloria," Sister Agatha sounded very excited. "There's been a change of plans, the governor's wife is also coming".