His desire was the school would be able to go all the way to 12th grade since prior to this students had to return to their home countries for their high school education. He made a plea for teachers and funding because he recognised that without the school, many of the parents would not be able to stay on the field, and that the school was in a very real way training the next generation of missionaries. Downing was convinced that the school was necessary to the future of missions. Herb Downing went on furlough in 1938 and was prevented from returning by WWII until 1947. Another Downing innovation was the introduction of Rendezvous or Mutton Guz, a party to reward those students who had not misbehaved too badly over the term. It was during his time as principal that the school became much more deliberately academic, although it retained a mixed European and American curriculum. Downing's goal was to establish a lasting and positive culture so that parents would feel comfortable leaving their children at RVA. He came to the job with several years of experience both as an educator and administrator, which was handy since both he and his wife Muriel needed to teach as they were the only staff at the time. He was uniquely prepared for the job since he was one of the first Americans born in East Africa and an alumnus of the school. In 1933, Herb Downing was called to head RVA. It was during these years that there were a number of epidemics that forced the school to close periodically as well. The years during World War I were very difficult because it was hard to get staff to come due to the dangers of sea travel during the war. Westervelt, was forced to leave the field due to poor health. Just as World War I broke out, Miss Hope, who was by now Mrs. Miss Perrott went on furlough in 1931 and was unable to return to Africa, but her influence was invaluable to the development of the school. For many years the main goal of students was to win the house cup. The two houses competed against each other academically and on the sports field.

The two houses, Stanleys and Livingstons, were named for the two explorers and served as an organizational tool for the school. She introduced RVA to several British sports such as Rounders and Rugby and instituted the two house system. After Miss Hope, the next teacher who truly felt called to teach at RVA was Miss Muriel Perrott. The primary concern of most missionaries was not the academic achievements of the students, but their spiritual life. Most missionaries had come to Africa to preach the gospel, not educate white children. During this visit, in 1909, Roosevelt laid the cornerstone for Kiambogo, the main school building that remains the centerpiece of RVA's campus.įor much of the early history of the school it was difficult to find teachers. Having met with Hurlburt in the White House in 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt visited Kijabe shortly after leaving office four years later.

Rift valley academy choir