In the early days of secondary education in Owo Division, Western Nigeria, girls didn’t have access to secondary schools. The first secondary school, Imade College, was established in 1946 but was exclusively for boys. This limited girls’ opportunities for higher education and obtaining essential qualifications.

A significant change came in 1956 with the founding of St. Catherine’s Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, an all-girls secondary school, thanks to the efforts of Late Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, who believed in equal education for girls. St. Catherine’s started with limited resources, but dedicated staff, including Mr. Adamolekun and Miss Wemimo Ajomo, played key roles.

Initially, the school relied on Imade College for facilities and activities, but it faced staffing challenges when the first principal, Mr. C.O. Adamolekun, left. A merger with Imade College helped address this issue. The search for a principal continued, and in 1959, Miss Urguhart assumed the role.

Under Miss Moss’s leadership in 1962, the school gained accreditation to conduct the West African School Certificate Examination, with the 1958 set achieving excellent results. Miss Smith succeeded Miss Moss in 1964 but had to return to England due to illness. Mr. F.K. Omoju temporarily oversaw the school. In 1966, Miss Joan Steward became the principal, and the school welcomed students from various denominations and religions.

St. Catherine’s gained recognition for academic excellence and sports achievements, with many students representing their states and the nation. The school’s motto, “Faith and Wisdom,” continues to guide its students, and the success of its former students reflects the school’s positive impact.