INTRODUCTION

The Seventh-day Adventist Senior High School, Agona (AGASS) happens to be one of the oldest among the Adventist Senior High schools within the Mountain View Ghana Conference. The Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of education is Christ-centered. Adventists believe that, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God’s character and purposes can be understood as revealed in the Bible, in Jesus Christ, and in nature. The distinctive characteristics of Adventist education—derived from the Bible and the writings of Ellen G White—point to the redemptive aim of true education: to restore human beings into the image of their Maker.

Education in any Adventist school is more than just academic knowledge. It is committed to a balanced development of the whole person—spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially.

AGASS is one of the institutions that is also committed to the philosophy of education of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This can clearly be discerned in so many ways, in a sense that the school conducts devotions in the mornings before classes. Also, once every term the school conducts what we call “Week of Spiritual Emphasis”, whereby through out that week we focus on Christ and His willingness to reconcile humanity to his maker.

Apart from these activities, every Saturday, the whole school meet for a holy convocation to worship in obedience to the fourth commandment “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). On every Sabbath, the service is in two folds, a first section called the Sabbath school Lesson study, during which Students are allowed to participate fully in discussions. During this section, students are able to dissect the scriptures, which tends to help them in their daily walk with their Maker. After the first section, a second one, which focuses on hearing God talks to us, in a sermon, follows.

With these spirit filled programs by the chaplaincy, students who pass through AGASS become more than prepared to equal the heavy task in the tertiary institutions and the world at large. We in AGASS are committed to offering a higher education to students who pass through our school.

To have the higher education is to have a living connection with Christ. The Saviour took the unlearned fishermen from their boats and their fishing nets and connected them with Himself as He traveled from place to place, teaching the people and ministering to their needs. Sitting down on a rock or on some elevated place, He would gather His disciples about Him and give them instructions, and before long, hundreds of people would be listening to His words. There are many men and women who suppose that they know all that is worth knowing, when they greatly need to sit humbly at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him who gave His life that He might redeem a fallen world.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

The Seventh-day Adventist denomination is recognized as the leader in the fight for Religious Liberty. For this reason, students are accepted regardless of religious affiliation. It must however be noted that, this is a Seventh-day Adventist institution. Therefore, students should not apply for admission unless they are willing to respect the religious principles and sacred things as the Word of God (The Holy Bible), the Sabbath (Saturday), and the religious exercises and the practices of the school, and to maintain the principles and standards upon which the school is operated.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND DRESSING

Dressing—The Christian principles of refinement, culture and good taste embodied in the denominational attitude towards dressing is the guiding principle in the development of a statement on dressing in terms of local needs.
Standards on dressing include provisions which avoid extremes, extravagance, unhealthiness and immodesty.

Student Standards — Every student enrolled in the Seventh-day Adventist Senior High school-Agona, whether from an Adventist family or not, shall be expected to:

1. Respect the Bible as the inspired Word of God.
2. Practice the principles of Christian morals, ethics, fair play and courtesy in all school relationships, abstaining from all forms of rough uncouth behavior.
3. Keep his language pure and refrain from profanity.
4. Practice the principles of healthful living.
5. Refrain from attending the cinema, night clubs and other questionable places of amusement.
6. Dress in a clean, modest, healthful manner.
7. Avoid the use of jewelry and worldly adornment.
8. Refrain from reading obscene and questionable literature.
9. Refrain from the use of tobacco, liquor and other harmful drugs.
10. Use music and literature that meet Adventist standards.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

1. Sabbath worship services are to be attended by everyone on campus: students, and staff members.
2. Well planned vesper services are held every Friday evening on campus
3. Provisions are made for students, and staff members to participate in Sabbath school services.
4. One Week of Spiritual Emphasis is conducted each term on campus
5. Morning Devotion (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
6. Evening worships (i.e. Friday vesper service and Wednesday prayer session) are conducted.
7. Baptismal classes are conducted every Sabbath during the Sabbath School session. Here the opportunity is being provided for those desiring baptism to receive instructions in the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
8. One chapel period per week. Programs are planned in advance for the entire term. They are instructional and inspirational.

 SCHOOL WORSHIP

There are two (2) main worship hours observed in the school. One is held on every morning from 6:00am to 7:00am and the other is on the Sabbath(Saturday) from 8:00am to 12:30pm. These services are organized in accordance with the Seventh-day Adventist church policy on education and they are compulsory to all.

SABBATH

Saturday, the seventh-day of the week, is observed as the Sabbath, it is only natural that non-Adventists and even some Adventists do not have a complete understanding of the purpose of the Sabbath and how it should be observed. The actual details of the Sabbath observance cannot be listed entirely because to some extent they vary for different individuals.

We do not wish to make the Sabbath a burden, but in harmony with the sacredness of the day and the principles involved, we request that students refrain from putting laundry out to dry; ironing clothes; gathering in idle groups and engaging in high toned, frivolous conversation, listening to secular radio programs; reading or studying secular books or literature on the day. Sabbath begins at sunset Friday and concludes at sunset Saturday.

THE SCHOOL CHOIR

Singing is a life-long skill that is not only enjoyable, but also fosters ear training, intonation, breath support, and confidence in oneself. The Seventh-day Adventist Senior High School, Agona (AGASS) can boast of spirit filled worship during the Sabbath hours partly because of the kind of music performed by the school choir. AGASS encourages every student especially first year students who have the talent and passion for singing, to join the school choir, regardless of experience and ability.

The AGASS choir has participated in various singing competition and in most cases won laurels for the school.

WORSHIP HOURS

Morning Devotion (6:00AM – 7:00AM)

Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

Evening Service

Wednesday (6:00pm – 6:50pm)
Friday (6:30pm – 8:30pm)

Sabbath Service

Sabbath School (8:00am – 10:30am)
Divine Service (11:00am – 12:30pm)
Afternoon Session (3:30pm – 5:00pm)

 ROUTINE PROGRAM OUTLINE

Morning Devotion

Prayer
Hymn or special music
Sermon
Hymn
Benediction
Announcements
Congregation standing or seated for silent prayer

Sabbath Divine Service

Musical prelude
Announcements
Service participants enter
Doxology
Invocation (prayer)
Hymn of praise
Prayer
Anthem or special music
Offering
Scripture reading
Hymn of consecration
Sermon
Hymn
Benediction
Congregation standing or seated for a few moments of silent prayer ***Musical postlude