Dear Parents and Guardians,
This term seems to be passing by in a flash and blur; remarkably we are already into our winter sports
programme with rugby teams having played their first competitive “sevens” matches at Hellenic this
week. Looking back over the last couple of weeks we continue to make good our commitment to
addressing aspects of our academic spaces. In this regard, the outcome of some very frank academic
audits are being implemented by Heads of Departments who have embraced these conversations in a
positive and constructive manner. Equally, efforts to ensure that we protect academic time are beginning
to show fruit. To this end, all prep sessions are now supervised, and the use of “devices” is being more
strictly monitored, both in class time and through the school’s networks. In a recent meeting with the
Parents Association we shared some of our strategies to further build the academic rigour within the boys’
school. Equally, Curriculum Support is being re-evaluated; under the guidance of the Director of Studies
and the Deputy Headmaster we are revisiting the whole Curriculum Support space. We have already ring
fenced Curriculum Support in the timetable and pupils will, on recommendation, or voluntarily, have
access to this support. Additionally, formal Curriculum Support will receive more time and pupils
currently working under the guidance of Curriculum Support staff will have the time needed to support
their academic needs. Without wanting to sound like a stuck record, please can I ask for your support in
protecting academic time. Firstly, protecting term dates is crucial to our academic endeavour. In this
regard, can routine medical procedures such as dental appointments be confined to holiday time? We have
also recognized the importance of prep times in the school. In planning “floating weekends” we see
Friday evening prep as an important part of academic consolidation. While understanding that, at times,
Friday departures are unavoidable, we ask, as far as possible, that these are limited.
Elsewhere, the school has enjoyed considerable success. Our rowers returned from the South African
Schools’ Rowing Championships in Pretoria; these are the “Olympics” of South African Schools Rowing.
Robert Weller returned to Peterhouse with a silver medal, with a number of others being just short of
medal placings. Most satisfying was the number of individuals and teams making it through to final heats
this year. Congratulations to all those involved in building our rowing capacity. On the athletics track, we
have hosted two highly entertaining and competitive events. The first, the inter-house athletics meeting,
highlighted a wonderful depth of talent in the schools. My thanks to all those who supported our athletes
on the day; it was fantastic seeing so many parents enjoying some fine, in some cases, record breaking,
performances. This was followed by the inter-schools relays which is regarded as one of the Zimbabwe
Schools’ athletics highlights. Once again, there were some gritty and outstanding performances. Sadly,
weather intervened and the 4 x 100m relays were cancelled. This left the overall positions hanging in the
balance with Peterhouse and St George’s vying for first place. Still to come are the St George’s and
Lomagundi inter-schools Championships. The school will also be hosting the Mashonaland East
Provincial Athletics Championship this weekend. Winter sports started in earnest this week with some
very good performances on the rugby field at Hellenic. Whilst on sporting events, both the PHB and PHG
first hockey teams are travelling to Cape Town in the last week of term to compete in the Western Cape
hockey Festival. Our cricketers depart for a tour to the UK in the first week of the holidays; they are being
hosted by Radley School outside Oxford. Rugby teams will be heading to KwaZulu-Natal for the
Michaelhouse and Kearsney Easter Festivals. We will also be playing Michaelhouse as a standalone
fixture on 26 April.
In the Fieldsend Hall, the interhouse plays provided some thought-provoking and entertaining insights
into a range of subjects. Written, produced, and performed by boys, these plays reflected a growing
strength in drama in the school. Credit goes to Mrs Allott for challenging the houses to produce plays that
required creative writing, and skilful production and execution. For a fair number of actors, it would have
been their first stage performances; hopefully it will not be their last as there is a good depth of dramatic
skill in the school.
Following a break in sporting activities this weekend, we have just over three weeks to the end of term.
Academically, reports are being written based on the Term Order. The Lent term reports will provide you
with a very good benchmark as to progress in the classroom. For the public examination candidates,
reports will be frank and direct given that “mock examinations” will come upon them very quickly next
term. Creating balance between academic need and sport commitments will be central to ongoing success.
On the sporting front, there is a blend between athletics and winter sports activities still to come.
Culturally, we are well into the NIAA Eisteddfod and our musicians are hard at work in their preparation
for the upcoming assessments.
In closing, please may I draw your attention to the calendar which is updated every Friday. Similarly, may
I remind you of the slight adjustment to Trinity Term dates: Trinity Term will start on Sunday, 11 May
and end Friday 1 August (PHG/SVH) and Saturday 2 August (PHB, after the St George’s rugby fixture).
With regards,
Jon Trafford
Rector
