Dear Parents and Guardians,
RE: FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK
Remarkably, we are half way through the term and with it comes change. While the trees are showing the
first hints of autumn, so too our activities programme changes. This half of term has allowed routines to
settle, and my sense is that our pupils have made a very good start to the year.
Alongside this change there are some changes in staffing as we complete the process in finding a new
Director of Sport and Ellis Housemaster. The school is pleased to announce that Mr Winston Holman will
be returning to Zimbabwe and Peterhouse to take up both of these positions. A former teacher at
Peterhouse (2011 – 2015), Mr Holman and his wife Glenda have been working and living in Eswatini for
the last nine years. Mr Holman not only brings with him a strong educational background but, equally, he
has spent time in the business sector where his management skills will be invaluable in our Sports
Department. We look forward to welcoming the Holmans who join the school at the start of the Trinity
Term.
On the sports front, Mr Robbie Du Rand, alongside Mr Andrew Bailey, will take over the coaching and
management of the 1st XV rugby. Their first task will be to prepare the team for a tour to Portugal in early
April, followed by two games (CBC and Lomagundi) at the St John’s Festival. On the topic of tours, both
the girls’ and boys’ hockey sides head to festivals in South Africa during the Easter holiday. Similarly,
soccer and hockey head to Europe for specialist training and game time. After half term the rowers head
to Roodeplaat, outside Pretoria, for the South African Schools’ Championships. In all this action, the
Athletics season kicks off with our first major competition on Sunday 25 February, the boys’ and girls’
Interhouse Athletics Championship. Being a closed weekend, I would like to encourage you to come out
to the school in support of all our athletes as it is always a great day of healthy competition.
At the recent Conference of Heads of Independent Schools in Zimbabwe (CHISZ) in Nyanga, there was
considerable discussion around “addictive habits” amongst adolescents. At the forefront of the
conversation was the issue of vaping which has increasingly become cause for concern, not only because
of the more widespread use of vapes, but also the fact that it has made its way into the Prep School
system. In countries like New Zealand and the United Kingdom governments are starting to take a more
proactive role in dealing with the issue and legislation in these countries is moving to ban disposable
vapes. For our part, we need to take the initiative within our schools in managing this problem. At
Peterhouse we will continue to drive the educational and disciplinary processes associated with the
proliferation of vape usage. On the educational side, our Life Skills programme deals effectively with the
hazards associated with a range of “addictions”. We of course believe that this needs to extend beyond the
school and here we seek your support. Addictive habits cost money. To this end, please will you monitor
the spending habitats of your children and any related or associated changes of behaviour at home.
Peterhouse Group of Schools : Private Bag 3741, Marondera, Zimbabwe: www.peterhousegroup.co.zw
secretary@peterhouse.co.zw +263 (0) 65-2324951/2/3, 2322200/1/2/3, (0)772-136470/1
While the jury is still out on the long-term effects of vaping, there is a growing school that vaping will
have a significant health impact. Vaping also provides a gateway for the use of more addictive and
damaging substances. While not wanting to be alarmist, vaping is our current generational problem. It has
the potential to increase levels of addiction substantially. Consequently, we need to find ways in which
we can, collectively, reduce the exposure of vaping to our pupils.
We have, over the last couple of weeks, interrogated our 2023 public examination results with Heads of
Department. This reflective process has been invaluable, and we have been able to effectively review
areas of concern and, equally, recognize many achievements and highlight excellence. To this end, please
note that we have now ring-fenced a time in the day where academic support takes place. This takes away
any excuse that academic support clashes with other school activities. We have also put into place
mechanisms which protect prep sessions in the evenings. There will therefore be fewer evening
disruptions to the timetable.
Congratulations to Mrs Helen Allott and her team of junior thespians for their entertaining and thoroughly
enjoyable production of “The Average Man”. Very slickly produced, the play gave our younger
dramatists a real opportunity to show off their talent, and they did so in style.
As we enjoy a short respite from the rigours of the schools’ routines, we are preparing for the changes this
half of term brings to our activities. In looking forward to the second half of term, I encourage you to
check the weekly updated calendar for events and activities taking place in the school. I look forward to
seeing many of you over the next six weeks.
With regards,
Jon Trafford
Rector
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