Dear Parents and Guardians,
RE: FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK
We are approaching the midway point in the Cambridge examinations. The last two weeks have been
particularly demanding and candidates in all three examination levels (IGCSE, AS, and A Level) have
been hard at work. Consensus, at this point, is that the papers have been fair and consistent with
expectation. There is still some distance to go before the last examinations are written in mid-November.
For the A Block, the end of the examinations heralds their Bubye Conservancy expedition. This trip
provides an excellent end point for their A Block year. For the AS group, it will be back into the
classroom and the start of their A2 Syllabus. This is an important three weeks academically, given that it
lays a critical foundation for the A2 work. For our A Level Leavers, we will be wishing them farewell,
formally, at the Leavers’ Services on Sunday 2 November (PHB) and Thursday 6 November (PHG).
This Service marks the transition from being Peterhouse pupils to becoming members of the Petrean
Society and the new relationship they will develop with the school.
Perhaps the most significant development since the last Newsletter has been the commissioning of the
Group’s solar project. Having been in the planning for over a year, this project has been switched on in
phases over the last two weeks. The project consists of a number of solar arrays, the two largest being the
one below Tinokura (PHB) and the other next to St Francis Primary School (PHG/SVH). The
combination of all the “arrays”, some of which are located near Kushinga Dam and in Calderwood Park,
will allow the school to become entirely self-sufficient in power generation during daylight hours.
Additionally, at full capacity (2.1MW), the school will feed back power into the national grid. The
savings accrued to the school from this project, over the next five years, will settle the loan secured for the
project’s construction. This marks a significant step in the school’s sustainable energy plan and reduces
our reliance on hydrocarbons. Our thanks go to Hydro-Solar for their considerable input into the
construction of our solar energy plant and for navigating the regulatory requirements associated with
connecting the system to the grid.
During the course of the last week, work has continued in the Chapel on the installation of the first four of
the new stained glass side windows. As I write, the last of the four windows is being put into place.
Alongside this work, four more windows are being prepared in anticipation of the delivery of the new
panels in 2026. If you pass by the Chapel, the new windows are well worth a visit.
The end of the year is associated with a good number of farewell functions, the most recent being the
annual Sportsman of the Year Dinner. This function, hosted in the Junior Dining Hall, proved to be a
wonderful celebration of Peterhouse sport in 2025. Our Guest Speaker, Hilton Mudzamiri, current
Captain of the Sables Rugby team (destined for the World Cup in 2027), spoke on the power of the
human spirit in sport and how, with hard work and perseverance, you can attain your goals. Hilton spoke
of his own personal ambition of wanting to represent Zimbabwe at the World Cup from a very young age.
During the evening, a number of awards were also made, and congratulations go to Prosper Zimbango
who was named the 2025 Sportsman of the Year; the 1s XV Rugby Team being voted the “Team of the
Year”; Victor Watama as up and coming Sportsman of the Year, and Bradley Munyanyiwa as most
diligent (academically) Vth Form Sportsman.
On October 2nd, Peterhouse Boys and Girls hosted a joint Cultural Dinner to recognize the outstanding
contributions of Vth and VIth Form leaders in the extra-curricular domain. The event served to
acknowledge the significant effort invested in the 36 clubs and societies across the schools. Themed “A
Tapestry of Tradition,” the dinner also commemorated Peterhouse’s 70th anniversary, reflecting on its
longstanding commitment to cultural pursuits. The Heads of Culture, Blessed Matsikidze (PHB) and
Shania Jin (PHG), gave eloquent addresses. The keynote address was delivered by Munyaradzi
Chidzonga, an accomplished Petrean (Founders/2004) and a prominent figure in Zimbabwean arts, who
provided a powerful and motivating perspective.
With half term fast approaching the second half of term sees us continue with some important end of year
functions. Immediately after the half term break on 21 October, Peterhouse Girls will host the 2025
Confirmation Service, to be overseen by the Bishop, The Right Rev Mutamiri, in St Francis Chapel.
Both Peterhouse Girls and Boys will celebrate academic achievement on their respective Speech Days on
Saturday 25 October. The Boys Speech Day starts at 10h00 but is preceded by tea at 09h00. The Girls
Speech Day will start at 14h00 in St Francis Chapel. As mentioned previously, the two Leavers’ Services
will be on 2 (PHB) and 6 (PHG) November. The end of term sees a number of Concerts. The Group Carol
Service will be in the PHB Chapel on Sunday 30 November followed by the Marondera Schools Concert
on Monday 1 December. Term closes on Thursday 4 December.
If the first part of the term is our benchmark, then we will be facing the start of the Christmas holiday in a
hurry. There is much still to be done before that time as we prepare for 2026 and another very full intake
in all three schools in January. Interestingly, we are also preparing for 2027, and the applications are
already rolling into the school. For the non-public examination classes, our internal assessment process
starts on Wednesday 22 October.
With regards,
Jon Trafford
Rector