Dear Parents and Guardians,
RE: FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK
The public (Cambridge) examinations are now entering the final straight. For a number of our A Level
candidates the exams are over and their time at Peterhouse has drawn to a close. There are still some AS
and IGCSE examinations to be written next week. For the A Block they head to the Bubye for their post –
examination outdoor excursion. Alongside these examinations, our end-of-year internal assessments have
been done, and the process of evaluating performance is underway. For the C Block they will, next week,
start on their IGCSE syllabi. For the Vth Form, the A2 coursework will carry them through to the end of
the term. These last weeks of term form a very important foundation for those writing Cambridge
examinations in 2026. It is vital that no academic time is lost and, again, I appeal to families not to erode
our term dates. The last school day is Wednesday 3 December. Whilst on the topic of examinations many
of our musicians will, over the next week, be sitting London College of Music exams. This international
benchmarking adds considerable value to our music programme.
The last couple of weeks have seen a number of significant annual calendar events in the school. Speech
Days at both the Boys and Girls offered us another great opportunity to profile the many successes our
pupils enjoyed in 2025. In the Boys School context, this year’s Speech Day provided another opportunity
to celebrate our foundation in 1955. We owe much to those who have gone before and we hope, in
celebrating our 70th Anniversary, we continue to build on the legacy of our founders. As we approach the
end of the year there remain two more 70th Anniversary functions. In Lusaka, Zambia, the Peterhouse
community will gather to toast the school on Thursday 13 November. During the course of the year,
Petrean branches have been very pro-active in connecting with the school, as well as in supporting a
number of celebratory functions. The last significant event will be in Harare on 3 December. The school
greatly values the work being done in so many Petrean spaces and hopes that Petreans will continue to
stay in touch with developments in the school. A recent global survey was circulated to the Petrean
community. If you are in receipt of this please can you spare a few minutes to complete the survey.
In two moving services this week, the 2025 Leavers’ joined the ranks of the Petrean Society. In the Boys
School Service, two very significant Petreans, Mr Jamie Lamb (founder pupil 1955) and Mr Joe Malaba
(18 Malaba’s have passed through this school) presented the Leavers’ with their Petrean tie. At
Peterhouse Girls, the tradition of leaving their brown shoes on the altar forms a very important and
symbolic part of their rights of passage from school into the Petrean Society. As our 2025 Leavers’
depart, we wish them every success in their future endeavours.
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
Congregational practice in the Chapel this week was a stark reminder of a fast-approaching end of term.
The sound of Christmas Carols being practiced in preparation of our annual Carol Service at the end of
November does highlight a rush towards the end of the year. Please save the dates for both the Peterhouse
Carol Service (30 November) and the Marondera Schools Service (1 December).
With the advent of November so too the weather changes and in the last few days the rain has finally
arrived. The varying brown tones of grass are gradually turning to green. The dry dustiness of the last
couple of months has turned to a crisp freshness and our hopes for a plentiful rain season start to rise.
After what has been a tough dry season, the school campus is beginning to regain its lush beauty. Credit
must go to our Estates teams who have, in the face of incredibly difficult odds, helped to keep our
grounds manicured and in great shape. As a consequence, the recovery, associated with the recent rains,
will be quick and sustained.
There are just a few weeks until the end of this academic year. There are still things to be done and we
look forward to finishing the year positively. Equally, in our planning, we are excited about what 2026
heralds and welcoming new pupils and families to Peterhouse.
With warm regards,
Jon Trafford
Rector