The public examinations are all but complete, and our end of year internal assessments have been done. Report writing has started and the C Block have started their IGCSE courses. Vth Form now face the challenges of A2. In a week’s time the D Block move to the senior houses. While the end of the academic year looms equally, many aspects of school life start anew, and this demands new energy and heightened focus. Throughout this time the sports programme has continued, and the school has enjoyed a number of notable successes.
JUBILEE PAVILION
On the back of an incredibly generous donation from a Petrean to the school, discussions over the last year have taken place around the redevelopment of the Jubilee Pavilion.
Following the completion of a new design, and subsequent tender process work began on the reconstruction of the pavilion mid-way through October. The first phase of the project involves a considerable amount of demolition work. This should be complete within the next week after which the reconstruction work will start to take shape. Scheduled for completion on late March 2027 the pavilion will add much to the school’s sporting and hosting infrastructure. The official opening and renaming of the pavilion will take place during the 2027 Trinity Term.
BVC CAMP
For the A Block, the Cambridge examinations end with the BVC Camp in the Lowveld. This camp offers an incredible opportunity for the A Block to experience an environment which is challenging yet designed to give them the chance of having some lifelong experiences. Designed as a precursor to the move into the Upper School it provides an excellent opportunity for the A Block to engage in a range of activities which include community outreach, bush craft, water activities and self-reflection. Supported by team of professionals and staff the BVC Experience is a very unique outdoor activity set in a remote but unspoilt natural environment.
SPEECH DAY
Both Peterhouse Boys and Girls held their Speech Days on Saturday 24 October. Once again, we were able to acknowledge and celebrate our 2026 successes. Peterhouse Girls welcomed Kudzayi Shawatu, Headmistress of Arundel as their Guest Speaker, whilst at the Boys School Jim Hodges, Head of School (E 1991), was the Guest Speaker.
LEAVERS SERVICE
The Boys School Leavers’ Service took place in the Chapel on Sunday 1 November. Mr Piet de Klerk (M 2004) shared his story of running the Nyanga 100 Miler. His message was a simple one about running the race, which was massively challenging and with obstacles both physical and mental. Success is about belief and nothing is over until it is done, and that takes courage, hard work, a lot of stamina and a will to finish the race. It was his view that these characteristics are what sets you apart from the crowd. The Leavers were presented their Petrean ties by the Chairman of the Petrean Society, Mr Gordon Simpson.
HIVE (Hub for Innovation and Vocational Education)
In preparation of the formal introduction of Vocational Learning, the school is developing a dedicated learning area to be known as the HIVE, an acronym for the Hub for Innovation and Vocational Education. In preparation for its development the school has been incredibly lucky to have received financial support for the upgrade of the Technology Learning Centre as a well as providing a permanent water source for the Agricultural Science project. We are also pleased to announce that City and Guilds have agreed to a process our application for accreditation as a training centre.
PETREAN END OF YEAR FUNCTION – THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER
The Petrean Society host their last 2026 Zimbabwe function on Thursday, 3 December. The function will be hosted at The Oak Tree, Harare. Tickets for this function can be brought online through TicketBox Zimbabwe. https://www.ticketbox.co.zw-petrean-end-of-year-social.htm
DEVICES POLICY
Please note the school’s devices policy has been updated and will become effective in January 2027. The updated policy will be available from 10 November.
CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS
The external examination cycle is almost complete. A good number of VIth Form A2 candidates have finished their examinations, and those candidates have already left the school. As will always be the case, the examinations come with mixed reviews and there were a number of challenging papers. In the most part, however, it would appear there were
not too many surprises, and we look forward to the results being published in January. The last paper is the AS Chemistry paper on Friday 13 November.
END OF TERM
Please note that the last day of term is Thursday 3 December. Please can I remind you that the school’s academic programme continues to Wednesday 2 December (inclusive). Equally, there are a host of important school events leading up to our close. Please note the following dates:
Sat 28 November PHB Cricket Hexangular
Sun 29 November PH Group Carol Service (18h00)
Mon 30 November Marondera Schools Carol Service
Tues 1 December Peterhouse Community Connect Day.
Thur 3 December Final Assembly and Service (07h00)
A break from fixtures will, this weekend, offer some breathing space for the last push to the end of term.