FROM: THE HEADMISTRESS
Friday 7th November 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians
The rain has brought with it a feeling of finality as we draw near to the end of the year. The past few weeks
have been filled with moments of celebration and reflection, reminding us of the many ways our girls and our
school continue to flourish.
Our annual Speech Day offered us a wonderful chance to look back on the girls’ achievements and to honour
the dedication and talent that has been displayed in our school this year. We were privileged to welcome
Rufaro Maunze-Bhebhe as our guest speaker, whose words were both inspiring and challenging in a way that
was truly meaningful to the women we are raising up at Peterhouse Girls.
We also gathered together for the Leavers’ Service and Lunch, a tradition that always stirs a mix of emotions:
joy for all that has been accomplished; pride in the young women we send out into the world; and a touch of
sadness as we say goodbye. Their Housemistress, Mrs Nyaradzo Chinodyaruswa addressed them one final
time, with an encouraging and heartfelt message that I have included in this Newsletter for you to enjoy.
Six years ago, our leavers entered our school, only to be sent home a few weeks later in what would become a
world changing shut down as the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality. I don’t know a year group who have
had to face a more difficult start to senior school, being completely isolated from their new school and peers,
only to have to pick up and start afresh a few years later. There was a time when I was praying fervently that
this particular year group would manage to pull together, and now here we are. Our VIth Form girls have
enriched our school in countless ways, and are leaving united both with each other, and in the ethos that we
strive towards at this school. We wish each of them courage, happiness, and success as they embark on their
next chapter, and we are so very proud of them. Their legacy will remain with us, even as we look to the new
leaders to fill the space behind them. Their departure was marked with the presentation of Petrean pendants, a
symbol of belonging to the Petrean Society, and we were honoured to have Mr Gordon Simpson, Chairman of
the Society, share some words of encouragement and wisdom with the girls as they prepared to leave our gates
for the final time as pupils.
Looking ahead, the A Block will complete their IGCSE examinations next week, and their journey to the Bubye
Valley Conservancy promises adventure and growth. These experiences challenge and shape character, and we
hope the girls embrace them and welcome a chance to stretch themselves in new ways.
Finally, as mentioned before, with the rains and fresh growth around us, we are reminded of the approaching
Advent season which is a time of hope, anticipation, and preparation.
May this season deepen our devotion and renew our joy in Christ.
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend filled with rest and family.
Kind regards,
Mrs Claire Hough
Headmistress