WELCOME
Thursday 19th February
Dear Parents and Guardians
The first half of the term has flown by! Our girls, buoyed by excellent results, have worked hard and achieved much across academics and their broader activities. A special mention to our new D Block girls, who have settled in beautifully and embraced every opportunity. Community service remains central to our school life. This year, we’re starting our crochet blanket campaign earlier so that the children of Musha Wevana Orphanage receive warmth at the start of winter. Each girl is asked to make at least one 20cm granny square – though more are welcome. Please can your daughters return to school with a size 4.5 hook and a ball of double knit. Staff and peers are ready to help anyone new to crocheting. After Half Term, our focus shifts to athletics, with the big Interhouse competition (Peterhouse Boys and Girls) on Sunday 1st March. We look forward to seeing many of you there, cheering on your daughters. This week also marked Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season for remembering Christ’s sacrifice and the joy of Easter to come. May this reflection bring us deeper gratitude and joy as the term continues.
Wishing you all a restful break and a strong finish to the end of term!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Claire Hough
Headmistress
ATS
It has been well reported in the press that the ATS schools’ Heads and Chairs were summoned to Harare to be addressed at length on Thursday by the Honourable Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr T Moyo, on a number of issues but primarily on the matter of the Heritage Based Curriculum which they instructed all schools in Zimbabwe to follow. They did add that schools can still do a ‘blended’ curriculum by doing Cambridge as well.
We wish to assure parents that ATS will continue to engage with MOPSE on this, and other, matters that were cast upon us at the meeting and will work hard to ensure that our schools continue to provide the relevant (locally and internationally), high-quality, holistic education that parents want for their children in ATS schools and that remains the standard bearer for the Zimbabwean education system all around the world.
The future of our children remains our top priority – nothing else.
Thank you
Tim Middleton, Executive Director of ATS, on behalf of ATS and CHISZ
DUKE OF EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AWARD
This term the first Journey will take place over the long Half Term weekend, and it will be on Horseback. After Half Term, a few more girls will spend time in our parks completing their Expedition or Exploration Adventurous Journeys.
Congratulations to Mazvita Mangwiro for receiving her Bronze Award.
ACADEMICS
Academic Update
As we reach the half-way mark of the first term of 2026, it is pleasing to note how our girls have started academically.
D Block have settled into their new and varied academic routine, and we are pleased with their positive engagement with new subjects and new teachers. They had their first Elevate study-skills training entitled ‘Study-Skills Kickstart’, in which they learned new approaches to note taking and revision.
C Block are building on where they left off last year and they are encouraged to seek support for any areas of insecurity to ensure gaps do not develop in their understanding. They were challenged in their Elevate study-skills seminar entitled ‘Time Management’, to recognise barriers to revision and to learn to overcome their tendencies towards procrastination.
B Block are transitioning reasonably well to the more challenging expectations of the IGCSE syllabus. They were treated to a detailed study-skills training session with Mrs Kapuya, in which she shared many useful tips for success, whilst reminding the girls that that time to start consolidating IGCSE work and practising past-paper questions is now.
In their Elevate study-skills seminar, A Block were guided in how to understand the limits of AI, its role in their academic journey, and how to use it wisely for revision and practice. Awareness of the consequences of inappropriate AI use is of paramount importance for our pupils and the consequences of lack of academic integrity have been elucidated.
We are delighted to welcome four new members to our teaching staff:
- Mr Durham in the Mathematics and Curriculum Support department,
- Ms Gregory in the English department,
- Mrs Katiro in the Science department and
- Ms Rukwava, in the Commercials department.
French visit to Alliance Française
On 11 February, A Block French pupils attended an examination workshop at the Alliance Française in Harare, focusing on speaking French and how to tackle the oral part of their forthcoming examinations. The workshop included a presentation on the internationally renowned DELF examination, which our pupils are preparing to write in March. Our girls also learned about preparation for scenarios presented in oral examinations and had the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on mock oral examinations with Alliance examiners. To crown all this hard work, the girls were treated to fantastic French-style pastries from Café de Paris!
SPORTS
Archery
15th February
Interschool Archery Tournament at Hellenic Academy PHG A came 8th out of 15 teams, PHG B came 9th.
Athletics
5th February
Athletics Zonals Results hosted at PHG
- 1st out of 9 schools with 55 gold medals, 3 silver and 3 bronze.
Basketball
5th February
vs Eaglesvale
- PHG won 3, lost 3.
Cross Country
29th January
Interhouse Cross Country
1st Eland,
2nd Impala,
3rd Kudu,
4th Sable
5th February
Interschools Cross Country at Arundel
PHG came 1st out of 12 schools.
Karate
13th February
Karate fixture held at Nagle House
- 12-13 years Kata
Aashika Anand: 1st place - 14-15 Years Kata
Danai Chikomo: 1st place - Kumite
Danai Chikomo: 2nd place - 16-17 Years Kata
Tatenda Kumbirai: 1st place - Kumite
Kimberley Guzha: 1st place
Rowing
15th February
RAZ National Champs at Mazowe Dam PHG finished 2nd overall
The following girls won a gold medal in their respective categories:
Natalie Ferreira, Michaela Kakoma, Nokutenda Kasipo, Holly Kruger, Lilly-May Lindstrom-Bartlett, Arianna Robinson, Olivia Robinson, Tawananyasha Tungamirai.
Swimming
6th February
Interschools’ Individuals Gala
PHG came 3rd out of 8 schools.
14th February
Northern Finals Gala at Les Brown
PHG came 3rd out of 6 Schools.
Squash
28th January
vs Prince Edward School
PHG Squash won 4 -1
31st January
Mashonaland Squash Tournament
Katie Charters won 2 of her 4 matches and finished 4th overall.
Bulawayo Junior Closed Squash Champs
Anashe Mudzudzu came 1st in the Bulawayo Junior closed Squash.
3rd February
vs Johns PHG won 4 – 1
Table Tennis
28th January
vs Heritage
Juniors lost 1 – 3. Senior won 3 – 1
4th February
vs Gateway
Juniors drew 4 – 4
Seniors won 7 – 4
Tennis
6th February
A League vs Chisipite A | Played 4, won 2, lost 2
B League vs Chisipite B | Played 4 won 3, lost 1
C League vs St John’s Emerald Hill | Played 4, won 4
Water Polo
Warwick Smith Tournament
Peterhouse finished 4th out of 5 schools
CULTURE
Debate
vs Dominican Convent
- Juniors won 67%- 63%. Bernice Mfula was the best speaker with 69%.
- Intermediates lost 73%-75%. Rachel Gomo and Amani Dengwani tied for runner-up with 75%.
- Seniors won 71%-69%. Shiloh Deetlefs was the best speaker with 72%. Leona was runner-up best speaker with 71%.
vs St George’s
- Intermediates won 71%-69%. Shaanan Mukosera was the best speaker with 74%.
- Seniors lost 71%-70%. Leona Marimira was runner-up best speaker with 72%.
vs Gateway
- Juniors drew 75%. Anotidaishe Shamu was the 3rd best speaker with 65%.
- Intermediates won 75%-73%. Tadisa Ajento was the best speaker with 74%.
- Seniors drew 69%. Shiloh Deetlefs was the best speaker with 71%.
Chess
vs Arundel
Juniors won 1 and lost 5. Seniors won 4 and lost 2.
vs Eaglesvale
Juniors won 6. Seniors won 5 and lost 1.
ATS Team Selection at Goldridge
The following girls were selected into the ATS Chess Team for 2026 and will tour Durban in August:
Hannah Chiota (U13 Bronze), Lettitia Zireva (U15 Bronze), Jessica Pswarayi (U17 Bronze), Kayleigh Bowes (U16 Silver) and Kimberley Guzha (U18 Silver).
Music
In November 2025, the London College of Music examinations were hosted at Peterhouse Girls. Once again, Peterhouse recorded outstanding results, with the following girls achieving distinctions:
Juanita Bvindi (Grade 1 Piano), Alexia Tselentis (Grade 3 Flute), Jasmine Ruwoko (Grade 3 Clarinet), Nicole Lufeli (Grade 5 Piano) and Shannon Gumbo (Grade 6 Pop Vocals).
The following D Block pupils were awarded distinctions:
Zara Hall (Grade 2 Flute), Palak Gulab (Grade 2 Flute), Ruth Kusena (Grade 3 Pop Vocals), Shirley-Anne Kusena (Grade 1 Pop Vocals), Sinead Cocker (Grade 3 Pop Vocals).
Congratulations to Lynelle Mutimusakwa, who was awarded a Diploma from the London College of Music for Pop Vocals. This is the first music diploma awarded to a pupil at PHG.
PASTIS
The PASTIS club members had a productive outing to Mauriberg in Melfort. The club also visited a layer’s site, where they learned about daily chicken care and finally, the group toured a maize mill, which produces tons of maize meal for national distribution.
Quiz
Quiz at PHG
Overall, PHG came 2nd out of 19 schools
Shona Club
Shona Quiz at PHG
PHG was placed 3rd out of 4 teams, scoring 64 points.
PHG participated in the Interschools Shona Debate Competition. In the initial round, the team was combined with Gateway against Hillbright and St George’s and secured the first place. In the subsequent round, PHG went up against Gateway, and lost.
Interact Club
The Interact Club participated in a collaborative Fun Day at Watershed, hosted by the Rotary Club of Marondera. This event brought together several schools from the Marondera District to raise funds for the local charity projects.
Under the theme, ‘The Valentines Roses Programme’, the Interact Club held a specialized fundraising event on 12 February. Well done to Interact club for a successful programme.
Library
Valentine’s Day Card Competition winners:
Manuela Kunetsa, Holly Tunney, Rachel Schley, Shaanan Mukosera, Shiloh Deetlefs, Cassandra Fernandes, Keira Findlay.
STEM
To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the PHG STEM Club hosted an inspiring event featuring two guest speakers: Mrs Elaine Ruwadzano Manonga, a veteran Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, and Professor Faith Muchemwa, a renowned Plastic Surgeon and Immunologist; alongside pupils from Watershed College and USAP Community School. Pupils explored the theme “She STEAMs Ahead,”
