PHG NEWSLETTER 2 – LENT 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians
The first half of term has simply flown by! I am sure that for you, as with all of us, the Half Term break is a
welcome opportunity to rest and to enjoy valuable family time. Buoyed by the good examination results, our
girls have worked hard over the past six weeks and have achieved much in the broader curriculum. The new
D Block girls have settled well, and I am so proud of how they have embraced the many opportunities offered
to them.
On the staffing front, we welcome back Mrs Shelley Kaschula who returns after recovering from surgery.
Shelley has wholeheartedly thrown herself into getting to know the new girls in Tatanga House and to
catching up on all their experiences since the beginning of term. I must express my grateful thanks to Ms
Bronwynne Hall and Ms Cathy Vosloo for standing in the gap while Shelley was recuperating; they both did
an amazing job. Also joining us this term is Ms Chipo Tsododo, who has been appointed as a French teacher;
we welcome her as a valuable addition to the French Department. Mr Noel Whitcomb, after falling ill, is
making steady progress, and we look forward to having him return to the classroom in due course.
Service to our community is a vitally important part of life at Peterhouse Girls. Each year, usually at the
beginning of the Trinity Term, we all participate in crocheting squares to make up blankets for the children
of the Musha weVana Orphanage in Marondera. This year we would like to begin this campaign earlier than
usual in the hope that the blankets will be ready for the beginning of winter rather than at the end of it. Each
girl is asked to make at least one granny square (using a 4.5/5 hook and double knit/4 ply wool) measuring
20cm by 20cm. Each blanket needs 60 squares and we hope to make at least 10 blankets. Please encourage
your daughter to make her square (and a few more if possible!) If she does not know how to crochet, there
are plenty of girls and staff who are willing to show her how.
Shortly after the Half Term break our rowers will depart for the South African Championships. They have
put tremendous effort into their training, and we wish them and their coaches a safe and successful tour.
Our afternoon programme will be changing after Half Term and the focus will switch to athletics. The first
big event is the combined Peterhouse Boys and Peterhouse Girls Interhouse competition on Sunday 25th
February, and I hope that many of you will be able to join us and support your daughter’s House.
This week many of us celebrated Ash Wednesday, a day signalling the start of the Lent period, the namesake
of our term. Lent signifies the beginning of the 40 days leading to the explosive joy of Easter Sunday. This
time is often measured by seeing how long we can give up puddings or sweets or something else that we
love. I think we may have lost the heart of the season. Rather than a time of giving up what we love, Lent is
a time to remember all that Christ has done for us. A season to ponder the depth of our need and the wonder
of the cross. In the second half of our term, my prayer is that, as we remember Christ’s work on the cross,
we are led to greater joy.
I hope that you all have a restful and happy weekend, and we look forward to finishing the term as strongly
as we started it.
Kind Regards
Mrs Claire Hough
Headmistress