Peterhouse Boys
Extra-Curricular
Peterhouse Boys strives to produce academically sound young men, who are physically strong, moral individuals who will lead and add value in whatever society or community they find themselves in – Zimbabwe or abroad.
The broad spectrum of activities offered at Peterhouse has been specifically curated to meet the needs of young men at all levels. Every Individual is encouraged not only to do what he enjoys but to try new things and in so doing discover his purpose.
Critical Thinking: Chess, Bridge, Quiz
Technology & Innovation: Robotics, Coding, Auto-CAD, Gaming Society, Sports Filming
Oratory: Debate, Public Speaking, Gavel, Pecha Kucha, World Scholar’s Cup, Model United Nations
Adventure and Discovery: Bee Keeping, Natural History Club, Snake Club, Science Club, Conservation, Fishing, Outdoor Education (D Block to A Block)
Creative: Art Club, Choir, Drama, Music, School Magazine, Newspaper
Service Clubs: Interact, Leo, Kukura ne Shungu,
Self Discovery & Spiritual: Life Skills, Christian Forum
Certification, if required, of a boy’s extra-curricular activities can be done via the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a much coveted and internationally recognised venture, pioneering in Zimbabwe via the Peterhouse Group of Schools.
Music examinations and certification can also be done at Peterhouse Boys via the London College of Music Board, in association with the University of West London, also pioneering in Zimbabwe via the Peterhouse Group of Schools.
Community Service
This is the junior arm of Rotary International. At Peterhouse it is only available to Sixth Form boys and girls. Selection is by the previous year’s members, and is based on letters submitted by hopeful Fifth Formers in the third term of the year. The club has a committee with President, vice-President, Treasurer. Committee Members are also selected by the previous year’s Committee.
The club meets once a week for either a meeting or a visit to a local beneficiary to establish what their needs are, and how best the club can help. Ways of fund-raising and disbursement of funds are discussed. This year’s funds have been raised by selling roses and chocolates on Valentine’s Day, as well as from the sale of seats at the Interact Variety Show held in the second term.
Beneficiaries have been the Children’s Hospital, the Orphanage, and St Francis School for workers’ children.
This is the junior arm of the Lions’ Club. At Peterhouse it is only available to Fifth Form boys and girls. Selection is by the previous year’s members, and is based on letters submitted by hopeful A Blockers as well as interviews. The club has a Board of Directors with various posts, including President and Treasurer. These are chosen by interview and vote.
The club meets once a week for either a meeting or a visit to a local beneficiary to see what is needed, and how best the club can help. Ways of fund-raising and disbursement of funds are discussed. This year funds have been raised by running tuck shops at various functions.
Beneficiaries have been the Children’s Hospital, the Orphanage and the main one, the St Francis School, where the Nursery School was fenced, sports kit made for all children, and books, pencils, etc. were donated.
Kukura neShungu is a small school in a high density suburb of Marondera that caters for both mentally and physically challenged children who have been assessed by a local doctor and deemed to be unsuitable to attend school. Once a week they come to Peterhouse Boys and Peterhouse Girls for an afternoon, and are entertained by a group of pupils of any age. They might watch documentaries, kick balls, swim, paint, or play marimbas, and always end their afternoon with cool drink and cake. Our pupils who get involved find it very satisfying and worthwhile.
Drama
School Plays, Productions and Musicals
As one of the founding cultural pursuits at Peterhouse, from Hamlet, Macbeth and Twelfth Night in the 1960s to Oliver in the 1980s and the myriad of plays before and after, the Peterhouse Drama Department’s rich heritage in theatre remains strong. It continues to be one of the main cultural pursuits of pupils not only for producing exceptional stage actors and actresses, but also for the opportunity it provides many to explore; finding their niche in either the technical, production, or directing aspects of performances, as well as offering the opportunity for some to try their hand at writing original scripts and film production.
If not particularly inclined towards performance arts, drama remains quintessentially valuable as it lends itself to confidence in essential life skills such as public speaking and performing – key in several careers like law. As Shakespeare aptly put it –
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7
The strength of the Music Department leant itself to the introduction of Musical Theatre, a niche Peterhouse has thrived in for several years, producing musicals such as Aida, Sister Act (both staging at Reps Theatre) and Once on This Island. This, in turn, has opened the door of opportunity for pupils requiring exam certification in Musical Theatre through the London College of Music in association with the University of West London with Peterhouse being the pioneering LCM Exam Centre in Zimbabwe. Musicals are staged every second year and are always the highlight of the Drama year.
Drama Calendar (PHB & PHG):
Lent Term:
- Interhouse Plays
Trinity Term:
- National Institute of Allied Arts Speech & Drama Festival
- Senior Mixed School Play / School Musical
- Interact Variety Show
Michaelmas Term:
- Junior Plays
Music
The Peterhouse Group of Schools’ music department is well known for its musical excellence both vocal and instrumental. Our musical education is very dynamic and offers a wide range of options from academic to co-curricular, with a 100% pass rate at IGCSE and A level.
Music as an academic subject is offered from form 1 (D block) to A level using the Cambridge curricular. Over the past few years, the department has recorded top results in the country at IGCSE, As and A level.
The department offers outstanding musical facilities with two beautiful recital halls,a number of practice spaces and two beautiful chapels, of which one houses a two manual 32 foot pipe organ.
At Peterhouse, we have a very strong and popular co- curricular program that runs alongside our academic program. We have over 300 pupils taking one on one lessons across the group of schools in different instruments of their choice. In addition, the pupils are prepared to take graded exams with either ABRSM, London College of Music or Trinity College London.
Choral music at Peterhouse is highly celebrated, with over 400 pupils singing in the different choirs such as the Senior Mixed Choir, Senior Boys Choir, Senior Girls Choir, Madrigals and the Junior Choirs. The chapel choir plays a leading role within the school’s christian culture. Being a top choir, membership is reserved for highly skilled choristers who sing a wide range of repertoire from sacred to modern worship music. In addition, the department runs an combined orchestra, wind and Jazz band, pipe band and several instrumental ensembles.
