The Department

There are two experienced Accounting teachers at the Girls’ school. The department is well equipped with projectors and white boards, and the recommended text books by Catherine Coucom, who is instrumental in setting the IGCSE exam papers.

Teaching

Cambridge IGCSE Accounting is a 2-year course in which students take the IGCSE exams at the end of the second year. The aims of the syllabus are to enable students to develop:

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles and purposes of accounting for individuals, businesses, on-trading organisations and society as a whole
• An understanding of accounting principles, policies, techniques, procedures and terminology
• improved skills of numeracy, literacy, communication, enquiry, presentation and interpretation
• Improved accuracy, orderliness and the ability to think logically
• An excellent foundation for advanced study.

Course Structure

B Block

There are 8 lessons per 10 day cycle.

Lent Term – Accounts and Data
Trinity Term – Accounting procedures
Michaelmas Term – Financial Statements with year-end adjustments; Year-end Exams.

A Block

There are 8 lessons per 10day cycle.

Lent Term – Financial Statements of different business entities
Trinity Term – Analysis and Interpretation of Data; Mock IGCSE Exams.
Michaelmas Term – Accounting Principles and Policies.

Mrs Olive Chiwoko: Head of IT and Commercials.

The Department

The Biology department is comprised of five experienced, passionate and dedicated teachers. Three of whom are full time Science teachers. We have three laboratories, two preparatory rooms and one well stocked storeroom. Teachers have access to data projectors in each of the laboratories and the department is well equipped with the recommended textbooks. Practical work is at the centre of instruction and learning. The subject is very popular and offered to all girls in B block and we are proud to see a sizeable number of these girls achieving success at IGCSE.

Teaching

There are eight periods per cycle comprising one doubles and seven singles for extended Biology. Doubles in the cycle are devoted practical tests. We also offer Core Biology to the challenged girls. The girls in the Core Biology have a total of twelve periods per cycle, four of them are extra Biology lessons.To give the requisite grounding in the scientific method, girls work through a practical handbook which gives them opportunities to develop lifelong skills of observation, measurement, recording, analysis, deduction and evaluation. We also encourage learners to devise and plan investigations, drawing on their knowledge and understanding, analyse and interpret data to draw conclusions. Learners get to investigate the way things work and we hope the knowledge gained will be of benefit to mankind.

Interaction with the content enables our learners to acquire knowledge and develop positive attitudes to the environment and an understanding that we can make the best out of our environment without damaging it. Some of our themes use Biology to promote healthy living. We teach our girls the internationally acclaimed Cambridge IGCSE status. This enables them to earn internationally recognised qualifications that will help them prepare for A level Biology or life after school

Course Structure

B Block

Lent Term – Classification, Cells, Enzymes and Nutrients
Trinity Term – Plant and Animal nutrition, Plant transport
Michaelmas Term – Human transport, Respiration, Gas exchange

A Block

Lent Term – Homeostasis, Drugs , Reproduction
Trinity Term – Inheritance and Ecology
Michaelmas Term – Revision for exams

B . Pashapa: Head Science Department

The Department

Chemistry is taught in lab 2 and 3 respectively. Two teachers are involved in the teaching of Chemistry at Peterhouse. The teachers are very dedicated to their work, and are always willing to assist pupils to increase their understanding of the concepts studied. The department is well equipped with chemicals, apparatus, excellent large wall periodic table for each class and textbooks which are relevant to their syllabus and this enhances the learning of this subject.

Teaching

There are eight lessons per cycle, one double and six single lessons. Chemistry is a practical subject and experiments are central to the teaching of the subject. These are done as demonstrations, or by the pupils themselves working individually or in a small group. At the end of the two years, our pupils sit for IGCSE Chemistry (0620).

At the end of the two years, the candidates should have the following attributes:

• A sufficient understanding and knowledge of Chemistry to become confident citizens in a technologically changing world, able to make informed decisions in scientific matters.
• They can recognise the usefulness and limitations of the scientific approach.
• Show concern for accuracy, precision and integrity in everything they do.
• Display an interest in environmental issues and be willing to voluntarily engage in activities aimed at protecting it.

Course Outline

B Block

Lent Term – Principles of Chemistry, Matter, Experimental Techniques, and bonding, stoichiometry
Trinity Term –Acids and Bases, Oxides, salts, identification of ions, Redox reactions Reactivity series, Extraction of metals
Michaelmas Term – Electrolysis, Energetics, and rates of reactions

A Block

Lent Term – Reversible reactions, Air and water, Sulphur, Carbonates, Separating and mixing, Organic Chemistry
Trinity Term –Synthetic and natural polymers
Michaelmas Term – Revision

R.B Pashapa: Head of Science

The Department

The Department is staffed by five dedicated teachers, all of whom bring their own individual skills and interests together to ensure that the subject is taught effectively.

CHECKPOINT ENGLISH – D & C BLOCK

The junior classes are streamed into 4 sets based on the Access Reading and Schonell Spelling Tests taken in their first week at high school.

In D Block, which is their first year in high school, we consolidate and extend the girls’ knowledge about language; we seek to develop and refine their literacy skills and to introduce them to the study of Literature by analysing a text, of the teacher’s choice and appropriate for the set.

The department works to develop the pupil’s accuracy in spelling and vocabulary, and spend a great amount of time on advanced grammar. The skills taught in D Block provide a foundation for the IGCSE syllabus. In addition, the girls are encouraged to develop their skills in listening and speaking in activities such as debating, class presentations and small-group discussions. The girls are encouraged to write creatively, and whilst doing so implement the grammar and vocabulary learnt with each piece of work. As they grow in confidence, they are encouraged to enter the National Allied Arts Literary Competition in the Trinity Term, and can enter their work in to the Standard Cover to Cover Essay Writing Competition.

In C Block, the girls are taught how to write in a range of styles appropriate for a range of audiences – from persuasive to analytical writing. Once again, the skills they have been taught in D Block are tested with each writing assignment. Shakespeare is introduced half way through the year, so that they have a sound understanding of the author and the way in which he writes. This is to provide them with a foundation for the IGCSE English Literature syllabus.

IGCSE – B & A BLOCK

The B Block classes are set according to the year end results at C Block. All of the classes prepare the girls to earn two qualifications – IGCSE English Language and English Literature.

The English Language syllabus extends upon their writing skills for a range of purposes and a variety of forms – including, but not limited to – summary writing, analysis and persuasion. There is opportunity to write creatively, therefore, they are encouraged to expand on their vocabulary, perfect their use of grammatical structures and use of imagery by reading as widely as possible as this expands on their sphere of experiences.

The IGCSE English Literature syllabus complements the English Language syllabus, by providing a variety of texts which the girls study. The syllabus covers a range of genres and these have to be read and analysed by the pupil – drama, prose and poetry. Through our pupil-centred approach, pupils learn to develop independent opinions on texts, identify themes and examine the effectiveness of linguistic devices. An important skill learnt through literature is an appreciation of different cultures and beliefs, understanding and accepting different characters, and they learn to appreciate who and what they are through reading about people and situations that are far worse than their own.

BJ Hall: Head of English Department

The Department

The French department has two very dedicated teachers. We currently have one classroom. The staff who teach in the Department are very enthusiastic about their subject, and they encourage girls to develop an interest in the language and to use it around them and in the wider world.

Teaching

There are eight lessons per two week cycle in both B and A Block. Most of the lessons are normally taken as single but we have 1 double lesson per cycle which is used for oral work.

The overall aim of the department at this level is to develop the ability to use French effectively for purposes of practical communication.

COURSE OUTLINE

It is difficult to list topics term by term, as there is much overlap and combination of skills and learning, but during the two years the pupils develop in the following areas.

• Essay and report writing skills
• Reading skills
• Listening skills
• Speaking skills

Vocabulary areas to be covered will include the following

• The Town and country life
• Food and drink
• Work and employment
• Holidays and hobbies

Besides the IGCSE exam which is taken after two years, pupils also write the DELF diploma. This is a diploma in French, which is offered by the Ministry of Education in France and is administered here by the Alliance Francaise in Harare. It assesses the pupil’s level of French. The diploma is started in B Block, where they sit for the A1 module. Pupils usually sit for the A2 module in A Block, or they may finish it in A level or they may choose to continue with the diploma after school.

V T Mukuruva : Head of French Department

The Department

The Geography Department has two full time teachers, plus two who also spend part of their time teaching in other departments. We have a suite of two dedicated classrooms. The teachers have access to data projectors. The staff is all enthusiastic about their subject, and we encourage girls to develop an interest in the Natural and Built environments around them and in the wider world.

Teaching

In D Block there are five lessons per cycle, and in C Block there are five lessons, all taken as singles rather than double lessons. Geography is a content subject, as well as a practical, so we try to keep the girls interested by making their lessons as varied as possible.

Over the two years our pupils learn about the Geography of their own country, both the Physical and the Human aspects. We also begin to look regionally and globally, by looking at aspects of the Geography. A lot of basic concepts are introduced at this level, including weather and climate (making use of our weather station), landforms, population and settlement dynamics.

In addition to the purely factual knowledge, Geography is a subject that teaches skills. Map reading is a skill that girls learn in their second year at Peterhouse Girls, and then build on as they move up the school.

Field-work is also important, whether it is going out to draw a map of a part of the school, recording and observing elements of weather, looking at settlement patterns and visiting the Weather station. Tours to other countries are also organised as exposer and to market the subject to Junior forms like this year to Italy.

By the time they reach the end of C Block, girls have acquired a good working knowledge of the world around them, and are well equipped to take the subject further up the school curriculum.

COURSE OUTLINE

D Block

Lent Term – What is Geography and the Solar System
Trinity Term – The geography of Zimbabwe, Rocks and Soils
Michaelmas Term – Weather and Climate

C Block

Lent Term – Map Reading
Trinity Term – Human Geography
Michaelmas Term – Human Geography and introduction of the structure of the Earth

GEOGRAPHY AT IGCSE LEVEL

Teaching

In B Block there are eight lessons per two week cycle, taken as two double and four single lessons. Geography is a content subject, as well as a practical, so we try to keep the girls interested by making their lessons as varied as possible and often practical or fieldwork can be done in the double lessons and teaches them some useful examination techniques by practising using the actual Cambridge Past Examination Papers. Visits to Gosho Park are organised as part of their practical and tours to other countries as exposer to the real world will be organised. At the end of two years, our pupils sit for IGCSE Geography (0460).

Successful Cambridge IGCSE Geography candidates develop lifelong skills, including:

• An understanding of the impacts which both physical and human geography can have and the processes which affect their development;
• A sense of place and an understanding of relative location on a local, regional and global scale;
• The ability to use and understand geographical data and information;
• An understanding of how communities and cultures around the world and how they are affected and constrained by different environments.

At the end of the two year course, our pupils are well equipped to study the subject at A level, but if they choose not to, then they would have acquired skills and knowledge that will be helpful to them for many years to come as they try to solve some of the problems the world is facing today such as food and water shortages, climate change and natural disasters.

Course Outline

B Block

Lent Term – Natural Environment- Earthquakes and Volcanoes, River Studies, Coasts
Trinity Term – Weather and Climate, Enquiry/Investigative skills
Michaelmas Term – Development and Resources

A Block

Lent Term – Population, Settlement, Agriculture
Trinity Term – Industry and Tourism, Revision
Michaelmas Term – Revision

S.R Mukucha: Head of Geography Department.

The Department

There are three members of staff in the History Department, one full time member and two others who have other loads in other departments.  After A Block (IGCSE) the Fifth form and Sixth form girls go to Peterhouse Boys for lessons. We are constantly updating our resources, and endeavour to make the subject come alive, so that the pupils will want to continue it throughout their school career.

Teaching

In D Block there are five lessons per cycle. Our syllabus focuses on Africa, especially early Zimbabwean History. We aim to arouse interest and historical appreciation in the girls, as well as an awareness of the history of our country. The recall of facts and logical understanding is encouraged in our D Block, along with exposure to a variety of sources and the development of source analysis skills.

In C Block, are five lessons per cycle. We look at Industrial Britain as a study of how cause and consequence is a crucial part of historical understanding, and this serves as a crucial part of the IGSCE course. This study in history also allows the girls to understand how technological advances in the 1800s have influenced our way of life today. We view this level as crucial in the preparatory stage of the IGCSE course and hence the study of WWI in the third term to provide adequate background knowledge for the first section of the IGCSE syllabus.

In A and B Blocks, there are eight lessons per cycle and the lessons are structured according to the IGCSE syllabus ensuring it is finished in time for adequate revision and past paper practice to ensure the girls are comprehensively prepared for their exams.

We aim to use a variety of media and the internet facilities in all of our lessons, in all blocks, to engage the girls in the vast amounts of information available to us and the ability to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources. We try to ensure that each class has a project in the school holidays, from C block onwards, in order to develop their research skills and the ability to work by themselves.

COURSE STRUCTURE

D Block

Lent Term – Introduction to African History, Ancient Egypt, Early Man
Trinity Term – Iron Age, Mutapa and Rozvi states
Michaelmas Term – Zulu and Ndebele States

C Block

Lent Term – Industrial Britain 1750 – 1900
Trinity Term – Industrial Britain, 1750 – 1900
Michaelmas Term – Lead up to WWI, WWI and start of Paris Peace Conference

B Block

Lent Term – Paris Peace Conference, Germany Depth Study
Trinity Term – Germany Depth Study, League of Nations
Michaelmas Term – Collapse of International Peace by 1939, Cold War

A Block

Lent Term – Containment of the spread of Communism, USSR’s control over Eastern Europe
Trinity Term – Events in the Gulf, Revision
Michaelmas Term – Revision and Past Paper Practice

Head of History – Mrs N Sibanda

The Department

The department has two full time members of staff who have years of experience in teaching the subject. There are two IT Laboratories and one technical staff who is responsible for maintenance and technical support. The IT labs are equipped with state of the art computer equipment and full broadband internet access. They both have overhead projectors and white boards. Internet access is closely monitored using classroom management software, firewalls and a reliable hotspot server.

Teaching

At D and C block (form 1 and 2), Information Technology (IT) is taught to all pupils. IT is now part of the educational experience of children in most parts of the world. Taught as a subject in its own right, as well as being embedded within the curriculum, IT is increasingly regarded as a new ‘literacy’, alongside reading, writing and numeracy. IT is designed to introduce learners to the key ICT applications they need to use, in order to acquire that literacy and to understand the impact of technology on our daily lives. The syllabus that we are offering provides a framework in which ICT competence and practical skills can be developed within an environment that is appropriate for the age of the learners.

At B and A (form 3and 4), IGCSE Information Communication Technology (ICT) is offered as an optional subject. The ICT syllabus encourages learners to develop lifelong skills, which will be useful to them in their work across the curriculum and prepare them for future employment. They will develop understanding of the implications of technology in society, including social, economic and ethical uses and awareness of the ways ICT can help in home, learning and work environments.

The syllabus combines theoretical and practical studies focusing on the ability to use common software applications to solve problems, including word processors, spreadsheets, databases, interactive presentation software, web browsers and website design. Learners analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate ICT systems, ensuring that they are fit for purpose.

Pupils are allowed to access educational websites for learning purposes and download any valuable materials. Personal printing is allowed and pupils are charged to their accounts. Ownership of a laptop is highly recommended to enable students to develop practical skills in their spare time and during the holidays.

Mrs Olive Chiwoko: Head of IT and Commercials.

D & C

The Department

There are six members in the Mathematics department, two of whom teach Mathematics full time. They are all enthusiastic, innovative and always willing to advance their skills of teaching the curricula offered by attending various Cambridge courses and web researches. The use of technology has been effectively applied in the department owing to the flexibility of the teaching staff.

Teaching

Our classes are set according to the pupils’ mathematical ability. Setting tests are done in the first week of D Block. There are four sets in D and C Blocks and the sizes of the classes decrease as we get to the lower sets. This is to allow more teacher-pupil interaction for the slower learners and at the same time facilitate a much slower pace with emphasis on the reinforcement of the foundation concepts. The more able pupils in the top sets work a bit faster and are often challenged through extensive exercises and research.

The main aim is to provide a sound background for the IGCSE course and the department has adopted the Cambridge Checkpoint curriculum in D and C Blocks to this effect. This curriculum has a similar structure to the IGCSE course and it is hoped that the transition is made smoother. There are four main areas of teaching: Number; Algebra; Shape, Space and Measures; and Statistics and Probability.

There are ten periods of teaching per cycle with at least one double period. The last C Block set has three extra periods of learning to allow for the slow pace at which they go through the curriculum.

COURSE STRUCTURE

D Block

Lent Term – Number and Calculation, Fractions, Decimals and Percentages, Ratio and proportion, Measures
Trinity Term – Sequences, Algebraic Expressions, Equations and Formulae, Functions, Graphs, Geometry of shapes, Symmetry, Angle properties.
Michaelmas Term – Area, Perimeter and Volume, Transformations, Statistical Representation and Data Interpretation, Probability, Sets and Venn diagrams

C Block

Lent Term –

Number patterns; Integers; Decimals, Fractions and Percentages; Ratio and Proportion; Measures.
Trinity Term – Expressions and Functions; Equations and Formulae; Sequences; Functions and Graphs; Times and Rates of Change; Geometry.
Michaelmas Term – Area, Perimeter and Volume; Shapes and Mathematical Drawing; Planning, Collecting and Processing data; Data presentation and Interpretation; Probability; Transformations; Vectors and Matrices.

IGCSE

The Department

The world of mathematics education is forever changing. It is our hope, as the PHG Maths Department that at IGCSE, the problem solving approach associated with the use of technology will not only enhance the pupils’ understanding and appreciation of Mathematics, but also its universal application. Our mission is to develop confident, innovative and responsible mathematicians who are not only able to count, add, subtract or simply memorise the abstract concepts learnt but also able to apply skills learnt, in practical and real life situations. The department has a wealthy of knowledge in its staffing.  

The aim is to motivate the more able girls and inspire them to study the subject further. It is now an established fact that a higher qualification in Mathematics allows for a vast choice of areas to study at tertiary level. There are two full time teachers, one part time and three of whom also teach other subjects.

Teaching

Our classes are streamed according to ability, with more teaching time allocated to the lower sets. The aim is to allow reinforcement of foundation concepts at a much slower pace with the weaker sets and at the same time maintain an environment that keeps the pupils interested and ensures growth in confidence in their scope of mathematical ability. Our Maths teachers understand that pupils learn in different ways and thus they keep up with the best practices in maths education and regularly incorporate these into their instruction to help all of our students learn. They also understand that there may be multiple ways to solve problems and use those alternate strategies to help struggling students grasp difficult concepts. Our lessons engage students and hopefully help them feel confident in their mathematical abilities. As any experienced teacher knows, teaching focuses less on the content being taught than the students being taught, our department cares about their students. Therefore, our teachers offer students second chances when warranted and take time out of their own schedule to help students catch up.

There are four sets in B and A Blocks, with the lower set being the smallest and having two hours more leaning time. Sets 1, 2 and 3 do the Extended Syllabus while sets 4 and 5 will do the Core Syllabus. There are two exams papers for each course but the Extended papers are half an hour longer than the corresponding Core papers.

COURSE STRUCTURE – CORE MATHS

B Block

Lent Term – Number 1 &2; Measures; Algebra 1
Trinity Term – Geometry; Mensuration; Number 3
Michaelmas Term – Algebra 2; Trigonometry and Bearings

A Block

Lent Term – Constructions and Locus; Transformations
Trinity Term – Statistics and Probability, Revision
Michaelmas Term – Revision

COURSE STRUCTURE – CORE MATHS

B Block

Lent Term – Number; Algebra 1
Trinity Term – Algebra 1 continued; Geometry 1; Trigonometry
Michaelmas Term – Mensuration; Geometry 2; Algebra 2

A Block

Lent Term – Algebra 2 continued; Graphs; Sets
Trinity Term – Vectors and Matrices; Transformations; Statistics and Probability
Michaelmas Term – Revision

Mrs N Chinodyaruswa: Head of IT Department

The Department

The department is staffed by two well-qualified teachers with many years of experience in teaching Physical Education. They are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject and have played or coached sport at a high level.

Teaching

In B Block and A Block there are eight 40 minute lessons per two week cycle. Practical work is incorporated in lesson time and augmented through the afternoon sports programme.

All A Block students write the IGCSE Physical Education examination in the May/June exam period.

By following the course, the girls will be able to develop an understanding of effective and safe physical performance and to appreciate the necessity for sound understanding of the principles and practices that underpin improved performance, better health and well-being. They will also study exercise and training, safety aspects and risk assessment, and applied anatomy and physiology.

COURSE OUTLINE

The emphasis of the course is on practical skills and the coursework component carries an examination weighting of 60%. The students participate in a wide range of sporting activities, and submit their four top assessments to Cambridge. The final 40% is assessed through a written examination which completes the girls overall grade.

The theoretical topics that will be covered in conjunction with the practical component are as follows:

B Block

Lent Term – Health and Fitness, Skill in Sport and The Skeletal System
Trinity Term – The Skeletal System (cont.), The Muscular System and Fitness Testing
Michaelmas Term – The Heart, The Respiratory System and Principles of Training

A Block

Lent Term – Diet, Drugs, Hygiene, Prevention and Treatment of Sports Injuries and Sport in Society.

C Hough : Head of Physical Education Department

The Department

The Physics Department has two teachers, who also teach Biology or Chemistry as their other subject. The subject is taught in lab 1 and 3 respectively. The department is equipped with apparatus which enable learner-centred teaching and learning to take place. The teaching staff is enthusiastic and passionate, and they impart lifelong problem solving skills as well as develop an inquisitive mind-set within our learners so that they are able to lead society in the quest to adapt and overcome the ever changing world.

Teaching

In both A and B Block, they have eight lessons per two week cycle, generally taken as two doubles and four single lessons.

Physics is a hands on Practical subject that seeks to explain properties of Matter and Energy and the relationships between the two, and as learners progress from B Block to A Block they are taught and exposed to the instruments that are used to make such deductions as well as the basic behaviour of materials such as light, sound and matter. Lessons are structured into Theory, Practical and Demonstration lessons. At the end of A Block our learners sit for IGCSE Physics which is broken down to three assessment components namely, Knowledge with understanding, Handling information and problem solving and Experimental skills and investigation.

Successful Cambridge IGCSE Physics candidates gain lifelong skills including:

• confidence in a Technological world, with an informed interest in scientific matters.
• an understanding of how scientific theories and methods have developed, and continue to develop, as a result of groups and individuals working together.
• An understanding of the usefulness (and limitations) of scientific method, and its application in other subjects and in everyday life.
• an excellent foundation for advanced study in pure sciences, in applied science or in science- dependent vocational courses.

COURSE OUTLINE

B Block

Lent Term – Measurement, Properties of waves, light and sound
Trinity Term – Electricity and Magnetism
Michaelmas Term – Thermal Physics

A Block

Lent Term – Energy, work and power, Forces
Trinity Term – Atomic Physics
Michaelmas Term – Revision

R.B Pashapa: Head of Science

The Department

The Shona Department has two teachers, who share their time between Shona and Religious Studies. We have now managed to stock our Department with text books in the last 2 years. The staff who teach in the Department are enthusiastic about their subject. We emphasise the importance of Shona as a subject just like any other language subject.

Teaching

The subject is only offered at D and C block for both L1 and L2 speakers. There are three lessons per cycle, generally taken as single lessons which are 40 minutes long. Shona is a content subject, as well as a practical one, so we try to keep the girls interested by making their lessons as varied as possible, we try to take them on field trips to places relating to the syllabus such as Seke rural village where girls get to know what surrounds a Shona Homestead. There are no external exams at the end of the two year course but the L2 girls will have an oral and written exam at the end of year exams.

At the end of the two year course girls should have mastered the following:

1. Cultural identity especially for the L1 because Shona is their mother tongue. It helps in their career opportunity for example, translation of any important documents into Shona. Most Non – Governmental Organisations [NGO] require people who are multilingual like in Media, Health, Rural Development Projects, Peer Educators, etc.
2. Zimbabwe is a multi-cultural society with mainly the Shona and Ndebele speaking people. It is therefore vital for L2 Shona to learn and appreciate the people around them and this can only happen when one knows the people’s language.
3. Communication is a basic need therefore it is important for any citizen of this country to be able to communicate in the language Preservation of any culture come through learning the language and given that there are so many cultural marriages today and the Shona syllabus touches on cultural issues as well.

COURSE STRUCTURE

D Block L1 – Language, grammar, culture, Literature
D Block L2 – Language, grammar, culture, oral
C Block L1 – Language, grammar, culture, literature
C Block L2 – Language, grammar, culture, oral, Field Trips

Mrs G. Fantiso: Head of Department

CURRICULUM FOR C BLOCK

The Department

There are two teachers involved in teaching Religious Studies at Peterhouse Girls, all of whom also teach in other Departments as well. Peterhouse Girls is a Christian School in the Anglican tradition, so we feel that it is important that our pupils have a good grounding in this subject.

Teaching

This is a choice subject which is offered in C block under the practical subjects. There are five lessons per cycle. These are taken as two doubles and a single lesson. The course begins with a brief look at the basic ideas behind religious belief, and then moves on to look in some detail at Judaism and the Old Testament. Some time is spent looking at the liberation of the Israelites by Moses.

COURSE STRUCTUE

C Block

Lent Term – Background to religion and introduction to Jewish Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Trinity Term – Jewish Nation Joseph and introduction to Moses
Michaelmas Term – Moses and the exodus of the Israelites

At the end of the year there will be an exam based on the three terms’ work. Questions on application are also included.

Mrs G. Fantiso: Head of Department

CURRICULUM FOR A AND B BLOCKS

The Department

The Religious Studies department is staffed by two teachers, who also teach elsewhere in the curriculum. Over the past few years the teaching of the subject has expanded to be taught throughout the school from C to A Block. This is an option subject taught over two years.

Teaching

There are 8 periods per 10 day cycle generally taken as three double periods and two singles. At IGCSE, the subject matter is a comparative study of two out of three religions, Christianity, Judaism and the Islamic faith. The three religions are covered in detail in order to give our students a choice when they sit for their final exam. We feel that in today’s world an understanding of other people’s religious beliefs can only help to foster international understanding and cooperation between the peoples of the world. The same teacher will take the class through the two years and will have a better understanding of the pupils and their needs before they sit for their exam.

At the end of the course, candidates should be able to:

1. Use knowledge in order to describe the religious practices, experiences and beliefs of others.
2. Select and deploy relevant knowledge of the religions studied.
3. Show understanding of religious beliefs and practices by explaining their significance for believers.
4. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of religious responses to contemporary issues, both personal and social.
5. Evaluate different views on issues arising from religious belief and practice by using evidence and argument.

COURSE OUTLINE

B Block

Lent Term – Christianity (Worship, Sacred Writings, Festivals)
Trinity Term – Fasts, Pilgrimage / Historical places, Rites of passage, Religion and the family
Michaelmas Term – Religion and Social Action, Introduction to Islam, Worship

A Block

Lent Term – Islam (The Quran and the Hadith, The Hajj, Ramadan, Fasts) Rites of Passage
Trinity Term – Religion and the Family, Judaism (Worship, Sacred Writings, Festivals and Fasts)
Michaelmas Term – Pilgrimage/Historic places, Rites of passage and Religion and the family

2014 IGCSE Pass Rate was 94.6%

Mrs G. Fantiso: Head of Department

The Department

Junior science has four teachers and two efficient technicians to support the practical side of our teaching. The four teachers also teach other science subjects as follows two teach Biology, one teaches Biology and Maths and one teaches Chemistry and Physics. These teachers are all dedicated and enthusiastic about their subject, and they encourage girls to develop an interest in the subject and to apply it around them and in the wider world.

We have three well-resourced labs to give learners a solid grounding in science skills.

Teaching

D Block has 9 periods in a cycle, one double and two singles and a similar set up in C Block. The course is dedicated to the acquisition and nurturing of lifelong science skills such as observation, measurement, recording of results ,either in table form or drawing, processing of results in the form of graphs, analysis of results, making deductions from results, evaluating methods used and making conclusions which are informed by evidence. Through these experiences, our girls develop knowledge and understanding of basic scientific concepts and principles as well as the ability to handle information and solve problems. Pupils develop attitudes relevant to the study of science such as accuracy, inventiveness, inquiry and objectivity. Experiences also promote awareness on the benefits and detrimental effects of science.

COURSE STRUCTURE

D Block

Lent Term – Use of apparatus, measurements and presentation of data
Trinity Term – Forms of Energy and its conversions, plant and animal cells.
Michaelmas Term – Natural resources, kinetic theory of matter, Atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures

C Block

Lent Term – Composition of air, water, photosynthesis, diet, respiration
Trinity Term – Force, reproduction in plants and animals
Michaelmas Term – Health, Electricity, Introduction to IGCSE Biology: Classification

R.B Pashapa: Head of Science Department

The Department

There is one highly experienced teacher in the Travel and Tourism Department . We have well equipped classrooms and up to date text books that enable our pupils to stay abreast with the changes in the outside Tourism Industry. The teacher who teaches in the Department is enthusiastic about her subject. The girls are encouraged to develop an interest in global issues that affect tourism, the built and natural environments and destinations around them and in the wider world. In B and A Blocks the changing world around us becomes important, as our pupils are mature enough to understand and appreciate that our world is not a static place.

Teaching

Travel and Tourism is a content subject, as well as a practical one, so we try to keep the girls interested by making their lessons as varied as possible, we try to take them on field trips to places relating to the syllabus such as Travel agencies in Harare, hotels and restaurants and to the airport in A Block. At the end of two years, our pupils sit IGCSE Travel and Tourism (0471).

Successful Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism candidates develop lifelong skills, including:

• Exploring the different organisational roles within the industry such as tour operators and transport providers.
• Discovering the features of worldwide destinations and attractions, and how customer care and working practices have evolved.
• Gaining a theoretical knowledge of all sectors of the industry, its infrastructure and the products and services required to generate tourism.
• Studying Travel and Tourism from global, regional and local perspectives.

At the end of the two year course, our pupils are well equipped to study the subject to A level, but if they choose not to, then they have acquired skills and knowledge that will be helpful to them for many years to come.

COURSE OUTLINE

B Block

Lent term – The Travel and Tourism Industry
Trinity Term – Features of Worldwide Destinations
Michaelmas Term – Customer Care and Working Procedures

A Block

Lent Term – Travel and Tourism Products and Services
Trinity Term – The Role and Function of Marketing and Promotion in Travel and Tourism
Michaelmas Term – Revision Tests

Mrs Olive Chiwoko: Head of IT and Commercials.