Peterhouse Girls
Boarding System
Peterhouse Girls is an Anglican Boarding School. Most girls are full boarders with the exception of a few girls who are day-scholars. The boarding system is structured horizontally and each girl is also placed in one of four Competitive Houses: Eland, Impala, Kudu and Sable.
Sanatorium
The San is used to accommodate girls who are too sick to attend lessons, afternoon activities and need overnight observation. A registered nurse runs the san and is on call 24 hours a day. She attends sporting events and treats first aid injuries on site. Injuries and health issues requiring a doctor’s medical expertise are treated by the school doctors Dr Kevin Martin and Dr Farai Dzuda. In case of emergency girls are ferried by school transport / MARS to Borradaile Hospital where they are assessed and treated by the school doctors. School doctors visit the sanatorium every Tuesday to check on patients with minor injuries / health problems. The san has facilities to nebulise and resuscitate asthmatics and patients allergic to bee stings or other insect bites. A physiotherapist visits the san once a week.
First Aid bags are prepared for the coaches for all ‘away’ matches and ‘guarantee letters’ are arranged with all major hospitals for treatment of injured children while on away games.
D BLOCK (Form One)
Tatanga – “We have begun”
Housemistress – Shelley Kaschula
Head of House – Marilena Fernandes
Deputy Head of House – Nicole Saywood
School Prefects – Chiedza Ziswa (Head of Eland)
Moving to a new school, beginning boarding for some, getting used to not being ‘the big kids’ anymore, traveling from one classroom to another between lessons, accommodating eight or nine different teachers, trying new sports and cultural activities, learning to navigate the rules and traditions of Peterhouse Girls … these and many more are an integral part of the exciting journey at Peterhouse Girls!
While this move to Peterhouse Girls is exciting, it can also be challenging at times for our new pupils.
At Peterhouse Girls, our D Block (form one) girls spend their first year in Tatanga, which means “we have begun” – a fitting moniker as it is here that the girls begin their journey together – making the transition from primary to secondary school: a key milestone our girls’ growth and development.
To help the girls manage the transition, Tatanga provides a safe space at the end of each day, where the girls can return to down tools a bit, re-group after a tough day, and have some breathing space from the full routine of lessons, cultural activities, and sports.
Tatanga provides the opportunity to learn the ropes and grow into the privileges and responsibilities of being part of the Peterhouse community before the girls move on to the “main” Houses (Kathleen, Margaret, and Elizabeth).
In Tatanga, the girls are arranged into ten dormitories of 8 girls, each dormitory being led by a VIth form House prefect, who takes the time to get to know the girls as individuals and encourages the forming of bonds that will be their mainstay during the six years of high school.
There is a secure system of pastoral care that is maintained throughout their career, consisting of six tutors, members of staff who are responsible for the academic and social well-being of the girls, each tutor overseeing a group of 12 to 13 girls. These tutors report to the Housemistress, so that the girls are well cared and catered for.
For day-to-day management of Tatanga, the Housemistress, along with the prefects and tutors ensure that basic levels of hygiene, cleanliness, and order are maintained, by educating the girls about our laundry and other systems. They all work closely together to ensure standards are high and issues are followed up where needed.
Prefect selection at Peterhouse Girls is an important and deliberate process, particularly so for Tatanga, where the demands on our prefects differ from the demands in the main Houses. We have eleven prefects: ten who stay in Tatanga and one who lives on Williams Field. The Head of Tatanga, not only ensures the cohesion of the House Prefects, but also encourages positive relationships between the D Block and VIth Form by carefully overseeing the Mentor/Mentee programme. The Housemistress and Prefects maintain very close communication to ensure that the girls are being properly looked after and integrated into Peterhouse Girls.
C BLOCK (Form Two)
Kathleen House
Housemistress – Rebecca Pongweni
Head of House – Ruvarashe Nhongonhema
School Prefect – Shae Macrae (Head of Sable)
Kathleen House, completed in 2011, was named after Kathleen Grinham, wife of Canon Robert Grinham, founder of Springvale House.
In Kathleen, the girls are arranged into four wings of 20 girls. Girls live in pairs, sharing a spacious living and working area. Each wing has its own ablution and shower area. Each wing is monitored by a House prefect, and they are supported by the Head of House, who is a school prefect. In addition to this, a staff member and tutor live in flats attached to the boarding house. Although the girls have moved into a new boarding house, the premise remains the same: the prefects and staff seek to develop positive relationships with the girls and encourage that the girls do the same with each other as they continue to nurture the bonds formed.
Having developed a sense of identity as a member of the Peterhouse Girls community, Kathleen House is a safe space to start the journey into young adulthood. In Kathleen House, the girls are encouraged to explore their identity and start to solidify positive self-esteem in and out of the classroom; and more importantly at this age, within their friendship circles.
The introduction of structured cell phone and laptop use also gives them the opportunity to learn how to use devices responsibly and productively. Here, the carefully selected prefects and tutors assist the Housemistress in helping the girls manage their time wisely. This is particularly important as the end-of-year results determine IGCSE subjects.
The girls in Kathleen are responsible for planning and hosting the end-of-year Christmas Dinner
B BLOCK (Form Three)
Margaret House
Housemistress – Nyari Chinyahara
Head of House – Mikayla Burl
School Prefect – Chidochashe Munyonga (Head of Sport)
Margaret House, completed in 2012, was named after Margaret Snell, wife of Fred Snell, founder of Peterhouse.
In replication to Kathleen, in Margaret House, the girls are arranged into four wings of 20 girls. Girls live in pairs, sharing a spacious living and working area. Each wing has its own ablution and shower area. Each wing is monitored by a House prefect, and they are supported by the Head of House, who is a school prefect. In addition to this, a staff member and tutor lives in a flat attached to the boarding house. Although the girls have moved into a new boarding house, the premise remains the same: the prefects and staff seek to develop positive relationships with the girls and encourage that the girls do the same with each other as they continue to nurture the bonds formed.
- Supported in gaining the skills they need as they venture safely into young adulthood.
- Take on more responsibility – in use of devices, decision regarding subject choices, varying sports and cultural interests, shown more concern for their future
- Navigating high school as IGCSE pupils – different level of academic rigour expected and encouraged by prefects, tutors and Housemistress
- Gaining more independence – developing a positive comfort in their own skin as they navigate outside influences (friends and media)
A BLOCK (Form Four)
Elizabeth House
Housemistress – Harriet Rinashe
Head of House – Chloe Scott-Elliot
School Prefect – Thandiwe Mtwazi (Head of Kudu)
Elizabeth House, completed in 2013, was named after Elizabeth Megahey, wife of Alan Megahey, who established the Peterhouse Group of Schools.
This is the last of the ‘main’ houses, and just like the Kathleen and Margaret the girls are arranged into four wings of 20 girls. Girls live in pairs, sharing a spacious living and working area. Each wing has its own ablution and shower area. Each wing is monitored by a House prefect, and they are supported by the Head of House, who is a school prefect. In addition to this, a staff member and tutor lives in a flat attached to the boarding house. Although the girls have moved into a new boarding house, the premise remains the same: the prefects and staff seek to develop positive relationships with the girls and encourage that the girls do the same with each other as they continue to nurture the bonds formed.
- Pupils are more cognisant of what they want to do with their futures and this is supported in and out of the classroom.
- Increased structure in terms of study and prep hours to support future goals
- Reasoning and problem-solving – intentionally encouraged and supported
- Encouraging a healthy balance between work and play
- Positive self-esteem built upon – work on their confidence and sustained ability to resist peer pressure
- Increased responsibility as well as accepting responsibility, access to smart devices, and regular access to their laptops.
- Consistency and dependability nurtured as top of middle school
- Starting to think about leadership
- Responsible for planning and hosting the Annual Charity Dance
Williams Field - Vth Form
Housemistress – Gladys Fantiso
Head of House – Melissa Kamusasa
School Prefect – Reina Parirenyatwa (Head of Impala)
Williams Field, completed in 1989, was named after N.A.F. Williams, the chairman of the board of Governors of the time, who did a great deal to support Alan Megahey’s idea of founding a girls’ school, and was very active in sourcing the money needed to convert the old buildings to the use of girls and build the initial three, later another seven by 1997.
The Vth Form occupy 6 of the 10 cottages: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Cream and Violet; each accommodating 10 to 16 girls who live in pairs, with few single rooms. Each cottage has its own bathroom area as well as a cosy entrance room which also acts as a communal area for the girls to make tea in. There is a House Prefect placed in each cottage to ensure good management of their living quarters.
The girls are supported by 12 tutors who teach at Peterhouse Boys so have daily contact with the girls; one of the tutors also being the Academic Housemistress of Dame Molly Court at Peterhouse Boys.
- Girls are looking forward to their future beyond school but also apprehensive about venturing into the real world and here that confidence is developed and nurtured.
- Helping to navigate the change in academic environment as girls are learning at PHB – coping with change and new problems and situations.
- Give space and independence – within reason – to establish themselves: who they are and what they want to do.
- More dependable as senior pupils – given the responsibility of monitoring D Block Prep and organising participation for Buckland Arts – all introduction to leadership roles, which they are looking forward to
- In charge of Vth Form Entertainment, a light-hearted talent show at the end of the year
- Plan and do the hospitality for the Leavers’ Lunch
Williams Field - VIth Form
Housemistress – Nyaradzo Chinodyaruswa
Head Girl – Aneni Chigwedere
Deputy Head Girl– Anike Mparuri
Head of Academics – Melissa Allott
Head of Culture – Shumirai Chigadza
Williams Field, completed in 1989, was named after N.A.F. Williams, the chairman of the board of Governors of the time, who did a great deal to support Alan Megahey’s idea of founding a girls’ school, and was very active in sourcing the money needed to convert the old buildings to the use of girls and build the initial three, later another seven by 1997.
The VIth Form occupy 4 of the 10 cottages: Burgundy, Tan, Grey and Orange each accommodating 8 to 10 girls who live in single rooms. Each cottage has its own bathroom area as well as a cosy entrance room which also acts as a communal area for the girls to make tea in. There is a School Prefect placed in each cottage to ensure good management of their living quarters.
The girls are supported by 12 tutors who teach at PHB so have daily contact with the girls; one of the tutors also being the Academic Housemistress of Dame Molly Court at PHB.
- School leadership – every girl has a leadership role in some sphere of the school.
- Guided on ideas of empathy, goal setting for the long term, setting limits and making necessary compromises – all skills needed as they leave the school bubble.
- Excitement and fear of the future is discussed and girls given confidence.
- Responsibility – to manage their time and schedules in and out of the classroom.
- Empowering them for the transition to university and life beyond the school gates.
Peterhouse Girls
Competitive Houses
Each girl is also placed in one of four Competitive Houses: Eland, Impala, Kudu and Sable.
- 1st Fixture Free Weekend begins at 1000 Friday, ending with Roll Call at 1000 on a Monday.
- Half Term Break begins at 1000 Thursday, ending with Roll Call at 1000 on a Tuesday.
- 3rd Fixture Free Weekend begins at 1000 Friday, ending with Roll Call at 1000 on a Monday.
Bus transport is provided to various destinations but parents may prefer to collect and deliver their daughters on these occasions. Please contact your daughter’s Housemistress ten days in advance should you require your daughter to travel on one of the buses.
The school closes over Fixture Free Weekends. Please ensure arrangements are made for your daughter well in advance and that she is aware of them.
There are an unlimited number of ‘floating nights’ when pupils are permitted to stay home over a weekend subject to any School commitments they may have. Please remember to notify the Housemistress in writing of the intention for your daughter to take a floating night.
Floatings start at 12:30 p.m. on a Friday or 9 a.m. on a Saturday or Sunday.
Floatings finish at 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday or Sunday or at 7 a.m. on a Monday.
Your daughter must be signed out by an adult on her Visitors List. Any other trips off campus by your daughter must be approved by her Housemistress.
Your daughter may take a Sunday Outing during a weekend that she remains at school provided that she has no school commitments. She may be signed out from 0900 and returned by 1730. She must be accompanied by someone on her Visitors List.