Headmaster's End-of-Term 2 Address 2024
Dear Parents, Staff, and Students,
As Term 2 draws to a close, I have spent some time reflecting on how 2024 has been a monumental year. Just as it has been worldwide, the 2024 academic year continues to be a time of great uncertainty, not only for South Africa, but also for the entire St Peter’s College community.
However, we at St Peter’s College celebrate the resilience, positivity, and creativity of our students and staff, who continue to adapt superbly to these unique circumstances. As you are aware, after 22 remarkable years at this wonderful institution, I made the difficult decision to resign as Headmaster of St Peter’s College. Change is inevitable and an intrinsic part of life, and it is with a mixture of emotions that I embrace this new chapter. Rest assured; the College Council is actively engaged in recruiting a new Head of School who will lead St Peter’s College to even greater heights. I am confident that St Peter's College will continue to thrive and grow under new leadership.
St Peter's College is exceptionally well-positioned. We are in a strong financial position and there is a high demand for places at our school from the surrounding community. You can be assured that the Council will appoint a strong and capable leader who will build on our successes. We have a robust management team in place, excellent staff, and world-class facilities. Our school is well poised to continue its upward trajectory and remain one of the most sought-after educational institutions in South Africa.
This past term has been extraordinary. We once again enjoyed record numbers of interest in the College, receiving more applications for places than ever before, and our acceptance rate has risen. It is evident to me that the culture and values of St Peter’s College resonate with families. We offer a down-to-earth yet ambitious, co-educational environment where individuality flourishes within a broad and forward-thinking education philosophy. With this healthy interest at all points of entry, including Grades 9-11, there is every expectation that the College will welcome its largest contingent of new students in history when we open in January for the 2025 academic year.
I have been enormously proud of our students and have genuinely enjoyed watching them rise to the challenges and do things they did not believe they could. Their adaptability, determination, and positivity have been striking and humbling to see: the industrious approach to schoolwork; the impressive logistical and physical efforts of our sports department; the number and quality of our creative arts team; the enjoyment of intellectual clubs such as the Tour de Maths, Public Speaking, and Debating; and the outreach projects, to mention but a few. Thank you and well done to all, particularly our Matric students who are currently writing their preliminary examinations, mostly calmly, but always with dignity and an undeflected sense of purpose.
Our St Peter’s College community has shone over the past few months. Our extraordinary students, talented staff, and dedicated parents have risen to the challenges before us. In turn, I feel privileged to have witnessed and enjoyed the events of this past term, many of which are a last for me, and I will reflect with huge pride on our fantastic school.
As we approach the end of Term 2 and look forward to a wonderful long holiday in August, I want to update you on several staff developments.
The following staff will be departing St Peter’s College at the end of Term 2:
- Chantal Gunning will be taking up the post of Principal at Pinnacle College Kyalami.
- Shanel Sooku will be moving to KZN to be closer to her family.
- Matthew Amner is emigrating to the UK where he will be coaching hockey.
- Orianna de Villiers is emigrating to Australia.
- Chris Rabambukwa from our facilities team has left St Peter’s College to run his thriving poultry business in Venda.
I also want to take this opportunity to welcome our new Business Manager, Mervin Naidoo, to St Peter’s College. Mervin brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our college. His role as Business Manager is critical in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our school’s administrative and financial functions, and we are confident that he will be a tremendous asset to our team.
New members of staff joining St Peter’s College:
- Jason Newton joins the English Department at the start of Term 3, 2024.
- Kirsty Papenfus joins the English Department at the start of 2025.
- Thabang Madi joins the Sports Department as a Sports Administrator on Monday, 24 September. Thabang was at St John’s College and is currently at Parktown Girls. He qualifies at the end of 2024 with a BEd specializing in Maths and Physics. He will be replacing Matthew Amner.
- Fortunate Lindiwe Seepane joins the Finance Department to look after Debtors on Monday, 24 July 2024.
- Nthabiseng Matakalatsa will be returning to St Peter’s College as the HOD of Economic & Management Sciences.
- Prudence Adams will be joining the Afrikaans department at the start of 2025.
We have made the following internal appointments:
- HOD of Social Sciences: Patti Bossenger in a full-time capacity with effect from 1 September 2024.
- Acting Music Administrator: Lome Robertson.
We wish all our departing staff much success in their new roles and extend a warm welcome to our new staff, as well as those with added responsibilities. We truly value all our staff, who are the cornerstone of our college’s success. Thank you for all that you do to ensure that St Peter’s College remains the school of choice.
I am delighted to share some exciting updates on the wonderful initiatives regarding our ongoing campus development. Our commitment to enhancing our facilities and environment remains steadfast as we continue to invest in our future. One of the highlights of our recent projects is the construction of a new pavilion that will service the tennis and netball courts precinct. This state-of-the-art pavilion will provide our athletes and spectators with a modern and comfortable space to enjoy these sports. Additionally, the new grandstand will offer much-needed seating for spectators, creating an even more vibrant and supportive atmosphere at our courts.
We are also dedicated to being water-wise in our campus development efforts. In line with this commitment, we are working on beautifying the College gardens by planting indigenous, water-wise plants. These plants will reduce the need for excessive watering and ensure that our gardens remain sustainable and environmentally friendly. You may have already noticed the progress we are making in this regard, and we are excited to see the continued transformation of our campus landscape.
Our facilities and ongoing campus development are crucial components of our strategy to provide our students with access to the best educational environment in the country. We believe that by enhancing our infrastructure, we are not only improving the physical space but also enriching the overall educational experience at St Peter's College. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we strive to make St Peter's College a place where excellence thrives.
As we continue our journey through 2024, I feel it is important to reflect on the significance of being an Anglican school, especially in a world that often seems devoid of morals and values. At St Peter's College, our Anglican identity is more than a tradition; it is a vital foundation that shapes our community and guides our actions. In a world where moral and ethical standards can sometimes appear to be eroding, our commitment to Anglican principles provides a beacon of stability and guidance. These principles are embedded in our daily life, influencing our educational approach, our interactions, and our aspirations for our students.
Being an Anglican school means that we prioritize the holistic development of our students. We nurture not only their intellectual growth but also their spiritual, moral, and emotional well-being. Our Anglican values teach us the importance of compassion, integrity, respect, and service to others. These values are essential in forming well-rounded individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to society. Our Anglican heritage calls us to be a community that embodies love and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that every member of our community feels valued and respected. This sense of belonging fosters a supportive environment where students can thrive and develop a strong sense of self-worth.
Moreover, our Anglican identity challenges us to engage with the world thoughtfully and responsibly. We encourage our students to question, to seek understanding, and to act with a sense of justice and fairness. These are critical skills in navigating a complex and ever-changing world, helping our students to become ethical leaders and compassionate citizens.
As we move forward, let us continue to embrace our Anglican ethos with pride and purpose. Let it guide us in our endeavours, strengthen our community bonds, and inspire us to live out the values that make St Peter’s College a place of excellence and integrity, our 4Rs of Relationships, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.
Once again, St Peter’s College will be a hive of activity these holidays. I am deeply indebted to the many members of our staff who give of their time so willingly to ensure that our students benefit from the many experiences on offer. During the August holidays, our students will have the opportunity to participate in Swimming, Water Polo, Basketball, Cricket, and Tennis clinics.
Perhaps the greatest success of the term, however, features very little within these pages. For my part, I am enormously grateful for your continued support and encouragement. I am looking forward to the new term enormously and wish everyone the very best for a little rest over the August holiday.
The closing of the school term remains a poignant and bittersweet time. Everyone is ready for a break, but it can be hard to see it come to an end. For those departing, I wish you the best of success: we will miss you, and you will always be welcome should you want to visit.
My final words must be ‘thank you’. I cannot hope to list here everyone who has helped to make our College what it is, or those who have contributed to this year’s journey. What an extraordinary time, what an extraordinary place: I look forward to Term 3 and wish you all a superb August break.
Regards,
Rui Morais
Headmaster
St Peter’s College