Headmaster's Welcome - Term 3 2021
I value your positive energy and I look forward to working with you in the new term. All signs point to another incredible and productive school term. The beginning of a new school term, like the dawning of a new day, reminds us that the future holds infinite possibilities. I hope that your August break was relaxing, filled with adventures and good health. I know that we are about to begin a great school term filled with hope, vision, and excitement.
New Staff
Each term brings positive change. This includes a few additions to our staff. We are delighted to welcome alumnus Ms Zinhle Bele in a part-time capacity to the Marketing Department. Zinhle comes with a wealth of experience and will be assisting us predominantly with our Social Media drive.
Mr Ray Naidoo who has been working for our IT support, Seidor Africa, has joined the St Peter’s College team on a permanent basis and will be running our IT Infrastructure.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mrs Ndivhuwo Nengovhela who takes over the role of Senior Finance Manager at St Peter’s College. Ndivhuwo is the current Finance Manager at St Peter’s Prep and has a wealth of knowledge in the School’s Finance arena.
Please join me in welcoming the new staff to the College.
Holiday School Activities
Once again St Peter’s College was a hive of activity these holidays and I am deeply indebted to the many members of our staff who give of their time so willingly to ensure that our students are the recipients of the many experiences on offer.
We hosted a number of sports clinics during the August Holidays, namely, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Tennis, Water Polo and Swimming. I STRONGLY encourage our students to become involved in the extensive sports offering at the College, especially owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefits of sports are numerous and can impact lives in profound ways. Sports participation promotes health and wellbeing, builds confidence, and can help maintain mental health.
Our 1st Team Basketball Boys participated in the annual St John’s College Tournament and performed admirably. Thank you to Ms Christelle v Schalkwyk, Mr Siya Dzingwa, Mr Dave Short and Mrs Stella Mpufeki who managed the team over this weekend.
St Peter’s College remains a training venue of choice for professional sports teams. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the quality of our sports facilities and the work that goes into preparing our facilities under the auspices of our Head of Operations, Mrs Lynda Kirkland, the sports office under the expert guidance of our Head of Sport Mr Dave Short, as well as, Mr John Mabvira and his facilities team. It is always a pleasure to walk around and admire such pristine and expertly manicured grounds and fields. Thank you to all who invest so much in this labour of love.
St Peter’s College hosted the British and Irish Lions during their tour to South Africa to play the Springboks.
Staff News:
- Congratulations to Mrs Tayla Barnardo (Gradwell) on her wedding these August holidays, best wishes from all of us at St Peter’s College. Wishing you well as you embark on this next chapter of life.
- Congratulations to Mr Dylan Hayes who has been appointed as the Gauteng Schools Water Polo U19 Boys Colts Coach, and to Mrs Claire Whyte who was appointed as the South African U17 Girls Water Polo selector. So pleased for you on your well-earned success and may today's success be the beginning of tomorrow's achievements. “Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit!!!”
- Thank you to ALL our academic staff who have been busy over the August break with marking, and preparation for the upcoming Academic Programme in Term 3. Your commitment and dedication are greatly appreciated.
- Our Artist extraordinaire, Mr Alex Trapani is exhibiting some of his personal creations at #sculptx2021 at the Melrose Gallery in Melrose Arch. It's up for 2 months, and well worth the trip to Melrose.
- The Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Program recognises teachers from across the world for their innovative use of technology within the classroom setting. Congratulations to our teachers who have been accepted into the MIEE cohort for 2021-2022! St Peter's College has been accepted into the Microsoft Showcase School Program as an Incubator School. We look forward to partnering with Microsoft as we work to become a Showcase School.
Student News
Congratulations to Zethu Simelani who was chosen to represent the Gauteng School’s U15 Netball team.
Congratulations to Seth Schmidt (U16) and Khanyi Malumo who were selected for the respective Gauteng Basketball squads.
“Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan
Facilities Update
If you drove past the school or utilized our facilities, you may have noticed numerous maintenance projects. A huge thank you to ALL our facilities staff who always go above and beyond to ensure that our teaching spaces are always in pristine condition. You will notice that we have built lightning proof walkways in and around the campus, this will go a long way to facilitate the movement of students when we are under lightning conditions.
We will be building a state-of-the-art Mathematics Centre in front of the current Administration Block. With the growth in student numbers, we need extra classrooms, which will not only accommodate our staff and students but the innovative and progressive curriculum on offer at the College.
Conclusion
Thank you to all who are helping prepare for the new school term. Your commitment to ensuring that St Peter’s College remains a celebrated and successful school is awe-inspiring. Together, I know we will make this school term one of growth and achievement for all students.
In closing, I know each of us wants to make a difference in the lives of our students. As we move forward into the 21st Century, I invite you to think about something written so long ago but something that still resonates today:
Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
I am confident that we will blaze a trail filled with success and accomplishment as, together, we “Empower our Students for Life”.
“In Futurum Fortiter”
Rui Morais