PETERHOUSE BOYS' SCHOOL

RECTOR'S NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2002

Dear Parents and Guardians

As we approach this crucial weekend it is apparent here at school that both staff and boys need a break. Let us hope and pray that the elections run smoothly and that peace, sense and mutual respect prevail throughout our country.

Along with this letter you will receive a letter concerning security and a House Telephone- Number Web. Please ensure that you record those numbers you are required to contact in an emergency. If you are unable to help, please telephone our School Secretary so that we can make alternative plans.

I have been very impressed with the attitude and focus of the boys this term, especially when you consider the political and economic environment we live in.

That being said, I am alarmed at the number who appear to be smoking and consuming alcohol at school.

As you know 'smoking' and 'drinking' are not permitted at school. I intend tightening up to ensure greater vigilance in the future. This week saw the introduction of an 'Amnesty on drinking and smoking and I hope we - the staff, prefects, house prefects, seniors and boys have a chance to discuss the way forward.

If your son smokes and you let him smoke at home, - then I am afraid this may not be the school for him. I feel certain that some of this behaviour has been prompted by the present situation that prevails in our country, but we - teachers and parents need to work together to discourage this behaviour.

Fixture free

End of Fixture Free Weekend - Tuesday 12th March Your son is expected back at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday 12th March. We will not be operating buses back to school and will not be collecting children from the Airport until Monday, 18th March.

House Master

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs John Barrie who take over Grinham House next term. Sadly Mr & Mrs Roy Currie leave Peterhouse at the end of this term.

Prefects

Congratulations to Michael Hess who has been appointed a School Prefect.

Congratulations to the following who have been appointed House Prefects:-

Ellis : Rangirarai Ngwerume
Grinham : Sharne Hill and Napoleon Nyamunda
Paget : Sean Moan

Academic successes

Academic Awards With the introduction of the IGCSE and the A* symbol, the following boys have also qualified for Academic Colours - Anthony Arkle, Kudakwashe Gumbie, Ryan Kitcat and Leeroy Rensburg - Congratulations.

Congratulations to Andrew Blair and Robert Jacobsz who attained Special Commendations in their First Mark Order.

Summary of Results At IGCSE the overall pass-rate of subjects was 76%. This is slightly down on last year when we wrote '0' Level (ZIMSEC Examining Board)

Subject Pass Rates IGCSE '0' Level

At A level, 90% of all subjects written were passed.

Subject Pass Rates English 100% Divinity 89% History 71% Geography 91% French 100% Mathematics 97% Physics 83% Chemistry 95% Biology 81% Art 94% G & M Drawing 100% MOB 81% Accounting 83%

I congratulate the teachers, and in particular Mr David Shaw, who is our Director of Studies.

Sports Results

Thanks to the efforts of our Sports Administrator, Mr Ashley Denman, we have managed to fulfil our commitments to date. Results since our first Fixture Free Weekend:-

Athletics

Our athletes have excelled at the various Invitation Meetings in Harare. We narrowly won the annual Peterhouse Invitation Meeting. St. John's were leading until the final 4x100m relays. We replied by winning every relay and winning the Competition! Congratulations to the following boys who have been chosen to represent the Macheke Zone U20 - Madziwa, Mhere, Melrose, Chaponda, Denenga, Matenga, Mujati, Sole - 4x100 and 4x400 team. U16 Bwerinofa, Mugadza, Mutandiro, Mudimbu, Dube, Murahwa, Le Roux, Murinda - 4x100 and 4x400 team.

Basketball

vs Heritage P4, W3, L1 First - W70-16
vs Lomagundi P10, W8, L2 First - W58-22
vs St. Ignatius P8, W4, L4 First - W33-27
Trials at Peterhouse P7, W7 - selected Tawengwa, Mudawarima, Munetsi, Gumbie, Makoni, Chambe, Musana
vs Watershed P8, W6, L1, D1 First - W39-23

Cricket

vs Churchill P9, W8, D1 First XI - Match drawn
vs Hillcrest P9, W7, L2 First XI - Lost by 104 runs
vs Falcon P9, W4, L4, D1 First XI - Lost by 6 wkts

Rowing

We have distinguished ourselves in the local regattas and, I am proud to say, in the South African Championships last week. At the South African Championships our senior crew narrowly missed out qualifying for the 'A' Final. Our Junior doubles crew of Funnekotter and Peebles managed to qualify for the 'A' Final as did Mhute who qualified for the 'A' Singles Final. My thanks to Mrs Davis who organised the tour, coached the boys and accompanied the team to South Africa; to Miss Mansfield who accompanied the tour and ensured it ran smoothly; Mr Stu Pattison who transported our boats; to Mrs Bev Richards who helped with the catering and all the other parents whose support ensured success at the Championships.

Squash

At the Mashonaland Championships in Harare - U19A - Joggee 8th, Jackson 20th:. U19B - Chaponda 3rd, Keith 6th: U16 - Sherwood 10th: U14 - Tanner 5th, Querl 2nd.

Swimming

Individual Championships at St. George's 4 out of 6 at Prince Edward 4 out of 6

Tennis

Ryan Kitcat and Sharne Hill were chosen to represent Mashonaland East in the Interprovincial Championships.

Volleyball

vs St. John's P2, W1, L1 First - Won 2-1
vs Allan Wilson P2, W1, L1 First - Lost 1-3
vs St. George's P2, W1, L1 First - Lost 2-3

Variety Show

We are presenting "Songs from the Shows" on Friday 22nd March and Saturday 23rd March in the Fieldsend Hall at 8.00 p.m. Adults $200, School Children $100/ Bookings through Mrs Creigh-Smith on Tel. 22200 (Alternative Peterhouse number). Please come and support the show.

Appeal

Library Periodicals No forex is available for the renewal of subscriptions for periodicals published outside Zimbabwe. If any parents are fortunate enough to receive periods which they do not wish to bind, would you consider bringing happiness to library users by passing each issue on to us. The sort of periodicals we are looking for are:-

News Time Magazine, Newsweek Academic History Today, National Geographic, New Scientist, Scientific American. Cultural Artists & Illustrators, Music Sport Golfer, Cricketer, Rugby World, Sports Illustrated, Sailing.

In anticipation, thank you! 7.

Change of e-mail address

Please note that the Rector's e-mail address has changed to:- peterrec@mango.zw.

Yours sincerely

J B CALDERWOOD
Rector

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