PETERHOUSE GIRLS' SCHOOL

OPENING OF LIBRARY & COMPUTER COMPLEX

Mr. Pennant-Rea, Governors, invited Guests, Staff, Parents and Girls - Welcome to the Opening of our Library and Computer Room Complex.

Since my arrival the refurbishment of the dormitory areas has been my priority. Much time, effort and money has gone into this development and I am pleased to report that the D Block dormitories will be carpeted soon, completing the exercise. Our accommodation will be second to none in Zimbabwe.

Two years ago we engaged in a Strategic Planning exercise and decided that we should strive to:

1) Establish a Computer Centre 2) Build a new Library 3) Build additional Science facilities.

Last year we purchased 12 CD Roms and they were installed in the Springvale House Computer Room. Our C and D Block girls have been taught basic computing skills by Mr. McChlery at Spv H.

Beit Trust

At the beginning of 1999 I approached the Beit Trust Local Representative, Mr. Bruce Fieldsend, who unfortunately sent his apologies, he is unwell. I applied for and was granted the sum of £30,000.00 - money for a new Library/Computer Room. We are most indebted to the Beit Trust for this very generous grant.

I would like to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Jonty Driver. Mr. Driver is a Trustee of the Beit Trust and will be the Guest of Honour at Peterhouse tomorrow. I hope that you will agree that the Trust's money has been well spent.

The design

Mrs. Nel and I visited several schools to get ideas. I consulted with our Building Committee and the Board gave its approval for Mr. Mark Claypole to draw up plans. This, he did, and by this time last year we had a first glimpse of what you see before you. He gave us two options - the smaller closer in cost to our grant. Thankfully, our Board decided on the larger, (more expensive) - it was a wise decision.

Construction

The building went out to tender - and was won by Leddon Construction in February this year. To begin with, progress was slow - the contractors had to contend with Civil Strife, Industrial Action - voting, late rains and the National Elections. Bricks had to be sourced in Bulawayo! It wasn't until Mr. Mike Engelbrecht moved on site that things really began to move.

Many parents were unaware of this development last term - on returning their daughters this term they were astounded to see an almost complete Library and Computer Room Complex.

We are most grateful to Mr. Claypole, of Architectural and Planning Studio, and to Mr. Matthysen and Mr. Engelbrecht of Leddon Construction for this beautiful addition to our school - the "brains" of our school, as I see it, situated next to its "heart".

The builders left just two weeks ago and the area around the Library has been landscaped in preparation for today's Opening by Jenny Calderwood, Jenny Kuipers, and Mr. Gilbert Masose our Estates Manager. Blinds and curtaining are in the process of being made and will be fitted soon.

Books

There is only one problem really - it's a small one! - we don't have enough books to fill even half of the library!

In our present Library we have some 2000 books; our new Library will hold 7500!

MacMillan and  College Press

But a start to redress this problem has been made with very kind donations of new and exciting books. I would like to thank Mr. Chris Paterson of MacMillan Ltd. He has donated 37 new books. You will see them inside. (Incidentally, Chris lived in the house I occupy while his father, Mr. John Paterson, was Headmaster of Springvale School over 30 years ago.)

You will notice many new books on display, thanks to Mr. Ben Mugabe, of College Press. If you feel so inclined, please donate a book on this special occasion. Mrs. Pratt has designed a card so that your name will appear in it. Mrs. Nel and her team will be on hand to help you in the Library.

I hope to source some computers soon; we must be ready for the start of next term!

Again I would like to thank our Board for their confidence in our growth and development. I can assure them that we will look after this facility and ensure that it is well used "for generations to come".

J.B. CALDERWOOD HEADMASTER

12 October 2000