Staff
Headmaster : J B Calderwood BA HDE
Deputy Headmaster G A Peebles
I M A Jogee Mrs M C Hodson DR Hodson Mrs S Vandoros Mrs N E Munch Mrs
E Greeff Mrs N T Remmer Miss LJ Roberts (Ist term),
Mrs S Mellon (Music)
P C Gosho (Estate Manager),
P Bekker (Garden Manager)
Mrs F Tandi and Mrs P Rawstorne (Matrons),
The Revd K Anderson (Chaplain),
Mrs K Anderson (Secretary).
EDITORIAL
1988 has been a year of consolidation for us. We have seen our 'original' Grade I's reach their 4th year, where they have met Long Division and Vulgar Fractions, mastered the correct positioning of the Apostrophe, wobbled out the last of their milk teeth (the Headmaster is very skilled at helping with this!) and in some cases scored runs and tries for junior school teams. At the end of the third term we said goodbye to our second lot of Grade 7 leavers at another memorable candlelit Leavers' Dinner, and 21 of the 27 boys and girls move on to Peterhouse.
Grade 1 selection criteria
The Grade 1 selection again proved a nightmare, with at least four deserving and delightful children competing for every one place. The criteria laid down for entry to Springvale House reads between the lines 'charity begins at home' and members of the school family will always be catered for first. This left the Headmaster with ten vacancies, eighty candidates, and an apalling headache! It is worth mentioning here that having looked after the immediate Springvale House family, and given places to little brothers and sisters, preference will probably be given to the 'local' family, taking a child from the area surrounding Marondera before one from Harare and beyond. This school believes in the role of the parent; welcomes parents attendance at matches and other school functions, and believes it is entirely satisfactory that our boarders spend three nights a week at home with their families.
The role of parents
As the Headmaster said in his last speech at the Leavers' Dinner, the staff at Springvale House aim to turn out orderly children, who understand the need for discipline in their lives and do not resent it when it is applied; confident children, who know that their best will always be acceptable however far short it falls of perfection; caring children, aware of the needs of others. However, for all their efforts, when your child leaves school only about 20% of What He Has Become will have been instilled in him by the staff at his school. The other 80% will have been learned from his parents, from their care, their teaching and most of all by their example. The responsibility for guiding your children through their formative years and equipping them to stand on their own feet, is a shared one. While on the subject of Parent Power, a new venture this year was the formation in March of the Parent Teacher Association. The aims are 'to promote understanding and fellowship between the parents and staff of Springvale House' - in other words, to take the grumbles off the grape-vine and deliver them to the Headmaster for sorting into fact, fiction, and jolly good constructive ideas! Secondly, to 'liaise and assist' and thirdly to 'raise money'. We are lucky to have such super Parents, and as reported in the HM's speech, this has been very successful in every way.
Developments during the year
I said that this had been a year of consolidation, and I think it really was the right word. We have not so much expanded, as improved what we have already got. Finishing off the new Liddle Field, sorting out the Library, altering the girls dormitory to give the senior girls more privacy and the tremendous amount of work done in the gardens are just a few of the improvements that come to mind. My office was given a coat of 'Blushing Pink' paint one weekend, which when I had had it pointed out to me on Monday morning, made me very happy!
As our neighbour Springvale, Peterhouse Girls' School grows in size, so the demands on our shared facilities become greater. We are grateful to Mr Hammond for the patience he always shows when the sharing becomes tricky, for example when Hiawatha from Springvale House strode onto the stage for a rehearsal only to find himself part of the backing-group for Madonna in Form 2 who was practicing her lipsync!
Staff
Tribute has been paid to staff leavers already, but I would like to add a bit about our Junior Masters, Ann Megahey, Oonagh Hunter, Jason Wallace and Doug Whaley. Four young people who we have enjoyed having on the staff this year, bridging the generation-gap, and being brother, sister, and sergeant-major to the children as the occasion demanded. Most of you know that the day before 16 year old Ann joined us her beloved brother Mark died at home in an accident. He had spent the morning here helping her to organise her bedroom next to the girls dormitory. He was 13. Ann's courage was infinite and an example to us all. The following week she wrote and won, a scholarship to an English public school to do 'A' levels; she took part in the Peterhouse school play; she carried out all her duties cheerfully and thoroughly while at the same time being a source of strength and comfort to her parents Dr and Mrs Megahey. To the Megaheys, and to all those members of the Springvale Family to whom 1988 brought tragedy and suffering, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
The best thing about working in a school is of course that you are Entirely Surrounded By Children and as a result you very rarely experience a dull moment. Entirely the reverse, in fact. From "please let my parents know I've made it into the Team/left my reading book at home/missed the bus " right down to "Help! I've got a rubber stuck up my nose" we share the pleasures and pains of each day. Picture this scene: a case of infective hepatitis in the school meant that both staff and children had to be marched off to Sister Sellers for injections. Several hours later after I had had mine, and was back in my slightly-pink office poised keenly over my typewriter, a small freckled seven year old face appeared round the door, winked, and asked kindly: "How's your bum'"
HEADMASTER'S REPORT
Rector of Peterhouse, Mrs Megahey, our distinguished guest Mr Mattinson, Staff, Parents and children of Springvale House. Welcome, and thank you for attending our annual prize-giving. Today we look back over 1988 and give recognition and praise to those who have made Springvale House a better place.
Staff
At our prize-giving ceremony we always try to include as many children as possible so that we can pay tribute to their efforts, both academic, cultural, religious and sporting. We also, however, make mention of our staff, and this year I would like to say something about parent participation. It is no coincidence that I mention Staff first. It is becoming increasingly difficult in Zimbabwe to staff our schools with the teaching staff necessary to achieve the aims that we strive for in schools such as ours. There has to be total commitment to the school and this makes the role of a teacher here a difficult one. I would like to start by thanking all the staff here at Springvale House for their commitment to your children during this year.
Today we sadly say farewell to four members of staff quite a high percentage. Firstly Mrs Munch. Mrs Munch has been with us right from the beginning; 1985 she arrived here, she was employed by Dr. Megahey. During her time here she has cared for our children in and out of the classroom and has been like a mother to them all. Usually after about six weeks at the beginning of each year I am suddenly inundated with requests from Grade 3 parents to come and meet me. They haven't wanted to see me in Grades 1 and 2, but suddenly in Grade 3 (Mrs Munch's class) all the parents want to come and see me ... their children are exhausted, they cannot cope, Mrs Munch expects too much from these little ones! But by the third term those are always the parents who are happiest with Mrs Munch. The children all love her, and give so much. She expects nothing but the best from them, and she always gets it. She has of course driven me crazy on occasions, but Springvale House certainly won't be the same without her. I hope that she will come back and visit us sometimes, and I say that we lose not only a really good teacher but a very good friend.
We also say farewell to Dave and Marian, Nicola and Angus Hodson. Dave hasn't been well since joining us at the beginning of last year. His courage and Marian's ability to cope during these times has been a wonderful example to us all. Both are teachers of the highest calibre, in and out of the classroom. They have contributed so much in all spheres, but especially in craft, art, drama, and the library. Mrs Hodson set up the library and has catalogued it for us, and with the help of her daughter and the librarians has made it a truly learning place. We will surely miss them. We wish them health, and happiness back in Harare, and also wish Nicola and Angus the best at their new schools.
Last week at our infants prize-giving we said farewell to Mrs Remmer. We wish her luck in her retirement in Harare and hope that she will be happy. I would also like to thank her for the wonderful Nativity Tableau that we witnessed this morning.
Next year we welcome Mrs Eleanor Jogee to teach Grade 1, Mrs Jenny Kuipers to teach Grade 3 and in the second term Mrs Rita Dereham to teach Grade 1. We are very lucky indeed to have acquired the services of such competent teachers. But it is not just the teachers who make up a good staff, and I would also like to thank briefly the others who work so hard. To Mrs Tandi and Mrs Rawstorne, to Sister Sellers, to Mrs Narsi our caterer and Father Anderson our chaplain; thank you for all the work you have done for us during the year. We have had, without doubt, the best selection of Junior Masters this year. Ann Megahey, Oonagh Hunter, Jason Wallace and Doug Whaley. Doug leaves tomorrow. He has been outstanding, and I thank him for all he has done for us and wish him the best at agricultural college next year.
There are three members of staff who I feel need special mention. Firstly Mr Graham Peebles our Deputy Headmaster, for his loyal support and backing throughout the year; secondly Polly, who always does so much behind the scenes that we don't know about, and thirdly Patrick Gosho. Each year I tell you just how necessary Patrick is on our estate. Each year he seems to get one year younger and achieve even more.
HOUSE COMPETITION
Grinham won the house points competition again
this year, received the copper cup and attended the House Tea during the
last week of term. An enthusiastic Grade 1 participant at the House Tea
announced later that it was a very good but very noisy tea party "it
sounded just like World War Two': This was due to apparently to popping
of crisp packets! The Archbishops Shield is awarded to the house that does
best overall, both in work and sport, and this went to Carver.
HEADMASTER'S CUP
This year the trophy was won by the headboy Leo Rodley. Leo has conducted himself at all times with dignity, attended conscientiously to his many duties and given nothing but his best
HOWARD SMETHAM MEMORIAL CUP
This new trophy has been presented for 'Citizenship' by John and Judy Travers, and was won by Evie Stanley. Evie was awarded a certificate for Citizenship last year, so her name will appear twice on the cup. For being such a great help around the school, Sam Mugabe was given a special certificate.
MUSIC
We are lucky now to have Mr John Hodgson and Mrs Rowena Hall teaching the piano here at Springvale House. Mrs Coralie Andrews also teaches some of our day scholars. Jane Coughlan has been invited to play the flute in the Peterhouse Orchestra, and was awarded a certificate, one also went to Nadeema Jogee for her piano playing.
CHOIR
Our Choir sang with distinction at the combined choirs carol concert in Peterhouse Chapel on Monday 5th December. I am always amazed at how much Mrs Mellon can achieve with our children. She travels great distances to be with us, and sometimes even comes to play for our Wednesday morning assemblies as well as her normal Friday stint, and I am very grateful for all she does.
A certificate for singing was won by Phillip Hodgins.
BALLET
We are so lucky to have the services of Fay Loxton. 58 of our 88 girls do ballet on Thursday afternoons. Twenty girls danced in the Fay Loxton Dancing Academy Christmas Show, and many passed ballet examinations with distinction. Certificates were afforded to Beena Valla, Vicky Hunter and Theresa Buckland.
ART
Two boys have had their drawings exhibited at the Zambezi Exhibition: Stephen Hedges and Dine Pephanis, and I congratulate them on this achievement.
HORSE RIDING
Mrs Jo Johnston is having a well earned rest from riding lessons, and our Thursday afternoon Horse Riding sessions have been taken over by Mrs Yvonne Thompson. She nominated the following riders for special mention, and each received a horseshoe: Mark Palmer (who, being in Grade 1, was not there to receive it). Leila Millwarde, Paul Greeff Darell Woodhouse and David Kay.:
CLUBS
Each child belongs to a Club. These included during the year swimming, sewing, chess, fishing, BMX, computers, diving, gymnastics, squash, nature, art, leather and craft. The leather club has probably been the most popular club because of the wide variety of items that have been made. Very special thanks here to Mrs Meg Stanley. Thanks, too, to Mr Hodson - the boys have loved the craft club and Sam Mugabe and Damon Stocki received book prizes for their craft work.
DRAMA
Once again every child in the school has taken part in a play of some sort this year. In the second term "Hiawatha" was produced by Mrs Hodson, helped and encouraged by Mrs Vandoros, and Mrs Mellon who also supplied the music. Much help was also given by parents. It was a "lump in-the-throat'' production with beautiful and haunting tunes and some fine performances.
Certificates for Drama were awarded to:
Nicola Hodson, Anthony Buckland, Lara Vandoros, lan Palmer, Debbie Burr, Stephen Hodges, Suzie Mellon, Philippa Goldhawk, Theresa Buckland and Beena Valla
PLASTIC COMPETITION
This year Mr Peebles has very successfully organised a Plastic Competition. He has raised over $1 300 already. Each class competes on a weekly basis for a tea at the end of term. Grade 3 are the winners this term, and the overall winner Michelle Willis.
CONSERVATION
Grade 6's visited Lake MacIlwaine with Mr Peebles in the third term, and Grade 7's went to Kariba with Mr Jogee. Sincere thanks to the Mellons, Woodhouses and Duffs for the part they played in making this a successful trip. The children are made aware almost daily of the responsibility they have to preserve the environment; we are lucky to have Gosho Park right on our doorstep.
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
During the first term this pear the Funding Committee made way for the formation of the Parent Teachers' Association. It has been an Inspiration for me to have such willing, loyal and hard-working parents. Chaired by Jim Redfern many worthwhile projects have been undertaken. Most important of these have been the Dinner Dance in June organised by Mrs Vandoros, the Farm Implement Sale in September organised by Andrew Huck and Noel Heathcote. Noel did a tremendous job for us and was largely responsible for the $I5 000 that we made. I would also like to mention Kerry Kay who worked incredibly hard for us during the Sale week. Paddy and Sarah Mellon organised a Tobacco Bale Sale and that brought in over $2 000 and there was, of course, the Ruzawi River Fun Day which was organised by Kerry and lan Kay. Most recently we had a braaivleis for parents and children to which next year's new children were invited with their parents in order that the first social contacts might be made.
Funds raised by parents this year have bought us a school bus (which unfortunately broke down almost immediately and is still not back on the road), a Public Address System (which until we had got the hang of it seemed to be emitting Russian Folk Music) 110 irrigation pipes, burglar bars for many of the staff houses, and the newest scheme which involves the pledging of $20 000 to a new swimming pool. In response to a letter from Mr Redfern this term, parents have already pledged nearly $6 000.
I would like to wish our Grade 7's every success in the future, and I would like to thank Lara Vandoros and Leo Rodley and their prefects for the fine job they have done this year.
REPORT ON HIAWATHA by Nicola Hodson (Grade 7)
This musical adaptation from Longfellow's long poem was a great undertaking for Springvale House and meant a great deal of work and dedication would be required. Through songs and narrations, the story is told of the birth of Hiawatha, his growing up, and finally his marriage to the lovely Minehaha, Laughing Water. The happy days were abruptly stopped by the harsh winter which was unfortunately the end of Minnehaha's life, due to lack of food, harsh conditions and also bad omens, cold and famine. After that sad depressing winter, spring eventually came, and the villagers wiped away the last tear of and sadness and started to enjoy life again. Then missionaries from Britain came to convert the Indians to Christianity. Hiawatha was lost in thought for many days and eventually decided that this was the end for the Indians, and he told them that he was going on a "long and distant journey in the purple shrouds of morning to the islands of the Blessed" in other words, Heaven.
The main characters included: Anthony Buckland as Hiawatha, Nicola Hodson as Minnehaha, Theresa Buckland as Chibiabos, Lara Vandoros as Nokomis, Stephen Hodges as Iagoo, Nick Elliott as the Arrow Maker and Beena Valla as Little Hiawatha. The Firefly Dancers, Spring Flowers, Missionaries, Cold and Famine, Winter and Spring, and the rest of the school from Grade 4 upwards as Squaws and Braves made up the dauntingly large cast.
REPORT ON THE GRADE 1,2 AND 3 PLAYS
At the end of the third term Grade 3 staged their one and only performance of a short play called "The Three Little Shoes" The story told of three poor children who trustingly: put out their 'little shoes' on Christmas Eve in expectation of presents that we know their mother will, not be able re supply. When a poor beggar comes to the door, frozen and exhausted, they share their last crust of bread with him and send him off with a warm coat. They find our that he was in fact the lost son of the super-rich 'Baron' when servants appear loaded with food and presents for them. and the little shoes are well and truly filled. The parts of the three children were played with a lot of confidence by Belinda Shaw, Sarah Pienaar and William Niven, and Linda Wright as their mother was really outstanding. Angels and bunnies appeared and danced around sleeping children, and a gang of very merry carol-singers with snow on their caps reinforced the Christmas message which was already very evident behind this little play, and summed up at the end by William when he surveys the pile of Christmas goodies all round him and says something like: "I knew that the Christ-Child would make everything come right for us': Produced and directed by Mrs Munch, with music by Mrs Mellon, this was a play enjoyed greatly by cast and audience alike.
We had two chances to see the Grade 1 and 2 Nativity Tableau, produced by Mrs Remmer and Mrs Greeff The cast of 51 children, all under 8, sang and acted their way through what is to them the not so familiar story of the birth of Chirst, and all of us Old Hands hearing it for the umpteenth time caught the freshness that little children always manage to bring. If there was a slight air of solemnity in the cast, it probably owed less to their feelings of religious awe, and more to the fierce concentration needed to remember all the words of all the carols that they sang so well! They all portrayed their parts beautifully, but I think the Three Kings should be specially commended on their superbly regal bearing. I am sure that when the writer of the carol "The First Nowell" came up with the lines "Then entered in the wise men three, fell reverently upon their knee" he must had something like Clive, Dome and Ferry in mind. Well done Grades 1 and 2: we shall expect great things from you in the future.
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Last updated 1 December 1999
