January: A Month of Hope, New Beginnings and Opportunity
January always arrives with a particular kind of promise. It is a month filled with hope, renewed energy and excitement for new beginnings. As we open the doors to a new academic year, we warmly welcome all our families back to school and extend a special welcome to those who are joining our community for the first time. We look ahead with optimism, grounded in who we are and inspired by what lies before us.
As an Anglican girls’ school, our identity is firmly rooted in faith. Our celebrations, achievements and daily interactions are shaped by spiritual values that sit at the heart of all we do. Faith guides our sense of purpose, our understanding of service, and our commitment to nurturing young women who lead lives of integrity, compassion and courage.
In this context, we were deeply honoured to welcome the Bishop to our school. Her visit was a powerful reminder of our connection to the Anglican Church and the Diocesan community to which we belong. As the first female Bishop, her presence held particular significance for us as a girls’ school. It affirmed the message we share with our girls every day: that leadership, faith and service know no gender boundaries. Her visit was both a moment of celebration and inspiration, reinforcing our calling to nurture confident, capable young women who lead with courage, humility and purpose.
As a girls’ school, we are very clearly in the business of empowerment. We educate young women to be thinkers, leaders and game changers, women who will make a positive impact in the world. This is evident in every cohort of matric students who leave our school. Each year, we witness not only academic success, but growth in confidence, voice and purpose.
We celebrate with pride the outstanding achievements of our most recent matric class. Our girls achieved a 100% pass rate, with a remarkable 100% Bachelor’s Degree pass rate, an achievement that many schools cannot claim. These results reflect girls who worked to their full potential, supported by dedicated teachers and committed parents who journeyed alongside them. While we celebrate academic excellence, we remain mindful that marks are not the only indicator of success. The true measure of our work lies in the character of the young women we send into the world.
Our gratitude extends to every teacher who has contributed to this success from the strong foundations laid in the Junior School to the careful preparation for university and life beyond school in the Senior School. We are also proud that some of our students are taking up study opportunities overseas, including in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. This affirms that we prepare girls not only for local success, but for participation in a global context.
As we move through the year, we are reminded of the immense value of a good teacher. Our teachers are specialists in their fields, deeply committed to their calling, and deserving of respect and trust. A strong partnership between school and home is essential, and we look forward to walking this journey together in a spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose.
We are delighted to welcome new members to our staff community and to share important staff news. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lucky Mamogobo on your recent marriage. May this new chapter be filled with love, partnership and abundant blessings. We warmly welcome back Mabli Maruping from maternity leave and trust this has been a life-giving season for you. We are grateful to have you back with us.
Congratulations also to Frances Smit on your promotion to Schools Systems and Communications Administrator. This reflects your dedication and professionalism, and we look forward to your impact in this new role. We congratulate Carli Spies on her promotion to Head of Arts in the Senior School, and Nelisiwe Zwane on her appointment as Head of Student Belonging in the Junior School.
We also warmly welcome our new staff members:
- Sibonelo Pearl Tshabalala – House Sister
- Azwikonisaho Gloria Ramavhuya – House Sister
- Babongile Sanelisiwe Kunene – Junior School Intern
- Dalisto Thando Banda – Junior School Novice Teacher
- Gabriella Swanepoel – Junior School Intern
- Katlego Ingret Rahlaga – Junior School Intern
- Uthando Livious Nkomo – Junior School Intern
- Khomotso Mabala – Nursing Sister
- Mmatshepo Modipane – Junior School Head of Sport
- Tarralyn Anne Oliphant – Junior School Foundation Phase Teacher
- Olgah Mmatsheko Rammekwa – Senior School Laboratory Technician
- Jomari Miller – Senior School - Head of School
- Luciel Morgano – Senior School - Deputy Head of Academics
- Ntobeko Ndebele – Sports
- Bronwyn Fynn
- We note with appreciation the appointment of Kgaugelo Pity Katjedi as Debtors Clerk (commencing 1 November 2025.
Structurally, the introduction of separate Heads for the Junior and Senior Schools has already shown clear merit. This shift has enriched our offering, strengthened leadership focus, and enhanced alignment across phases ultimately benefiting our girls and families. We wish Mrs Miller many blessings as she takes up the Head of Senior School position from January 2026.
We continue to make significant strides in environmental sustainability. The installation of solar panels has already made a meaningful difference to our energy usage, and Phase Two of this project will be rolled out in February. Alongside this, we are in the midst of a water harvesting initiative and upgrades to our borehole system. These are substantial commitments to environmental stewardship and reflect our responsibility to care for the earth, an important value we intentionally instil in our girls.
There is also much excitement around developments on campus. Boarding remains in high demand, and the renovated School Annex has opened as the new Junior School boarding house. It offers a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment for our younger boarders. The Junior School reception area has also been renovated to create a more inviting space for our parents and visitors. In addition, the relocation of the Finance Offices to the front of the school is in its final stages, improving accessibility and service.
We are particularly excited about the purchase of the Eastern Suburbs property. This acquisition opens new possibilities to enrich learning spaces for both the Junior and Senior Schools and represents a strategic investment in the future of our school.
As we reflect on 2025 and look ahead, our journey is guided by a clear vision in motion from foundations to flourishing.
- 2025 laid the foundations: strategy launched, systems integrated, leadership aligned and operational excellence strengthened.
- 2026 focuses on integration: alignment, innovation, sustainability and deeper stakeholder engagement.
- 2027–2028 will be years of growth, scaling successful programmes and expanding facilities and partnerships.
- By 2029, our vision is realised: a world-class, faith-inspired girls’ school that educates women to transform society with purpose, courage and compassion.
This vision honours our 147-year legacy while boldly embracing the future. Guided by our five strategic pillars we look ahead with confidence.
As we step into 2026, we do so with hope, gratitude and faith, trusting in the knowledge that God watches over our school. Together, as a committed and caring community, we look forward to a year of growth, opportunity and continued flourishing.
