We have reached the end of the school year and, as a community, we begin to contemplate the peace and love of Christmas. In the late afternoon on Sunday, we observed the Christmastide season in our chapel with music, readings and flowers. It was a reflective time; a time to pause and contemplate the miracle of Christmas. I thank Revd Claudia and Dudley Trollope for leading a meaningful service with beautiful music.

The teachers and the girls will now have time to rest after a year where the threat of the pandemic and the discomfort of masks, social distancing and the ubiquitous sanitizer have added to the challenges of school life. It is important to highlight how well the school year progressed despite the pandemic. I attribute this to the professionalism of the teachers and staff, and to the resilience of the girls. The matric examinations were completed last week and we now have a long wait until the results are released in February.

We are reminded of the cycles of life when members of staff and girls leave St Mary’s and others join our community. This year we have said farewell to Robynne Dunkley, Christi Lawless and Tarynne Swarts in the Junior School. Robynne will stay on at St Mary’s but in a different capacity. In the Senior School, I announced that Tinhiko Nkuna was leaving; Sue Heydenrych retires after long service to the school; Janet Milasinovich and Nina Nathanson are emigrating; Karen Sanders, Janet Baylis and Julie Roman are retiring. Also leaving us are Sarah Rogans, Odwa Ramabulana and Jennifer Sawyer.

The analysis and review process of transformation and diversity at St Mary’s, conducted by Mandate Molefi, has drawn to a close. We await their report, which will be shared with our community in the new year.

I wish all the members of the St Mary’s community peace and love this Christmas.

Eat honey, dear child — it’s good for you — and delicacies
that melt in your mouth.
Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul —
Get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock.
Proverbs 24:13-14 - The Message

Deanne King
Head of School