St Mary’s has had much news to record and to celebrate over the past two weeks of the Michaelmas Term.

The HOPE committee organised a most enjoyable comedy evening which required us to look at ourselves as the complex nation that we are and to laugh loudly. The theme of unity in diversity continued to feature in our chapel and assemblies, as we acknowledged and celebrated Heritage Day.

Tuesday and Wednesday were dedicated to the evaluation of our school by the Office of Independent Schools Evaluations Southern Africa (OISESA). Prior to the two-day visit by OISESA mentors, we undertook an in-depth study guided by standards and indicators which are informed by international evaluation bodies. The internal team, led by Phuti Mogale, dedicated their time to review the scope and workings of our school and to reflect on strategy. This has been a time-consuming exercise, but a valuable one, knowing that effective change comes from within.

I have enjoyed the busy schedule of the past two weeks. It has been rewarding to observe the new student leadership finding their feet and then attending their Form IV formal; the matrics who have had a singular focus writing preliminary examinations; the Form III girls who tackled challenges in preparing to host a fashion show; the updates on Form II girls at Bush School have been a delight; and the Form I girls who joined the seniors at the launch of Joanne Joseph’s book, Children of Sugarcane. This list does not include the regular and ongoing co-curricular activities. I hope that parents will enjoy reading about the details of participation and achievement in this edition of the newsletter.

All this activity fills the school with youthful spirit and a sense of possibility. Yet, at the same time, we received the tragic news of the loss of a young life and injury to another at a neighbouring Johannesburg school. We live in a time of paradox, of hardship and harsh reality that often leads to numbness about the future. The only response is surely intervention and engagement by all citizens to create a safer, kinder, quieter life for our children. Mosa Mdladla, deputy head girl elect for 2023, led prayer in chapel on Tuesday and asked God to “quiet our lives”.

DEANNE KING
HEAD OF SCHOOL