The schedule of the past two weeks has been filled with memorable and significant ceremonies and activities. On Mandela Day, we took a day off school to participate in service activities to support the church’s relief work in KwaZulu-Natal. The day ended with a music concert and time to relax in The Close and soak up the spirit of camaraderie. Two days later we hosted a service of “lament and hope” in our chapel for the St Mary’s Old Girls. This was a profound service with everyone who attended being noticeably moved by the power of our collective will to forge a future of hope for our school. The choir and musicians contributed their brilliance to creating memories in the chapel. And at the end of the week, we announced the head girl elect 2023 and the deputy head girls elect 2023 in an assembly, which erupted into joyous celebration for the candidates who now have the challenging task of leading the school.

This week has seen activity on campus with the start of the demolition of the Pitt Block. We will experience noise pollution and difficulty in moving around the campus but the general sentiment amongst pupils and staff is that it is worth the present disruption in order to enjoy the facilities of a new building, which we will occupy in January 2024.

I have mentioned music several times in this message because it has featured in both our events and as background to the daily activities. Music has wafted across the campus and seemingly drawn us together as a community. Mandela Day, SMOGS service, matrics’ spontaneous singing in the corridors and the Junior School play rehearsals, have all brought singing and music to our days and lifted our spirits.

The end of term signals time to rest and renew ourselves. I wish the class of 2022 a holiday that provides a chance to prepare quietly and thoroughly for their preliminary examinations.

DEANNE KING
HEAD OF SCHOOL