Thank you to our community for supporting our school and Foundation at the 135th birthday celebration.

We started our school year in chapel with girls, parents and staff – remembering where our strength comes from; then we celebrated the class of 2022’s excellent matric results; the sports and cultural programmes are in full swing and have offered us affirmation; we gathered to support the Foundation in ensuring that our independent, Anglican school for girls will survive long into the future.

Ros Howell addressed the gathering on Wednesday evening at the 135th celebration with a memorable message about what makes St Mary’s School special and the significance of its contribution to education. The influence that the school has had on many women’s lives is unquantifiable – women who when they left our school went on to influence, to nurture, to lead and disrupt society for the better. These women, our alumni, are the legacy of St Mary’s School.

Ros Howell has served St Mary’s with devotion and love for 36 years. She has been an anchor in the school for many generations of girls, their families and members of staff. Her energy, enthusiasm and belief in the potential of each child make her a leader beyond comparison. Ros will retire from her position as senior deputy head in the school at the end of the year but she will continue to serve St Mary’s School in other capacities to ensure that St Mary’s is a place of possibility for all children.

As is the ebb and flow of life, I have to announce that Mrs Megan Devine and Mr Thabo Kunutu will leave St Mary’s at the end of the term. Mrs Devine is taking up a position at St John’s College and Mr Kunutu is leaving teaching to run his business fulltime. I thank them for their dedicated service and contribution to our school.

DEANNE KING
HEAD OF SCHOOL