On Monday, St Mary’s had the privilege of hosting the Southern African Heads of Independent Schools Association central region general meeting. At the start of the session, one of the speakers posed a simple challenge: to think of one act of kindness we, as heads, have witnessed this term. As I considered this, I found it impossible to settle on just one. Instead, I was flooded with memories of a realisation of just how the girls have shown up for their school and for each other - through words of encouragement, gestures of solidarity and unwavering presence in each other’s lives. Their kindness is not an occasional occurrence but a defining characteristic of our school, woven into the very fabric of our community.

There is a certain rhythm to school life: the movement between lessons, practices, rehearsals and fixtures; a shift from focused silence in the classroom to the electric energy on the courts, the pools, the stage. What has stood out most to me, however, is not just the activity itself but the way in which the girls have been present for one another. Whether in the boats, in the water, on the court, or in the audience, they have cheered, supported and celebrated each other. Their participation is not passive; it is wholehearted and it speaks to a deep sense of belonging.

This spirit of belonging is not something that can be mandated or artificially created. It is the result of a culture, carefully nurtured, where showing up - whether as a competitor or a spectator - is an expression of care. It is the rowers rising before dawn to train, knowing that their efforts contribute to something greater than themselves. It is the swimmers and divers pushing through the exhaustion of early mornings and long afternoons, not just for their own success but for their team. It is the tennis girls stepping onto the courts with determination, knowing that their matches are about more than just the final score.

And then there are the voices from the sidelines - the ones who make their teammates feel seen, the ones who understand that being present is an act of solidarity. These are the girls who remind us that community is built not only on individual achievement but on collective support.

The absence of a phone during class is not about punishment, but about presence - being fully engaged in the lesson, in discussion, in thought. It is about reclaiming attention spans in an era where distraction is the currency of technology. The growing body of research on digital dependence underscores the importance of boundaries, particularly in learning environments. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, the discipline of detaching from a screen, even for a few hours, is one that will serve the girls well beyond school.

I would also like to take a moment to congratulate Mrs Phuti Mogale, our deputy headmistress, on her recent appointment as the headmistress of the Senior School at Roedean School (SA). This is an incredible milestone, not only for Mrs Mogale but also for St Mary’s and Roedean, as we continue to collaborate and strengthen our shared commitment to excellence in girls’ education.

Transitions like these remind me of our schools' inter connectedness and the ways in which our values and educational philosophies shape the broader independent school community. I look forward to working closely with Roedean in the future and celebrating the continued success of both institutions.

SEIPATI SHIAKALLIS
HEADMISTRESS