1st Term 2015 Newsletter [1]

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Welcome Remarks

A very warm welcome to our new and returning parents, guardians and students as we begin another exciting year! Each new school year brings joy,  excitement and anticipation for the many opportunities that await us here at Dominican Convent. “As nostalgia gives way to certainty, the Form Ones breathe new life to our vibrant Dominican Community”, said one prefect who interviewed some Form One girls. This is what the Form Ones said after a week at Convent: “I don’t miss primary school anymore. There are more fun clubs in high school. All the competitions make me feel so mature.” Another Form One girl also weighed in saying, “I was so scared at first but my class prefect and teacher made me feel so special. The third one said,
“It is not so bad, maybe a little intimidating but it has been so easy to make friends”.

CELEBRATING 120t h ANNIVESARY

We are proud and fortunate to be part of this great institution that was established 120 years ago. Our opening assembly marked the commencement of our 120th anniversary. Below, I give a brief history of what it is that we are celebrating; a story of many people’s hard work and determination that led to the establishment of this school. Bulawayo Dominican Convent School, the first school to be established in Bulawayo in 1895 was set up by the Dominican Sisters. It was named after St. Dominic who founded the Order of Preachers (OP) and established the first Dominican Convent at Prouille in France in 1206. The objective was to provide primary and secondary education for settlers who had established themselves in Bulawayo. On 28 October 1895, Sisters Sebastian Hill and Pancratius Webster opened the first School in a wood and iron chapel rented from the Jesuit Fathers. On the first day, 10 little pupils attended the school. By January 1896, enrolment had gone up to 70. Construction of the first buildings commenced in November 1897 when the foundation stone of the present Convent and school was laid by Mrs. Arthur Lawley, wife of the then Administrator. As enrolment figures continued to increase, a second storey was added for boarders. In 1930, a separate block of eight classrooms was erected, followed in 1938 by the construction of rooms for Domestic Science, Needlework, Music and a spacious hall. Up until 1958 the school catered for primary and kindergarten pupils. By then, the need for a senior school had become apparent, therefore construction of the high school classrooms, swimming pool, hockey field and tennis courts commenced on 1 November 1958 and opened its doors in 1959. In 1960, the new Senior Block was blessed by His Lordship, Bishop A. Schmitt. In short, this is our story and we are glad that, 120 years later, it has also become your story and together we continue to build on that story. All those who have gone ahead of us have left a legacy of high standards guided by, veritas, prayer, study, community and service- our Dominican Motto and Pillars. I have reminded our girls not just to study history but, to make history. I extend the same invitation to you to continue to contribute meaningfully and positively to the Dominican Convent story.

O-Level & A-Level Results

The waiting and the anxiety are finally over for all 2014 exam parents, candidates and teachers. Congratulations and well done to most of our students who did very well. We thank our teachers for a job well done. We have 98% pass-rate at A-level and 90% at O level. Our 2014 head girl has 20 points (1 A* and 3As). We have 3 girls with 3As (15 points) and 7 girls with 2As at A Level. One Form 4 girl has 10As (6As* and 4As), 5 girls have 9As, 5 more girls have 8 As, 1 girl has 7 As and 5 girls have 6 As.

Students with two or more As at A-level

4As - Michelle Dube
3As - Buhle Ndlovu, Kimberley Ndlovu, Lindiwe Nyathi
2As - Gabriella Ali-Mohammed, Panashe Marufu, Ayanda Mpofu, Lisa Jean Munamati, Paidamoyo Mushore, Alice Risai, Nomagugu Tshabangu

Students with 6 or more As at O level

10 As Minehle Nkala
9 As Chiedza Chimedza, Nthethelelo Mpofu, Tafadzwa Mumbire, Novuyo Phiri, Tatenda Sithole
8 As Tariro Chivasa, Novuyo Moyo, Tavonga Mutukwa, Nonsikelelo Ncube, Brittany Rohde
7 As Gracious Sanhewe
6 As Ruramai Jamari, Sihlengiwe Malinga, Bontle Mathabi, Nombeko Ncube, Rebokile Setoboli

NEW STAFF MEMBERS

We welcome three new staff members this term. Mrs Boyce, who taught at this school some years ago is relieving Ms Aasha, the Art teacher who is on maternity leave. Ms Nemaramba, a student from Hillside teacher's College is on Teaching Practice for a year in the sports department while Sr Maureene Mofu from Zambia is on community experience at our school.

EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

School trips engage students socially in a positive way and allow them to learn in the real world in a manner that is not possible in the classroom. Last holiday our debate and public speaking ladies travelled to Botswana for a debate and public speaking tournament. Debating and interacting with
other students from 16 Southern African countries was a delightful and informative experience.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

“No meaningful transformation can take place in an organization until the individuals in that organization have been personally transformed”. This was the philosophy behind our staff development workshop facilitated by Mr Z. Ndhlovu of 'Stop to Start.' We learned a lot about our personal transformation as individual teachers and will be able to help our students with their own transformation.

SCHOOL RULES

Just a reminder of our school rules. I trust you have all read them together with your daughter in the School Handbook;
-Girls are expected to be in their classrooms by 7:15am.
-Girls come to school in their school uniform and go back home in their school uniform. They may not loiter in town in school uniform or talk to boys
in town in school uniform-this warrants suspension.
-They may not carry other clothes which are not part of their uniform in their school bags at any given time.
-Cellphones should not be brought to school. Cellphones and clothes will be confiscated and returned at the end of the term upon payment of a $20 fine.
We rely on your support and cooperation in maintaining high standards of uniform and behavior. Thank you for not letting us down in 2014, please keep up the good work.

COMMUNICATION AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

If you are not receiving emails from school please email us at dchschool@gmail.com so that we can add you to our database. Please include your name, your daughter's name and class. Please check your daughter's books at least once a week to see how she is performing and support and help her accordingly. It is also your duty as parents to check the school calendar frequently and take part in school events.

SCHOOL FEES

Thank you for paying school fees on time to facilitate a smooth running of the school. You are reminded to pay top up fees in keeping with the given dates. Fees issues will be discussed at the EGM on 17 February 2005 starting at 5:30pm.

RETREAT AND OPENING MASS

We continue to offer holistic education guided by the four pillars of Catholic education which are learning to do, to be, to know and to relate with self, God and others. Our Lower 6 and Form 4 ladies had their retreats in the second week of the term. We held our beginning of year mass in the second week of the term as well and feel that God continues to guide and direct us in our undertakings.

SR RUDO MATSIKA OP
SCHOOL HEAD