AMR Group of Schools hosts day of recollection for teachers

AMR Group of Schools, run by the Roman Catholic Church’s Servants of Mary the Queen Sisters, commonly known as AMR Sisters, recently held a day of recollection for teachers to equip them with skills on how to best run the institutions and create a safe learning environment for children.

AMR Sisters are a diocesan congregation founded by Bishop Adolf Schmitt, the former Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo.

The AMR Group of Schools includes Ekusileni Secondary School and Ekusileni Primary School in Filabusi, AMR Secondary School and AMR Primary School in Lupane, as well as AMR Amandlethu Secondary School in St Paul’s, also in Lupane. Ekusileni Secondary and Amandlethu are boarding schools.

Each school was represented by the school head at the recollection, which was held at St Bernard’s Minor Seminary in Pumula, Bulawayo. The school heads are Sr Monica Dube, who is head of Ekusileni Secondary, Sr Jenlindy Ncube of Ekusileni Primary, Sr Mildred Chiriseri of AMR Secondary, Sr Praxedis Nyathi of AMR Primary, and Sr Bridget Kokera, who is head of Amandlethu Secondary.

The aim of the recollection was to encourage and motivate teachers.

Fr Crelly Ncube gave a spiritual input, urging educators to foster mutual relationships with stakeholders and learners.

“We should know how to relate with other people and students and live in harmony wherever you are. There is no reason for fighting. Be good to your students. We need self-introspection always and examination of conscience, and to be role models,” he said.

Fr Crelly also highlighted the need to observe child protection laws and ensure learners are in a safe environment that encourages them to learn peacefully. He urged teachers to be guided by the common law doctrine of loco parentis, where they should take the responsibility of raising the learners as their own children.

“We should be careful and not abuse learners. Teachers should be strong and pray so that they overcome temptations because temptations are real; by doing so, they will climb the mountain of the Lord. We should overcome temptation like Jesus (Luke 4:31-35) as we impart knowledge to the learners,” he said.

The AMR Sisters operate in the Archdiocese and beyond, focusing on education, health, and formation. Their motto is Christ-centred, with Christian values being key, guided by the Roman Catholic Church’s ethos and principles where God comes first.

Their charism is to receive Christ with Mary, our Mother, and bring Him to the students and the people of God, as well as evangelise to the poor, widows, the young, the elderly, the lonely, the unloved, and others, until they recognise God in their lives.