Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
Mother Patrick Convent Primary School from Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, Harare, emerged as the overall winner at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) competitions held in Botswana, after its pupils put up a strong performance against schools from across the region.
The winning team comprised Lemuel Mapini, Robert Tembo, Ethan Chikwangwani and Tinomudaishe Muzuva.
The school also secured fifth position in the public speaking category, with pupil Prince Ndlovu competing against learners from other schools across the SADC region.
School head Mrs Ennie Makoni commended the pupils for their outstanding performance, saying the results demonstrated the importance of nurturing critical thinking, confidence and effective communication among learners.
She said the achievements were a reflection of the school’s commitment to developing well-rounded learners equipped with skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“They have shown us the power of well-reasoned arguments and thoughtful discussion,” she said.
“They have represented our school with distinction and have reminded us that disagreement can be constructive when it is guided by respect and evidence.”
Mrs Makoni said the achievement was a reflection of the pupils’ commitment and the support they received in preparing for the regional competitions.
“We are immensely proud of our learners for the way they conducted themselves and represented Mother Patrick Convent Primary School,” she said.
“Their success is not only about winning a competition, but also about demonstrating the values of discipline, teamwork, confidence and intellectual curiosity.”
She said participating in regional competitions exposed pupils to different perspectives while challenging them to think beyond the classroom.
“Competitions such as these give our learners an opportunity to engage with other young people from across the SADC region and to appreciate different ideas and approaches,” Mrs Makoni said.
“They learn that success comes from preparation, listening to others and being able to present their ideas clearly and respectfully.”
Mrs Makoni thanked the teachers, parents and other members of the school community who supported the pupils throughout their preparations.
“This achievement belongs to the learners, but it is also a reflection of the collective effort of our teachers, parents and the entire school community,” she said.
“We will continue to encourage our learners to work hard, respect one another and remain committed to excellence.”
The school’s performance comes as Zimbabwean schools continue to participate in regional academic competitions aimed at developing pupils’ critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork and communication skills.
