Herald Reporter
IRENE Christian College has opened enrolment for the January 2027 academic year, with the Marlborough institution seeking to build on an educational approach that combines recognised academic programmes with practical skills, science, technology, innovation and international exposure.
The college offers boarding and day school options for learners from Form One to Six, with boarding places limited for the coming intake.
Beyond the classroom, the school has in recent years expanded opportunities for learners to participate in scientific research, innovation projects and international competitions, giving pupils exposure to areas that are increasingly important to Zimbabwe’s development.
Most recently, a group of Irene Christian College students travelled to Moscow, Russia, for the Agrontri International Competition, gaining exposure to drone technology in agriculture.
The experience introduced the learners to the application of emerging technology in modern farming while providing an international platform for them to develop skills that could contribute to the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
The Moscow trip followed other international engagements in which the school’s pupils have represented Zimbabwe.
In 2024, Irene Christian College won the Space Data Analysis category at the All Africa Space Competition in Ghana after competing against more than 60 high schools from across Africa.
The pupils worked with satellite signals, processing, decoding and analysing data as part of the competition.
The institution has also forged links with the Harare Institute of Technology, Bindura University of Science Education and the University of Zimbabwe, with various faculties engaging the school in efforts to strengthen STEM education, research and innovation.
The partnerships give learners and teachers access to specialised expertise, modern facilities and innovation based learning opportunities, while supporting the Government’s Education 5.0 agenda.
The school’s investment in practical learning has also been reflected in its facilities.
Irene Christian College has established an Innovation Hub and laboratories for different science disciplines, while its curriculum has incorporated practical skills such as coding, cooking, sewing and basic vehicle maintenance.
The institution has also hosted science and innovation activities involving pupils from other schools, with projects covering areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture, environmental science, engineering, microbiology and energy.
The school’s Innovation Hub has provided a platform for pupils to develop projects intended to address practical challenges, while the institution continues to promote critical thinking, creativity and collaboration.
Academically, Irene Christian College offers Cambridge IGCSE, AS Level and A Level programmes, alongside sport and extracurricular activities including hockey, soccer, basketball, athletics, swimming, debate, public speaking, robotics and the arts.
The college has also recorded achievements outside STEM.
In 2025, learner Shamiso Mutsahuni won a bronze medal at the seventh African Spelling Bee in Abuja, Nigeria, finishing third in the senior category among competitors from seven African countries.
The school says its educational philosophy is centred on developing confident, responsible and respectful young people, while giving learners greater ownership of their education and encouraging leadership, creativity and service.
With the January 2027 intake now open, parents and guardians have the option of considering either boarding or day school places at the institution.
The school has indicated that boarding places are limited and that early application is advisable.
For a school seeking to combine academic preparation with practical skills and exposure to emerging technologies, the 2027 intake comes as Irene Christian College continues to expand opportunities for learners to engage with science, innovation and the wider world.
