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Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
A NEW elite and state-of-the-art school, St Augustine’s College perched in the tranquil environs of Bulawayo’s Sunnyside suburb hosted an Open Day and Form One Entrance Assessment Examination on Friday.
The College, situated where there was formerly Catholic University Bulawayo Campus, is a Catholic co-educational Day and Boarding School that enrols Form One to Upper Six for both local and foreign students. The enrolment is still ongoing, while the boarding facilities are set to open in January 2025.
Learners at the College will sit for both the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec) and Cambridge Assessment International Education examinations.
The College which opened its doors to pupils in January this year for the first term started off with 40 students spread across different classes, while it has the capacity to enrol 500 including the boarders.
Part of its distinct infrastructure is the Chapel, sporting facilities, and highly equipped computer and science laboratories among others.
The College’s vision is to be the hallmark of quality education and elite extracurricular activities for students, apart from fore fronting an internationally accredited curriculum.
Subjects offered include Mathematics, Computer Science (ICT), Geography, History, Design and Technology, Art and Design, French, SiNdebele, IsiZulu, English Language, English Literature, Commerce, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Business Studies.
The sports offered are athletics, netball, girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, golf, basketball, tennis and swimming, while clubs and societies offered include chess, media, drama, choir, business studies, interact and etiquette among others.
Giving a brief history of how the College came about, Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) Secretary-General and St Augustine’s College Principal, Father Tryvis Moyo said the school premises were previously a seminary.
“St Augustine’s Seminary, was built to enhance the proper formation of local priests but was closed in 2016 due to the decline of vocations to the priesthood. The whole Faculty of Philosophy was moved back to Chishawasha Major Seminary in Harare.
“The expenses involved in running two half-empty seminaries were prohibitive, a situation that prompted ZCBC members to close St Augustine’s Seminary. The Bishops decided at their administrative meeting held in Masvingo in August 2023 to turn the former seminary into a private college,” he said.
“St Augustine’s College offers holistic education informed by Catholic ethos, the institution is guided by the motto, ‘Sapientia, Amor et Veritas’ which speaks of wisdom, hope, love and truth.”
He said the school fulfils the church’s goal to provide a quality education that targets the formation of the whole person.
Fr Moyo said a lot of work was put in from September last year to ensure the College can open its doors to students in January this year.
He said: “When we started work for the institution in September, we had no single teacher, no student and no administrator, so we had to find a consultant in the education sector to assist. In January we opened and some were disappointed because the numbers were not what they expected.”
Fr Moyo said when they opened the College had 24 pupils spread across different classes and in a class there would be four, five or six students.
He said they then decided to enrol the Lower Six students, with about 16 students that came bringing the total number of students for the first term to 40.
“We believe it is also good to start small as we grow. There are so many people who came applying saying they want to learn here and we said at this school we have our own demands, can you match those, and some fell by the wayside,” he explained.
Fr Moyo said their goal was to ensure the education offered is centred around the student and the smaller numbers of students ensured that there is a strong relationship between the students and teachers.
He said it would be easier to assess the students and push them to greater heights for them to excel both academically and sports wise.
“I am proud of the teachers and students. There is a lot of hard work going on and this is not just any other school. We thrive through teamwork and as parents you should be part of this team. You should be heavily involved in their schooling, we will inform you on everything pertaining to the students and if need be we evaluate them together,” added Fr Moyo.
St Augustine’s College head, Mr Thomas Khumalo said they offer a warm and supportive family atmosphere where students feel valued and cared for.
“St Augustine’s College is founded on Catholic education ethos. Therefore, we foster spiritual growth, nurture character development, embrace diversity, engage with communities and collaborate with parents to educate our students. We employ an integrated approach to education. Seeking to form a whole rounded person, thus, guided by Catholic principles, the Catholic social teachings and our shared faith we seek to prepare students for responsible global citizenship,” said Mr Khumalo.
He said they strive for academic excellence and discipline, while their academic programmes are based on the internationally recognised Cambridge standards to equip the students for success at global universities.
Mr Khumalo said their qualified and experienced staff tend to a wide range of subjects in Sciences, Arts and Commercials, while their curriculum will keep on expanding as enrolment grows.
“The decision you make this year is one of the most determining ones you will ever make for the future of your sons and daughters. I hope as you stand at the crossroads, we as St Augustine’s College can help you as you make the right decision,” he said.
During the Open Day, students were given an opportunity to showcase their talents in various performances such as singing, dancing and reciting poems.
Some also did presentations about their journey and experiences at St Augustine’s College so far. This is what they had to say:
Head boy, Mthabisi Ndebele and head girl, Nandipha Dlamini said they have been tasked to promote a positive school culture while working together with all the students.
They said have been able to achieve great success through the support of their great teachers, the College staff, management and the Head.
Chapel Captain, Rumbidzai Vitto said the Catholic education ethos has fostered spiritual growth in them as students and nurtured character development. She said they have daily morning prayers and attend services at the Chapel on Wednesdays to strengthen their faith and relationship with God.
Speaking on their Form One journey both Nadine Mabhena and Blessing Moyo said they were excited to be undertaking their secondary education at St Augustine’s College.
They said the institution has made their transition from primary to secondary much smoother, while they are excited about the journey they are to experience at the college and exploring a number of programmes offered both curriculum and extra-curricular ones.
Over 100 pupils from different primary schools wrote Entrance Assessment examinations to secure places for Form One in 2025. The pupils and their parents were taken on a tour of St Augustine’s College to gain an appreciation of the institution.
Online Reporter