ST JOHN’S HIGH SCHOOL CHIKWAKA KEEPS ON SHINING

Maria Chiguvari

Diocesan Education Secretary, Dr Lazarus Nyatsanza, has commended St John’s High School Chikwakwa for attaining 100 percent pass rate in 2023 A level results.

Last year’s O level pass rate 86%, is the highest so far in the school’s history.

Speaking at the speech and prize giving day held last week Dr Nyatsanza challenged the learners to meet the current exams head-on.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Head of the school for his dedication, commitment and initiatives towards what the school is today. Mr Mandikutse is indeed a visionary personality. The results of his effort are we cherish today.

“The teachers in this school have to be emulated for their commitment to work. Some of them are taking early morning lessons. The high pass rate in ordinary and advanced level exams is testimony to the efforts directed by teachers towards teaching and learning.

“Learners I challenge you to meet the exams head-on. You are armed with ammunition what remains is for you to fire. Remember the biblical story when Jesus calmed the storm. You should equally calm the storm that comes with exam anxiety,” he said.

Guest of honour Sekai Kuvarika who is also a former student was proud of how the schoolhas grow from glory to glory in all aspects of the District Provincial and National level.

“I am reliably informed that the school was established in 1972 with a very small enrolment of 300 but the school has grown in leaps and bounds of 1095 students, 44 teachers and 33 ancillary staff. Over the years, the school has been producing quality academic results and has competed very well at regional and national levels. You will also agree with me that this among others is the reason why demand for place is high at this institution.

“This high demand has challenged the available resources creating the need for further expansion of learning infrastructure, boarding facilitate and staff accommodation hence the birth of infrastructure development fund in the Anglican Schools” she said.

Brian Mandikutse the school headmaster said his school takes pride in the exceptional results it has produced over the years.

The headmaster also encouraged the current students to take their exams serious as the successes of the school on them.

“To our Students and staff, we are all aware of the various competitions in which we engaged. We are aware that in any given race there are those who come first while others follow. For those of us who will come first and get prizes today in recognition of their hard work, we say well done and for those who may not get anything, let the same time next year be your chance.

“For those who are writing their O and A levels this year should know that the success of St John’s as a school will depend on your performance. When you fail you have worked hard to erase the good work the Guest of honour and her colleagues have done to make this school great.

“Above all, while winning of prizes is important we need to celebrate the importance of this day in that we have High achievers who compete very well at National and international levels. Our students and staff compete against themselves after outdoing their colleagues and hence the befitting anthem we are not in a competition but on a mission to achieve our goals and the school motto “…in pursuit of excellence.”

St John’s High School Chikwaka is a co-educational institution with an enrollment of 1095 students and an authorized teaching staff establishment of 44 and 33 non teaching staff. The school enrolls from the country as awhole as well as the local community. Demand for places is very high at this school.

The school continues to perform well at both O and A level ZIMSEC examinations and has produced good pass rates for the examinations taken in 2023.

SUBJECT	Passrate %
Agriculture	74
Physical ed.	100
Co Scie	69
Gen. Mathematics	60
Business studies	97
Acc	75
Pure mathematics	100
Shona lang.	92
English language	91
Physics	100
Chemistry	97
Biology	100
History	98
Geography	90
Family Religious studies	100
Biology	100
Textile design tech.	100
Building design tech.	100
Art and design	100
Music	100
Technical graphics	100
Food tech.	100

Our A-level students performed well in 2023 and results were as follows:

Subject	Pass rate %
Biology	100
Chemistry	100
Pure Mathematics	100
statis	100
Accounting	67
Economics	100
Literature in English	100
Shona	100
History	100
Divinity	100
Business studies	100
Geography	100
Physics	100

School’s O level pass rate continues to rise, from 65% in 2013 and stands at 86% 2023

26 students with 15 points and above. The highest had 25 points. There is need to continue to improve on the quality of passes at A level and ensure that all subjects achieve a 100% pass rate.

5.0. CURRUCULUM

5.1. Updated curriculum

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary education has introduced the updated curriculum. A number of changes have taken place. Worth noting is the introduction of ICT for every learner. However, the current facilities like the only computer laboratory is not adequate hence the need to invest further into the construction of a Resource centreOur parents will chip in and assist

Agriculture has been adopted by the school as a basic course for every learner for the soul reason that no product of St John’s High school will starve in life for the lack of basic farming skills. They have learnt that just 1m x 1m of a flat’s balcony can produce food.

5.2. Expanded curriculum

We have expanded our curriculum to include more technical vocational subjects.

We are having candidates sitting for Music/Geometric and mechanical engineering drawing/Art and design technology/Building and design technology/Food and design technology.

The school is linking up with various tech voc colleges for partnership

5.3. Education 5.0

Project with Alick Macheso studios and the production of the trending showers of blessings album.

The Music department is recording a second album soon.

Other non musical projects are in this very short pipe line and are coming up soon.

6.0. STEM

The school has embraced STEM and has an increased enrollment in the ICT, sciences and Mathematics Department. The A level sciences have an enrolment of 32 students.

We need to work towards equipping the department to excellent levels. In this regard we have successfully equipped our Chemistry lab to modern standards. We will be moving on to the Physics and Biology labs.

7.0. NON FORMAL EDUCATION

The school has also Championed Part time and continuing education mainly in ICT, Mathematics and science education. Our spouses and the local community are benefitting from this programmer.

7.1. We recently introduced driving lessons and we are currently working in partnership with Chits driving school.

A class of 50 comprising Teachers, our boys and girls and community members managed to obtain Learners licenses in July. And two days ago 4 of our learners became certified class 4 drivers.

We are encouraging the girl child to follow suit.

7.2. We are also trying to ensure that no child is left behind in our community. So we are also enrolling the disadvantaged of our community for non-formal education.

8.0. SPORT ARTS AND CULTURE

8.1. Our performance on the sporting field as well as Arts and Cultural activities has been very pleasing of late and this is one area where we need the support of our parents.

Sport Arts and culture has become one of the highest paying vocations in the world and looking at our own economy, there is not much of employment in the fields of Business and management. Let us encourage our children/wards to participate in this area.

8.2. Our soccer academy has joined the champions league.

All three teams have done well and have all made it in the top 3 of the log.

8.3. Our 20 and under team is travelling from Mutare where they had gone for the National competitions. Unfortunately, they could not make it.

8.4. Our cricket and Basketball teams are coming up and are still struggling in their league matches. We will continue to offer them maximum support.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

The school has got various clubs and societies which we are trying to link to international clubs and societies as well.

We also have the interact /Leos/Art etc. club which will be very visible today. These clubs also contribute through fund raising. Recently the Art club fundraised for the procurement of air conditioners for the lecture theatre. May I call upon parents /Guardians to assist them when they approach you for assistance.

QUIZ

We are the Provincial champions for 2023 we await the National competitions for the National Aids council

We continue to work on the following