Online Reporter
Trish Mukwazo, Sunday News Reporter
TOWNSEND High School of Bulawayo on Friday honoured its top achievers during a colourful annual speech and prize giving day ceremony, which also showcased milestones in infrastructure development and positive economic impact projects.
Graced by parents, School Development Committee members and invited guests, the event highlighted the huge strides achieved by the institution is its commitment to academic excellence and empowerment of the girl child.
Teachers at the school were also awarded prizes for their distinguished commitment and service to instilling excellence in the pupils.
Top achievers in various fields from Form One to Six were individually awarded with different prizes for excelling in their studies with some getting more than one prize.
The ceremony was punctuated by a captivating display of academic excellence demonstrated by learners in various disciplines who boldly embodied eloquence through public speaking and speeches.
Located along Phillips Drive in Ilanda suburb, the girls-only school offers day and boarding facility and is renowned for being one of the top performing schools in the province.
The school was established in 1950 and has 1 025 learners boasting of an exceptionally high pass rate.
In her remarks the school headmistress, Mrs Thokozile Tshabalala, said this year’s ceremony, which ran under the theme: “Education: A Transformational Tool, A Shared Responsibility”, was aimed at encouraging parents and the general community to join hands in bringing up the girl child and helping learners in every way possible.
She said the school has taken a significant stride to improve its infrastructure and resources. Mrs Tshabalala also noted that the school’s administration, with the support of the School Development Committee, has invested in purchasing laptops and computers for learners and teachers to enhance digital literacy.
Recognising the challenges posed by frequent outages in electricity, the school has embarked on a solarisation project, an initiative that not only reduces the school’s reliance on traditional energy sources but ensures a stable power supply, minimising disruptions to the learning process.
“Parents support us by paying fees on time, learners support us by working hard, teachers support us by being where they are supposed to be at any given time and doing the right thing at all times and the administration supports by giving the teachers and the learners all the prerequisites,” said Mrs Tshabalala.
“The Government supports us by making policies that are favourable and that are helping the child to grow in a holistic way.”
SDC chairperson, Mr Ndumiso Moyo, said the institution seeks to equip the girl child with the best education and good leadership skills.
He expressed gratitude to the parents who paid school fees on time saying this has enabled the school to forge ahead with development projects even under harsh economic times.
Mr Moyo highlighted the school’s several notable projects and developments that have not only enhanced the learning environment but also contributed to the local community.
He said the school’s “Road Runner Project”, which was initiated after winning a prize from the Chronicle for subscribing to Funda Magazine has proven to be a resounding success, saying that the project now sells fertilised eggs and chicks to the community providing a valuable resource for local residents.
“Our horticulture project is thriving, with an acre of land dedicated to growing carrots and cabbages. These fresh produce are being sold to the local market, with carrots priced at $1 per bunch,” said Mr Moyo.
“This project not only provides students with practical skills but also contributes to food security in the community.”
