Donhead & St Mary's

In January 2005, after a visit to South Africa, Alan Fernandes introduced Donhead Preparatory School to St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Nyanga, South Africa. He spoke to the pupils at Donhead about life in South Africa and what they could do to help St. Mary’s. This led to a series of fundraising activities, including the headmaster running in the London Marathon(!), which resulted in £ 3 500 being raised. In July 2005, one of the teachers at Donhead went out to visit St. Mary’s. He said that the pupils were fantastic but they are very underprivileged. 2005 also saw Donhead involved in the “Make Poverty History” campaign and Ben Ramsden, from Jesuit Missions, gave talks to the pupils on this.

Latterly there has not been much contact between Donhead and St. Mary’s as St. Mary’s has been in a certain amount of flux. There was an outbreak of vandalism which saw school property damaged. The headmistress left suddenly and was temporarily replaced by her deputy head. Interviews have taken place for the new head, but the appointee has yet to be announced officially.

The schools hope to resume contact after St. Mary’s holidays and once their new head is in office, towards the end of July 2006. Michael Hoare, who works in the Catholic Schools’ Office in Cape Town, visits St. Mary’s once or twice a month. He said there is a more positive spirit within the school and he spoke of the planned development projects which will enhance not only the school infrastructure but morale.

Some of the development projects they hope to implement are:

1. To increase the fencing around the school. This has been budgeted for and they hope to start this work in the holidays. It is hoped that this will deter vandals from entering the school grounds.
2. To re-design the admin building which currently is a “mish mash” of buildings.
3. Their long-term plans include replacing two of the pre-fabricated buildings which are used as classrooms.