St Faith’s: Excellence Beyond Books
Indeed as if being at the top of Zimbabwe in academic performance is not enough, St Faith’s High School has ‘trespassed’ into new territories of conquest.
FISCO as it is passionately called by those who love the school continues to ride on what is certainly an institutional- success rollercoaster ... the ability to finely replicate success in a particular area of study every single year until it becomes a culture, identity and tradition.
St Faiths is a school that produces quality results acknowledged by all and sundry. The staff, the students and the parents have all so internalised the glorious feel of achievement that it has become an overarching drive, a passion and an obsession.
This feel of being the best in the country one can safely say defines the school identity, goals and modus operandi .
At the recent Provincial Merit Awards held at Chancellor Primary school, the institution in broad daylight received the lion’s share of merit awards in academic performance. That is the tradition everybody knows.
There is a new dimension to St Faith’s achievement though that is certainly gaining rapid prominence: excellence beyond books.
St Faith’s are 2017 National Champions in the following disciplines: National Aids Competitions (NAC) NASH sponsored Junior Public Speaking (Stanley Chivanga Form 2) NASH sponsored Senior Debating You should have been there to witness the rapturous reception by staff and students when news of each of these momentous successes was broken. The school was on a high as if they had the winning ticket in a lottery. The schools also reached the finals in the Nash sponsored Handball and Volleyball national tournaments.
It is always difficult to provide an attribution to the success enjoyed by St Faith’s. This educational materials writer and reporter who has closely become an academic and intellectual friend of this great school knows beyond doubt that the following are prominent among some of the attributes:
Mutual beneficial synergistic collaboration among staff, students and parents.
Culture of reading...the boys and girls are bookworms!
Prayer and God’s benevolence... the school prepares not only ZIMSEC candidates, but also candidates for Heaven.
Collaborative teaching and learning(the hallmark of the new curriculum).. .the school has since dropped the selfish old fashioned ‘ theseare-my- children, this –is-my- class ’ approach.
Absence of factions! St Faith’s is characterised by an ambience that can only be God- given! The school operates and functions as one machine.
After three years of absence at the national stage, St Faith’s High School-the inaugural champions of the National Aids Council National Quiz competitions came back for the 2017 edition held at Prince Edward High School from the 1st to the 2nd of November.
The competition ran under the theme: YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOL CLOSING THE TAP ON NEW HIV INFECTIONS.
Said the proud Moses Mukoyi: “Our team of Bulls consisted of four participants: Walter Chowa, Takudzwa Manyerere, Tinashe Phiri and Cherish Jongwe receiving and enjoying support from Mr Chimba and Mrs Mudangwe.
“Frankly our boys started the competition in low spirits and they were anxious about victory but gradually but diligently soldiered on to the finals and did our school the pride we deserve,”.
Talking to The Manica Post Walter Chowa said the journey to the top was not easy but in the Bull spirit they made it to the finals and scopped the number one position.
“They had won the provincial competitions by a margin of merely one point, thus uncertain we would come out the ultimate winners. But we did. We beat Kutama College, Makumbi, Mosi- oa-Tunya and Chirumba High School.”
Cherish Jongwe said they gained courage and confidence along the way. “A little success, a little achievement, one competition at a time, fuelled hunger for more success. The Bull spirit propelled us into the semi-finals and finally we were there- right at the end of the race faced with only the finishing line to cross.”
Tinashe Phiri told The Manica Post that it was pleasantly shocking to be in the finals: “The finals against Mosi- oa-Tunya from Matebeleland was the straw that would break the camel’s back. We demonstrated knowledge, zeal, resilience and sheer determination.”
Said Takudzwa Manyere: “We feel proud to be championing the campaign to end AIDS by 2030 and help all young people in school to help close the tap on new HIV infections.
National Public speaking champion, Stanley Chivanga had this to say, “Being the national Public speking champion at such a young age has taught me that anyone is capable of achieving anything in life .
All it takes is hard work and determination.
I spoke to create to create a link, a bond with my audience and as a result I spoke from my heart and became the best. Humility, hardwork, confidence, faith and fidelity, and a God-fearing heart kept me running. Finally I won the race.
“I am proud to have added a feather on the St Faith’s cap. I am proud to have done something for my great school. We excel academically, now we are raring to excel in anything the new curriculum offers and beyond. St Faith’s leads-the rest follow. Who does not enjoy being part of a huge success story?”
The Manica Post too enjoys being part of the St Faith’s success story. We salute you. Long live Fisco! Long live Moses Mukoyi! Long live the academic Trojan horses (the teachers) of St Faith’s!