About Girls' College

The Girls' College Trust was formed in September 1982 for the purpose of establishing a private, multi-racial, inter-denominational secondary school for girls in Bulawayo.  Girls’ College was duly registered as a private secondary school in terms of the Zimbabwe Education Act of 1979, and opened its doors to pupils in January 1983 with seventy five Form One pupils and six teachers.  Forms Two and Three were added in May 1983 and the first set of Cambridge 'O' Level examinations were written the following year in November 1984.  A Lower Sixth Form was established in 1985, with the first Cambridge 'A' level examinations being written in 1986.  Girls' College is inter-denominational with a Christian basis and all pupils are expected to attend school Assemblies.  Boarders are expected to attend Chapel Services.

The school is located at what was the Queens Court residential hotel, which had closed down in 1982.  There was space on the land to build classrooms, whilst the hotel's main residential section was transformed into a hostel for boarders.  The old part of the hotel provided space for the administration block.  Mr Ross Fuller was appointed as the school's first Headmaster.

Since then Girls' College has grown in student numbers, buildings and facilities.  More rooms were added over the next few years and the Ross Fuller Hall was opened in 1991.  Gradually, surrounding residences were purchased (the school is located in a residential suburb) and converted into hostels.  A large building across the road from the main school premise was purchased to become a centre for commercial classes and named Palmer House.  Eventually another building was constructed next to Palmer House to provide new rooms for art and information technology subjects.  Three houses along Livingstone Road and two along Pauling Road now belong to Girls’ College.  Tennis courts were laid down and a swimming pool was finished.  An area adjacent to the school was leased from the City Council to be used as a sports field.  A Netball Court, a Volleyball Court and Basketball Courts have also been laid at the sports field.

After 10 years, the commercial side developed into a Business Studies centre and for a time courses for UNISA (University of South Africa) were run after school hours at Palmer House.  A 'Garden of Remembrance' was also built on the main school premise to commemorate teachers and pupils who had died.  In 2003, after 21 years as Headmaster, Mr Fuller retired and was succeeded by Mrs Hazel Vorster.  Upon her resignation in 2007, she was temporarily replaced by Mr Todd until Mrs Lesley Ross was ready to take her place as Principal in 2008.

Girls' College has a very good academic record.  It is now a four stream entry school, catering for all levels of ability.  It is not elitist or unwilling to accept the less academic, who often leave Girls' College very well equipped for work in the outside world.  Although a young school by most standards, it has had pupils who have obtained Beit Scholarships and some who have held Rhodes Scholarships.

Girls' College has an ethos all of its own.  The pioneering spirit that characterised its early days lingers on in the unity and pride to be found among teachers, pupils and parents.  Perhaps the College badge bears mute testimony to the aspirations of the school.  It features a central crossed crosslet in red (an insignia which forms part of the coat-of-arms for the City of Bulawayo).  The school motto, “Our Hope is Constant in Thee”, found underneath the crosslet, reinforces the Christian basis of the school.  Above the crosslet are three interlocking gold-coloured annulets which are symbolic, on three different levels, depending on the context in which one wishes to view them.  It symbolises the teachers, pupils, and parents; or the academic, cultural, and physical aspects of the school; or the commercial, industrial, and educational professions which co-operated to establish the school.

There is a sense of optimism to be found at the school.  A quiet, but firm commitment to the future.  Our children are the future and Girls' College is dedicated towards producing the class of young women that will be able to take their place in the world, both locally and globally, with confidence, ability and grace.