St Augustine's High School (Penhalonga) Biography

Background

St Augustine's High School, sometimes called Tsambe, is a well-known secondary school in Zimbabwe. It is located at St Augustine's Mission, Penhalonga, in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province. The school was founded in 1939 by the Anglican Church and is still owned by the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland. Over the years, it has become respected for its academic achievements and the role it has played in Zimbabwean education.

Administration and Leadership

The school's leadership is made up of several key staff members:

• Principal: Rev D Muchichwa
• School Head and Chaplain: Rev Sydney Chirombe
• Deputy Head: Mr U.S Kamuruko
• Senior Masters: Mr J Chirima and Mr S Mudare
• Senior Lady: Mrs M Chapungu

These leaders are responsible for managing the school, supporting students and teachers, and making sure the school runs smoothly.

Academic Program

St Augustine's High School follows the ZIMSEC curriculum, which includes both Ordinary Level (O-Level) and Advanced Level (A-Level) education. The school offers a wide range of subjects, such as:

• English Literature
• Shona
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• History
• Geography
• Accounts
• Economics
• Business Studies
• Computer Science
• Crop Science
• French

The school is known for its strong academic results. In 2024, the O-Level pass rate was 96.17%, and the A-Level pass rate was 100%. Many students passed with high marks, especially in subjects like English Literature, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science.

Admission and Fees

Admission to St Augustine's is competitive. For Form One, students usually need between 6 and 8 units. For A-Level, external students often need at least 8 As. The school uses Zimbabwe's EMAP (Electronic Ministry Application Platform) for enrolling new students.

The fees for 2025 are as follows:

• Boarding Fees (2024): $485 per term, plus a $50 SDC levy
• Form One Initial Cost: About $1,200, including uniforms
• 2025 Total Fees: $1,900 per term (Mission Fund: $1,200; Fees: $700)

Facilities

The school has several facilities to support students:

• Accommodation: Boarding hostels for students, with junior students in larger dormitories and seniors in smaller rooms
• Computer Lab and Internet Café: For digital learning and research
• Library: Includes the Herbert Chitepo Library
• Clinic: For student healthcare
• Tuckshop: Sells refreshments and essentials
• School Garden and Poultry Farm: Supplies fresh food for student meals

There have been some challenges with overcrowding in hostels and aging infrastructure, but the school is working on renovations and improvements.

Sports and Extracurricular Activities

Students can take part in many sports, including:

• Athletics
• Soccer
• Netball
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Rugby
• Lawn Tennis
• Chess
• Handball

There are also clubs and societies such as the Leo Club, Interact Club, Journalism Club, SEMAC, Public Speaking & Debating Club, and Toastmasters.

Notable Alumni

St Augustine's High School has produced several important figures in Zimbabwean history:

• Herbert Chitepo: The first black barrister in Rhodesia and a key nationalist leader
• Dambudzo Marechera: A famous novelist and poet
• Edgar Tekere, Martin Kaunda, Elizabeth Nyamwanza: Other distinguished alumni in different fields

Meals and Nutrition

The school provides meals for boarding students, including breakfast, break, lunch, and dinner. Food is prepared using fresh ingredients from the school garden and poultry farm.

See where St Augustines High ranks on the top 100 list of best A Level Schools in Zimbabwe in 2025.