There is very little time between these tasks and dinner, (again consisting of sadza, but with eggs or meat), and then from 7.00 - 8.30 pm compulsory prep takes place, when homework is done in the classrooms. Bedtime is from 9.30 pm with the 6th form having the option to stay up later to continue working if they wish!All this seems to leave little time for leisure but, since most of the girls remain at school during the weekends, there are several extra-curricular activities and clubs that the girls may take part in. There is:
· the Culture Club, which seeks to preserve the Ndebele customs and teaches other ways of life.
· the Conservation Club, keen on bird, snake and insect-watching.
· Chess
· Drama
· Debating
· Young writers
· Guides and Rangers
· On the musical side, there is a junior and senior choir which have a wide variety of Ndebele and European songs within their repertoire and which have given concerts in Bulawayo churches.
On Saturday evenings the whole school congregates in the dining hall, perhaps to watch a film, have a talent competition or a fashion show, all extremely popular events.
As you can appreciate, life for Praise, Blessing, Memory and Silence and many others with equally charming names is considerably different from life for British school-girls. However, they value their time at St. James, a thriving community where friends are made for life.
With acknowledgement to David and Elizabeth Wakefield, this extract from one of their USPG Project Newsletters,
during their time at St James.
