Our partner school in South Africa are celebrating the career of Mr Jabu Hlatshwayo, as he is retiring today (Friday 23rd April 2021). Jabu actually went to the school as a pupil, starting in 1973, he then went on to train as a teacher when he left in 1978 and then returned in 1986 as a newly qualified teacher.  He rose through the ranks to become Headteacher more than 20 years ago.    

Our partnership with the Donaldson School, Soweto, started in 2002 when Mr Dumican went there to start the school partnership programme, just after Jabu had started his Headteacher role.  Since then, Jabu has visited our school three times over the last 19 years and Mr Dumican has visited the Donaldson School three times.  Other members of our staff have also had the opportunity to visit over this period of time, they are Mrs Croston (now retired), Mrs Morris, Mrs Cole, Mrs Morgan and Mrs Chapman.  If you visit our school partnership page (click here) you will see some pictures of these different visits over the years.   

The last time our staff visited Soweto was 2019 and the last time pupils and staff from their school visited us was 2017.  There was a plan for staff and pupils to visit us last summer, in July 2020, but due to the pandemic this sadly was not possible; but even though this visit has been postponed, we are hoping to welcome them next year if possible.  

This partnership is very precious to us and Jabu has been instrumental in maintaining the strength of the partnership.  From the whole school community of St Edmund Arrowsmith we wish Jabu a long, happy, and healthy retirement.