St John’s College

Can you imagine a school that was built on a maize patch? St John’s College in Harare, Zimbabwe, has a story that starts with a simple idea, a dream that transformed a piece of land into a hub of learning and achievement. St John’s College was established in 1986, but the idea for the school was born much earlier, in the mid-1970s. A group of parents and governors from a preparatory school believed that there was a need for another private secondary school in Harare. This vision was held back for a while due to the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence. Despite the challenges, the dream persisted. Scot Honey and David Ellman-Brown, two individuals who saw the potential, revived the proposal. A lot of people supported their idea. In February 1982, the first discussions were held with the Ministry of Education. Scot Honey took on the role of Chairman of a special group set up to oversee the development of the college. They searched high and low for the perfect location. They found a piece of land perfect for a school, but it was zoned for a primary school. They persevered and finally won the approval to re-zone the land. In January 1983, they applied to the Ministry of Education to start the school. David Zamchiya played a key role in working out the details and ensuring that everything was in line with government policy on equality. Finally, on 1 February 1985, the Ministry of Education gave the green light to establish the school. From there, everything fell into place. They hired architects to design the school. Ted Sharples was appointed as the first headmaster and fund-raising began in April 1985. Parents donated Z$750,000 to help build the school. They even transformed the maize patch into a beautiful garden. The school opened its doors on 22 January 1986, with 180 students. Over the years, St John’s College has been a beacon of excellence. The school continues to thrive, providing a high-quality education and instilling a strong sense of values in its students, and is a testament to the dedication and vision of those who believed in the dream.