Principal’s Welcome
Dear Saint Francis College Family
My warm greetings to the family of Saint Francis College.
“Where there is discord may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. Where there is despair, may we bring hope”. Francis of Assisi
Welcome to Saint Francis College
I am really honoured and feel very privileged to serve as the Principal Saint Francis College. Let me take this opportunity to thank the Bishop of the Diocese of Mariannhill and the Board of Governors for affording me the opportunity to serve the community of Mariannhill Secondary Independent. We are indeed, in the new 2023 Academic Year and would like to share some few sentiments with you.
We, at Saint Francis College, ensure high quality education which empowers our learners “. . . to find a place in and make contribution to the demands of the modern world as responsible, principled Christian citizens”. The focus of our education is to ensure the cultivation of a learner who lives by our school motto “ Ora et Labora” We always put God before anything and ensure that hard work pays. We instil to our learners the Catholic values, as values upon which their success in their Education and Life in general is embedded. We strive to produce not only successful learners , but also learners who take full responsibility for their actions.
At Saint Francis College we are committed to provide learners with an all-round Quality and enriching educational opportunities that will enable them to explore the boundless limits of the country and beyond.
Our professionally qualified and experienced educators, who are experts in their different fields, ensure the learners receive the individual attention from the first to the last minute of the school time, and even go an extra mile to assist every learner to achieve. Teachers work to provide students with differentiated support that address each student’s specific needs both academically and socially.
We pride ourselves in providing a safe and secured environment for quality teaching and learning to thrive. School also initiates the activities that actively promote safe and healthy lifestyle and contribute effectively to sustainability and conservation of our environment.
Success for all students is ensured at our school by the delivery of an enriching, child centred, balanced and structured curriculum and a whole school focus on student welfare that focuses on the positive recognition of student achievements. The emphasis is for all learners to work hard in outcompeting his or her performance, thus in a gradual manner better his or her fortunes.
We are truly grateful to have supportive and fully involved parent community who are fully cooperative with the school management in securing a better future for their children. With parents by their side, our learners will always be one step ahead. It is our belief that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. Parents play a vital role in the education of their children. We happily invite and welcome all our parents to take an active role in the education of their children and to be the active participants in our school life and the education of their children. Get to know the staff, especially the child’s teachers and assist where you can so we can work together in the interests of everyone. I am eager to work with our parent community in supporting their children in their education. We always strive to build strong parent teacher relationship which is very important for the academic success of our learners.
We are doing all we can to ensure no stakeholder is left behind in providing necessary support for learners and educators to produce the best quality results and ensure the continued School`s legacy of Excellence. To this end I would like to extend our sincere acknowledgement to our Alumni who have always been our pillars of strength and fallbacks whenever we need guidance and support. You support to the school over years has overwhelmed us. We are working hard to resuscitate our Alumni desk and hope it to be up fully functional by the second term of this Academic Year. We would like you to continue to provide us with all necessary support as your experience and knowledge of our school must not be lost with your departure from school.
I would like the parents and other stakeholders to know that my door is always open to discuss any concerns, questions, or ideas you may have regarding your child’s education. I welcome you all to an outstanding learning community where everyone is dedicated to a high standard of excellence.
With all hands-on deck, we can assure you that the school is on an upward trajectory to break even untested boundaries.
Mr. N. I. Khwela
Principal
About St. Francis College
St. Francis’ College (Mariannhill Secondary Independent School) is a Catholic school with boarding facilities situated in the scenic Mariannhill area of KwaZulu-Natal. Established in 1909 by Abbot Francis Pfanner, St. Francis’ has a rich historical background and numerous academic achievements.
Over the years, St. Francis’ has produced a wide range of successful professionals in both the public and private sectors from doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, leaders in government through to professors, teachers, priests, bishops and more. Our alumni include: Dr. B.W. Vilakazi, linguist and Zulu poet, Dr. B. Chidzero, former UN Secretary, and the late Steve Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa.
We are proud of our alumni who were educated, trained and nurtured in an environment based on prayer, work and study, according to our founder’s motto: “Ora et Labora“ (Prayer and Work). Abbot Francis Pfanner’s motto will live on in the past, present and future educators and learners of St. Francis’.
FIRST TERM TOP ACHIEVERS 2023
