St Augustine’s High School, also known as Tsambe, is located in the Penhalonga area near Mutare, in Manicaland province. The mixed school, which was established in 1939, is owned by the Anglican church.
The Principal for St Augustine's High School Penhalonga is Rev D Muchichwa.
This school aims to produce wholesomely developed students who are not only academic giants but also productive socially acceptable citizens.
St Augustine's High School is a mission school that aspires to the spiritual, moral, intellectual, cultural, and physical development of its students.
The school's activities are grounded in strong Christian principles and practices, guided by the beliefs and faith of the Anglican Church under the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland.
St Augustine's has consistently been a breeding ground for national leaders, boasting prominent alumni such as Herbert Chitepo and Dambudzo Marechera.
The power supply at St. Augustine’s is generally reliable. The school has a generator that kicks in during power outages, but it only powers essential areas like classrooms during prep (study time).
Water supply is consistent, with students enjoying uninterrupted access to water—a significant plus for the school’s facilities.
Student's also get warm water in winter.
Curriculum
St Augustine's offers a robust Zimsec curriculum, covering both O-Level and A-Level education. The school strongly emphasises academic and practical skills, aligning with the national Zimsec curriculum while incorporating life skills programs.
Subjects offered
Shona | Chemistry |
Geography | Biology |
Mathematics | Accounts |
History | Economics |
FRS | Business Studies |
Physics | Computer Science |
Crop Science | Lit in English |
St Augustine's High School Pass Rates
St Augustine's High School achieved outstanding academic results in the 2023 examination season. At A-Level, the school recorded a 100% pass rate with 36 students scoring 15 points or more.
The top performer achieved an impressive 30 points, followed by another student with 24 points. Additionally, 13 students scored 20 points, 2 scored 18 points, and 19 students achieved 15 points.
The A-Level candidature for the year totalled 88 students, with even the lowest scores being 9 points for girls and 7 points for boys.
The O-Level results were equally commendable, with a pass rate of 96.17%. The top performers included a girl who attained 12 As and 1 B, and a boy with 11 As and 2 Bs. Out of 183 candidates, 49 students achieved 5 As or more.
The impressive performance at both A and O levels can be attributed to several factors, including the dedication of the school’s hardworking and motivated staff, most of whom have been teaching at the school for many years.
This stability has fostered strong relationships between teachers and students, creating a conducive learning environment.
St Augustine's High School's ability to retain experienced teachers has played a crucial role in sustaining its high academic standards.
St Augustine's High School Fees
50 USD for SDC levy
435 USD Tuition & boarding fees
When starting Form one you should budget around $1200 for everything including uniforms
St Augustine's High School Application
There are no St Augustine's High School application forms for Form One Places 2025. The enrolment is done through the Ministry of Education’s EMAP platform.
This is usually available after the publication of the Grade 7 results. No applications are accepted directly at the school for the 2025 intake.
The school enrols students with 6-8 units into form 1.
To gain admission into Lower Six, students must apply through the eMAP system after their O-Level results have been released.
Some parents have noted that the school enrols only about 10% of external students for A-Level, typically accepting those with at least 8 As.
Admission to this school is highly competitive, so strong academic results and early application are essential. This article gives you tips on how to increase your chances of getting a place for your child.
St Augustine's High School Uniforms
Uniforms are available at the school although some parents say they are a bit overpriced, especially during enrollment days.
The school gives the option to buy elsewhere. The school's supplier has a shop in Mutare town and the uniforms are more affordable.
You can also buy the uniforms from Enbee as well.
St Augustine's high school uniforms cost around $200.
Diet and Accommodation
Boarding students at St Augustine's High School are well catered for, with food provided as part of the boarding fees. The school runs a garden and poultry farm, which contributes to providing fresh vegetables and poultry products for the students. These initiatives ensure that the students receive a nutritious diet.
Below is a detailed meal plan for the school.
St. Augustine's High School Meal Plan
Breakfast (6:00 AM)
- Monday to Saturday: Porridge
- Sunday: No porridge. Instead, bread with boiled eggs
Break (Mid-morning)
- Monday to Saturday: Bread from the school bakery served with tea and jam
- Sunday: Bread and a boiled egg
Lunch (1:00 PM)
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: Sadza served with vegetables and mince
- Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: Sadza served with beans
Dinner (5:00 PM)
- Monday: Sadza with beans
- Tuesday & Thursday: Sadza with sausage
- Wednesday: Rice with beef
- Friday: Sadza with beef
- Saturday: Sadza with beans
- Sunday: Rice with chicken and coleslaw
This meal plan provides a variety of traditional Zimbabwean dishes, ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet for boarding students throughout the week.
Boarding and Day Scholar Facilities
St. Augustine's High School primarily serves as a boarding institution, although it also accommodates day scholars. The boarding facilities are well-maintained, ensuring a secure and supportive environment that fosters both academic achievement and personal development.
The school emphasizes community living, where students are encouraged to cultivate discipline and independence.
The boarding arrangements are structured according to age and class level. Junior students typically reside in larger hostels where they share living spaces with a greater number of peers, promoting social interaction and a sense of community.
Senior students, on the other hand, enjoy more privacy, with rooms accommodating 3 to 4 students per room.
This gradual progression from communal living to more intimate quarters mirrors the school's commitment to fostering both independence and teamwork, allowing students to transition smoothly from junior to senior levels of responsibility.
The environment is designed to ensure students' well-being, with essential amenities such as study rooms, common areas for social activities, and quiet spaces to focus on academic work.
Furthermore, the strong sense of community, bolstered by the school's Anglican heritage, creates a nurturing atmosphere for both personal and spiritual growth.
Infrastructure at St Augustine's High School
While St. Augustine’s is primarily a boarding school, the maintenance of the hostels, especially for senior students, has lagged behind. Some rooms show wear and tear, such as ceilings in disrepair.
However, these issues are acknowledged as part of the school's long-term renovation projects.
Despite the current condition of some hostels, the school is slowly making improvements, starting with renovating toilets and upgrading classrooms, many of which now have tiled floors, whiteboards, and fresh paint​.
Clubs
The school offers a variety of clubs, including:
- Leo Club
- Interact Club
- Journalism Club
- SEMAC
- Public Speaking & Debating Club
- Toastmasters
Sporting disciplines
The school provides a range of sports and activities, including:
- Athletics
- Soccer
- Netball
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Rugby
- Lawn Tennis
- Chess
- Handball
These activities are designed to promote the concept of a healthy mind in a healthy body.
However, some parents have complained that there is a notable disparity in how resources are allocated among different sports.
Football receives significant attention and resources, often at the expense of other disciplines like rugby, athletics, and other extracurricular activities.
Rugby players, for example, often feel sidelined, with fewer opportunities and less visibility despite their achievements, such as reaching provincial levels.
Sports beyond football struggle for recognition, and rugby players find themselves participating in football due to limited support for their own sport.
This imbalance impacts students’ ability to fully enjoy and develop in their chosen sports​
School Facilities
The school provides several essential facilities to enhance the overall learning experience and support the well-being of students. These include:
Computer Lab & Internet Café:
The school has a modern computer lab equipped with internet access. This facility offers students the opportunity to develop their digital literacy skills, conduct online research, and complete assignments, fostering a tech-savvy learning environment.
The internet café also allows for recreational use, ensuring students stay connected with the world beyond the school.
Tuckshop:
The school operates a well-stocked tuckshop that provides students with snacks, beverages, and other essentials, offering both convenience and a place for students to purchase refreshments during breaks.
Clinic:
A fully equipped clinic is available on the school premises, ensuring that students have access to immediate medical care when needed. This facility provides peace of mind to both students and parents, knowing that health and well-being are prioritized.
School Library:
The school boasts a comprehensive library stocked with a variety of academic resources and literature. It serves as a vital centre for research and study, supporting students in their academic pursuits by providing access to books, reference materials, and quiet study areas.
School Garden:
The school maintains a thriving garden that not only supplies fresh vegetables for the school kitchen but also serves as a practical educational tool.
Students can engage in agricultural practices, learning important skills related to sustainability and food production.
Leadership at St Augustine's High
Principal: Rev D Muchichwa
School head & Chaplain: Rev Sydney Chirombe
Deputy head: Mr U.S Kamuruko
Senior Masters
Mr J Chirima
Mr S Mudare
Senior Lady
Mrs M Chapungu
St Augustine's High School Contact Details
Cell: +263 773 538 918 (Head)
0773538918 (Principal)
Email: [email protected]
Other Anglican Mission Schools are:
- St Marks High School
- St Faith's High School
- St David's High School Bonda
- Langham Girls High
- St Jonh's Chikwaka High
FAQs on St Augustine's High School
In 2024 St Augustine's had a pass rate of 96.17% at O-level and 100% at A-level
The current boarding fees are $485 per term.
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