Because…when she believes in herself, she will fly
Welcome from our Head of School
Welcome to St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, Pretoria – a place where young women are nurtured to flourish, empowered to lead, and inspired to make a meaningful impact in the world. For over 145 years, we have proudly upheld Christian values that form the foundation of our vibrant and caring school community.
History
In 1879, Pretoria was a small, developing town, only 24 years old – a beautiful spot set in a fertile valley surrounded by hills. This was where the Right Reverend Henry Bousfield found himself after arriving from England with his family to take up the post of Anglican Bishop of Pretoria.
On arrival, he discovered there was no structure for education or schooling for his six daughters, so he started teaching them in the dining room of his home, Bishopscote, in Proes Street (now Johannes Ramokhoase Street). This humble beginning – an attempt to provide opportunities for his daughters’ academic development – formed the foundation of St Mary’s DSG.
Governance and staff
The governing body of St Mary’s DSG, elected in accordance with the school’s constitution, is responsible for overall policy and strategy, and ensuring sound financial management to advance the objectives of the school as set out in the constitution.
The constitution has been approved by the Synod of the Pretoria Diocese of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
High priority is given to sound governance in accordance with the principles outlined in the King Reports on Corporate Governance.
The governing body meets five to six times a year. An executive of the governing body is elected to manage the school on a daily basis and includes members responsible for finance, land and buildings, marketing, risk management, legal issues, and more. Constitutionally the governor’s executive, chaired by the elected vice-chairperson of the governing body, is required to meet eight times a year.
Term dates 2025
| Term 1 | |
|---|---|
| Start | Wednesday, 15 January |
| Half term | Wednesday, 19 Feb (close) Tuesday, 25 Feb (return) |
| Close | Friday, 4 April |
| Public holidays | Friday, 21 March (Human Rights Day) |
| Term 2 | |
|---|---|
| Start | Tuesday, 6 May |
| Half term | Friday, 27 June (close) Monday, 7 July (return) |
| Close | Friday, 8 August |
| Public holidays | Monday, 16 June (Youth Day) |
| Term 3 | |
|---|---|
| Start | Wednesday, 3 September |
| Half term | Thursday, 16 October (close) Tuesday, 21 October (return) |
| Close | Wednesday, 3 December |
| Public holidays | Wednesday, 24 September (Heritage Day) |
Diversity and inclusion
At St Mary’s DSG, we recognise the value of human dignity as a key right enshrined in the South African Constitution. We believe every person should be allowed to fully realise their humanity, exercise their freedoms and have their rights protected. As a Christian school of Anglican faith, we are guided by the values and moral virtues of the church.
We want to create a safe space for our students, staff and parents – a healthy environment that promotes equality and justice, and guarantees freedom that comes with associated responsibilities.
United in our diversity, we seek to promote a culture of awareness and sensitivity, and oppose the causing of deliberate harm and suffering to others through unfair treatment, prejudice and discrimination.
The South African Constitution is at the heart of our transformation, diversity and inclusion journey at St Mary’s DSG. We are driven by the desire to promote a culture of human rights, social justice and ubuntu. Our school upholds and applies these ideals in serving the best interests of our girls, promoting democratic practices and respecting the dignity of others.
Ours is an ongoing journey of trial and error, inspired by the school motto, “If she believes, she can fly.”
