Term 1, 2025 Newsletter - ACSI Zimbabwe

Chairman’s Report for 2024

First and foremost I would like to thank God for His goodness to us over the year gone by since our last AGM in March 2024. Ecc 4:9 – 10 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who fails and has no one to help them up.” I am personally grateful for each of you and how as a team we have lived out the ACSI motto that we are “Stronger Together”.

Highlights of the Year:

Board and Governance

Mrs. Charmian Deysel left the Board as of March 2024.
Miss. Doreen Ndhlela joined the Board in November 2024, replacing Charmian as one of the two MCC representatives.
Mrs. Tavonga Goto extended her term on the Board by an additional year, thank you very much, once again for your dedication and sacrifice.
Continued meetings of all the sub committees.
Adoption of the Provisional School member status as of March 2024.
Addition of research and development under the advocacy subcommittee.

Events and Activities

ACSI Zimbabwe Strategy Day in March 2024.
Completion of PSI for 9 Schools under Cohort 3 (Bernard Mizeki College, Eaglesvale Preparatory School, Eaglesvale Snr School, Karanda Mission Primary, Lendy Park School, Millennial Academy, Mutarazi Jnr School, Parkview Jnr School, Westque Academy) and Graduation of 6 Certified PSI Trainers (Mr. Dennis Anderson, Mrs. Maggie Gotora, Mr. Paul Juru, Miss. Hannah Marks, Mr. Simon Scott-Elliot, Mrs. Isabel Skinner).
Start of PSI Cohort 4 with 5 Schools (Hearts Christian College, Living Stones ECD/Learning Centre, Karanda Mission Primary, Mutarazi Jnr School, Northwest High School).
Another great Educators Conference in September 2024 – thanks to organizing team and Gateway High School for hosting us again.
Visits by ASCI Africa Director, Dr Sosthene Maletoungou in November 2024 and Co-ordinator for ACSI Southern Africa, Mr Cobus Sipsma, in March 2025.
Heads Conference hosted by Mother Touch Group of Schools in March 2025 with 28 in attendance.
Weekly on-line prayer meetings on Tuesdays.
Continued parenting seminars throughout the year with a very successful one at the start of this term (February 2025) attended by over 100 people.
Successful Launch of the Emerging Leaders Initiative and Teacher Certificate in Biblical Worldview and Integration this February 2025.
Farewell event for Mr. Kevin Ricquebourg, a faithful servant and our PSI Coordinator, in February 2025.

Other Key Moments

Increase of membership to 32 Schools with 7 of those as provisional members, with 50% (16) of members accredited, certified or working towards it. Thank you to Kevin Ricquebourg, Joe Mundamawo and Tonderai Mandaza for working to grow our schools as we move towards our goal of:
“Impacting over 25,000 people, 100 schools and 500 individuals with representation in all provinces by 31 December 2030.”
Growth of number of active members in our sub committees.
Adoption of an accounting firm to assist with accounting function.

Special Thanks

As we celebrate these many achievements, we also have some special thanks and sad goodbyes.

Mrs. Tavongo Goto has diligently served the board for 7 years (1 year more than expected) but she has now completed a full cycle even from a Biblical context and must rotate out, but will remain on the subcommittee, we will be asking her fellow finance subcommittee member Mr. Unity Sakhe to step into the role of interim Finance Committee chair while we continue to look for a suitable replacement.
As previously mentioned, we also say goodbye to Mr. Kevin Ricquebourg, our PSI Coordinator who has been a diligent and faithful servant of the association and the mandate for bringing Biblically-based, Christ-centered worldview into the education space.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, let’s continue to pray for the hand of God to be upon us as we seek to grow our footprint and impact for His glory. Let me quote Dr Sosthene, “The Zimbabwe office is going to be our next big office in this region, and we will support them wherever they need it!” As already indicated, we have a mandate to impact 25,000 individuals, 100 Schools and 500 Individuals with representation across all provinces by Dec 2030. This is not a small ask and we will need to give some serious consideration to a number of critical issues:

Strengthening the Finance Sub Committee with more members and the eventual appointment of a new substantive Finance Committee chair;
Growing the capacity of our administrative office to support a healthy balance for all our staff and to ensure we are not overwhelmed by our growth;
Clarity on the right partnerships that will support our growth and will align with our mandate;
Fundraising strategies and approaches that do provide a good balance between expectations from members schools and the services provided;
Preparing for the 2025 Educators Conference;
Continued engagements with other key stakeholders such as Government and ATS;
Establishing a subcommittee or assigning the function of providing ongoing standards and certification oversight and support which will now be a real need as we take various schools from Cohort 3 through their certification processes.

I will conclude by reminding us of our Mission and Vision, our mission is

“To enable Christian Schools and educators in Zimbabwe, in partnership with ACSI, to effectively prepare students for life.”

Our Vision is

“to be an Association speaking with a noble and authoritative voice in the education sector, advocating for effective Christian education in schools and tertiary institutions so that Christian School students acquire wisdom, knowledge and biblical worldview as evidenced by a lifestyle of character, leadership, service, stewardship and worship.”

As Romans 8:31 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Friends, with God on our side, all things are possible. This great calling we have is His, and with Him, we will succeed!

Eric D Zinyengere: Chairman

Farewell to Kevin Ricquebourg

On Thursday 20th February ACSI Zimbabwe hosted a farewell lunch in honour of Kevin Ricquebourg who has filled the role of PSI Co-ordinator since April 2019. Kevin was recognised for his tireless dedication and commitment to Christian Education in Zimbabwe over a period spanning 36 years – from the time of his appointment as founder Head of Gateway Primary School in 1989, up until his retirement at the end of 2018 and within ACSI Zimbabwe since then.

His vision for Christian Education, along with some other key players, led to the establishment of ACSI in Zimbabwe, with the first key meetings held at Antelope Park in Gweru in June 2012. The Paths to School Improvement (PSI) Programme which he has promoted and overseen for the last six years, with the support of Gateway Schools, has now gained significant traction with one cohort having completed training and four schools having been certified in September 2024, another cohort currently in progress and a further one planned to commence in April this year.

Speeches at the farewell lunch were made by Gus Hulley (on behalf of the Gateway and ACSI Boards of Trustees), Howard Matthews (Head of Bernard Mizeki College), Sarah Cross (on behalf of the PSI Trainers) and Joe Mundamawo, Executive Director of ACSI Zimbabwe. A message was also sent by Brian Bliss, PSI Program Leader for ACSI Global.

We wish Kevin a fruitful future as he relocates overseas later this year, knowing that he will continue to promote the message of Christian Education.

(Above) Farewell Lunch in Honour of Kevin Ricquebourg

(Above) Kevin Ricquebourg with Eric Zinyengere (Board Chair)

(Above) Kevin and Jocelyn Ricquebourg with Board Member – Tavonga Goto

ACSI Global Day of Prayer

On Tuesday 4th March, ACSI Zimbabwe joined with other schools worldwide for the ACSI Global Day of Prayer under the theme – ABIDE. One of our member schools organised an on-line prayer meeting in which staff from other member schools participated, whilst others observed times of prayer with the students during the school day.

Visit by ACSI Southern Africa Regional Co-ordinator – Mr Cobus Sipsma

Mr. Cobus Sipsma visited Zimbabwe in the first week of March 2025. His visit to some of our member schools was a tremendous success and blessing. We visited Destiny Primary School in Ruwa where Cobus challenged teachers to embrace Biblical worldview and Biblical integration. We then visited Eaglesvale school where Cobus addressed the lower and upper six students. His message was warmly received. Thereafter, we then met with the heads of Tynwald Primary and Tynwald High Schools. On Thursday 6th March, Provisional School member – Mother Touch Group of Schools, hosted a Heads Conference which was attended by 28 Heads representing various provinces of the country. The theme of the conference was “Leading through transformational change in our schools” and there was also a discussion on the issue of drugs and substance abuse. Thank you to Mrs Salome Mutsinze of Mother Touch Schools and her team for hosting this event in style.

PSI News

The ACSI Paths to School Improvement (PSI) is a strategy to accomplish resourcing as many schools as possible through a school improvement process.

PSI involves a two-year commitment to training, undertaken during school holidays by Heads, and then actioned throughout the term. There is a paid course although the process of improvement continues as a lifelong commitment by the school.
The advantage of this programme is that you walk the continual process in partnership/relationship with other schools, building a community committed to improving Christian Education throughout Zimbabwe and Africa.

A team led by PSI Certified Trainer, Isabel Skinner, visited Bernard Mizeki College on the 1st of April 2025 to conduct their Affirmation visit.

(Above) From Left to Right: Dennis Mafusire, Sophia Mafusire, Lloyd Chavunduka and Howard Matthews (Head)

PSI Licensed Trainers will conduct Session 3 training for Candidate trainers from 14th to 16th April
A new cohort (5) will commence Session 1 training from Monday 5th to Friday 9th May. Should your school be interested in joining this cohort please contact the office as soon as possible.

Upcoming Events

REGISTRATION DETAILS WILL BE ADVISED EARLY TERM 2

Prayer Points

PRAISE for God’s faithfulness, sustaining grace and provision.

For growth and support to more schools across Zimbabwe through increased membership.

For growth in being a voice for all schools working with Ministry of Education to support holistic education.

ACSI Zimbabwe Advisory Board as they implement strategies for growth in 2025

ACSI Zimbabwe Members Schools: – those who are facing financial and other challenges;

PSI Programme :

– Cohort 3 schools working towards certification;

– Schools who are currently part of PSI as they

– Establishment of a new cohort in April 2025.

State schooling system.

Journey mercies for those who will be travelling during the holiday period.

If you have something to share, have specific prayer requests for your school or response to any article, would like to receive news and information about ACSI
Contact us! info@acsi.co.zw / acsizimbabwe@gmail.com