Our History
Every story has a beginning. This is ours…
Every story has a beginning. This is ours…
Sr. Claris Gowo (Archdiocese of Harare Education Secretary), escorted by St. Marcellin Primary School founders Mr. & Mrs. Macdonald, together with the first Head Boy Norman Tiriboyi and first Head Girl Grace Dirorimwe, was pictured during the opening ceremony.
Nursery School
In 2006, on the grounds of St. Marcellin Children’s Village, the roots of St. Marcellin Primary School began when the first nursery school was built in loving memory of Silvio Ripamonti of Pagnano di Merate, Italy. Our first teacher was Mrs. Rose Wharam (affectionately known as Aunty Rose), a dedicated and caring educator who gave her all to teaching our little ones.
Home School
The school was initially a homeschool for the children of St. Marcellin Children’s Village. It was officially opened by Angelina Spagnolli on 6 May 2011 and operated in a room within the youth house. We were privileged to have Sr. Catherine (RIP), Mrs. Ardys Silanda (RIP), and Mrs. Ennie Makoni (until 2024) as part of our teaching staff.
Primary School
With an ever-growing need for education for the Village children and the wider Hatfield community, guided by faith and dedication, Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald—the founders of St. Marcellin Children’s Village—together with Spagnolli Bazzoni Onlus of Italy, purchased the spacious and beautiful grounds on Alexandra Road, Hatfield.
From humble beginnings, the school opened on 12 March 2014 with one grade per class.
Today, St. Marcellin Primary School is a leading independent Catholic co-educational institution, basing its education on the works of St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers. We also work closely with the Carmelite Sisters, who are resident at the school. Sr. Christine Undi guides our students as School Pastoral.
The school welcomes boys and girls of all faiths and backgrounds, offering classes from ECD to Grade Seven, with a capacity of 350 children. We now provide small classes with two streams per grade from Grades 1–7.
Our pupils are nurtured in an ethos that resonates with the principles and values of academic excellence, spiritual awareness, physical well-being, and social generosity.
The school remains privately run and is not supported by any financial subsidies.
Our School
St. Marcellin Primary School is proud of its history of opening its doors to boys and girls of all races in 2014.
We believe that everyone who walks through our gates should feel welcome.
Our Motto
NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA
“Without God, we labour in vain”
This is a shortened version of a verse from Psalm 127, which reads:
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”