Nellie Nyeke

I report directly to and deputise the Headmistress, advising and assisting in all matters related to strategic planning, routine administration, pastoral concerns and marketing.

• Maintain robust safeguarding and child-protection practices across the school through continuous training and monitoring best practice. I was an integral part of the Headmasters Conference (HMC) assessment process, responding to issues of child protection, safeguarding, discipline and pastoral care, for which Peterhouse Girls received a glowing commendation.

• I conduct detailed investigations, gathering essential evidence to support staff and pupil disciplinary proceedings and participate in disciplinary hearing with the Headmistress with regards to pupil issus, some of which have resulted in the exclusion of pupils.

• I am involved in matters relating to staff discipline and have acted as the Investigating Officer in staff disciplinary hearings and have provided input in matters across all three schools in the group.

• Was appointed Chairperson of the Anti-racism and Discrimination Taskforce set up to investigate complaints arising within the Peterhouse community in response to Black@Peterhouse, a social media campaign that was spawned within theATS schools system, from The Black Lives Matter movement. The success of that committee is evidenced by the impartiality, integrity and confidentiality with which I managed the diverse team and their interactions with varied stakeholders from all three schools and the Peterhouse community, as well as the containment of what was potentially, an extremely volatile situation. The committee produced a road-map of how to navigate racism and its out workings-perceived or otherwise which was submitted to the Heads of the school and the governing Board.

• Actively promote Peterhouse Girls and occasionally interview prospective candidates, working collaboratively with the Marketing department and the Registrar for specific marketing engagements. Additionally, a visible day-to-day presence allows me to actively create and foster effective partnerships with parents with regards their girls and their lives at school and at home.

• I have oversight of whole school events, such as Speech Day, Open Day, Leavers Service, to make sure that the preparations and running of the functions are done in line with existing guidelines, in order to consistently produce an excellent outcome.

• Contribute to termly Executive Committee reports and am a member of key committees withing the school, eg Clothing Committee, Awards Committee, that contribute to the running of the school.

• Interview and on-board new employees, as well as conduct performance appraisals of staff and prefects

• Oversee the running of the School Dining Hall and all food or catering related matters in liaison with the Catering Manager and Business Director.

• Oversee the Housekeeping department to uphold the expected high standards of the school with regards to overall appearance, cleanliness of boarding houses, classrooms, notice boards, common areas, etc. and ensure all school premises and facilities are properly maintained.

• Established a solid partnership with the Deputy Head of Peterhouse Boys to guarantee the standardisation of the application of policies between the two schools, particularly with regards to discipline matters.

• Mentoring young people is an undeniable passion of mine. I am responsible for the leadership training of Vth Form and the Prefects Camp, a process through which the schooloffice bearers are selected. I developed curriculum for a compulsory weekly afternoon session titled 'Leading Up', teaching D Block/Form 1 girls of their significance within the school and that they have a voice and how to effectively use it

• Assisted in the successful navigation of the disruptive COVID -19 lockdown demands by engaging pupils, staff, parents and government anxiety through individual and group meetings, policy reviews and establishment of new procedures that helped maintain a safe, yet still welcoming environment.

• Introduced initiatives aimed at accessing resources resident within the wider Peterhouse network, which includes alumni, current and past parents and various service providers. For example, online learning presented challenges with social media usage which I engaged by tapping into the alumni network and interviewing a Petrean who works at Facebook.

Video link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVkXG035tFU.

I also did an interview with a renowned counsellor titled 'Emotional wellbeing in trying times'.

Video link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0qwgzcNEtc.

• Helped successfully navigate the disruptive COVID -19 lockdown demands by engaging pupils, staff, parental and government anxiety through individual and group meetings, policy reviews and establishment of new procedures that maintained a safe, yet still welcoming environment

• Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.

• Provided psycho-social support for pupils for various issues including sexual and physical abuse, bullying, low self-esteem, self-harm and grief.
• Dealt with child protection issues arising from counselling.

Achievements
Compilation of the Gateway Child Protection Policy and training school staff on it. I also effected positive and meaningful child protection interventions.

• Oversight of travel agency operations
• Liaised with clients and external authorities, ensuring business adherence to local and international statutory requirements.

• Head of Counselling Department-trained counsellors and worked well in a team setting, providing support, guidance. and counselling to individuals in need
• Head of the Compassion Ministries which was responsible for social responsibility programmes and assisting the destitute and underprivileged.
• Ladies ministry leadership
• Prayer ministry leadership

Achievements
Successful implementation and training of a dedicated counselling team.
Successful maintenance of a food pantry to feed the underprivileged in the community.
Successful sourcing of resources and hosting of an annual Christmas Party at Harare Children's hospital for over 6 years in a row.

• Human Resource Management and payroll administration

• Staff training and development to bolster employee efficiency and job satisfaction
• Managed employee relations issues professionally, resolving conflicts efficiently while maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Provided guidance on labor issues and managed employee grievances and disputes in timely and professional manner by finding constructive solutions.

Achievements
Successful companywide retrenchment of employees when the institution had to change operations due to new statutory requirements.

Roles included Bank clerk, Teller, Officer, and HR Manager.

• Human Resource Management and payroll administration

• Staff training and development

Achievements

Successful companywide retrenchment of employees as well as helped to negotiate for equitable packages for staff when the bank had to shut down due to new statutory requirements.