It's always an exciting experience when new young ladies come here' thought Miss Alice Kachinga, a grade six teacher of the Sterling Group International School in Lusaka, who was one of the teachers who is usually tasked with receiving the young boarders on their fi rst day.
She is short and has a slender and childlike build with big doe eyes that are light brown. Her child like appearance incurs a protective side from her workmates but also gives her students the idea she's one of them, making her more of their friend and not one of their 'oppressors' like the other teachers.
SGIS is a boarding school for kids of all ages that caters to primary, secondary and University students. As it was built in Zambia when the country was still colonized by Great Britain, its university has produced some of the greatest and most influential people in the country from its president and minsters to great businessmen.
A great many of the most prestigious families not just in Zambia but the world have sent their children there. Some of the children enrolling belong to the said families.
Alice walked down the stairs excited as the fi rst cars drove into the school courtyard.
There she found every one of the receiving parties except for the headmistress. Miss Diane Musonda, the Home Economics teacher, was a high school who volunteered in receiving the primary school kids.
"Kachinga, I hope you are ready, I heard from a little birdie that the Minister of Defense's youngest son will be coming here and you know just how dif f i cult that man is especially with our experiences with that other boy." Said Miss Musonda to Alice who had a horrified look on her face.
"Ahh, please don't remind me of that child. I hope his little brother has way better manners than he does. Do you know about the lake incident?"
"Who doesn't know about….,"
"You both know it's against the rules to GOSSIP about the students, especially since the said students are coming here," reprimanded Mrs. Sikanyika the school Headmistress. A tall and thin woman, who back in the day competed for Miss Zambia is considered one of the greatest and motherly Headmistress the school has ever had.
A good woman with good morals and a kind heart. Under her reign, the school has reached greater heights and her name will go down in history.
One of the policies she just introduced was the acceptance of children to enroll into the school on a fully paid for scholarship all through secondary to university. The student gets to decide if they want to be anonymous or not.
"Ofcourse madam." The ladies both said. Everyone on staf f know that those two besties have a penchant for gossip as one of their flaws. As it fi ts in the stereotype of women and gossiping.
At that moment the first car reached the bottom of the steps at which they were standing on and a flurry of workers moved to remove and transport the luggage into the primary school dorms.
The car doors opened and out came a white man with a beautifully dark-skinned woman. Later out came a young mixed-race girl with amber hair and large hazel eyes that are staring everywhere in sheer wonder and amazement.
This is Cassandra Black, she's legacy at this as her mother graduated from SGIS. Her mother Mutinta Hapunda is the daughter of one of the previous Permanent Secretaries, she enrolled into SGIS in grade ten and graduated as valedictorian of her Economics class. She worked for a Southern African company for 6 years before she met a man at a friend's wedding in Australia, who she later went on to marry. Augustus Black, CEO of the Black Enterprises a construction company.
Cassandra, Cassie for short as her family calls her, will be enrolling into grade 6 class, Miss Alice's class. As she walked out the car her father held her hand as they walked up the steps to the Headmistress who was already conversing with her mother.
"I'm happy to see you in good health Mrs. Sikanyika, I heard about the scare from Mwangala. If you need anything please say," said Mutinta.
"Oh, Mutinta, you just know Mwangala and her knack for exaggerating. Don't worry, I'm okay."
"Well, that's great to hear, you had us really worried," said Augustus.
"Enough about me, my… this must be little Cassandra." Said Mrs. Sikanyika whilst looking at Cassandra who was staring at her with utmost curiosity.
"My name is Mweemba Sikanyika and I am the Headmistress of this school, I believe we will get on quite well."
"Hello Mrs. Sikanyika, I am happy to accepted to this school and I wish to achieve great things just like my parents." Said Cassie with sheer determination. She then looked to the other members of staff .
"I would like to thank all of you for taking time to receive me as I have come here and I hope to learn a lot from all of you."
Her words roused a feeling of admiration everyone present as they couldn't understand how a young girl could speak with eloquence and maturity for her age. In that moment they all knew that this girl was raised well but such was understandable as her mother was also an exceptional in her days at this school and she did leave quiet a huge mark as her research helped in improving the general economy of the country.
"Well let's not waste standing here, this is Miss Kachinga and she will be your class teacher please follow her as she directs you to your dorm room." Said as she looked at the next car parking. It was still early in the morning and the traf f i c of the new students checking has barely started.
Most of the returning children checked in 2 days ago and these next 2 days will be for the newcomers.
As the Blacks walked away with Alice, Cassie couldn't help but look at the infrastructure. SGIS was built on the outskirts of Lusaka.
It takes up a large piece of land has its own small lakes and the Kafue river nearby. The primary, secondary and university are all in their designated areas separate from each other. The schools were built in the 1940s by the British people in theirs aims of making something of home here, they built the school Victorian style.
As such the Sterling's bought the school from the Zambian government after the Zambians fought for their freedom, got independence and didn't know what to do with it.
Over the years the school has been well maintained as the Sterling family is one of the most prominent families in the world with their ancestry going as far back as the 16th century. Only short of the Hunt family which goes as far back as the 15th century with a family dukedom.
The school has received lots of funds not just from the Sterling family. These funds helped maintain and run the school and its small town nearby where most of the workers and their families live.
As Cassandra walked up the stairs with her parents Miss Alice gave them a brief description of how the building is designed.
"The first and second floors of the building are classes. Each grade has two classes. Class A is for fast and easy learners and class B is for children who need an extra push or help. This helps ensure the children get to learn at a comfortable pace. The separation may result in some of the children feeling inferior or less than but we do have them repeat affirmations and remind them that the reason they are in B isn't because they are dumb but because they might not be able to understand things quickly and so it's in their best interest if we went on a different approach than force them to learn with the rest and feel ashamed to ask questions just because the quick learners already got it."
"I am the teacher of class 6B and I am well versed in dealing with slow learners." Explained Miss Alice.
"Why has she been put in B?" asked Mr. Black.
"Because she is new and we don't know her thinking capacity, she did pass the entrance exam but that was for proprieties sake, the real test begins this month. Only after a month of studying her will we put her in her designated class."
"Girls live in the west wing whilst the boys live in east wing." As they reached the landing on the 3rd fl oor.
"All the children have their meals on this fl oor be it breakfast, lunch or supper. We do have afternoon tea or picnic baskets for the children if they wanted to eat on the grounds instead of the Dining hall."
The building has a total of 12 fl oors, seeing as the 1st and 2nd are for classes. 3rd, dining hall, library and visitors receiving room. 4th is the nursery, for children under 5 years old.
5th to 10th is for the 1st graders to grade seven.
The 2 underground fl oors according to the usual Victorian style that was meant for servants were used as kitchen and staff rooms.
The building has elevators and stairs to facilitate easy movement. As they reached the 9th f l oor Miss Alice explained that on this fl oor there are only 6th graders.
They went further down the corridor and Miss Alice stopped on a room door. The door was open so that the men drop of f the last of her luggage on the empty side of the room.
The room was opulent with two windows that had settees and three beds separated by the windows. The room was painted in soft hues baby blue. As the walls go higher the color seemed to darken and blend into a navy blue on the ceiling with a semblance of stars on it that she assumed must glow in the dark.
There was a singular door to the left which she assumed must be their bathroom. The other beds in the room were already neatly made and Cassie could see various objects that must belong to her roommates.
There were three tables and chairs on the opposite sides with wardrobes and small bed side drawers.
"As you can see the rooms are well ventilated and spacious enough for three rambunctious girls. The rooms all have a bathroom and the girls don't have to worry about cleaning as there are workers who come every morning during class but the girls are expected to keep the room tidy as there will be inspections carried out by the floor matron.
Each fl oor has a male and female matron to help take care of the children and help with emergences. On this floor you have Mrs. Tracy Siwale. Her room is the fi rst one in the corridor right next to the fl oor playroom where you could socialize and play with everyone on the fl oor including the boys."
"Ah here comes Mrs. Siwale now she'll help you settle in and explain the dorm rules. I have to go back outside. It has been a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Black, Cassandra….
Can't wait to see you in class on Monday."
The blacks said farewell to Miss Alice and then gave their attention to Mrs. Siwale.
Mrs. Siwale, who was a tall woman with a generously shaped fi gure, later went on to explain how curfew was 8: 30 pm and the siren to get up is at 5: 30 am.
How the kids are all expected to get up and be ready by 7 am in time for breakfast and be readily seated in class at 7: 50 because class starts at 8.
Just as she finished explaining two other girls walked in, they were Cassie's roommates;
Retabile Lipochi, a Zimbabwean girl from Bulawayo whose father is the Minister of Finance and Nandi Dlamini, the youngest daughter of the South African Vice-President.
The two girls weren't that surprised to fi nd strangers in their as they weren't new to this.
They were both admitted into the school years back in 2nd grade and were therefore accustomed to the school.
Retabile is a short girl whose quite on the chubby side and her hair beautiful black hair was tied in a bun. She has an even and smooth dark brown skin and black eyes which she inherited from her mother, who belongs to a tribe known for their dark skin and black eyes.
Nandi is a brown skinned girl with shiny black hair and light brown eyes. She has a dancers build as her parents have made her join gymnastics and ballet.
"Hello my name is Cassandra, I am your new roommate and I hope we can be friends," Cassie said conf i dently. The two girls regarded her apprehensively but still made a smile and replied by introducing themselves.
Mrs. Tracy left but not without encouraging the two to show Cassie the ropes and help her get settled. The girls showed her they had their belongings packed an also gave her a copy of the dorm rules
1. All students must aim to get along with their fellow boarders.
2. No fi ghts allowed.
3. No stealing is allowed or borrowing without another's permission.
4. No boys in your rooms. All meetings with friends should be conducted in the fl oor living room.
5. Witness to any breaking of the rules must be reported immediately, if not you are deemed an accomplice and will be punished as well.
6. Pupils must all be settled in their rooms by the 20:30 siren every night.
7. Visiting days are Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 5pm.
8. All pupils must be seated in the dining hall at 7 am for breakfast, 12pm for lunch and 6pm for supper. Though at 3 pm to 4pm one can fi nd snacks and tea.
9. In case of an emergency please contact your fl oor Matrons.
10. Uniform must be worn all day during class hours from Monday to Thursday.
11. No illegal substances and unreported medication allowed.
12. The building has security cameras and damage to school property is prohibited.
13. All rules must be followed, if not a suitable punishment will be decided by the school court.
As the Blacks read the rules, they weren't surprised by them as any normal school would have them.
After packing and taking a tour of the school grounds Cassie said her goodbyes to her parents and went back to the school building.
"So... how long have you two been here for?" asked Cassie in hopes of getting closer to her roommates.
"Since I was 6 years old, my parents have always been too busy with campaigns and my siblings are a lot older than me. It just made sense and I like it better here," said Reta.
"My stories the same as Reta we've together since the beginning and with how both of our parents are involved in politics, we still get to see each other out of school." Explained Nandi.
The three young ladies just reached their fl oor when Cassie accidentally bumped into this slightly taller boy in glasses and a black hoodie despite the heat who's rushing down.
She fell onto her bottom and he never bothered to apologize or acknowledge the accident, instead he continued on his way. This disgruntled Cassie, as she has lived a sheltered life with most people rushing to please her.
"That jerk!" she murmured. "Are you okay?" shouted both Reta and Nandi as they rushed to help Cassie. "Yeah… I am, my butt is just a little bruised that's all." Cassie said as she rubbed it.
"You might not want to say that about him to anyone,"
"Why?" Cassie asked.
"Because that was Bwalya Bukata, he is not only the grandson of Headmistress Sikanyika but also best friends with Damon Sterling."
"You're kidding right? Damon Sterling as in thee Sterling's?"
"Yes!!" the two exclaimed.
Damn… Cassie thought as she realized how small she is.
Her parents may be wealthy but they were what you would call Nouveau Riche as compared to families like the Sterling's, who not only owned the school but were also on the list for top ten families that were fi lthy rich. Her dad may have made it to be among the 500 list but they still have a long way to go to reach top 10.
Rumors of Damon Sterling coming to this school had started years ago but he is yet to make an appearance.
Everyone in school knows that Bwalya and Damon are best friends because unlike everyone else who has yet to see and meet the elusive Sterling family members, Mrs. Sikanyika meets them yearly and it is said she is even considered family to them.
Cassie put aside her pride and continued on to the floor sitting room as she understands that one may not have power themselves but there is power in knowing the right people and the heir to the Sterling Group is one of them.