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About Us

Veritas

As a Dominican School our motto is ‘Veritas’, the pursuit of Truth, which we believe sets a firm foundation for a dynamic future.

Situated in the heart of Durban North, Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School is rooted in strong traditions and value systems that have stood the test of time and yet, simultaneously, we drive the proactive curiosity and bold thinking necessary for the 21st Century. Our girls are well supported and encouraged to be innovative and comfortable in a changing world. Additionally, our “girls only” status from Grade R to 12 is designed to challenge girls to be brave in their endeavours.

Our teachers are great mentors and believers in a growth mindset with a long-term view of education. We are delighted with the learner work ethic that is evident in our excellent Matric, IEB record.

This track record of consistent excellence in Academic and Extra-curricular programmes, rests on three indispensable pillars: the motivation of the girls, the commitment and passion of the teaching staff, and a supportive, nurturing partnership with our parent and caregiver community. We share a value system which impacts on our teaching practices, pedagogy and expectations.

Our Principal

Mrs Deirdre Horsfall

Our Heritage

In 1954 the Newcastle Dominican Sisters laid the foundation for our School, and established its proud ethos. In the last half of the twentieth century, lay people have increasingly taken important roles in the running of Church institutions. In our school too, lay people have taken over governing, managing and teaching roles. They are coworkers in the Church’s evangelizing mission.

Catholic schools do not provide education for society as it is, but for society as it should be, as envisioned in Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God. We have something that society needs, not that society wants. It follows that a Catholic school cannot be anything but an agent of transformation. We are oriented toward what may be, rather than toward what is. This is the great adventure of Catholic education.

Why All Girls?

  • At a girls’ schools, girls do not just have opportunities, they have all the opportunities.
  • At a girls’ school, teachers can specialise in teaching girls. Teachers appreciate that girls and boys mature at different rates and that there are differences between the way girls and boys learn.
  • Girls have more opportunity to take the lead.
  • They gain the confidence to do this because they are free from the social pressures and gender stereotypes which they might encounter in other environments. This is also true on the sports field and cultural spheres.
  • We try to provide an environment in which girls feel comfortable to take a risk, lead with initiative and ask questions. As a result, girls become more resilient and courageous. 
  • A girls only environment provides opportunities for good fun without awkwardness!

Our Ethos

Our motto “VERITAS” embraces the pursuit of TRUTH in all its forms. Within our nurturing Catholic environment, we work to engender an awareness of the needs of all and extend mutual respect to the faiths and philosophies of the community we serve. We strive to offer holistic development relevant for the 21st century through quality education and the recognition of individual talents, encouraging personal growth, responsibility and critical awareness in our learners. We are committed to ensuring that by embracing and encouraging diversity and equality each girl’s sense of worth is valued and affirmed in our Christ-centred family atmosphere.

Our Purpose

Educating young women through the pursuit of Truth, Integrity, Loyalty and Social Justice, thereby enabling them to realise their full potential.

And a commitment to living our Values: Truth, Respect, Self-Discipline, Integrity, Loyalty and Social Justice.

Our Mission

At the core of our endeavour is the belief that each child is a unique creation of God, endowed with her own special gifts and talents. A proud tradition of family values provides the fabric within which we work to ensure that learners experience happy, successful  and empowering school careers. While providing a sound academic education, our school gives learners opportunities to explore the answers which faith provides for the questions of life. Faced with the pressures of our consumerist, competitive and materialist society, and bombarded with the messages about what counts as success, they will go through life empowered by Gospel.