A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
Over the past few decades, Bishop Mackenzie International School (BMIS) has steadily grown and continued to uphold its reputation for academic excellence. Since the turn of the millennium, the school has achieved numerous milestones, underscoring its commitment to providing a world-class education. From embracing the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to expanding its facilities, BMIS has consistently evolved to meet the needs of its students and community.
In the early 2000s, BMIS experienced significant changes that marked the beginning of its transformation. One notable change was the renaming of the yearbook from The Mitre to Chikumbutso, reflecting a renewed sense of identity and tradition. During this period, the school also addressed a critical need for improved sports facilities by constructing a new swimming pool.
This development was a game-changer for the school, as former teacher Jayne Mundy recalled, “It had previously been really difficult to teach competitively because the small pool wasn’t even a 25m pool. For secondary school kids, some of them would do about 8 or 9 strokes and then they’re at the end of the pool.” The new pool allowed BMIS to host its first-ever Malawi-wide swimming gala, attracting schools from across the country, including Kamuzu Academy and several Blantyre schools. Mundy described the event as a moment of pride, stating, “The whole of Malawi came to this swimming gala! We did really well, and we wanted to show off our new swimming pool… The kids had never known anything like it; it was amazing!”
As the school continued to grow, so did its infrastructure. In 2003, a multi-purpose open-plan block was added to the campus. By 2007, this space was partitioned to accommodate a new Science laboratory, now known as rooms S15, S16, and S17. The expansion of facilities did not stop there. In July 2011, the secondary staff room and administration block were extended, followed by the construction of a large storeroom between the S18-21 block and the workshop in 2012, which now houses essential materials and supplies for the school.
Between 2013 and 2014, further renovations took place, including, a two-phase library extension. The first ‘phase’ rearranged classroom usage to allow the library to extend into a renovated classroom to create a separate area for the Lower Primary children. One parent who wishes to remain anonymous donated $20,000 towards the library extension. Through the generous support of a parent, Gianluca Bizzaro, and the company S.R. Nicholas who provided building materials, architectural designs, and construction resources, we were able to see the Phase Two library extension completed in August 2014.
Royal Recognition
In 2017, BMIS had the honour of hosting a visit from HRH the Countess of Wessex, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. She officially opened the new Lower Hall and attended a Gold Award Ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) International Awards, which recognized over 100 pupils from both Bishop Mackenzie International School and St Andrew’s International School. The ceremony celebrated a wide range of award activities, from street dance to mountain expeditions, showcasing the diverse talents and achievements of BMIS students.
A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
Over the past few decades, Bishop Mackenzie International School (BMIS) has steadily grown and continued to uphold its reputation for academic excellence. Since the turn of the millennium, the school has achieved numerous milestones, underscoring its commitment to providing a world-class education. From embracing the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to expanding its facilities, BMIS has consistently evolved to meet the needs of its students and community.
In the early 2000s, BMIS experienced significant changes that marked the beginning of its transformation. One notable change was the renaming of the yearbook from The Mitre to Chikumbutso, reflecting a renewed sense of identity and tradition. During this period, the school also addressed a critical need for improved sports facilities by constructing a new swimming pool.
Robert Laws. University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections.
This development was a game-changer for the school, as former teacher Jayne Mundy recalled, “It had previously been really difficult to teach competitively because the small pool wasn’t even a 25m pool. For secondary school kids, some of them would do about 8 or 9 strokes and then they’re at the end of the pool.” The new pool allowed BMIS to host its first-ever Malawi-wide swimming gala, attracting schools from across the country, including Kamuzu Academy and several Blantyre schools. Mundy described the event as a moment of pride, stating, “The whole of Malawi came to this swimming gala! We did really well, and we wanted to show off our new swimming pool… The kids had never known anything like it; it was amazing!”
As the school continued to grow, so did its infrastructure. In 2003, a multi-purpose open-plan block was added to the campus. By 2007, this space was partitioned to accommodate a new Science laboratory, now known as rooms S15, S16, and S17. The expansion of facilities did not stop there. In July 2011, the secondary staff room and administration block were extended, followed by the construction of a large storeroom between the S18-21 block and the workshop in 2012, which now houses essential materials and supplies for the school.
Between 2013 and 2014, further renovations took place, including, a two-phase library extension. The first ‘phase’ rearranged classroom usage to allow the library to extend into a renovated classroom to create a separate area for the Lower Primary children. One parent who wishes to remain anonymous donated $20,000 towards the library extension. Through the generous support of a parent, Gianluca Bizzaro, and the company S.R. Nicholas who provided building materials, architectural designs, and construction resources, we were able to see the Phase Two library extension completed in August 2014.
