Tragedies that Shook Bishop Mackenzie International School: A Tribute
Bishop Mackenzie International School (BMIS) has seen its share of tragedies and sorrows over the years, events that have left lasting impressions on the school community. These tragic incidents serve as sombre reminders of the fragility of life and the deep connections that tie a school community together.
Peace Garden
“What is a legacy? It is a seed planted in a garden you never get to see.” - Hamilton: An American Musical
The Peace Garden, nestled at the entrance of the secondary school beside the main hall, serves as a quiet refuge and a tribute to members of our Bishop Mackenzie community who have tragically passed away. It stands as a reminder of their lasting impact on the school and the lives they touched.
The garden was first established in memory of Caroline and Andrew McGowan after an event that deeply shook the BMIS community. In 1997, Caroline, a secondary school IT teacher who was expecting her first child, and her husband Andrew, a businessman, were returning from a holiday in Zimbabwe. As they took a shortcut along the Tet Corridor through Mozambique, just before reaching the Malawi border, they were stopped by armed men, taken to a nearby village, and tragically executed. The incident sent shockwaves through BMIS. Mozambique police quickly responded, recovering the bodies and car and arresting two former militia members who were later convicted. However, a month later, the men escaped from prison and have not been found.
A commemorative service was held in the school hall to honour Caroline and Andrew and the peace garden established in their honour. It sits opposite a block of classrooms which once housed Caroline’ IT class in the late 90s.
In addition to honouring Caroline and Andrew, the Peace Garden also commemorates Susan Nambindo, a student remembered for her warmth and vibrant personality. Born on January 17, 1990, Susan was the youngest of four children and joined BMIS in 2001. Known for her humour, kindness, and intelligence, Susan brought joy to everyone around her. One year, she humorously nicknamed everyone "Brian" or "Billy," and her classmates eagerly went along with it. Susan was also active in school events, participating in singing competitions, talent shows, and theatre productions. Tragically, as she was preparing for her IGCSE exams, Susan was involved in a car accident that claimed her life. Her memory lives on not only in the Peace Garden but also in the hearts and stories of her friends, who still recall her joyful spirit.
In Susan’s honour, her classmates organized football tournaments to fundraise for a memorial plaque. This plaque now sits in the Peace Garden, which serves as a lasting reminder of the lasting marks Caroline, Andrew, and Susan left on the BMIS community. The Peace Garden remains a space of remembrance, unity, and reflection, providing a place where students, staff, and visitors can honour the lives of those who will forever be a part of BMIS.
The Drowning Tragedy of 1958
In 1958, a dark cloud descended over the school when two students tragically drowned in Lake Nyasa, now known as Lake Malawi, while on a school holiday at Senga Bay Hotel in Salima. The victims, Bridget ‘Biddy’ Coulter and Ronald Payne were caught in a rip current during a storm and were swept away by the powerful waves. Reflecting on the incident, a classmate named Colin Pryce shared, “It was quite stormy, and they got caught in a rip current and then they were taken out into the lake and there were very big waves. Unfortunately, both drowned and that really shook the school.”
Bridget Coulter was the daughter of a beloved teacher, and Ronald Payne was the son of a Public Works Department employee. The loss of these young lives sent shockwaves through the school, marking a period of profound grief. Their classmate, Bill Gemmell, recalled that they were laid to rest in the churchyard of St. Peter’s Church in Lilongwe, opposite the entrance to Lilongwe Golf Club. In memory of Bridget, the roundabout outside the main entrance to the school hall was named the Biddy Coulter Rose Garden.
The Earthquake of 1989
Another significant event that shook the BMIS community was the earthquake that struck central Malawi on 10 March 1989. With a magnitude of 6.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), the earthquake caused widespread damage and panic. It was preceded by several foreshocks, the largest being a 5.7 Mw shock the day before. The earthquake was felt strongly throughout central Malawi, as well as in parts of Mozambique and Zambia. Nine people lost their lives, and many others were injured or left homeless.
Matthew and Alison Raymond, former teachers at BMIS, recalled the unsettling nature of the earthquakes. “They were very unsettling, and many people were left wondering what to do,” they said. The school’s computer room wall was left with a large crack, leaning inwards, and aftershocks continued for months. The Raymonds, being from New Zealand where earthquakes are common, were more prepared than many of their peers. Their colleague, Terry Barnes, would often call out to them in fear whenever there was a tremor. Sadly, Terry Barnes passed away a few years later in 1992, leaving a deep void in the BMIS community. She was remembered as “the most caring teacher” by fellow teacher Anton Robinson and was honoured in The Mitre, the school yearbook, with an obituary and a poem written by five Form IV students.
The Tragic Loss of Caroline and Andrew McGowan
In 1997, just before the start of the new school year, BMIS was once again struck by tragedy. Caroline McGowan, a secondary school IT teacher, and her husband Andrew, a businessman, were returning from a holiday in Zimbabwe. As they drove through the “Tete Corridor” in Mozambique, they were stopped by armed men, taken to a nearby village, and executed. The incident sent shockwaves through the BMIS community and beyond.
The Mozambique police acted quickly, finding the bodies and arresting two men for the murders. The men, who were ex-militia, were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, they escaped from jail a month later and have never been found.
The BMIS community held a commemorative service in the school hall, during which a short extract from Faure’s *Requiem* was sung. In their honour, the Peace Garden was established at the school, and Caroline McGowan was also remembered in The Mitre.
Tragedies that Shook Bishop Mackenzie International School: A Tribute
Bishop Mackenzie International School (BMIS) has seen its share of tragedies and sorrows over the years, events that have left lasting impressions on the school community. These tragic incidents serve as sombre reminders of the fragility of life and the deep connections that tie a school community together.
Peace Garden
“What is a legacy? It is a seed planted in a garden you never get to see.” - Hamilton: An American Musical
The Peace Garden, nestled at the entrance of the secondary school beside the main hall, serves as a quiet refuge and a tribute to members of our Bishop Mackenzie community who have tragically passed away. It stands as a reminder of their lasting impact on the school and the lives they touched.
The garden was first established in memory of Caroline and Andrew McGowan after an event that deeply shook the BMIS community. In 1997, Caroline, a secondary school IT teacher who was expecting her first child, and her husband Andrew, a businessman, were returning from a holiday in Zimbabwe. As they took a shortcut along the Tet Corridor through Mozambique, just before reaching the Malawi border, they were stopped by armed men, taken to a nearby village, and tragically executed. The incident sent shockwaves through BMIS. Mozambique police quickly responded, recovering the bodies and car and arresting two former militia members who were later convicted. However, a month later, the men escaped from prison and have not been found.
A commemorative service was held in the school hall to honour Caroline and Andrew and the peace garden established in their honour. It sits opposite a block of classrooms which once housed Caroline’ IT class in the late 90s.
In addition to honouring Caroline and Andrew, the Peace Garden also commemorates Susan Nambindo, a student remembered for her warmth and vibrant personality. Born on January 17, 1990, Susan was the youngest of four children and joined BMIS in 2001. Known for her humour, kindness, and intelligence, Susan brought joy to everyone around her. One year, she humorously nicknamed everyone “Brian” or “Billy,” and her classmates eagerly went along with it. Susan was also active in school events, participating in singing competitions, talent shows, and theatre productions. Tragically, as she was preparing for her IGCSE exams, Susan was involved in a car accident that claimed her life. Her memory lives on not only in the Peace Garden but also in the hearts and stories of her friends, who still recall her joyful spirit.
In Susan’s honour, her classmates organized football tournaments to fundraise for a memorial plaque. This plaque now sits in the Peace Garden, which serves as a lasting reminder of the lasting marks Caroline, Andrew, and Susan left on the BMIS community. The Peace Garden remains a space of remembrance, unity, and reflection, providing a place where students, staff, and visitors can honour the lives of those who will forever be a part of BMIS.
The Drowning Tragedy of 1958
In 1958, a dark cloud descended over the school when two students tragically drowned in Lake Nyasa, now known as Lake Malawi, while on a school holiday at Senga Bay Hotel in Salima. The victims, Bridget ‘Biddy’ Coulter and Ronald Payne were caught in a rip current during a storm and were swept away by the powerful waves. Reflecting on the incident, a classmate named Colin Pryce shared, “It was quite stormy, and they got caught in a rip current and then they were taken out into the lake and there were very big waves. Unfortunately, both drowned and that really shook the school.”
Bridget Coulter was the daughter of a beloved teacher, and Ronald Payne was the son of a Public Works Department employee. The loss of these young lives sent shockwaves through the school, marking a period of profound grief. Their classmate, Bill Gemmell, recalled that they were laid to rest in the churchyard of St. Peter’s Church in Lilongwe, opposite the entrance to Lilongwe Golf Club. In memory of Bridget, the roundabout outside the main entrance to the school hall was named the Biddy Coulter Rose Garden.
The Drowning Tragedy of 1958 The Earthquake of 1989
Another significant event that shook the BMIS community was the earthquake that struck central Malawi on 10 March 1989. With a magnitude of 6.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), the earthquake caused widespread damage and panic. It was preceded by several foreshocks, the largest being a 5.7 Mw shock the day before. The earthquake was felt strongly throughout central Malawi, as well as in parts of Mozambique and Zambia. Nine people lost their lives, and many others were injured or left homeless.
Matthew and Alison Raymond, former teachers at BMIS, recalled the unsettling nature of the earthquakes. “They were very unsettling, and many people were left wondering what to do,” they said. The school’s computer room wall was left with a large crack, leaning inwards, and aftershocks continued for months. The Raymonds, being from New Zealand where earthquakes are common, were more prepared than many of their peers. Their colleague, Terry Barnes, would often call out to them in fear whenever there was a tremor. Sadly, Terry Barnes passed away a few years later in 1992, leaving a deep void in the BMIS community. She was remembered as “the most caring teacher” by fellow teacher Anton Robinson and was honoured in The Mitre, the school yearbook, with an obituary and a poem written by five Form IV students.
Bridget Coulter was the daughter of a beloved teacher, and Ronald Payne was the son of a Public Works Department employee. The loss of these young lives sent shockwaves through the school, marking a period of profound grief. Their classmate, Bill Gemmell, recalled that they were laid to rest in the churchyard of St. Peter’s Church in Lilongwe, opposite the entrance to Lilongwe Golf Club. In memory of Bridget, the roundabout outside the main entrance to the school hall was named the Biddy Coulter Rose Garden.
The Tragic Loss of Caroline and Andrew McGowan
The BMIS community held a commemorative service in the school hall, during which a short extract from Faure’s *Requiem* was sung. In their honour, the Peace Garden was established at the school, and Caroline McGowan was also remembered in The Mitre.
In 1997, just before the start of the new school year, BMIS was once again struck by tragedy. Caroline McGowan, a secondary school IT teacher, and her husband Andrew, a businessman, were returning from a holiday in Zimbabwe. As they drove through the “Tete Corridor” in Mozambique, they were stopped by armed men, taken to a nearby village, and executed. The incident sent shockwaves through the BMIS community and beyond.
The Mozambique police acted quickly, finding the bodies and arresting two men for the murders. The men, who were ex-militia, were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, they escaped from jail a month later and have never been found.