When it comes to supporting meaningful causes, Leigh knows the power of going the extra mile - or in this case, an extra 315 kilometres. What began as a simple workplace connection to The School of St Jude, a close foundation partner of his employer TechnologyOne, soon grew into a personal mission to make a lasting difference.
Leigh first learned about The School of St Jude when Founder Gemma Sisia visited his workplace, accompanied by several alumni, to share the school’s mission and vision.
“These were students who grew up without electricity, access to quality education or clear opportunities to change the course of their lives. St Jude’s gives them exactly that chance and the impact is impressive,” says Leigh.
The experience struck a chord, and in 2018, Leigh travelled to Tanzania on a work trip, where he met students, shared career advice and experienced daily life at St Jude’s first-hand.
“A girl named Nice showed us around the school and walked us through a typical day. Hearing how St Jude’s not only provides a world-class education but also instils a commitment to giving back to the community moved me to sponsor her on the spot. I always enjoyed receiving her letters about her studies, ambitions and family life,” he says.
Since this time, Leigh has remained a committed supporter of St Jude’s, and is now sponsoring a student named Amalia. But earlier this year, he took that support even further, taking on a personal challenge to raise funds for the school.
“A couple of years ago, someone told me about the longest single-day bike ride in the world, the Vätternrundan in Sweden. They didn’t think I could finish it, so I thought why not combine a tough personal challenge into something bigger by fundraising for The School of St Jude?”
Leigh started training in January for the 315-kilometre ride, which he successfully completed in June. The course was exhausting, with steep hills and long stretches that pushed both his body and mind to the limit.
“The final 60 kilometres were when the biggest hills hit, and to make it worse, I was riding with a knee injury from training just weeks earlier. I was taking anti-inflammatories to keep going, had lost one of my water bottles and was feeling dehydrated. But every donation, and the thought of what it meant for the students, kept me pushing to the finish.”
His efforts raised £6,900, and a generous donor matched pound for pound, bringing the total fundraised amount to £13,800 (approximately AU$28,600).
“I was blown away by the number of donors and my company TechnologyOne contributing a significant amount too,” he says.
Reflecting on the experience, Leigh encourages others not to hesitate when it comes to taking on a challenge in support of a cause they care about.
“Just do it. I live a very fortunate life, and for me, riding 315 kilometres over 10 hours is nothing compared to the challenges many others face daily. A little discomfort can go a long way in changing someone else’s life,” he says.
That motivation continues through Leigh’s role at TechnologyOne, a company with a strong focus on social impact. “Giving back is a core part of our culture, whether it’s providing scholarships for underprivileged university students here in the UK or investing in social value for the communities we serve. St Jude’s takes that same mission and amplifies it, dedicating itself entirely to educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds while helping to build their communities.”
With rhythmic drumbeats and powerful footwork, the girls’ school dance team commanded the stage at this year’s UMISSETA national arts and sports competition, clinching first place in the Arusha region and ranking third overall in Tanzania’s traditional dance category.
UMISSETA (Umoja wa Michezo na Sanaa kwa Shule za Sekondari Tanzania, or Union of Sports and Arts for Secondary Schoolsin Tanzania) is a major national event that brings together secondary school students from across the country. Organised by the Ministry of Education, the competition aims to identify and nurture young talent in both sports and the performing arts.
Led by their squad captain, Faith, a Form 4 student and entertainment prefect at The School of St Jude, the 25-member team advanced through the different stages of the competition with unwavering dedication.
“This competition started in May and we started at the regional level, where we had a competition with other districts in Arusha. We had two districts competing, Mount Meru District and Arusha City. It was here that we qualified to go to the national level,” says Faith.
Rehearsals started back in March, with Mr Samson, the school’s music and arts teacher and team coach, organising twice-weekly after-school practices as they prepared two traditional dances.
“Each school has to prepare two traditional dances, one from their own region and one from another part of Tanzania. As a group we picked the two we wanted - we chose a local Datoga dance from Arusha and the second was the Msolopa dance from the Mwera tribe in the Mtwara region,” says Mr Samson.
The national competition took place in late June and saw the team face off against representatives from 25 regions across Tanzania. Their remarkable third-place finish highlighted not only their dedication and skill but also marked a historic first for Tanzania’s northern region.
“It’s the first time Arusha has brought this trophy back here. In fact, no other region in the northern part of Tanzania has ever brought this trophy home. We are proud to be the first,” continues Mr Samson.
“When they were announcing the results, they started from the bottom and went to the top; by the time we reached the top five, we hadn’t heard our name and thought they may have forgotten us. But then we got to the top three and heard our names called and we couldn’t believe it.”
Faith recalls the team bursting into cheers and excited squeals as their achievement was announced.
“Everybody was cheering and yelling. We were so happy and were very proud,” says Faith.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who was happy about our news. It shows that you really love us and you really support us. I say thank you to everyone who was really committed and happy about our results.”
The award was formally presented at a national ceremony by Honourable Dr Festo John Dugange, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Health under the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government.
For Mr Samson, the experience meant far more than trophies and ranking.
“It’s not just about the trophy or the ranking; my favourite part was seeing these students so happy when the results were announced. I also loved seeing how much their confidence has grown. After all, it is the happiness of teachers to see their students succeed.”
Future doctors, engineers, nurses and entrepreneurs. These were just some of the aspirations echoing around Smith Campus this month as students, sponsors and invited guests came together for one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar: the 11th Form 6 Graduation.
The graduation marks a key milestone in the Tanzanian education system, which is divided into three main stages: seven years of primary school (Standard 1 to 7), four years of secondary school at the Ordinary Level (Forms 1 to 4), and two years of Advanced Level secondary education (Forms 5 and 6).
The School of St Jude hosts three graduation ceremonies annually, corresponding to these three main levels, along with a special celebration for alumni completing tertiary education.
This year, 166 students proudly crossed the stage, bringing the total number of Form 6 graduates to 1,500+ since the first class in 2015.
Attendees enjoyed vibrant cultural performances by current students, tributes to dedicated staff members and reflections on the achievements of the Class of 2025.
A special highlight of the ceremony was a joint address by Angela Bailey, who was St Jude’s first volunteer teacher when the school opened in 2002, and her father, John Bailey, a long-time supporter, current board member and the school’s legal counsel since 1997. He sponsored the scholarship of one of this year’s graduating class.
“Life can take you to places you never imagined existed. To our sponsors and donors, we cannot say how much your support has helped us achieve our ambitions. We are grateful,” says Nickson, Form 6 graduate, in his farewell speech on graduation day.
“Our teachers, thank you for all the endless effort that you made towards our performance. Our parents, you have always been our pillars of strength. Thank you for seeing the light that sparkled in us.”
The Class of 2025 had much to be proud of, excelling in various extracurricular activities, particularly debate and public speaking.
Notably, graduate Mwajabu Hoya earned national recognition after winning gold and being named Tanzania’s best public speaker at the National Debate Championships. The school’s debate team also celebrated a major win, earning the title of Best Debate Team in East Africa in 2024.
In another milestone, the Class of 2025 became the first in St Jude’s history to receive personal laptops earlier this year, a significant step in supporting their future academic and professional pursuits.
The next stage for graduates is pursuing higher education at various universities and colleges. Many choose to apply to the Beyond St Jude’s Scholarship Program (BSJSP), which supports graduates with tertiary education.
As part of this program, they will undertake community service placements for a year, volunteering as teachers in understaffed government schools, or at various placements throughout St Jude's. Then they go on to access higher education supported by St Jude’s sponsors and donors.
Through the holistic education offered at St Jude’s, the Class of 2025 has been able to reimagine a future filled with endless possibilities – for themselves, their communities and their country.
The lights sparkled, the drinks flowed, and the air buzzed with creativity as St Jude’s Sisia Campus came alive last month for its first-ever Art Exhibition and Gala, designed to spotlight budding artists and support the growth of the Student Art Program.
Themed Transforming Lives Through Art, the two-part event kicked off with a vibrant family fun day, featuring live painting, food vendors, face painting, sip and paint, and children’s activities. As evening fell, the campus transformed into an elegant outdoor gala, welcoming guests in style to an unforgettable night of live entertainment, a gourmet three-course meal, and an auction of student artworks.
Jane, Experience and Community Programs Senior Manager at The School of St Jude, says the event offered a meaningful way for the local community to engage with the school’s mission while showcasing the Student Art Program’s role in fostering creativity, confidence, and self-expression.
“The Art Exhibition and Gala offered the local community the unique opportunity to interact directly with our students, learn about their artistic journeys, and see the impact of our Student Art Program firsthand,” says Jane.
“For many students, this was their first time exhibiting and selling their work, so it was a huge milestone. Watching them talk about their pieces with guests was incredibly special. These interactions boosted their confidence and helped attendees to understand the stories behind the artworks, and connect on a deeper level.”
Among the young talent featured was Denis, a Form 4 graduate who exhibited a total of 24 pieces, three of which were sold during the event. He also assisted with the exhibition setup, learning how to hang pieces, position easels, and curate a professional display - an invaluable experience for an aspiring professional artist.
“I’ve been sketching since primary school. But when I started Form 1, that’s when St Jude’s launched the Student Art Program. That’s when I got to try acrylics and paint on canvas. It really changed everything for me,” shares Denis.
“I am happy that people appreciate my work. My dream is to have my own gallery and studio one day, so I also loved seeing the event come together from behind-the-scenes.”
Each student receives a 10% commission from their original artwork sale, with the remaining 90% reinvested back into the Student Art Program to provide quality materials, resources, and creative opportunities. As for Denis, he used part of his earnings to purchase new art supplies, put some away in savings, and shared the remainder with his family.
“When I’m doing art, I feel like I’m in another universe. Being able to share my work with others and knowing they love it is a very good feeling. I hope to sell more pieces in the future,” he adds.
Thanks to the event’s success, Jane is confident it will open the door for many more art exhibitions in the future.
“Events like this play a big part in supporting and developing the skills of our student artists, while giving supporters the opportunity to have a little piece of St Jude’s in their own home,” says Jane.
“We’re excited to keep creating opportunities where our students can grow, express themselves, and shine, and with so much talent at St Jude’s, we’re just getting started.”
St Jude's has always been a place where young minds are nurtured and bold ideas are born. However, turning a passion into a sustainable business is no easy task - it requires practical skills, mentorship, and the right kind of support. To help bridge this gap, the school recently launched the Next Frontier Incubator and Small Grants Program, designed to help alumni transform their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
The 20-week program, which kicked off in January, offers 25 alumni the opportunity to develop essential business skills through expert mentorship, tailored resources, and hands-on training in critical areas such as business planning, financial management, goal-setting, and legal compliance.
Program Specialist Neema explained that the initiative was established to help alumni with innovative business ideas transform them into successful ventures and build a strong foundation for long-term growth.
“We found that many alumni had incredible ideas but didn't know the next steps. They were caught between creative development and the practical aspects of business management. This program helps bridge that gap by offering the resources needed to turn these ideas into a viable business,” Neema says.
The inaugural group includes ideas from a range of industries, including art, manufacturing, construction, and transport. They each submitted a business proposal detailing their vision, goals, and the challenges their businesses aim to address, which formed the basis of their admission to the program.
“Many of these ideas aim to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact on people and the planet. Some are startups that, despite winning awards, are facing challenges in scaling, while others are still in the early stages of development and getting their ideas off the ground. The cohort meets twice a week for expert-led sessions and assignments to help them refine their goals, develop their mission statements, and map out their next steps,” Neema says.
At the end of the program, the students will pitch their ideas to an external panel of experts who will assess their business models, scalability, and community impact. Successful pitches will receive grant funding up to US$5,000 to support key areas such as product development and marketing.
One alum, Queen, Class of 2021, said she jumped at the opportunity to be part of the program. After studying art and design in Dar es Salaam, she founded The Kids Hub, an art workshop offering creative classes in painting, jewellery making, and digital art for children and young adults in Arusha.
“I've always had a passion for art, and I wanted to create a space where young people could explore their creativity,” says Queen, who has a studio in the centre of Arusha where she runs her classes.
“Art is often overlooked in schools, so I wanted to provide a space where kids could develop their skills, express themselves, and sell their work. We've already held two classes, and the response has been incredible.”
Queen's ultimate goal is to expand The Kids Hub into a larger space where people of all ages can learn and appreciate art - a goal she feels is within reach thanks to the insights gained from the program.
“The Next Frontier Incubator and Small Grants Program has been a real eye-opener. It's hands-on and practical, and the sessions have given me so many tools to improve my business. I've learned how to manage stress, scale my business, and navigate the financial side. It's a complete package that has really set me up for success,” says Queen.
“I'm also learning so much from my fellow participants, as we all exchange advice and insights. My goal is to run regular classes and continue to grow the business, and by the end of this program, I'm confident I'll be able to achieve that.”
In addition to supporting the entrepreneurial endeavours of alumni, St Jude's has also launched a Pre-Incubator Program for current high school students. This extracurricular club serves as a stepping stone into the Next Frontier Incubator and Small Grants Program, offering students the chance to explore entrepreneurship as a potential career path from an early age.
“The Pre-Incubator Program provides students with the tools and support they need to develop their ideas and prepare for the full incubator program if they wish to pursue it professionally after graduation,” Neema explains.
“By introducing entrepreneurship at the high school level, we're encouraging students to see it as a viable career path, and empowering them to become innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders both within their communities and beyond.”
Before joining St Jude’s, 14-year-old Agripina’s day used to start at the crack of dawn. First, she checks on her elderly grandmother, cleans around the house, and tends to livestock. Afterward, she prepares her younger sister, and the pair would begin the 30-minute walk to school, often arriving early enough for Agripina to squeeze in about an hour of personal study before class.
"I have always maintained a strict daily schedule to balance my studies and chores at home," explains Agripina, one of the new students at St Jude's. "There was hardly enough time in the day to do everything so I had to get creative with my time," she adds.
For example, after school, Agripina stays a few more hours for personal studies and dedicates her free time on weekends to group discussions and additional studies. To make the most of her long commute, she would discuss lessons with schoolmates along the way. Her discipline, consistency, and hard work paid off as Agripina maintained the top position in her class throughout her primary school education.
In Tanzania, primary education is the first seven years of school, from Standard 1 to 7. At the end of Standard 7, students sit for a series of standardised national exams. Those who pass may be eligible to attend government school to continue with secondary education.
"If I made it to secondary school, I’d be the first in my family to do so," says Agripina. "But first, I had to pass the national examinations," she adds.
Agripina doubled down on her already tight schedule in preparation for her national exams, dedicating every moment of her free time to her studies. She would study by the fire while preparing family dinner, stay up late, and organise a small discussion group with classmates from the same neighbourhood. Her efforts eventually paid off, and Agripina passed her national examinations with remarkable results.
However, passing the Standard 7 national examination doesn't necessarily guarantee a spot in secondary school.
“Passing my Standard 7 exams was only the first step,” explains Agripina. “Next, I had to hope and wait for the government to allocate me to a school. This part is tricky because it’s completely out of my control,” she adds.
In Tanzania, government schools provide the most affordable education; they don’t charge school fees, but parents are expected to contribute to food, transport, stationery, uniforms, and other costs. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough secondary schools in Tanzania to match the growing number of primary school graduates. National data indicates only one secondary school for every four primary schools. It’s not uncommon for students to miss out on secondary education despite passing their exams due to the limited spots/places available.
Furthermore, secondary schools are often located far from students’ homes, making access even more challenging.
“I knew plenty of students, especially girls, who passed their exams but still didn’t make it to secondary school,” recalls Agripina. “It was scary to think that I could potentially end up in the same spot,” she adds.
Luckily for Agripina, she didn’t have to wait for the government's allocation. Her remarkable results caught the attention of St Jude’s, which promptly sent her an invitation to apply for a scholarship. In no time, she was on her way to one of St Jude’s centres to try her luck.
“It was quite an experience. There were so many students with their parents and guardians. St Jude’s took care of everything—transportation, food, and accommodation—since we had to spend the night and start the application process the following morning," she shares.
Agripina went through academic testing and excelled in all of them. Next came a pre-house check and document screening to determine her eligibility for the next steps. The last phase was a home visit by
St Jude’s staff for poverty assessment to determine whether the student’s family meets the school's scholarship criteria. This thorough process ensures that the most deserving students with exceptional academic potential make it through the scholarship program.
Out of over 2,000 students who applied for a scholarship at St Jude’s, Agripina was one of the 194 who eventually made it to the end.
“Joining St Jude’s makes all my hard work worth it,” she reflects. “I’ve only been here a few days, but I already love the school, the teachers, and my fellow students,” she adds happily.
Agripina aspires to become a doctor. Fittingly, she has joined St Jude’s Secondary Girls’ School, which boasts well-equipped science laboratories, excellent sports and academic programs, and a thriving science culture. With her discipline, determination, and access to St Jude’s resources, there’s no doubt she’ll achieve her dreams.
