Andrew Hubbard
Deputy Headmaster (Academic)

Andrew joined the Academy as Deputy Headmaster (Academic) in 2019. His career as a teacher, subject leader, and senior manager spans more than 30 years in schools in the UK and Malawi. Andrew has five children aged from 12 to 26 years, who are currently at school, university, or working in the UK.

Andrew graduated in 1988 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of London, before going on to complete his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Oxford in 1991.

Andrew taught Geography and Information Technology in schools in the UK before becoming Head of ICT and a member of the Senior Leadership Team in a large secondary school in Exeter in 1999.

In 2001, Andrew and his family moved to Kamuzu Academy for 3 years, where he took on the role of Director of ICT. While living in Mtunthama, Andrew became involved in the local community as a volunteer at the Anglican Hospital and as a Trustee for the UK-based charity MedicMalawi.

On his return to teaching in the UK, Andrew established a small NGO, St Peter’s Malawi Education Trust, to work with local organizations in Mtunthama and to raise funds for the local hospital and schools. For 16 years, he organized and led groups of school students from the UK on visits to Malawi to undertake community work in the local area.

Andrew became an Assistant Headteacher in 2010, and in that role, he has been variously Head of Key Stage 3, Head of Language College, and Director of Operations. He attained a Post Graduate Diploma in Special Needs Leadership from Plymouth University in 2015 and took on the challenging role of Special Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENCO) and Designated Safeguarding Lead in a large mixed secondary school.

In 2019, Andrew was appointed Deputy Headmaster (Academic) at Kamuzu Academy and was Acting Headmaster in 2022, following the retirement of the previous Headmaster.

As Deputy Headmaster (Academic), Andrew has a wide remit to ensure the delivery of outstanding teaching and learning. He oversees the academic departments, internal and external examinations, timetabling, subject options, and student admissions, among many other things. Andrew believes passionately that Kamuzu Academy is a place where we build outstanding character through the wide range of sporting, leadership, and extra-curricular activities that are offered.

Hawkins Gondwe – Deputy Headmaster (Pastoral)

Hawkins Gondwe is Kamuzu Academy’s Deputy Headmaster (Pastoral). He is married to Emily and is an alumnus of the University of Malawi, African Bible College, and the University of South Africa, earning from each a number of achievements.

He joined the Academy in September 1995 and has since occupied various positions before becoming Deputy Headmaster (Pastoral) in September 2009. He has vast teaching and boarding experiences, having taught at various, and some quite famous, schools in the country, besides spending a period of time teaching and observing boarding management at Wrekin College, a boarding school in Shropshire, the United Kingdom.

As the Academy’s Deputy Headmaster (Pastoral), his main duties have been looking after the health, well–being, discipline, and religious life of the students – being assisted by the able services of the Chaplain in the latter. He oversees the pastoral team which comprises of the Chaplain, Senior Housemaster, Senior Housemistress, the Head of Student Well–being, the Dame, Housemistresses, Housemasters, Tutors, and Matrons and Wardens– men and women with unparalleled dedication to their duties.

He is also the Academy’s Designate Safeguard Lead, being responsible for the safeguarding and protection of children/students. In this capacity, he sensitizes staff and students on issues of child safeguarding and protection, highlighting the responsibilities of staff and the rights of children. We aim at providing the child with the protection they need and with an ambient environment where (s)he will thrive, grow, and achieve their potential.

I arrive at Kamuzu Academy after extensive experience of teaching and management in both U.K. and international secondary schools. My focus is delivering high quality provision that enriches the students’ learning experiences, encouraging them to be confident, inquisitive, and socially aware.

Education in a world that is subject to continual change cannot be limited to rote learning, but demands teaching to be more expansive, dynamic and holistic. Collaboration, the ability to work in a team and be self-motivated, are the skills that provide students the strong foundations on which their careers can build. It is my job to see that the students’ individual talents are developed and staff are supported in delivering the best education possible.

My approach has been shaped by the different cultures that I have encountered. From being a teacher of Mathematics in schools in and around London, including Eton, to more recent managerial, pastoral and leadership roles in internationals schools of the Indian subcontinent.

This experience of teaching and supporting students from different backgrounds, as well as engaging with wider communities in the schools where I have been employed, has alerted me to the unique concerns of each student and the value of independent learning.

I bring this student-focused ethos into my role as Headmaster where I intend to build on the prestigious history of Kamuzu Academy, its reputation for excellence, and ensure those students who pass through the school’s gates are equipped to be future leaders in a challenging world.

Fyson Willy Hamilton Kanjira, MBA

After working at the Academy as the Bursar and Head of Support Services for twenty-four years, my team and I firmly believe that our existence at the Academy is justified by one reason: the customer. In our case, we consider the student as our primary customer, while the parent/guardian is regarded as our secondary customer. My focus on this page is to provide a glimpse of what I do through my team to make life at the Academy an experience to be fondly remembered with the resources available to us.

Our number one objective is to provide an enabling environment for students to optimize their potential for learning. This entails maintaining a sound and safe architectural infrastructure within which learners undertake their daily academic and social activities. Each year, we allocate and spend millions of Kwachas (local currency) to uphold the school's unique infrastructural standards, especially as age begins to take its toll on certain aspects of the school's physical appearance.

We believe in the importance of well-furnished hostels and classrooms for students. Our policy advocates for each student to have, for instance, at least four chairs: one in their room, one in the classroom, one in the auditorium, and one in the dining room. This ensures that students maintain the correct posture for each activity and prolong their concentration. A dedicated team of over 40 staff members works diligently to keep the hostels and classrooms tidy and well-furnished at all times. The students sleep in well-ventilated rooms equipped with window screens to protect them against mosquito bites. We provide the students with beds and mattresses that are regularly repaired or replaced, ensuring comfortable, relaxing, and refreshing nights.

Even after forty-one years of existence, we continue to provide high-standard, nutritionally enriched diets to our students because we believe that excellent education goes hand in hand with a healthy student. Over 25% of the school’s income is therefore efficiently invested in catering services managed by a team of over 50 well-trained chefs, cooks, and waiters who are employed to ensure that our clients, students and staff are well-fed on a daily basis, following a pre-approved menu for each term.

Water is essential for life, and at our institution, we prioritize providing safe and portable water to our students and staff. Our water supply is drawn from a dam with a well-protected catchment area located approximately 13km away. It is then pumped over this distance using a large electric motor-driven pump. When it reaches our school, it undergoes treatment in two water treatment plants that are owned and operated by the school. Our primary goal is to ensure the availability of safe portable and irrigation water at all times. Achieving this is made possible by a dedicated team of technicians who work around the clock, ensuring that the delicate process of treating the raw water drawn from an open source is done correctly. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding services of Mr. O. Mwela, who serves as the head of portable water management, and R. Chimonjo, our lead lab services technician.

The Academy's landscape and gardens are meticulously maintained by a team of over 60 men and women, led by a qualified agriculturalist. Their continuous efforts create a beautiful and refreshing environment, positively impacting the well-being of our students and staff. We allocate a significant portion of our budget to maintain these areas.

To keep our students happy and focused on their education, we also provide basic healthcare services. Within the Academy premises, we have a well-equipped clinic managed by experienced clinicians, including three nurses, a Matron, ward assistants and two senior clinical officers led by Mr. P. Nkhoma. The clinic operates 24/7 whenever students are on campus.

Importantly, I want all to know that our unique facilities at Kamuzu Academy are not idle during school recess. They are available for private use by organizations and groups in need of out-of-town retreat venues. Some facilities can even be accessed during school time, depending on the scale of the request. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the use of our hospitality services by local and international religious and secular organizations for conferences, seminars, and retreats. All interested parties are welcome to submit an application to the Bursar, and we offer competitive rates with tailor-made services to meet specific requirements and budgets.

I firmly believe that the Academy remains an icon of excellence and a force to be reckoned with in the education sector in Malawi. I am sincerely grateful to all the staff in my department who dedicate countless hours in subtle and, at times, humble ways to uphold the high standards that the Academy is known for. The Deputy Bursar, Mr. James Gunde, the Human Resources Manager, Mr. Alinane H. Mmanga, and all our competent heads of department play pivotal roles in ensuring the cost-effective delivery of the school's support services. Their contributions, along with those of their staff, are invaluable and greatly appreciated.