Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School

Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School is an independent, Catholic-Christian day school for girls in the heart of Durban North, KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1953 by the Newcastle Dominican Sisters – at the inspiration of Archbishop Denis Hurley, who wanted to expand Catholic girls’ education in the north of the city – and remains supported by the Dominican order to this day. The school educates around 640 girls from the early grades through to Grade 12, in a single-sex environment designed to challenge girls to be brave, confident and innovative.

A Dominican school, Our Lady of Fatima takes as its motto “Veritas” – the pursuit of Truth in all its forms – and was, in its own words, founded “for the glory of God.” Religious Education holds a prime place in the curriculum, and the school strives for the holistic development of each girl within a warm, Christ-centred family atmosphere, while extending mutual respect to the faiths and philosophies of the wider community it serves. Rooted in long-standing traditions, it also actively cultivates the bold thinking, technological fluency, tolerance and resilience needed for the 21st century, supported by a distinctive student-leadership and mentoring structure.

Affiliated to both ISASA and the Catholic Board of Education, the school writes the IEB examinations and offers well-equipped facilities – including libraries, computer and technology centres, art and drama studios and a music room – alongside a broad sporting and cultural programme. Recent tuition fees range from roughly R68,000 to R105,000 a year; full fee and admissions details are available directly from the school.