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Dear College Parents
It has been a very unusual and difficult end to the term. It has certainly taken the gloss off what has been a very good term for the boys of Bishops. I have been very impressed with the overall leadership of the school by Michael Ford and his Matric group. I have been equally happy with the way in which the Grade 8 year group have settled in and embraced what Bishops has to offer. It has been a very busy and fulfilling term. Our sportsman have enjoyed great success, particularly in water polo, cricket and athletics. We were so looking forward to the winter sports program which promised so much. We need to encourage the boys to remain positive. This too shall pass!
Hamlet
Staging a production of a Shakespeare, even more so if it’s Hamlet, in six weeks is not for the faint-hearted! However, the Bishops cast and crew were not daunted by the task and threw themselves into the project. After many long hours of difficult rehearsal, Hamlet played to full houses. Having the Memorial Theatre stage thrust halfway into the audience certainly made for a much more intimate experience which many audience members commented on. One of the audience members had the following to say, ‘Thank you for a magnificent evening. What a superb production of Hamlet! The transformation of the theatre space was a living work of art with all theatrical elements coming together to create such an atmospheric production: lighting, sound, costumes and makeup were world class! The actors worked so hard to give of their very best. Congratulations to the cast and crew!’ Congratulations to Director Wayne Tucker and everyone involved for a superb production.
Staff
At the end of the term we said farewell to Mrs Carrie Bester who has been an exceptional teacher in Drama and English for the past 5¼ years. We thank her for her outstanding contribution to Bishops in all aspects of school life. We also thank Dr Paul Murray who stepped into the History Department at short notice and delivered his normal impeccable level of teaching to the boys.
Academics
Michelle van Schalkwyk, Deputy Head Academics writes:
As you all know the school holidays have been extended until after Easter and school opens on the 14th April. This is the current situation which is fluid and may change.
The Covid-19 virus is threatening our health and well-being. This has created a challenge to learning in our traditional physical classroom. We are fortunate to have had a one-to-one laptop programme in place since 1999. Bishops boys have become accustomed to relying on a well structured and dynamic intranet for most of their resources.
In the event that boys are physically unable to return to school on the 14th April, they will need to learn online. We will continue to use the intranet and lesson plans will be outlined in each subject area. Appropriate resources will be linked so that it is easy for boys to navigate their own learning. Fundamental to meaningful classroom practice is, of course, the human interaction and input from staff. Staff were trained in the use of Microsoft Teams at the staff conference on Tuesday. Teams for every class in the school are being set up. Boys will receive detailed instructions on how to engage in Teams with each subject class, when the time is right. Staff spent most of the day preparing these online lessons which will be uploaded if we need to start remote learning.
We are mindful that Grade 8 do not have laptops yet. In the meantime, if any Grade 8 boy does not have a tablet or laptop available for use at home they must please contact me by email. They also need to alert me if the Wi-Fi /data at home is not adequate for learning online. I also urge any boy in Grade 8 to 12 who foresees that online learning will be challenging for any of the reasons above, to please contact me. (mvanschalkwyk@bishops.org.za).
It was evident from the staff conference that Bishops teachers are excited by the potential and prospects that online learning could provide.
The Minister of Education has announced that the June/July holidays will be cut short to make up for missed academic time. We will notify parents once this has been finalised but please consider this as you make plans for the June/July holidays.
Conclusion
I would like to wish you all a Blessed Easter time with your families and share with you a reflection for our times from Fr Monwabisi Peter (attached). We are all affected by this pandemic and it is going to be a challenge to keep your sons engaged and positive, please find a safe space to get them exercise and emphasise social distancing and washing of hands to them. It is going to be a case of “short term pain for long term gain”. Most importantly I pray that you and your families will remain safe.
Yours sincerely
Guy Pearson
PRINCIPAL
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