Yesterday we showed the boys a short PowerPoint presentation on the life of Nelson Mandela at the start of hymn practice. Today I spoke to the boys of my growing up in apartheid South Africa and the history around Nelson Mandela’s remarkable life of resistance, sacrifice and reconciliation.

For Mandela Day we decided to support the Community Chest collection of books for schools and communities in need – it seemed particularly apt with us completing a brand new state-of-the-art library and learning space. We also asked the boys and not their parents as we wanted them to take the action and I am pleased to say that they have come to the party. We will close the collection on Monday or Tuesday.

Attached to this newsletter is a report from our Vusa Academy – the programme that operates out of Langa, providing 120 boys with rugby coaching, Maths, English and Life Skills. Please do read it – it is an amazing programme very generously supported by a number of our parents as well as external donors.

Finally, because our Cape Schools Cricket Festival (which we are hosting this year) starts on Friday 20 September and involves a large number of our staff, we have decided to make Thursday, 19 September, the last day of term (not Friday as originally planned). Thursday will end at 14h15 in order to ensure that we do not lose a full day of school.

Best wishes

My School Competition

MySchoolCard are running a competition. If you would like to enter please click HERE.

Mandela Day Book Collection

Many thanks to all who have donated books already. If you would still like to do so, please send a book to the office or library on Monday. These books will be donated to schools less fortunate than ourselves and will make a difference in the lives of some of our children.

Orange River Family Adventure

If you are interested in this wonderful opportunity, there are still spaces available. Please contact lisa@felix.co.za or visit www.felixunite.com.

Blanket Outreach

We are still knitting squares. A College mom sews them together to make beautiful blankets. So far this winter, blankets have been donated to an orphanage in Athlone and an old age home in Lavender Hill. Let’s continue to help to keep less privileged members of our community warm this season.

Well done to the Grade 4s for producing 950 sandwiches which were sent to Athwood along with a crate of fruit. A fantastic effort!

As a school, one of Bishops' major outreach efforts is Athwood Primary. Each week, the Prep and the Pre-Prep aim to provide sandwiches for their pupils on Tuesdays. These children come from either distressed environments (e.g children’s homes or shelters) or informal settlements. There are 480 students who depend on our contribution for food for the day. So, when we are able to produce as many sandwiches as the Grade 4’s did this week, the children have enough food for 2 days! Together, across grades, let’s make a special effort this term for the pupils at Athwood Primary.

Some tips to keep in mind:

• Instead of thinking one sandwich, think a loaf.
• You don’t have to wrap each sandwich individually, simply pop them back into the bread packet.
• Add some fruit to your contribution.
• If you can’t make the sandwiches at home send supplies.
• Encourage your boys to get involved on Tuesday morning and make them up.