Dear Parents
CONFERENCE
I was fortunate to attend the International Boys’ School Coalition Conference in Australia during the school holidays. Not only was the calibre of presentation and workshops excellent, but it was wonderful to see over 600 delegates from around the world who are passionate about educating boys and alive to the needs of boys. It always amazes me how similar the needs are across the continents and so it was a valuable opportunity to interact across a range of nationalities and boys’ schools – independent, semi-private and state. Probably the single most palpable change in boys’ schools over the last 30 years has been the growth of pastoral care and all that that means for boys, and I think the resurgence in the popularity of boys’ schools in South Africa has had a lot to do with this.
Three significant take away areas stood out for me:
- The importance of mentoring for boys – by older boys, teachers, housemasters, parents and other significant men in their lives with a particular emphasis on mentoring by senior boys. This is a strong element for our Grades 7s going to College and being assigned a matric mentor, but we need to look again at how the system works in the Houses at the Prep with Grades 7s and 4s.
- Mental health – looking at situations that can affect mental health later in life. The increased incidence of anxiety in society is manifesting itself in more boys at younger ages, but we still have to allow for mistakes and a level of hardship in growing up that develops resilience.
- Character education – consciously working on developing boys of good character, reminding ourselves of what these characteristics are. As a school we have already been involved in the international research around this.
These areas are all already important to us at Bishops but we can constantly learn from the best practices of other schools.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
The school is supporting the Institute with a small change collection right across the school from Grade N to Matric. Each boy will bring home a small box next week to collect any small change there might be at home and we are going to ask that they are returned to school by Friday, 11 August. We are hoping that every boy will make an effort and opting to give some of his pocket money will be even better.
TRAFFIC AROUND THE SCHOOL
Morning drop off time has started to become very hectic for parents again with cars stopping in the middle of the road, parking in front of the gates, etc. Could I remind you to please use Duke Road as a one way in the mornings in the direction of the station, and Fir Road as a one way towards Belmont Road. Please also remember that boys can be dropped further from the school – the Corner of Duke and Queens Road and similarly Duke and Erin. This will substantially decrease the congestion at the main entrances. Let’s make life a little less stressful for everyone.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER
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