Dear Parents
Firstly, a huge thank you to all those parents who have agreed to be class reps for 2020. Having class reps is a real help to the school in terms of outings, celebrations, assisting with activities and so on.
Most class reps have or will establish WhatsApp groups which can be very useful, but they can also be problematic and place unrealistic expectations on the class reps and sometimes put them in a difficult position when inappropriate comments or subjects are raised. So I am listing a few guidelines to ensure that the group remains positive and useful.
- Please keep all conversation polite and respectful.
- It should be used for school-related information and updates only.
- Please do not use it when the message is relevant for one individual only.
- No teacher, parent or boy should be discussed on the group.
- Where you need to complain about something please contact the relevant teacher directly or the class rep individually for advice.
- Use the WhatsApp groups only for what is necessary and relevant, not for debates nor to confirm a rumour you have heard and please not for promotional or marketing material.
- Homework and “what’s in the test?” are not for the group – our boys know, and if they don’t, they need to find out. If parents double check with each other we take the responsibility away from the boys and so disempower them.
- Class reps have been asked to moderate the group, so if necessary, they will stop a certain discussion or ask a parent to remove a post.
Please remember that your key source of information is the weekly newsletter, myBishopsLife and
SOCS (for sport). Please support your class rep and make your relationship as a group of form class
parents a happy and enriching one.
Today we bid farewell to Steve Mendes who leaves us, as well as teaching, to move into a new field.
He is very passionate about education so I know he makes the move with very mixed feelings. We
wish him much success and happiness going forward.
Enjoy the weekend.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER
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