Thank you too for caring and supporting Athwood Primary and VUSA through lockdown and the last two terms, right up to last Friday when Grade 6 and 7 parents organised a Christmas party for the VUSA children with the most amazing goodie bags.

Then the boys who have adapted to an ever changing set of circumstances; worn their masks inside, contrary to all our fears that they wouldn’t, worked hard, exercised patience, managed their disappointments and, above all, given us hope and inspired us throughout with their exuberance and energy, their humour and their continuing sense of fun. I have never seen boys so happy to be back at school.

And a massive thank you to our staff, maintenance, cleaning, grounds, admin and academic, who kept everything going and made this new life work in 2020. Everything was re-thought and re-organised; classrooms, furniture, extensive communications, remote learning, class and home teaching combined for these six months and, above all, all their efforts to make the boys’ experience as stimulating and complete as possible, right up to Wednesday night’s remote Celebration of Carols.

If you did not watch the Carols on Wednesday, you still can; go to the link sent out from Mark Mitchell or go directly to YouTube. It is a beautiful end to this school year with a simple but powerful message.

What follows is important information for 2021, so I have put it in point form, hopefully it is logical.

1. Covid-protocols continue next year from the first day: masks, screening and regular hand sanitising.
   
2. Drop off time is now from 07h00 at the grade gates as used this year.
   
3. School starts at 07h30.
   
4. School end times: Monday – Thursday 14h15; Friday Grade 3s 13h15; Friday Grs 4-7 13h30.
   Please note change to Friday – this is to accommodate a test period at the start of the day.
5. Grade 5s are now back on the Stanmore campus. (Use Jagger Hall entrance)
   
6. Hot lunch will revert to a sit down meal in the dining room with spacing.
   
7. Usual school uniform: No. 1s first day, thereafter khakis and ties. Please ensure blazers are ready with buttons. Boys to return with appropriate school haircuts. For sports kit - predominantly white takkies please.

Reports will be available on myBishopsLife next week, on Tuesday 8 December.

We held a special Farewell Service for our Grade 7s last night and I want to wish all our boys and their families who leave the Prep now much success and happiness going forward.

In the words of Dr Seuss:

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction that you choose.”

I wish you all relaxing holiday time, a very Blessed Christmas and a new year filled with hope and happiness.

Travel safely. Stay Safe. Stay healthy.

Kind regards

GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER

Term 1 begins

School ends at 13h00 for Grades 3-6

Swimming trials for Grade 7 till 13h30

No afternoon sport

Normal school day

School ends at 14h15

U12 and U13 Cricket trials

Venue: Various

Time: 14h30

U10 and U11 Water Polo trials

Venue: College Pool

Time: 14h30

Grade 3 and New Parents' Welcome Reception

Venue: Stanmore Cottage

Time: 18h00

Normal School Day

School ends at 13h15 for Grade 3

School ends at 13h30 for Grades 4 - 7

U12 and U13 Water Polo Trials

Venue: College Pool

Time: 14h30

Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 for sale

The design technology department are selling their previous generation Lego NXT kits for R1000 each.
The software is available online for free.
Should you be interested, please email Mark Erlangsen. The kits will be packed and supplied on a first come first served basis.

All proceeds from the Week’s activities will go to a soon to be established fund - the OD Investing In Our Future Fund (IIOFF).

Please click HERE to see the PDF document or follow the link for more information.

With COVID restrictions limiting activities, parents got to work arranging an incredible gift bag which was again decorated with love and care by the Bishops boys. Parents contributed products and services as well as raising a whopping R56000. The beautiful gift bags were filled with stationery, toiletries, blankets, a printed VUSA t-shirt (for staff and children), toys, treats, cooldrinks and of course a brand new rugby ball. The VIP children were transported to Bishops in style by Tops n Nos Transport and arrived at Lutgensvale, where parents had created a Christmas wonderland with a beautiful tree, fairy lights, reindeers and all.

Shoprite joined the festivities and catered boerie rolls and treats through their #WeActForChange pop-up party series and the children were surprised and delighted with a visit from their Springbok heroes, Siya Kolisi and Scarra Ntubeni.

Thank you to the Grade 6 boys for donating their awesome go-karts to VUSA. VUSA children tested them out at the party and these will now be donated to schools and ECD centres in Langa.

There are too many people to thank for putting this day together but please know how special this day was for each and every VUSA child. Thank you for your time, contributions, (products and financial) and most importantly for creating a beautiful end to a difficult year.

Please click HERE to view the VUSA’s end of year newsletter and Status report.

A Big Thank You

We would like to express our gratitude to Jen Thunstrom and Tanyana Robb-Quinlan for their outstanding service to the Second Hand Shop over the past few years. They have run the shop so effectively and efficiently! They will be taking their leave of us as their sons move on to the College next year and we welcome Julie Breslin and Sasha Riviera as the new custodians of the shop in 2021.