Dear Parents

A message from Mr Brown: On Tuesday Tony Reeler and I were invited by the Prep PA to a parents’ forum to talk about Bishops’ transformation journey and current processes.  I think it was a very good evening with frank discussions in groups and feedback to the whole.  It was a good conversation and a chance to increase understanding. I want to thank the PA for their planning and organisation: they are very committed to this process. It will be offered again on Tuesday evening (25 May at 19h00), this time online. So if you could not attend the physical meeting, please book a place online here.

I realised that I had not informed you about the formation of the Bishops Pride group so I include a section of the Principal’s newsletter of two weeks ago:

“One of the points raised in last year’s matric protest was the need for there to be a safe space for minority groups. We have been involved in discussions for a while now about the establishment of a structure that can meet some of the need in this regard and the input from boys, staff and others has been extensive over some time. At assembly this morning I announced the establishment of Bishops Pride. The manifesto of the group is as follows:

Bishops aims to be a school that inspires individuals, and which enables everyone to open their minds and hearts and embrace diversity in our community. The Bishops Pride Group follows these aims
by creating spaces and conversations that inspire individuals to have the freedom to express their full, authentic, queer identities. Our mission is to build a space, a culture, and a community at Bishops for
everyone. This would be achieved on two levels: Firstly, through offering education opportunities for all members of our community to help Bishops become a space of belonging, and, secondly, through cultivating a support structure and resources for all queer members of our community.
Ultimately, we exist so that everyone, including queer people, can exist proudly, honestly, and authentically at Bishops.

Bishops Pride has my full support as we strive to make our College a place where all feel they belong. I thank our boys for their efforts in the creation of this group and wish them well for their journey. This is indeed an opportunity for our College to show our commitment to the ideals and values of our school as an inclusive community.“

 
Wishing you all a safe, dry and wonderful weekend. 

Kind regards

SHARLENE GROOM
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Grade 1 and 2 Chapel

Grade 1 and 2 boys attend Chapel at 8am.

Transformation Webinar

Time: 19h00

Pizza

Fenella Ebbs who so graciously manages this delivery has highlighted our shift: from 'pizza treat' to 'pizza with purpose'.  We have some excess in our pizza account and are excited to share that we will be depositing R10 000 into the PA account which will go towards providing fruit and sandwiches to Athwood Primary on a weekly basis as we are no longer able to do this collection. Thank you so much to all parents who support this initiative!

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear – 1 John 4:18

This week we once again stare down the barrel of rising COVID-19 numbers in our country and some hard decisions being made to protect our community. We are called upon to act with courage. Our response to this pandemic is to consider the well being of others. We are called upon once again to take note of our actions and how it impacts others.

Love is an action, and we love by during this pandemic by social distancing, washing our hands and wearing our face mask. Let us not grow tired or weary of this loving gesture.

Let us pray,

We are not people of fear: we are people of courage.

We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.

We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity.

We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs.

For as long as it takes wherever you call us let us show love. Amen