Dear Parents

It seems very strange to be writing the final newsletter for 2019. Although our calendar and diaries have been full of wonderful things that have happened, it seems to have passed far too quickly. The Grade 2 boys are ready to embark upon their new journey at the Prep school and we are ready to welcome the new Grade N group, as well as a few new boys, into the school next year.

These grade 2 boys have been entertaining, challenging and the most amazing bunch of boys to teach. They have kept their teachers on their toes and grown into fine boys along the way. We are immensely proud of the young gentlemen they are and look forward to following their achievements along their journey at Bishops.

We sadly bid farewell to some staff at the end of this year and would like to acknowledge and thank them for all they have given to Bishops over the years. I would like to start with Ms Jamie-Lee Raman - Ms Raman has been a class assistant in Grade R. Her quiet demeanour and peaceful nature has brought a calmness to the grade. She leaves us to pursue other interests and we wish her well in her future endeavours. Mr Marcellino Vincent - Mr Vincent has been at Bishops, in capacity as an aftercare assistant and lately as a Grade N assistant teacher. Mr Vincent has been a firm favourite on the sports field and in the classroom and there are many boys that will miss his daily interactions and arty endeavours. Mr Vincent is leaving to pursue a career outside the classroom and we wish him all the very best in his future plans. Ms Laura de Klerk has finished her final exams and after four years, finally qualifies as a Foundation Phase teacher. Laura has been an amazing asset to Bishops and has grown to be one of the staff despite been part of our Intern Programme. We wish her many blessings as she departs for London, to pursue her career in teaching and all its facets.

Mrs Ashleigh Osborne has been at Bishops for the past 9 years, first as an intern and then as a Grade 2 teacher. Many boys have benefitted from her love and kindness and her laughter will always be a reminder of her fun, jovial but sincere personality. Mrs Osborne leaves Bishops to pursue other opportunities to work with children that learn differently. Bishops is privileged to have had the benefit of her expertise over the past few years and she will be missed by both the boys and the staff.

Wishing you all an amazing festive season and blessings for a wonderful holiday with your families.
Kind regards

SHARLENE GROOM
HEADMISTRESS

Hampers and Cash

We would like to thank you all for your generosity in sending items for the food hampers for the cleaning staff and security.  We will hand the goodies over on behalf of all the parents, on Wednesday after the chapel service.  Your generous donations from civvies day, have also enabled us to give each of the three cleaning ladies a lovely contribution towards their Christmas holidays and we thank you on their behalf. These ladies work tirelessly, cleaning and helping the boys in so many ways. Thank you so much to the mums who helped sort all the items out and share them equally.

A journey worth taking…

During the four weeks of Advent we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through prayer and reflection. We contemplate the First Coming of Jesus as Saviour and anticipate his promised Second Coming over the next few weeks. And amid the flurry of Christmas preparations, Advent allows us to look for practical ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives. We gather a meaningful appreciation of Christmas through song, readings, celebration, and prayer. Let us therefore consider the moments leading up to the birth of Jesus and the true meaning for his coming.

An Advent Prayer

Good and gracious God,

we give you thanks for gifts of life,

for gifts of love and joy during this season,

for gifts of comfort when we do not or cannot feel that joy,

for gifts of healing and mercy,

for gifts of patience and serenity,

for gifts of hope as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Christ’s presence changes our world,

so we pray that he may indeed be born in us once again,

that we may be continually born anew,

that the whole world would be reshaped and reborn

as your kingdom emerges around us and within us.

May your Spirit stir within us,

and cause us to long for the day

when earth will in fact be like heaven

Amen.

Jeremy Smith

Bishops Youth Pastor

Please click on the link to read about the VUSU year end report.

https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?e=[UNIQID]&u=6582fd45807f89309d402ece7&id=6b8e6f8a2c.

Lost Property

Matthew Moolman’s bag has been missing since last week. Could you kindly check at home if it has perhaps ended up at the incorrect destination. It is a wetbag containing a jersey, hat and slipslops. Please also come and check the lost property basket in the foyer as there are a lot of unmarked items still unclaimed.

Labels

Each boy will bring a pack of name labels home today. Please use these to label new items for the start of the new year. Could we ask that you check in their school bag and keep them in a safe place to ensure that these do not go missing.

On Tuesday, Ann and Eileen from Atom Ant came to do some very exciting Science experiments with the Grade 2 boys. They were all given the opportunity to make their own slime and lots of fun was had by all.