USE OF TECH IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Last week we hosted two empowering and informative parent evenings, by Pam Tudin, a Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of KLIKD, South Africa’s leading digital safety and citizenship company. On Tuesday evening, Pam addressed the Grades R-3 parents with practical hands-on ways to build and sustain relationships with our children as they begin to face the digital world. 
Pam discussed ways for parents to manage the power struggles with clear guidelines on the ‘when’ and the 'how’ when it comes to introducing devices; how much time is enough time; what the online dangers for little ones looks like, (even when our little ones are just dabbling on their parent’s devices for a little bit of YouTube fun) and how to stay connected to our children as their curiosity in the online world increases. 

Pam also equipped parents to negotiate those tricky nagging questions we all have in the back of our minds: ‘will my child be left out’ or ‘left behind’ if we don't permit gaming and online socialising? It was great to hear Pam’s input on how to effectively and pro-actively delay device use at this age, and more importantly how we can find support for our choice within our own circle of friends so that ultimately, the adults in our children’s worlds are all on the same page. 

On Wednesday evening Pam met with the Grade 4 parents to assist and support them as their children begin their journey of learning with assistive online tools. Discussing the pro’s and cons of iPad introduction, Pam was clear in the distinction that there is much to be gained from supplementary online learning, but that at no point does it replace the very central role that in-person teaching, play and social connection have in our children’s healthy development

Pam brought current thinking and research to the table and more importantly focussed on the "how to” when it comes to introducing devices to our children’s worlds. She explored what healthy digital nutrition looks against the daily realities of hard-working parents, au-pairs and ‘loving’ grandparents. Pam was clear in her message that children of this age do not require social media and emphasised that the introduction of social media is a very different beast to the introduction of complimentary online educational input.

Pam left us all with the understanding that the strongest mitigating factor against all the online, dangers, bumps and battles, is us - our connection to our children and our willingness to be their soft-landing place when the inevitable online mistakes begin to occur.  

Pam, once again, invited all parents to join the weekly BISHOPS KLIKD IN YOUR POCKET (KIYP) WhatsApp broadcast group that offers parents bite-size chunks of weekly input on how to talk to our children about some of the hard topics coming our way (what to do when they accidentally discover inappropriate content on Roblox, how to manage sleep overs when your rules are different to the mom’s next door; how to explain why gaming is addictive - the list was endless). Please see the link below to join the Bishops KIYP group - many of our parents attest to it being an invaluable, easy to read and often fun resource! https://chat.whatsapp.com/FU7ZEkfL9Fa5W2DcEKH8be.

Finally, we strongly encourage all parents in Grades 3-7 who would like some more invaluable information to join an online webinar entitled DAMN! This Device! www.klikd.co.za/mini-workshop. This empowering mini workshop covers important questions such as:

• When should I give my child a device?
• I have already given my kid a device and now I have lost control. Now what?
• How do I set up devices for maximum safety without standing over the screen?
• How do I stop my kid from seeing totally inappropriate content
• How do I get my child to accept screen boundaries?
• How much time is enough screen time for little ones, medium ones, and big ones?
• How do I stop the power struggle E.V.E.R.Y  S.I.N.G.L.E  D.A.Y?
• My child is starting to look pretty addicted to gaming – now what?
• What are the basic safety requirements for YOUTUBE, TIKTOK, AND GAMING.

As a school we regularly review our academic programme and methodology including the use of devices as a teaching and learning tool. We have reviewed the introduction of the iPad programme in Grade 4 for this year and we will be implementing the following new changes:

• Use of the iPads at school will be on 2 days of the week starting in mid-August
• No homework will be set using the iPad (Mathletics will also be done in class during the Homework or Maths Period)
• All work/notes will still be accessed and given in hard copy.
• Boys will not need to access the online planning or subject sites in the afternoons. Developing executive functioning and planning skills will still be done using the Homework book and timetables.

As we partner together on this digital journey, we strongly insist and thank you for your support of the following key points for iPad management at home as found in the school’s Acceptable Use Policy:

• Keep the iPad free of ALL social media apps and games – it is an educational tool.
• Keep the iPad free of all downloaded games, movies, clips etc
• Ensure that no SIM cards and VPNs, which bypass our firewall, are put onto the iPad.
• Please put rules and boundaries in place regarding the use and time limits for screentime.
• Disable private browsing and deletion of browsing history.
• Make use of the iPads inbuilt parent controls such as content and privacy restrictions, guided access, screen time, downtime and App time limit

Kind regards

KAREN DALLAS
DEPUTY HEAD: ACADEMICS

Dress up Day - boys to dress up as their favourite book character

School ends at 12h55

Rugby vs SACS - Please take note of this weekday fixture

No hockey will take place

Public Holiday - Women's Day

School closed. No sports fixtures except the one mentioned below

Cape Co-Ed U13 Hockey Cup (U13A)

Time: 08h00
Venue: Curro Durbanville

End of Winter Extra-Mural

Start of Soccer Trials Week

Van der Bijl House Function

Time: 19:00
Venue: Woodlands

We are hosting Wynberg this Saturday and once again need your help to efficiently run the Tuck Shop and Egg and Bacon Stand. If you are able to spare just 30 minutes, please click HERE to book your slot. All assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Bishops Carnival Raffle

Please support our carnival raffle!!

• We are raising all funds for our Carnival this year with a fantastic raffle
  
• Amazing prizes are up for grabs for adults and kids -Ster Kinekor, Cape Union Mart, Yociko, trips away & wine prizes
  
• The raffle tickets will be on sale next week at the Pre-Prep gate at drop off and at the Mitre from 07h30 to 08h00 all week (5th-8th August)
  
• Tickets will also be available online
  
• Sales via SnapScan 
  
• Winners to be announced on 16 August

Bramley Cupcake Sale tomorrow!

Please support the Bramley cupcake sale on Friday 2 August.

Delicious cupcakes will be on sale, baked by Silwood Kitchen with loads of toppings added.

R25 each, remember to send money!

All proceeds will go to charity.

To celebrate Book Week 2024 our theme is Camp-In! An indoor camp will be set up for storytelling around our (fake!) fire. We will also have a class book bingo, watch an Afrikaans visiting theatre show and hold the annual guess how many book worms are stuffed into the jar! The 4-day week will hold a Book Sale in the library and end with a dress up day (details below)

Our VUSA children have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming Market Day on the 17th of August! In collaboration with Capitec Bank, they've been participating in entrepreneur workshops to hone their business skills. To support their efforts, we are collecting recycled items which will be used for their market day projects. If you have any of the following items at home, please could we ask you to drop them off at The Mitre or the Prep reception:

• Cardboard
• Old Newspapers
• Wooden Frames
• Old Pieces of Material
• Metal Cans
• Plastic Bottles
• Egg Trays

Your contributions will greatly aid our young entrepreneurs in bringing their creative ideas to life.  Should you wish to support the event, it will be held at the Langa Sports Ground, Bitterhout Street, Langa from 8-12.30 AM as part of our Derby against Wet Pups.