If you have a son at College, I apologise in advance as much of what I write about below was included in the Principal’s newsletter last week.

WATER POLO POOL
Planning has been underway for the last year to completely upgrade the main water polo pool. Serious problems with filtration had caused us to take a very careful look at the pool and its infrastructure. This resulted in the decision – involving a number of role players – to completely “re-do” the pool with a state-of-the-art filtration system, a slight enlargement of the pool and a significant increase in seating. The demolition is well underway and construction should commence shortly. The final product has been very carefully designed, sympathetic to the surrounding architecture and space: a great asset for water polo. Provision has also been made to future-proof the facility so that the project can be added to over time, depending on the needs.

Practical completion is set for mid-November with handover mid-December. Arrangements will be made for home fixtures to be played away in the 4th term and practices will alternate between the old pool and our Prep pool for the duration of the 4th term. Access to the campus has been blocked on the Sandown Road side, although Pre-Prep boys have pedestrian access. We ask for everyone’s patience once more over the balance of the year.

CAMBRIDGE RESULTS
At the start of last year, we commenced our first year of the alternative for boys to study the Cambridge curriculum instead of our National in Grades 11 and 12. Nearly 10% of the class signed up and completed their AS-levels in 2023, including Afrikaans, so last year was the first Grade 12 class to sit their A-levels. We were very happy with their results and last week Tony Reeler attended the annual awards evening for Cambridge pupils in South Africa. One of our boys achieved the highest result in South Africa in Mathematics A-level and another the highest in IGCS Economics.

Significantly a former Prep pupil, Jacob Fried, was recognised as the top pupil in the world in A-level History!  A remarkable achievement.

LONG SLEEVE KHAKI SHIRTS
Some of you might have realised that the School Shop has a shortage of these in a number of sizes, as a result of our supplier giving notice without any warning. The School Shop is on this and has sourced an alternative supplier, although the correct fabric does have to be imported from abroad, so there will be a delay. Fortunately our 2nd Hand Uniform Shop does have stock, so please visit them. Under the circumstances they also ask that, if you do have long sleeve khaki shirts that no longer fit your son, you bring them in for re-sale.

All the best

Durbanville Exchange

All boys to dress in full tracksuit with sports kit
Drop at normal time at Bishops Prep
Bring only sports kit bags (if needed) to school, no iPads

Further information to follow

Grade 4 and 5 Parent Talk (Repeat)

Mastering the Juggle: Helping Your Child Get Organized
Time: 07h30 - 08h30
Venue: Library
Please see further information under TAKE Note

Van Der Bijl House Outing - Grades 3-7

Time: 18h00 to 20h00
Venue: Rush

Charlton House - Grade 4 outing

Time: 18h00
Further details to be communicated

Rugby Tuckshop

We are hosting WPPS and Sweet Valley on Saturday.

The Tuck Shop Co-ordinator has changed the booking format and you can now see which other parents have booked slots and there are also prizes up for grabs as an incentive to help out! If you are able to assist in the Tuck Shop or Bacon and Egg stand, please click HERE to book your slot. All assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Holiday Workshops and Clinics

If you are interested in the Soccer Clinic, please click HERE

If you are interested in the Study Skills Course, please click HERE