NEW HEADMASTER
I want to add my congratulations to Lester Lalla who has been appointed as the next Headmaster of Bishops Prep from 2026. As difficult as it will be for me to leave Bishops at the end of the year, I will do so secure in the knowledge that the school will be in very good hands. I know Lester well: he has the ideal experience having worked in independent church boys’ schools. Coming from another province he will have fresh eyes to view the uniqueness of Cape Town where State and independent schools are in competition but also co-operate collegially and deliberately foster good relationships.

Lester is a caring and deeply respectful man, a deep thinker and a strong and dedicated educationalist who will no doubt be a great influence on and leader of the Prep and within Bishops as a whole. He inherits a strong and committed team who will no doubt support him and thrive under his leadership.

MUSIC
Two weeks ago, over forty boys performed at the annual Beginners’ Concert, many of them Grade 3s, and on an impressive range of instruments. It is not easy to stand up and perform in front of your peers and more than one hundred parents, only four months after commencing studying an instrument. They did so with noticeable confidence and determination, often belying the nerves underneath – we can be very proud of them. To remind us of where they are potentially heading in their music careers, the evening ended with superb performances from our College Music Scholarship winners, Chris de Wet and André Kuys, on flute and piano respectively.

This week’s Wednesday morning music concert saw our wind band and a few soloists performing, as well as the Micklefield Vocal Ensemble. A really inspiring concert and we hope for reciprocal performances at Micklefield.

LUNCH BOXES
We have noticed a concerning development in the contents of boys’ lunch boxes with the increase in “junk food” being brought to school: chips, chocolates, sweets, biscuits, fizzy drinks and other sweet drinks (mainly Grades 4-7). Apart from not being nutritious, such snacks only heighten distractibility levels with spikes in energy, making it more difficult to sit still, focus on work and listen properly which takes away from teaching and learning.

Please note that snacks such as the above are not allowed at school. Food brought to school needs to be nutritious and healthy. There are many sites on the internet that give ideas and plans for nutritious snacks for boys. We suggest that lunch boxes should include brown bread sandwiches (without jam), biltong, fruit, fresh or dried, cut up vegetables such as carrots and cucumber, water, cheese, etc. We also offer hot lunch in the dining room which is a balanced meal.

Class birthday treats are allowed, but we ask that these are not excessive, essentially a cupcake per boy or an alternative, and these will be handed out later in the school day. We will also be looking at our handing out of treats as rewards and the like, in terms of what is provided and the frequency.

EXECUTIVE STRATEGY DECISION
The combined Executives of the school will be away from this coming Sunday to Tuesday for a Strategic Planning session. We will still be contactable via email, however. This is an annual process which allows us to look across the school at our shared vision and core goals, ensuring alignment and renewed focus. This will feed into the overall strategy of Council.

Best wishes

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

Please note that this event has been rescheduled due to the Kirstenhof Rugby Festival, from Friday, 30 May to Friday, 6 June.

Charlton House Outing - Grade 4

Please note that this event has been rescheduled due to the Kirstenhof Rugby Festival. A new date will be communicated in due course.

Shavout

Chag Sameach to our Jewish Community

Hooked on Books - Grade 3 to 6 boys

Time: 08h00 to 09h00
Venue: Jagger Hall

Bramley Cupcake Sale

Time: 10h30 (First break)
The delicious cupcakes will be selling for R25 each. Remember to send money. All proceeds go to charity

Van Der Bijl House Outing - Grades 3-7

Time: 18h00 to 20h00
Venue: Rush

Executive functioning skills are essential for staying organized, managing time, and completing tasks. They play a key role in success at school and in later life. This talk will explore how these skills develop, why they matter, and how they help foster independence while reducing daily frustrations. Learn about common challenges your child may face and how to support them on their path to organization and success.

Laura Cook and Kate Stamper will be doing a repeat of this parent talk on Friday the 30th of May from 07h30 to 08h30 in the Library for Grade 4-5 Parents.  Please click on the QR code to confirm your attendance. 

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

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

Message from the Second Hand Shop

Please note that the opening times on Monday will now be from 12h00 to 14h00 and not 14h15.

Operating Hours:

Mondays: 12h15 - 14h00
Thursdays: 07h30 - 08h30

Invitation from BRSC

The Bishops Rugby Supporters Club invites you to the Annual Rugby Dinner on Thursday 19 June 2025.

Please click HERE for further information.

Congratulations to the following Bee Champions.

Grade 3: Vian Loots, Malakai Forrester and Joshua Moore
Grade 4: Nick Hart, Nick Gray and Harrison Whitfield
Grade 5: Tristan Antelme, Nikhil Sam and Luke Egypt
Grade 6: Matthew Moolman, Ande Mogotlane, Daniel Twycross

Those who accept a Spell Off Challenge will be spelling in the next 2 weeks.