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Dear Parents
BUDDY BENCH
It is very close to a year since we lost Hunter Emms in Grade 3 after a long battle with a brain tumour. In his honour and to commemorate what he presented in his short life, we had a buddy bench, made essentially a friendship and connection place, brightly and variously coloured, representing not only his love of colour but the brightness of his personality, his positivity and happiness, despite so much difficulty. It represents not only the love of the community that walked alongside him and his family, but also his love of those around him, as well as his love of life.
The words on the bench read: “A true child of the light, he lit up our world with love and joy.”
In a simple ceremony in the first week of term, we gathered Grades 3 and 4 who all knew Hunter well, staff and Hunter’s family and friends. Rev Bengani opened in prayer, Rev Monwabisi blessed the bench and Sebastian Smith in Grade 4 read a personal tribute to Hunter. With songs we celebrated the short and special life that was Hunter’s. May he rest in peace.
Buddy bench outside Grade 3 classrooms in memory of Hunter Emms.
2026 FORM CLASSES
With less than four weeks to go to the end of term and the many events that characterise the end of year, staff are also planning for next year. One of these processes includes splitting and reconstituting form classes for next year. This is an exhaustive process involving Form teachers, BSU staff, our Head of Academics and with input from House Directors. A number of factors are considered. Friendships is one, but it is not the major one, rather we focus on the overall make up of the class, cognisant of the different needs of the boys, be they academic or emotional, range of abilities and academic performance, range of personalities, as well as the most likely positive interactions. It cannot be a perfect process as boys do develop and grow, and while new friendships are often made, new inter-personal difficulties can also manifest themselves. We do not entertain requests for class placement, either with a particular teacher or other boys. We ask that you trust us as we make the best decision in the interest of our boys, bearing in mind that your son’s new Form teacher will manage any potential issues with the next year’s class.
All the best.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
