Dear Parents
I hope that the first full week back at school has gone well and your son is enjoying his full educational programme. Today’s newsletter is largely about logistical and housekeeping matters.
2023 TERM DATES
Please see HERE.
COMMUNICATION
The newsletter is the main means of whole school information and I appeal to parents to read it each week. Unfortunately we know from the phone calls we receive that many do not read it and I will have to find another means of communication to remind them to do so. MyBishopsLife also provides, other than a profile on your son, information on extra-murals, practice and fixture times, dates and venues.
The medium for communication between teachers and parents on individual matters remains email. There is a 24 hour turnaround time and a Friday email will be replied to by Monday. In many cases though, you will receive a reply much sooner.
Only Housemasters give out cell numbers. Where arrangements change or an urgent message needs to get to the teacher or your son during the course of the school day, please phone the front office. Teachers are not expected to check emails during the teaching day unless they have time during an admin lesson. So please ensure that essential last minute changes are communicated via the office.
HEALTHY LUNCH BOX
We are concerned at the number of boys whose lunch boxes cannot be described as healthy and include Nik Naks, chocolate bars, sweets, high sugar content drinks, etc. Our boys are very active at certain times in the day but have to sit at other times and focus. A high sugar diet makes this very difficult for the boys to do and even during sport a boy will struggle to concentrate.
Please ensure that your son has what we call a healthy lunchbox; food and snacks that are nutritious and will provide long term sustenance. Please avoid anything processed or high in sugar. We suggest items such as the following:
Sandwiches, fruit, raw vegetables, biltong, cheese, chicken, water. There are many sites on the Internet that give creative ideas around healthy snacks for school.
Most boys will need food for both breaks (depending on whether he has hot lunch or not) and some might also need a small, healthy snack before sport.
A birthday treat is acceptable for a Form class but please only provide one item i.e. a cup cake or muffin and not the biggest available please. No cooldrink with it and no party packs. These treats are then handed out after lunch.
THREE OTHER POINTS
• Please note that our school gates open at 07h00 each day. Screening and hand sanitising continue on entering the school.
• Please remember to update your son’s medical information on myBishopsLife. This is essential for our upcoming camps and generally in the case of any medical situation or emergency.
• We insist that boys wear caps when out in the sun, whether during breaks or after school at sport. Please ensure that your son does have one.
All the best for a relaxing and happy weekend.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
