Dear Parents

INQUIRY BASED LEARNING PROJECT 
This term, our academic staff has been focusing on professional development through Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL). While many aspects of this approach—such as engaging students with a topic, assessing their prior knowledge, and facilitating exploration—are not new, IBL brings these elements together into a cohesive framework. This methodology revitalizes our teaching practices, encouraging ongoing reflection on how we teach and learn. The goal is to actively engage students in their learning, prompting them to seek answers and develop solutions to problems, often resulting in a creative output that addresses the issue. 

GRADE N 
Our Grade N boys recently explored the intriguing question: “Could dinosaurs ever come back?” This sparked curiosity and led to discussions about extinction, dinosaur behaviour, and more. Each morning during ring time we unpacked these questions and tried to involve the boys in related art and activities over our 2 weeks. Some of their imaginative responses to "What would we do if dinosaurs came back?" included:  

• "We will put them away where no one can see them!" 

• "All humans would hide away." 

• "We would run into the future to get away from them." 

Highlights from our indoor and outdoor activities included acting as palaeontologists and extracting 'dinosaur fossils' from large ice blocks and unearthing hidden dinosaurs in the sandpit. In the art room, the boys created large dinosaur eggs with paper-mâché, made handprint dinosaurs, and painted vibrant landscapes with silhouetted dinosaurs. They even crafted bath bombs with hidden dinosaur toys inside! Our exploration will culminate in the first week of the 4th term with a visit from the Jurassic Adventures team, who will guide the boys through hands-on learning experiences around our school campus. We hope this project has ignited their curiosity for many more questions! 

Grade R 
Next week, our Grade R boys will dive into the thought-provoking question: “What if the oceans disappeared?” Using our Wonder Wall, they will explore pictures and videos that spark curiosity and creativity. Each boy will share his thoughts, choosing topics to discuss with friends. 
The week will be filled with engaging activities across Art, Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills. In Art, the boys will imagine a world without oceans, create posters promoting water conservation, and design their own submersibles with unique features. Literacy activities include debates between a “water warrior” and a “water waster,” where boys will voice their opinions on water protection. Numeracy exercises will involve counting, sorting, and sharing activities related to our theme. 
We’ll also explore ways to protect our oceans and learn about the technology needed for deep-sea exploration. To further spark curiosity, boys can scan QR codes to watch short videos. 
Stay tuned for an exciting week of discovery and creativity. 

Grade 1 
The Grade 1 boys kicked off the term by applying some of our IBL training. Our central question was: Why did the cow cross the road? This was illustrated with a picture of a road sign showing cows crossing. We then shared our observations, thoughts, and questions through the “I SEE, I THINK, I WONDER” activity. This led to inquiries about why cows might be found on the road and the differences between town cows and rural cows seen during holiday travels. 
The students were curious about why cows live in towns and whether they are used for products like milk and meat. This curiosity led us to explore the significance of cows in various religions and cultures. The discussion expanded to the value of cows, including their use in Lobola, and we even calculated the value of one cow. The boys then figured out the cost of 20 and 30 cows, concluding that it would be quite expensive to have a wife right now. 
Next, the boys explored the purposes of these cows, using QR codes to discover different products derived from cows. We also built cows using tangrams, and the boys remained eager to answer their driving question. We enjoyed reading the story “The Chicken That Hatched a Cow” and realised it was just a fun tale. By the end of the week, we were all “cowed out,” but still wondered: Why did the cow cross the road? Well, to get to the UDDER side, of course! 

Grade 2 
This term, the Grade 2 boys have delved into the world of explorers. During the Engage phase of the IBL process, they learned what an explorer is, what they do, and what qualities they need to have. The boys were introduced to Jane Goodall's fascinating life and work. In the Explore phase, they went on an outing to Newlands Forest, where they learned about forest terrain and built shelters sturdy enough to withstand a stormy night. They also studied Ibn Battuta, a scholar and traveller, exploring his journeys through the Middle East and the Red Sea. The boys then reflected on what they would need in their backpacks for such a journey. During the Explain phase, they learned about Mae Jemison, a space explorer and author, and compared the different journeys of explorers using a "double bubble" map to identify similarities and differences. In the final two weeks of the term, the boys will engage in the Elaborate and Evaluate phases, where they will apply their newfound explorer skills and creativity to answer the question: "How can we prepare for an adventure knowing that we will experience different terrains while being mindful of the environment?" 
We are excited to host our Grandparents this Friday and celebrate a vibrant term at the Pre-Prep.  
Happy birthday to Mr Kieviets for today, Mrs Adams for the 15 September, Ms Songxishe for the 16th September and Mrs Nolte for the 19th September. 

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

175 Pre-Prep Cultural Celebration and Grandparents' Day

Our Grade 1 and 2 Grandparents and Parents are invited to join us for this celebration which begins at 09h15 in the Memorial Chapel. Tea will be available from 08h45.

Time:               14h00 to 16h00 
  
Venue:             Western Province Cricket Club Astro 2  

TAG Rugby - Grade R mini festival

This year the Grade R boys will be having their own mini, internal TAG tournament to end off the season.  

This will take place on their last day of TAG, from 12:30 – 13:15. 

Time:               14h00 to 16h00 
  
Venue:             Western Province Cricket Club Astro 2  

Break up day including aftercare closing times

Grade N-10:30, Grade R-10:40, Grade 1-10:50 and Grade 2-11:00.

Aftercare will close at 14:00 today.

Over the past few weeks, we have unfortunately experienced a few incidents resulting in injuries to some of our boys during play or after school. In separate cases, two boys fell from jungle gyms on their respective playgrounds leading to a broken arm and, more seriously, a skull fracture. We also had two boys fall from the monkey bars, one of whom broke his arm. While we understand that accidents can happen on any playground, we recognise the concern these incidents may cause. Please be assured that the safety and well-being of our boys remain our highest priority.

In response to these events, a comprehensive safety inspection of all our play areas has been conducted by an external company, and we are currently awaiting the detailed report. Meanwhile, we have temporarily closed certain equipment until we receive the findings. Our staff are trained in first aid and remain vigilant while on duty. They are very nurturing and always prepared to handle any situation that may arise. We will review our practices and protocols to ensure that we are equipped to manage any future injuries.

We are committed to maintaining a safe environment for our boys and take these incidents very seriously. We will keep you updated on any further actions made based on the safety inspection report.
Thank you for your understanding and support.

Notice of the pop-up Shop at the Pre-Prep on the 8 and 9 October 2024. We will have lots of summer stuff.

Please click HERE if you are interested in attending holiday Mrs Kingwill's holiday club (23rd - 27th September)

2023 PREP MAGAZINE

The 2023 Magazine will soon go to print and, as with last year, each boy who was at the Prep or Pre-Prep in 2023, will receive a copy. The cost for each is R300 and this will be charged to your school fee account. However, we do understand if you do not wish to receive a physical copy (it will also be available digitally online). If this is the case, please email sjohnson@bishops.org.za to inform us accordingly.

There were some binding problems with a few magazines last year, but we have been assured that these problems have been sorted out.

The Lord be with you

There’s a well-known saying that the tongue is the strongest part of our bodies. This is not because of its physical strength, but because it holds the power to create or destroy with just a few words. Our words have the ability to lift someone up or tear them down, and once they are spoken, they are difficult—if not impossible—to take back. Even when we apologise or claim we didn’t mean what we said, the impact of our words can linger, leaving lasting impressions on others.
This truth doesn’t just apply to how we speak to others; it begins with how we speak to ourselves. If we can learn to speak positively and affirm ourselves, we create a foundation of kindness and respect that naturally extends to those around us. When we practice self-encouragement, we are more likely to encourage others. When we refrain from self-criticism, we become less likely to criticize others.
Let us remember to speak slowly and listen quickly. Before you speak, think about the consequences of your words. Do the words reinforce or undermine one another? Never forget that words have the ability to influence both our own and other people's lives. The words we choose to say can either leave behind wounds that are difficult to repair or bring about enduring happiness and connection.
Let's make a conscious effort to watch what we say during the day, both to those around us and to ourselves. By doing this, we build a community based on love, respect, and understanding. Let us endeavour to utilise our words to animate, elevate, and
Remember, as Proverbs 18:21 says, 'The tongue has the power of life and death.' Let’s choose life in our words and actions every day."

With our second week exploring dinosaurs last week, learning about Spring this week and prepping for our Grandparents' day concert - we've been busy! We finished off our IBL (inquiry based learning) block with making bath bombs with a hidden treasure inside. The boys have a wide knowledge of dinosaur names now and have become experts on some of their characteristics. From dinosaur art, to dinosaur games to dinosaur exploration outside, the boys were in their element. We were so fortunate to be blessed with the most beautiful first days of Spring. The sandpit was abuzz with excavators, trucks, diggers and gems to dig for too! We opened up a mechanic shop with tools to fix the tricycles. Some took this very seriously and we had to please ask them to not dismantle them completely! Our new construction vests were brought out as well as some measuring tapes and gym equipment. We had a self assembled choir that was heard singing the South African National Anthem before school in the mornings. The teachers in Grade N are always so thrilled to see our much spoken Life Skills lessons coming into play when tidying up at the end of the day. Team work was demonstrated beautifully when packing away A-frame mini jungle gyms in the garden. We are proud of you boys!

The past two weeks have been an exciting journey for the boys as they delved into the wonders of space exploration. From learning about planets, stars, and astronauts to imagining what it would be like to venture into space, the boys have shown tremendous curiosity and creativity.
In addition to their space-themed activities, the boys have been hard at work practicing for our upcoming Grandparents' Day concert. The performance will feature lots of singing and actions, and the boys have put their hearts into making it a special occasion. Our classrooms are now beautifully decorated, ready to welcome our special guests on Friday for a day of joy and celebration. We can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces as they watch the boys perform!
As the term draws to a close, we look forward to meeting with parents during the last week of school.