Dear Parents

Why do we ask you to say goodbye to your boys at the gate

Building independence in young children is a crucial part of their early development, especially in a school environment where they are gradually learning to take responsibility for themselves. For a four-year-old, independence begins with simple tasks such as carrying their own school bag and lunchbox and walking through the school gates without needing to be physically carried or guided by a parent. These seemingly small actions build confidence and a sense of capability, helping young children develop autonomy. By the time they are five, these routines become habits, reinforcing self-reliance and preparing them for greater responsibilities within the school setting, such as packing away their belongings and following classroom instructions without constant supervision.

For six- and seven-year-olds, independence expands beyond physical tasks and begins to incorporate cognitive and social skills. Boys need to develop self-organisation, time management, and the ability to follow multi-step instructions without continuous reminders. They should be able to prepare their own school bags, take responsibility for their belongings, and begin to manage simple problem-solving situations, such as resolving minor conflicts with peers or asking for help when needed. They must develop emotional regulation skills—learning to manage frustration, persevere through challenges, and adapt to unexpected changes in their school day. By age eight, children who have been given the opportunity to practice independence are more likely to take ownership of their learning, manage transitions smoothly, and navigate their school day with confidence. Encouraging independence at this age fosters resilience and confidence, which are critical for their academic and social development.

Independence is directly linked to the development of executive functioning skills, which are essential for success in a school environment. Executive functioning refers to a set of mental processes that help with self-regulation, planning, organisation, and decision-making. Dr Daniel Amen, in his book Raising Mentally Strong Kids, emphasises that "strong executive function skills help children learn more effectively, regulate their emotions, and handle challenges with resilience." When children are given the chance to carry their own school bags or manage their daily routines independently, they are strengthening these critical skills. This practice helps them build working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-control—abilities that allow them to follow instructions, problem-solve, and manage their time effectively in a structured learning environment.

By fostering independence from as early as four years old, Bishops plays a vital role in preparing children not just for the classroom, but for life beyond it. We are looking forward to watching each boy grow and thrive with encouragement from their parents and teachers.

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Our Pre-Prep will be having a Valentine's Day Civvies on Friday 14th February. All boys may wear red, white or pink civvies to school.
Boys are asked to donate dog and cat food, bowls, brushes and toys for our chosen charity - Animal Lifeline https://www.animallifeline.org.za/ in order to wear civvies. The boys may start bringing food to school until the 14th of February.

If you would like to hear more about Kinderkinetics and how we will be incorporating this into our Gross Motor and Phys Lit lessons, please join us at Coffee Connections on Friday, 14 February 2025 from 07:45 in the Pre-Prep Hall.

Please RSVP by 12.02.25 - https://forms.office.com/r/V6iNHVu3x9 - Please pop in even if you have not RSVP'd.

Individual and class photos

All boys will have photographs taken during this week so please make sure hair is neat and boys are at school.

Half-term does not affect the Pre-Prep boys. The Prep will have no sport at the end of their camp week, i.e. no sport or any other activities on Friday, 14 February and Saturday 15 February. The College has introduced a half-term but in a different format, a holiday on Monday 24 February.  They will play sport on Friday 21 February and Saturday 22 February. Some parents may ask why we do not all close on Monday 24 February. However, our situations are different. The Pre-Prep boys end school as normal from 12:15 to 13:10 every day, and sport ends by 14:10. The Prep has a camp week, making it difficult to readily jump into water polo matches on the Friday afternoon for instance, so they have no fixtures, whereas the College plays all their fixtures on the Friday and Saturday and then takes a Monday off. As with the end of the 2nd and 4th terms, the College closes a day before us – these decisions are based on the unique situation and events at that time in each section of the school.

If your son has a brother at the College, do please ensure that your Pre-Prep boy attends school on the Monday 24 February. 

Please RSVP by 12.02.25 - https://forms.office.com/r/V6iNHVu3x9 - Please pop in even if you have not RSVP'd.

Morning Drop-Off

Please remember to encourage and allow your son to carry his own bags and the older Grade 1 and 2 boys to come to class and unpack independently.  Boys are not permitted to wait alone outside classrooms or on the field before 07:30 and need to be in morning supervision up at the hall. 

Ms Banizni's gate wil close everyday at 08h00. Any boys arriving after 08h00 will have to go to the bottom gate by Mr Mthintsilana.

Dear Bishops Prep Family,

I am filled with gratitude and excitement as I step into my role as your new Assistant Chaplain. From the moment I arrived, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and kindness of the boys, staff, and families. The boys have been especially welcoming, and to my delight, some have even affectionately called me ‘Reverend Mommy’—a title that has touched my heart deeply.

Coming from Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, my journey in ministry has taken me across Southern Africa, working in youth and children’s ministries and serving communities in need. Now, I feel truly blessed to be here at Bishops Prep and Pre-Prep, where I see such a vibrant and faith-filled environment. The enthusiasm and spirit of the boys are inspiring, and I am optimistic about the journey ahead. I look forward to walking alongside each of you, nurturing faith, and growing together in God’s love.

I hold dear the words of Jesus: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) These words resonate deeply as I witness the genuine kindness and joy within the Bishops community. My hope is to continue fostering a space where every boy feels seen, valued, and encouraged in his spiritual walk.
As we embark on this journey together, I encourage all of us to embrace our faith with open hearts. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Let us continue to uplift and support one another, trusting in God’s grace to guide us.

I am excited about the road ahead and look forward to building meaningful connections with all of you. Thank you for your warm welcome—my heart is full!

With blessings and gratitude,

Attached is a photo of Hunter Dyssell (Gr 1), Nathan Rehse and Derek Neethling (Gr 2) at the District Central Schools Chess Individual Trails that took place on Friday and Saturday this past weekend. 

Hunter placed first in the u7 boys group. Nathan placed second in the u9 boys age group with Derek ending in 9th place of the 27 boys in the category. Congratulations, boys.

We are having an "EXPERIENCE PRE-PREP" Open Day on 12 February 2025.

Our classrooms have been alive with smell, taste and touch this week. Some boys made binoculars to enhance their sense of sight, smelly collages using herbs to enhance their sense of smell, threaded Oatie necklaces to enhance their sense of taste as well as their fine motor skills, enjoyed various textures at the sensory table outside to enhance their sense of touch and enjoyed playing the boom whackers in their music lesson to enhance their sense of hearing!
We also made lemonade with the boys which was a hit! Please email your class teacher if you would like the recipe.  Your son should be able to “read” the sequence of the steps and will hopefully be able to tell you how to make it. Delicious with some ice and mint! We are so looking forward to our Valentine’s picnic next Friday. Details to follow.

The Grade R boys have been hard at work, learning new letters through Letterland. Our 'My Body' theme has sparked much excitement with learning new songs, rhymes and interesting facts about the human body. Dress up has been the highlight of playtime, and our boys were thrilled with the superhero capes! The boys are showing that they understand the Mitre Values with more consistency and they are making their teachers proud! Well done boys!