Dear Parents

As the term nears its final weeks, I thought it would be fitting to write about supporting your child as he transitions to a new grade. Change no matter the size can be challenging, at times. When your son starts asking about next year, his new teacher and class, engage in the conversation. The more we talk about what is on our minds the easier and more comfortable we become.

Transitions can be challenging for some boys. Below are a few points to consider

1. Encourage children to express their feelings: As parents, we may make assumptions about their fears. The best thing we can do is communicate openly about expected and ongoing changes.
2. Promote Positive Thinking: Help your child challenge their negative thoughts by replacing them with constructive and optimistic perspectives.
3. Normalise emotions: When we listen to our children and enable them to express themselves, we are reminding them that all their emotions are normal and acceptable. All feelings are okay. We cannot constantly expect our children to voice their feelings. When children cry, yell, withdraw, or regress, they are communicating that something is not right. Our job is to listen, hold the space and help them through it.
4. Keeping yourself in check: We naturally feel nervous for our children when they face difficulties. When we regulate our own emotions, we help children do the same. If you want to help your child calm down, one of the first things you should do is find your calm. 
5. A new teacher: make an effort to meet your son’s new teacher, attend the parent information sessions and do not be afraid to ask questions.
6. Supporting your child academically: Do not hesitate to find out how your son is doing in class, should he require support enquire about what the school has to offer. If a teacher makes a recommendation for support, know that he/she only wants to ease the learning process for your child.
7. Homework: Show your child that you appreciate his education by emphasising the significance of homework. Set aside a specific space, schedule a regular time, and restrict distractions. If you are unable to complete the homework, it is OK to ask for assistance.
8. Monitor your child's screen time: Studies have indicated that excessive screen time has a negative influence on language development, social and emotional growth, and executive functioning.
9. Encourage your child to read: Paired reading, reading to your child and having your child read by themselves can improve a child's education, social and cognitive development, overall well-being, and mental health.
10. Do daily check-ins: Talking and listening to your child fosters skills of receptive and expressive language, following directions and managing attention.
11. Encourage independence and responsibility: Allow them to foster these skills during the holiday. Let them practice getting dressed, tying their shoelaces and following through on tasks you have asked them to complete.

Kind regards
Nathierah Essa
Educational Psychologist

Dear Parents

Thank you for taking the time to read these thoughtful recommendations. Supporting children through transitions and developmental changes is a journey we walk together, and I appreciate the insights shared by Mrs Essa. Working together, we can create an environment that encourages resilience, self-confidence, and a love of learning in each boys.

Happy birthday to Mrs Emily Venter for the 14 November and Mrs Siophan van der Westhuizen for the 17 November. I am looking forward to spending time with our families tomorrow at The Carnival.

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Bishops Pre-Prep Carnival

Time: 15h00

Venue: Rossall Field

There is much excitement about tomorrow night’s Carnival. Ticket sales have gone extremely well and they are now sold out. While it may seem simple to continue selling, there are a number of limitations in terms of the safety regulations.
There will be plenty of security patrolling in the streets surrounding the school, but parking will be limited, so please consider Uber as an alternative. If you do park, please be considerate to our neighbours – no blocking driveways, parking anyone in, etc.
Please note that no tickets will be sold at the gate. Entry will be with the wrist band only.

Friday 8 November

Grade 1 Trading Day

Information has been sent out to Grade 1 parents.

Grade 2 Music Leavers' Concert & Information Evening for Music in Grade 3

Information has been sent out to Grade 2 parents.

Grade 2 Camp out

Information has been sent out to Grade 2 parents.

Our Grade N and Grade R boys are buzzing with excitement, rehearsing, singing and acting in preparation for their Nativity Play. On Friday 22 November at 11.30, the boys will be showcasing all their hard work in the Memorial Theatre. 

This is the last chance for boys to bring a donation to receive a poppy which they can wear tomorrow, Friday 8 November.

Holiday Clinics

Please click Holiday Club 1 for (5th & 6th - 9th till 13 December), hosted by Ms Rheeder and Mrs Maged.

Please click Holiday Club 2 for (17th - 20th December) hosted by Mrs Fernadnez.

Please click Holiday Club 3 for (5th - 9th January 2025) hosted by Mrs van Zyl.

Thunder

Thunder, our resident cat is in need of cat food please. If any families are able to donate food for Thunder please drop it off at reception. Thank you kindly.

Going barefoot gives kids a natural boost—improving sleep, reducing stress, and building strength and balance. Barefoot time stimulates nerves for body awareness, eye stability, and emotional development, helping kids feel more grounded and confident. Just 30 minutes a day can make a big difference! #BarefootBenefits #HealthyKids #Kinderkinetics

The Lord be with you
This week we remember and recall all the ODs that played a role in the ending of the world wars. As we remember their beautiful contribution to this historic moment, we recall their loved ones who lived on, and continue to live on, with the scars of them giving their lives for others.
We are also to remember those closest to us that have gone before us that we shared our communities, homes, schools, and evening dining rooms with. We should also cherish the times and moments we spent with them whist holding on to the memories we have and the opportunities to share in their love for us and our love for them.
Indeed, even to date, we continue to be surrounded by wars, albeit wars of a different kind. We are still faced with many social injustices that threaten and cause casualties that impact the livelihood of others, wars of illness and sickness that chronically diminish our quality our lives, the killing and abuse of our brothers and sisters through GBV, our communities being blood pools due to gangsterism caused by unemployment and geographic overpopulation, mental and physical scars that might not be seen and are invisible to us, the food scarcity that people overwhelmed by poverty.

Let us pray for these
Eternal Lord God creator and sustainer of all life, we entrust to you the souls of your servants who have died, and we rejoice with them in the sure hope of resurrection to the fullness of new life, we pray for the issues and global pandemics we continue to live with asking that at your time to sound the trumpet and bring them too to an end in the name of Christ.
Amen 

On Thursday, 31 October the Athletics boys attended Rhenish Athletics meet. It was the last event of the year, and the boys were very excited. The boys ran their hearts out and enjoyed the day. Bishops received many compliments about the exceptional manners and sportsmanship displayed by the Bishops boys. We could not be prouder of the boys conducted themselves. A special well done to Rafferty Mackenzie and Oliver Taylor who secured silver and bronze in their races. A congratulations to the relay team, who managed to secure first place. Well done to all the boys and we look forward to 2025.

The 2nd Hand Shop will be closed from 2/12/2024 and will open on 13/1/2025  & 14/1/2025, from 10h00-11h00 (school opens on 15 January). They will also be open on Monday 2 December from 17h30 to 18h30, one hour before the Grade 3 2025 Parent Induction taking place in Jagger Hall.

Bishops Blue Pages

If you would like to advertise in the final edition of the Blue Pages for 2024, please take note of the 2 December deadline.

We have been singing our hearts out in Grade N. It’s such a wonderful time of the year when we hear the boys preparing for the upcoming Nativity Play. Their voices echo all over the Pre-Prep and everyone is getting excited! I can assure you there will be no disappointments, and you will be very proud. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Memorial Theatre on the 22nd of November. Our focus for this week has been Pirates. This is a very popular theme and enthusiastically supported by the boys in many ways. We have done art, played on a beautiful pirate ship, and built a pirate hideout in the garden too. Ahoy Me Hearties! May this be a splendid weekend ahead! The Grade N Teachers.

Over the past few weeks, our Grade R boys have explored some truly magical themes, starting with castles! The boys thoroughly enjoyed building castles and drawing themselves as kings, embracing a world of knights, towers, and moats. Now, we've set off on a new adventure with our "Safari" theme, sparking curiosity and wonder about the wild and the incredible animals we see on safari.

Alongside these themes, the boys have been practicing for our end-of-year Nativity play, and they are doing a wonderful job! Their singing and actions are coming together beautifully. Parents are in for a real treat when they see the performance. To help with the transition into Grade 1, we have also been talking about what lies ahead in their exciting new grade next year. It's been a joy to watch them grow and prepare for this next step.

We’ve had an exciting couple of weeks in Grade 2, filled with learning, creativity, and exploration! Last week our focus was on the “ur” sound, and the boys had a wonderful time drawing the beautiful churches on campus. The warmer weather has been a delight, and the boys have enjoyed spotting insects during their outdoor time. Some of our young entomologists have been busy during breaks, building houses for the bugs they find. It’s been fantastic to see their creativity and care for nature! This week the Grade 2 boys went on a special tour of the prep with their Grade 3  buddies. They visited the STEM centre, library, hall, and classrooms, and had a great time playing on the fields. There is much excitement in the air as they look forward to their move to Grade 3. The boys are eager to explore new opportunities and continue their learning journey.