Dear Parents

School has been a hive of activity this week! We have had a successful Readathon week organised by Mrs Wallace. Particular highlights were Mr Reeler's visit to the Grade 2s and a presentation from Ms Southgate who is the Prep's Sports Coordinator, as well as the South African Women's Indoor Hockey Captain. In line with our theme 'celebrating women in sport', we also had visits from Ms De La Harpe and Ms DuPont, the librarians at the Prep and College. We were also very excited to host our Grade 1 parents who popped in to read to the boys today. The boys certainly took up the Readathon challenge and ploughed through thousands of pages. We really appreciate your support in encouraging our boy's reading at home.

Below, please see the feedback from Mrs Karen Dallas, a Deputy and Head of Academics from the Parent Evening held recently.

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On the 23rd and 24th of July we hosted two empowering and informative parent evenings. The speaker was Pam Tudin who is a Clinical Psychologist and the co-founder of KLIKD, South Africa’s leading digital safety and citizenship company. On Tuesday evening, Pam addressed the Grades R-3 parents with practical hands-on ways to build and sustain relationships with our children as they begin to face the digital world. 
Pam discussed ways for parents to manage the power struggles with clear guidelines on the ‘when’ and the 'how’ of introducing devices. She spoke to concerns such as how much screen time is enough; what the online dangers for little ones looks like, (even when our little ones are just dabbling on their parent’s devices for a little bit of YouTube fun) and how to stay connected to our children as their curiosity in the online world increases.

Pam also equipped parents to negotiate those tricky, nagging questions we all have in the back of our minds: Will my child be left out or left behind if we don't permit gaming and online socialising? It was great to hear Pam’s input on how to effectively and pro-actively delay device use at this age, and more importantly how we can find support for our choice within our own circle of friends so that ultimately, the adults in our children’s worlds are all on the same page.

On Wednesday evening Pam met with the Grade 4 parents to assist and support them as their children begin their journey of learning with assistive online tools. Discussing the pro’s and cons of iPAD introduction, Pam was clear in the distinction that there is much to be gained from supplementary online learning. However, at no point does it replace the very central role that in-person teaching, play and social connection have in our children’s healthy development

Pam brought current thinking and research to the table and more importantly focused on the "how to ”  when it comes to introducing devices to our children’s worlds. She explored what healthy digital nutrition looks against the daily realities of hard-working parents, au-pairs and loving grandparents. Pam was clear in her message thatchildren of this age do not require social media and emphasised that the introduction of social media is a very different beast to the introduction of compliment-based online educational input.

Pam left us all with the understanding that the strongest mitigating factor against all the online dangers, bumps and battles, is us. We need to foster the connection to our children, and be their soft-landing place when the inevitable online mistakes begin to occur.

Pam, once again, invited all parents to join the weekly BISHOPS KLIKD IN YOUR POCKET (KIYP) WhatsApp broadcast group that offers parents bite-size chunks of weekly input. Focusing on how to talk to our children about some of the hard topics coming our way. (what to do when they accidentally discover inappropriate content on Roblox, how to manage sleep overs when your rules are different to the parent’s next door; how to explain why gaming is addictive - the list was endless).

Please see the link below to join the Bishops KIYP group - many of our parents attest to it being an invaluable, easy to read and often fun resource!https://chat.whatsapp.com/FU7ZEkfL9Fa5W2DcEKH8be.

Finally, we strongly encourage all parents who would like some more invaluable information to join an online webinar entitled DAMN! This Device! www.klikd.co.za/mini-workshop. This empowering mini workshop covers important questions such as:

• When should I give my child a device?
• I have already given my kid a device and now I have lost control. Now what?
• How do I set up devices for maximum safety without standing over the screen?
• How do I stop my kid from seeing totally inappropriate content
• How do I get my child to accept screen boundaries?
• How much time is enough screen time for little ones, medium ones, and big ones?
• How do I stop the power struggle E.V.E.R.Y  S.I.N.G.L.E  D.A.Y?
• My child is starting to look pretty addicted to gaming – now what?
• What are the basic safety requirements for YOUTUBE, TIKTOK, AND GAMING.

Many thanks 
Karen Dallas

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The Prep have reviewed the introduction of the iPad programme in Grade 4 for this year and after doing research into the effective use, and the most beneficial age-appropriate introduction of devices at school, will be implementing the following new changes to the programme:

• Use of the iPads at school will be on 2 days of the week starting in mid-August.
• No homework will be set using the iPad (Mathletics will also be done in class during the Homework or Maths Period).

From 2025 the Pre-Prep will also not be setting homework that will include the use of a device.

Tomorrow, we reflect on the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union buildings in 1956 in protest. We celebrate Women's Day to honour the strength, resilience and contributions of women in our society. By honouring Women's Day we also set an important example for our boys, teaching them to respect the women in their lives. Happy Women's Day!

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Vusa 24 Hour Cycle Challenge

Please see the advertisement below. This is the major annual fundraiser for our Vusa Rugby & Learning Academy and also a real fun community event. Please do support this event whether cycling or financially. Last year, together with Investec’s support, R1 000 000 was raised.

Grade N & R Grandparents' Day

Grade N & R Grandparents' Day at 08h15 in the Memorial Chapel. Please join us for Tea after the performance.

Kindly click on link to RSVP.

175 Pre-Prep Cultural Celebration and Grandparents' Day

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

Kindly click on link to RSVP.

Please support our carnival raffle!! 

• We are raising all funds for our Carnival this year with a fantastic raffle 
• Amazing prizes are up for grabs for adults and kids -Ster Kinekor, Cape Union Mart, Yociko, trips away & wine prizes
• Tickets will also be available online  
• Sales via SnapScan  
• Winners to be announced on 16 August 

Our VUSA children have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming Market Day on the 17th of August! In collaboration with Capitec Bank, they've been participating in entrepreneur workshops to hone their business skills. To support their efforts, we are collecting recycled items which will be used for their market day projects. If you have any of the following items at home, please could we ask you to drop them off at The Mitre or the Prep reception:

• Cardboard
• Old Newspapers
• Wooden Frames
• Old Pieces of Material
• Metal Cans
• Plastic Bottles
• Egg Trays

Your contributions will greatly aid our young entrepreneurs in bringing their creative ideas to life.  Should you wish to support the event, it will be held at the Langa Sports Ground, Bitterhout Street, Langa from 8-12.30 AM as part of our Derby against Wet Pups.

VUSA challenge Pre-Prep Team

ROCKING FOR A REASON. 

BackaBuddy link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/rocking-for-a-reason

This year, the funds will go toward building a library, refurbishing classrooms, and enhancing the skills of our incredible coaches and facilitators.

The Lord be with you.

We celebrate and acknowledge the invaluable roles that women play in our lives. Women's Day is an important reminder of the strength, kindness, and resilience of women, but it should not be something we regard only once a year. The respect, appreciation, and recognition of women's contributions should be a daily normal in our dealings and interactions, for the betterment of our society and the future of our country.

We say thank you to Eve, who, despite the consequences, shared the apple with Adam. This act represents the natural instinct of women to nurture, share, and ensure the well-being of others. Similarly, the courageous women of South Africa, many years ago, took bold steps to ensure a future where equality, justice, and freedom could be enjoyed by all of us today. Their bravery and selflessness laid the foundation for the progress we continue to build upon.

Let us appreciate the women in our lives—our mothers, sisters, teachers, friends, and all those who contribute to our community. Recognise their daily sacrifices, celebrate their achievements, and support their wishes.

As we head into the long weekend and celebrate Women's Day, we wish you all a restful and joyful time. May this period be filled with gratitude and appreciation for the incredible women who shape our lives and our world.

Happy Women's Day to all, and enjoy the long weekend

A reminder to please support the VUSA 24 Hour Cycle Challenge which will be held on Piley Rees on the 24-25 August!  

Spatial awareness is understanding how objects and yourself are positioned and move in space. It's crucial for kids because it helps with coordination, balance, motor skills, problem-solving, and daily tasks such as walking in line, playing on the playground, and sitting at their desk. Developing this skill through play supports overall physical and cognitive growth.

Try out some of these fun activities with your son at home to enhance his spatial awareness and continue to build a strong gross motor foundation.

What a wonderful Book Week it has been! In Grade N we made the best of all opportunities to read as many books and stories as we could. We loved supporting our Olympic Games Theme, by dressing up in our favourite country we support the most. But it was clear that most boys still support our Green Team wearing Springbok rugby jerseys. We spent Pajama and Slipper Day all snuggly and warm with a lovely hot chocolate and marshmallow treat. Nothing like a warm drink to curb this icy weather! Thank you for your ongoing support as parents and caregivers, instilling the importance of books and reading to our children who live in a highly technology driven world. Keep warm and looking forward to seeing you all on Monday.

Our Grade R students have had an exciting Readathon Week, focusing on female author Julia Donaldson's enchanting stories, "The Gruffalo" and "Room on the Broom." The boys enjoyed creative art activities inspired by these tales, wore their favourite sports shirts and sneakers, and had a blast dressing up as their favourite book characters. They explored the importance of books by reading in unique locations and sharing photos with the class. The week was filled with fun, creativity, and a newfound love for reading. Let us continue to nurture their love for books and stories, by reading daily to open endless possibilities for their young minds.
We would like to wish all the amazing women in our lives a wonderful Women’s Day on Friday.

The Grade 2s have had a busy and exciting two weeks! Many boys joyfully participated in the choir and played marimbas in the 175 concert, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts. Participating in a music concert is beneficial as it enhances their confidence, teamwork, and appreciation for the arts. This week, whenever possible, the boys could be caught reading, captivated by Mr Reeler's storytelling of the Animal Olympics, which conveyed the wonderful message that everyone has their own unique talents. They have loved the readathon theme of "Going for Gold" and we hope it inspires them to continue reading even when the challenge is done, as reading enhances vocabulary, improves concentration, and sparks imagination. In the classroom, we've been diving into the world of fractions and continuing with our explorer class theme, making learning an adventure every day. As we end the week, we wish all the women in their lives a wonderful Women's Day.