Welcome to a New School Year at Bishops Pre-Prep 

Dear Pre-Prep Parents, 

A very warm welcome to the start of a new school year. It has been a joy to see the boys return with such enthusiasm, curiosity, and big smiles, ready for the year of learning and growing that lies ahead. 
We began our year together with our first Pre-Prep assembly, a special moment to gather as a school community and set the tone for the months ahead. In this assembly, I introduced the boys to a very small word with very big power — the word “yet.”  
Through discussion and simple examples, the boys explored how we sometimes say things like: 

• “I can’t run very far.” 

• “I can’t swim.” 

• “My handwriting isn’t very good.” 

We then showed them how adding one small word can completely change how we think and feel: 

• “I can’t run very far yet.” 

• “I can’t swim yet.” 

• “My handwriting isn’t very good yet.” 

This tiny word helps the boys understand that learning is a journey. It reminds them that struggling with something does not mean failure — it simply means they are still learning. “Yet” opens the door to perseverance, effort, and a growth mindset, encouraging our boys to try, practise, and believe in what they can achieve over time. 
We also spoke about what they can do next — trying a little more each day, practising regularly, and asking for help when they need it. These messages link closely to our Bishops values. 
We encourage you to use this language at home too. When your child feels frustrated or says, “I can’t do it,” gently adding “yet” can be a powerful way to support resilience and confidence. 
We look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and many proud moments as the boys discover just how much they are capable of — even if they can’t do it yet. 

We welcomed staff new staff this year. Ms Terri Brukman has joined us from Sweet Valley Primary as our Junior Teacher and will be teaching all the boys over the course of the year. Ms Joy Jassett (Grade2) is joinig us from Bergvliet and Mr Katlego Matsemane (Grade 1) is joining us from Penryn Primary school are our new Foundation Phase Interns.

Happy birthday to the following January babies:

Mrs Hendrickse - 14 January
Mrs Ntsomi - 16 January
Mrs Kingwill and Mrs Fernandez - 26 January

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Full Extramurals Begins

Click HERE for the Timetable (going forward, please find this on MyBishopsLife )

Coffee Connections: Musclemania

Our resident Occupational Therapist, Jane Durham and Mrs Essa will unpack the Muscle Mania programme that we use in Grade R. We encourage Grade N parents to come along as well to be informed and have an opportunity to ask questions as this will be something they will be exposed to next year.

Venue: Pre-Prep Hall
Time: 07:45

PA Picnic

All families are welcome to join us for a picnic on the school fields. More details to follow.

Medical Details

Please check/update the medical details on your son’s profile on MyBishopsLife by clicking on the tab “Update Medical Details Forms".
Click here for instructions.

Please complete the update by 23 January 2026.

A Message of Strength and Courage for the New Term

Dear Bishops Pre-Prep Community,

Welcome to the start of a brand-new term! As we gather back to begin our journey together in 2026, it is natural for our boys to be experiencing a wide range of emotions. Some may be walking through the gates with excitement, while others particularly our new boys might feel a bit nervous. Many likely feel a mix of both, and we want you to know that this is completely normal.

As we look ahead, we are reminded of the story of a young leader named Joshua. Like many of our boys today, Joshua was facing a significant new beginning and had a very big job to do. He felt the weight of pressure and the uncertainty of how everything would go. While he was brave, he was also nervous.

Sometimes at the start of a term, our boys might feel like an empty glass: unsure, a little scared, or worried about whether they are "good enough". They might wonder if they will make friends or if they will make the first team.

In those moments of doubt, we lean on the promise given to Joshua. God did not tell him he had to be perfect or that he should never be scared. Instead, he was given this powerful encouragement:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9

This is a vital lesson for our boys: being brave does not mean the absence of fear; it means being brave even when you are scared. When we realize we are not alone, we are like that empty glass being filled with water. We are no longer empty, and we are much stronger.

As we move through these coming weeks, there will undoubtedly be challenges:

1. Our boys may find schoolwork hard at times.
2. They may feel pressure on the sports field.
3. They may feel nervous to try something new.

Our message to the boys, and our reminder to parents and staff, is that you do not need to be perfect. We simply need to be strong and brave. Whether in the classroom or on the sports field, whether winning or losing, we are supported every step of the way.

Wishing the entire Bishops Pre-Prep community a wonderful, courageous start to the 2026 school year!

Our Grade Ns are settling in so well! We’ve all enjoyed our time outdoors in the garden and quieter moments in the art room and resource rooms, too. Our boys have been learning to play games, do puzzles, make crowns, and chat with teachers and new friends. We look forward to another wonderful week next week, where we continue to explore the theme of ‘My New School’.

The boys have settled in beautifully and have been excitedly sharing stories about their holidays. Day 1 was filled with happy, eager faces as they explored their classrooms and reunited with friends. We are already seeing wonderful enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence. We look forward to a fun-filled and rewarding Term 1 full of growth, learning, and special moments.