Dear Parents

We believe that empathy is at the heart of a values-driven education. Empathy allows us to see the world through another’s eyes, to listen with compassion, and to respond with kindness. It is the foundation for respect, integrity, and togetherness—qualities we strive to nurture in every boy and in our wider school family. 
We are delighted to welcome Debbie Kirsten to speak with our parents about creating empathy in our school community tonight. Debbie brings a wealth of experience and insight into how empathy can transform relationships, strengthen resilience, and foster a culture where every child feels seen and valued. 
By cultivating empathy, we not only help our boys grow into considerate young men but also build a supportive environment where families and staff work hand-in-hand. Together, we can ensure that empathy becomes a daily practice—guiding our interactions, shaping our decisions, and enriching the spirit of our school. 
Why Empathy Is Critical for our Boys 

• Developmental stage: At this age, boys are learning to regulate emotions and navigate peer dynamics. 

• Risk of aggression: Research shows boys are more likely to engage in rough play; empathy reduces this behaviour. 

• Identity formation: Empathy helps boys see themselves as helpers and leaders, reinforcing positive self-image. 

• School culture: Empathy builds a classroom environment of respect and cooperation, aligning with our values like integrity and togetherness. 

Why Empathy Matters for Our Boys 
We know that empathy—understanding and caring about how others feel—is one of the most important values we can nurture in young children. Research shows that when boys learn empathy, they: 

• Build stronger friendships by learning to listen, share, and play fairly. 

• Reduce conflict and bullying because they begin to see how their actions affect others. 

• Grow in confidence and resilience as they learn to manage their own feelings and respond kindly to others. 

• Do better in the classroom because empathy helps them work together, solve problems, and respect their teachers. 

Empathy in the classroom is not just about kindness—it’s a developmental tool that helps boys build emotional intelligence, reduce conflict, and thrive academically and socially. 

College Principal, Mr Reeler, introduced the boys to our new Headmaster, Mr Lester Lalla, during Monday’s assembly. We extend a warm welcome to Mr Lalla at Bishops Pre-Prep and look forward to this exciting new chapter for our school. We wish him every success during his tenure!

We wish Mr Lalla a very Happy 1st Bishops Birthday on Thursday the 23rd April.

A very happy return to Reece Bowen in Grade 1 Blue. I hope you enjoy being back at Bishops.

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Term 2 and 3 Extramurals begin.

Click here for timetable

Welcome Reception for Mr Lalla

Time: 18h30 to 20h30
Venue: Jagger Quad

Message from the Second-Hand Shop

Second - Hand Shop - We Need Your Gear!

Our Second-Hand Uniform Shop continues to be a fantastic resource for our school community, supporting both sustainability and affordability.

The shop is situated at the Prep Campus, behind reception, and is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:30am.

A few helpful reminders:
• Drop-offs are easy: You can leave your washed items at reception anytime.
• Earn while you declutter: Did you know you can receive 60% of the sale proceeds credited back to your school account — just label your bag clearly with your son’s name and student code.
• No label = donation
• Nothing goes to waste: Unsold items are donated to charity.

The shop is run by a team of volunteer moms, and all proceeds support the school’s outreach initiatives.

This week our theme has been Autumn and Hibernation, and the boys have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the beautiful changes happening in nature. We are so proud of how quickly and happily they settled back into our daily routine after the holidays. There has been plenty of collaborative game playing outside, and we have made the most of the warmer mornings with lots of gross motor activities. Puzzle skills are also improving daily with all the enthusiastic practice the boys are putting in! Please feel free to pop in on Monday to see the boys’ beautiful Autumn artwork displayed in the classroom – they are very excited to show you what they have created.

 Welcome back to all our boys! It has been so lovely to have everyone back at school. We have thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about the exciting holiday adventures, and the boys have expressed these beautifully through their colourful drawings. We were also delighted to return from the holidays to newly renovated bathrooms. They are looking lovely and fresh, and the boys have been very excited to use the new facilities.

We have begun the term by observing and discussing the changes in the weather, with a special focus on the season of autumn. The boys have been curious and engaged as we explore these seasonal changes together. In Letterland, we were excited to introduce Munching Mike, while also taking time to revise and consolidate the letters covered in Term 1.

As we move into the winter sports season, the boys are eagerly looking forward to participating in tag rugby. Mrs Notle’s class will also have the opportunity to be introduced to chess, which is sure to be a fun and engaging new experience.
We are looking forward to a busy, exciting, and enriching Term 2!