Dear Parents

One of the special gifts of a new school year is the abundance of firsts our boys experience. These moments may seem small to us as adults, but for the boys they represent courage, growth, and important steps toward independence.

Our Grade N boys are already showing wonderful bravery as they say goodbye at the gate, walk to their lockers on their own, and carefully unpack their belongings. These early routines build confidence and a sense of responsibility. Watching them realise “I can do this by myself” is a powerful reminder of how capable young children are when gently supported.

For our Grade R boys, the excitement of firsts continues. Their first swimming lessons during the school day and their introduction to cricket as an extra-mural bring both challenge and joy. These experiences stretch them physically and socially, while teaching resilience, teamwork, and the importance of trying something new — even when it feels unfamiliar.

In Grade 1, we see enormous academic growth. The boys are deepening their reading and writing skills and beginning to experience the pride that comes with real progress. For some, swimming in the Prep and College pools for the first time is another milestone that reminds them they are moving forward in their Bishops journey.

Our Grade 2 boys carry a special role as the “big brothers” of the Pre-Prep. They model routines, kindness, and confidence for the younger boys. In guiding others, they strengthen their own sense of leadership and responsibility. It is a joy to see them step into this role with maturity and pride.

Across all grades, the boys are settling beautifully into the newness of their classrooms, teachers, and expectations. Growth is not always loud or dramatic — often it happens quietly in these daily firsts: a brave goodbye, a new skill attempted, a helping hand offered. Each moment adds to the steady building of independence and character.

We are proud of how positively the boys are embracing change and learning. Thank you for supporting us as we encourage them to be brave, to try, to grow, and to celebrate each new step along the way.
Happy birthday to Mrs Swanich for Monday 2 February.

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Friday 30 January

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

Experience Bishops Pre-Prep Open Day

Time: 08h30 to 10h00
Venue: Bishops Pre-Prep

Thursday 12 February

PA Picnic

All families are welcome to join us for a picnic on the school fields. Please see more details below.

Jesus the light of the world

Dear Pre-Prep Families,

Jesus speaks words that continue to shine with hope and truth today:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”( In John 8:12)

This is a beautiful and powerful promise one that we long for our children to know, trust, and carry with them as they grow.

For our Pre-Prep children, life is a journey filled with discovery. Each day brings something new: learning how to make friends, trying new skills, understanding feelings, and finding their place in the world. Many days are joyful and full of excitement. Other days can feel uncertain, overwhelming, or a little frightening. At such a young age, emotions can be big and difficult to name, and changes in routine or relationships can feel especially challenging.

In all of this, Jesus reminds us that our children are never walking alone. He is the Light of the world the steady, gentle light that shines ahead of us and shows us the way. When the path feels unclear, His light helps us take the next step. When things feel dark or confusing, His presence brings reassurance and peace.

Light brings comfort. It helps us see clearly. It helps us feel safe. And most importantly, it brings hope. When friendships feel tricky, when children feel unsure of themselves, or when emotions feel too big to manage, Jesus’ light meets them right where they are. His light does not fade in difficult moments. Instead, it shines even brighter, reminding us of His constant love and care.

As a school community, we are deeply grateful for the privilege of walking alongside your children. Each day, through prayer, kindness, routine, and care, we point them toward Jesus the One who leads with love, patience, and grace. We help them learn that following Jesus means choosing light over fear, kindness over hurt, and trust over worry.

Our hope and prayer is that each child grows up knowing that Jesus is close to them. That no matter what they face at school, at home, or in their hearts. His light will guide them, protect them, and give them life. When they learn to follow His light now, they are learning a truth that will carry them through every season of life.

May we continue, together as families and as a school, to walk in His light with faith and confidence.

With faith and hope,
The Revd. Khwezi Bengani

We hope you’ve had a great start to 2026. 

If you’ve been meaning to get involved but haven’t quite known how to fit it in, the ECD Angels is a lovely place to start. It’s a small, manageable commitment that has a big impact and is incredibly rewarding. 

The ECD Angels are a group of (mostly) Bishops parents who visit one of our Early Childhood Development centres in Langa every Tuesday. You spend an hour with the children doing songs, puzzles, games, and simple activities. Volunteers usually agree on the activities beforehand, so you arrive feeling prepared and relaxed. 

When:
• Once a term (you’re welcome to join more often if you’d like) 

Where:
• Meet at Bishops at 10:10
• Drive together to Langa where you’ll be met by a security escort
• Spend one hour at the ECD centre with the children

How to join:
• Add your name to the shared Google Sheet when you’re available
• To get started, please email Aoife or Bryony or connect with Nikki at the VUSA office at the Mitre. 

All that’s needed is a little time and a big heart. In return, you’ll leave feeling connected, uplifted, and very well hugged.

Our Grade N boys continue to settle in beautifully. What could have been a tricky transition - walking down independently and saying goodbye to their parents at the gate - was mostly met with smiles, growing confidence, and a wonderful sense of independence.
The warm weather has been the perfect invitation for sensory play, and the boys have been delightfully busy! From washing and pegging up “laundry” on the washing line, to cracking ice with tools to uncover hidden insects, to exploring natural treasures like wet sand, sawdust “snakes,” and pine needles, there has been much curiosity and excitement. In the art room, creative hands have been hard at work decorating Marie biscuits, marble rolling, making handprints, and experimenting with balloon printing.
Music time brought plenty of joyful noise as the boys explored instruments, and all in all, it has been a happy, busy, and very promising start to our Grade N year.

This week in Grade R, we explored the theme of “Families.” The boys arrived with their cherished family photos, which are now proudly displayed in our classroom. We spoke about how families can look different, what families enjoy doing together, and the special moments they celebrate. The boys also drew lovely pictures of their own families and took part in a variety of creative art activities linked to our theme.
Another exciting milestone this week was our very first swimming lesson! While a few boys arrived with a touch of nervousness, they bravely gave it their best. The bus ride to the pool was a highlight for many, and once in the water they were confident and eager to demonstrate their skills.
We are also enjoying our Wednesday morning parent visits. The boys are delighted to welcome moms and dads into their classrooms, show off their artwork, and enjoy shared moments reading books, playing games, or having fun outdoors.
In Literacy, we have begun learning our letters and sounds. So far, we have met Clever Cat and Oscar Orange and learned their sounds. The boys thoroughly enjoyed creating these characters using a range of materials.
We look forward to another exciting week ahead as we dive into our new theme, “Our Bodies,” and discover all the amazing things our bodies can do!