Dear Parents

This past week, I started reading Boys Don’t Cry by Gus Worland. Mr Reeler brought this wonderful book back from the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Conference he attended in Boston, USA, as a special resource for our boys.

The book explores an idea many of us grew up with—the belief that boys shouldn’t show their emotions. Gus, who is a dad himself, shares personal stories and reflections on how boys are often told to “man up” or “toughen up,” and to hide how they’re really feeling.

Here at Bishops Pre-Prep, we have the privilege of walking alongside our boys at the very start of their journey—when they’re naturally open, honest, and unafraid to express themselves. Inspired by the themes in Boys Don’t Cry, I’ve been having gentle but important conversations with our Grade 1 and 2 boys about what it really means to be strong.

I asked simple questions like:

• “Is it okay to cry when you’re feeling sad or frustrated?”
• “How do you feel when someone really listens to you?”
• “What makes a good friend—someone who makes you laugh, or someone who also cares when you’re feeling down?”

The boys' answers were heartfelt. “I cried when my dog died,” one said. Another added, “I cry when I miss my mom.” Together, we spoke about how our hearts can sometimes feel full—whether with happy feelings or sad ones—and how important it is to let those emotions out.

We also linked this to our MITRE values—Manners, Integrity, Togetherness, Respect, and Empathy. These values help us take care of our own feelings, and also help us notice and support how others are feeling. We spoke about the bravery it takes to say, “I need help,” the courage in saying, “I feel sad today,” and the kindness in offering a hug or listening to a friend. In one class, while we were still chatting, two boys quietly reached out to comfort a classmate who was feeling down—it was such a special moment.

The book reminds us that boys don’t need to “toughen up.” What they really need is permission to feel, time to talk, and adults who let them know their emotions matter. Vulnerability isn’t something to hide—it’s something that makes us human.

Boys Don’t Cry encourages all of us, parents and teachers to help raise a new generation of boys who aren’t afraid to feel. At Bishops Pre-Prep, that’s our shared hope too: to raise boys who are kind, caring, connected, and strong in heart and mind.

Wishing Mrs Lundi Krewu a wonderful birthday on the 10th of August.

Kind regards

TARYN BAIN
HEAD: PRE-PREP

Coffee Connections with Ashleigh May

Friday, 1 August at 07:45 in the Pre-Prep Hall. 

Please RSVP by Wednesday, 30 July - https://forms.office.com/r/v4SJwymHDe (there will be extra seats available).

Playweek: Madagascar Jr

Please book your tickets, see link below.

This year Mandela Day fell during the school holidays this year, that didn’t stop our boys and their families from contributing generously.

We celebrated Mandela day on the 25th of July. Our Grade 1s and 2s brought in loaves of bread and spreads and worked hard to make delicious sandwiches. These were delivered to The Haven Night Shelter in Wynberg, which provides temporary shelter, physical care, social welfare, and family reunification services to homeless adults across the Western Cape. The left over spreads will be donated to Athwood Primary.

Meanwhile, the Grade Ns and Rs collected socks to help warm feet this winter. These were donated to St Anne’s Home in Woodstock, which offers a safe haven and support for mothers and their children in crisis.

Thank you to all the parents and boys for your meaningful contributions in the spirit of Mandela Day. The community and our Tata appreciate your donations!

Calling all book-loving families! Our first-ever Interhouse Book Drive Challenge is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a roaring success! We’re inviting parents to start gathering any second-hand books you’re ready to pass on, children’s books, novels, nonfiction gems, you name it! Donations will go toward enriching school reading spaces and local community projects. Keep an eye out for more details soon but for now, start clearing those shelves and prepping your piles. Let’s see which House can bring in the most bookish bounty! An exciting new trophy to be unveiled soon too.  Let’s turn pre-loved pages into powerful new stories.

Theme: Start Strong, Stay Faithful
Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles”

Dear Bishops Pre-Prep Families

A very warm welcome to Term 3! Whether your holiday was filled with travel, treasured time at home, or simply some well-earned rest and hot chocolate, we are so glad to have our boys back. The laughter and energy returning to our classrooms and corridors reminds us just how special this community is. This term, we want to encourage our boys to begin with fresh hope, open hearts, and a desire to grow into the young men God is calling them to be.

Sipho’s Story – A South African Boy with a Soaring Spirit
We shared a story close to home about a 12-year-old boy from Gugulethu named Sipho. He wakes up early, helps his grandmother, packs his books and a small Bible, and walks over 3km to school rain or shine. When teased by classmates about carrying a Bible, Sipho didn’t lash out. He simply smiled and said, “I just want to grow strong. And this helps me.” That kind of quiet faith, perseverance, and dignity is the mark of a boy who knows who he is. A boy who has learned to soar not in his own strength, but with God’s.

Our Guiding Verse: Isaiah 40:31
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” This verse isn’t just a memory line, it’s a promise. And it’s for every one of our boys. It doesn’t say “Those who are top of the class will soar,” or “Those who have the newest gear.” It says: “Those who hope in the Lord.” That’s where real strength begins.

What We’re Teaching the Boys
We’ve gently invited the boys to step into this term with hearts open to God and others. Here’s the challenge we gave them: • Start with Courage – Keep going even when it’s tough. • Start with Heart – Be kind, include others, greet new boys warmly, and look out for one another. • Start with God – A simple prayer each morning before the day begins: “Lord, help me to fly today.”

A Word for Our Parents
Dear Moms, Dads, and Guardians, thank you for being your sons’ safe place and greatest encouragers. Your quiet strength helps them to keep going whether anyone
sees it or not. Your faith, love, and presence matter more than you know. May this term also be a time for your own renewal for laughter, for connection, and for trust in the One who walks alongside your family through every season.

For Our Wonderful Teachers and Staff
To our incredible staff: You are the unsung heroes who show up every day, not just to teach, but to guide, support, and uplift. You help our boys believe in themselves again. May you, too, find the strength to soar this term, not in your own power, but in the deep, renewing strength that comes from the Lord.

As We Soar into Term 3
So here we are, on the starting blocks of a new journey. And we’re not running alone. God goes with us. So do one another. And remember: God didn’t make our boys to flap around like panicked chickens when things get tough. He made them to be eagles.
· To fly.
· To hope.
· To shine.

Let’s start strong. Let’s stay faithful. And let’s soar together. With love and every blessing,

Madagascar Play information

1. Ticket sales

Madagascar Ticket sales

Madagascar - Quicket link

2. Play Rehearsal

Saturday 2 August:
Play Rehearsal (no make-up and no costumes) - Boys arrive between 08h15 and 08h25 to start at 08h30 and are to be collected at 11h30. The boys need to be dropped off and collected from the College classrooms near the Memorial Theatre. This will be the same venue as on the performance evenings.

Friday 8 August:
Final Full-Dress Rehearsal. Please ensure that your son is dropped off at school by 07h30 so that we can begin on time. Drop and go as normal.

3. Costumes

Vests- The boys are required to wear a vest under their costumes. It may be any colour or style. The boys are to arrive at school with their vests on under their clothes.

Grip socks- The boys will not be required to wear grip socks.

Costumes for Madagascar

4. School times during the performance week.

On Wednesday 13 August, Thursday 14 August and Friday 15 August the Grade 1 and 2 boys will have a delayed start to their school day. The boys will start their formal school day at 9:00. Early care remains open from 7:00 and the teachers will all be on duty with the boys from 7:30 should they need to be dropped off earlier. Grade 1s and 2s will not have sport during the week of the play from Monday 11 to Friday 15 August.

Join the Ride That Creates Opportunities – Brought to you by Investec

Entries for the Cycle Challenge close on 22 August - don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable day that brings communities together and creates real opportunities for children in Langa. Whether you’re riding, sponsoring, or cheering from the sidelines, every contribution counts.

There’s something for everyone: we’ll be screening the South Africa vs New Zealand Rugby match, hosting live music, magic shows, and loads of entertainment for children and adults to enjoy throughout the day.
BackaBuddy fundraising pages go live later this week, so now’s the time to rally your team and ride with purpose.

For branding activations, prize sponsorships, or corporate partnerships, contact Nikki or Tarah at the Bishops Trust Office, or visit the event page for more info.

Sign up: click HERE
Sponsorship Opportunities: Click HERE
Video : Watch HERE
Read VUSA’s latest Newsletter: Click HERE

After a lovely long winter holiday, the Grade N boys are happy to be back in full force. We immediately got stuck into refining our fine motor skills with plenty of cutting, toothbrush painting, playdough and drawing. Coach Jeanne made us work hard from the start with plenty of planking, pushups and running during our Kinderkinetics lessons. To end our first week off, we made many delicious sandwiches for our Mandela Day initiative. A big thank you too for all the lovely cosy socks we received last week. We have donated these to our chosen charity St Anne's Homes and we are sure they will be of tremendous benefit while the weather stays cold and wet. Have a restful weekend to all boys and parents. 

It's been an exciting start to the term as we celebrated being "100 Days Smarter" and marking 100 days of Grade R! A heartfelt thank you to all the boys for their generous Mandela Day donations – your kindness is truly appreciated.

This week, we’ve been focusing on the beauty and diversity of South Africa. From designing creative Madiba shirts to learning about our national symbols, the boys' creativity has been absolutely amazing! We’re looking forward to continuing our journey next week as we explore the wonders of Cape Town.

The Grade 2s have had a busy and exciting start to the new term! There was much excitement about Mrs Daames' beautiful new classroom, and the boys settled in quickly.
One of the highlights was making sandwiches for Mandela Day. Although things got a little sticky, the boys enthusiastically spread and packed many loaves of bread.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve been learning about the "igh" sound. To make the learning fun and memorable, the boys created shields and drew mighty knights – combining creativity with phonics practice.
It’s been a wonderful few weeks, and we look forward to more learning adventures ahead!