LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIRMAN

25 August 2021

Dear Parents
As we move into warmer and longer days, we are all thankful for another day and sensitive to those who have not been bestowed this opportunity. A very belated welcome to new parents to this lovely school albeit under continuing unusual circumstances. My heart goes out to our first-time learners (especially the ECD and grade ones) and their respective teachers.

Hats off to Mr Crook and team for achieving high rates of vaccination very early in the game and keeping the wheels turning with innovative remote learning that allowed flexibility. I urge you all to get vaccinated, enquire about vaccination given your particular circumstances and we hope this will all be behind us sooner rather than later. We continue to adapt to living with Covid-19 and comply with WHO (World Health Organisation) regulations in consultation with, and as guided by the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) and Health and Child Care (MoHCC). We all agree that we want our children back in the classroom but are cognisant of the need to mitigate the risks and budget for requirements as guided by the relevant government Ministries.

From conversations with some parents, it was noted that during the small window we had of schools opening, the car park was overflowing, an observation that triggered comments like, “The school is certainly overcrowded”. I can assure you that our numbers are as they were before, just that:
(1) there are no boarders; and
(2) there are no afternoon activities, hence the resultant traffic overflow.

Being on lockdown has given us all an opportunity to pause and reflect on so many areas of our lives and the need for sustainable partnerships amongst each other to ensure that our learners and teachers are able to be the best version of themselves in all circumstances and remain resolute to the long-term deliverable of globally holistic adaptable exceptional students. I thank the parent body for prioritising the funding of the shared deliverable during very difficult financial circumstances.

Being mindful of the challenges of the online activities and covid-19 related repercussions, the school will facilitate some online programmes that assist Bishopslea community with the psychological impact this season including its losses has brought on us as a society and the transition that our students, in an age-appropriate manner, can be supported through.

This has been a tough season on so many fronts (health, financial, mental, societal) and you all need to be commended for “keeping it together” as our home space became everything from school, office, gym,hospitalandchurchnottomentionthe“staycation”. AsIwatchedtheOlympics,itwasareminder to all that despite the circumstances, even without a race or event in sight the athletes trained. When the opportunity came, magic was observed. The number of records broken was breath-taking. Likewise, Bishopslea has stuck to the programme with the teachers working beyond the normal call of duty focused on their students with an extended school calendar. Bishopslea is one of the few schools that managed to hold internal exams and indications are that our students and teachers are giving it their all. Improvements are always required, and conversations were had along the way and continue.

Our full mission and vision are available on the website https://www.bishopslea.com/about/mission- vision

In closing, I note that the environment remains fluid and the Board and school management are committed to ensuring that the core values and deliverables of the schools are met.

Yours sincerely
R C D Chitengu
CHAIRMAN BOARD OF GOVERNORS