Dear Parents

We are busy preparing for the welcome return of our Grade 7’s on Monday.  All our employees are now back and the school is prepared and looking pristine.

A letter has been sent to Grade 7 parents explaining the protocols for the Grade 7’s return and a letter will be sent to all ECD – Grade 6 parents next week explaining the protocols for those pupils return on 22nd March.

Our teachers are taking advantage of the vaccinations being offered with most having received.  I personally was most grateful to receive my first shot of the vaccine last Tuesday at Wilkins Hospital, where it was all very well organized and administered.  I am continuing to take Ivermectin weekly as well as the daily-recommended supplements and feel well armed against the virus.  However, none of us can afford to let our guards down or become complacent and every effort must be made to observe the protocols with regards to wearing face masks, social distancing and sanistizing, not only to protect ourselves but to protect those we come into contact with.  In this respect, please would all parents be assured that we will continue to make every effort to ensure the safety of everyone in Bishopslea.

I am sure everyone has seen the revised school term dates in the newspapers recently.  The new dates were published subsequent to our last week’s newsletter in which we indicated the original end of Term 1 date and the start of Term 2 date as stated on the Ministry of Education’s School Calendar for 2021 received at the end of last year.  The revised dates, now received, will be of great benefit to all pupils at schools that have not been in a position to provide adequate distance learning.  At Bishopslea, our program has been followed by all, resulting in our pupils being currently up to date and with regards the syllabus for each Grade. In view of this, application for a calendar deviation was made to the Ministry of Education by ATS/CHISZ on our, and the other member schools, behalf.

However, a communication received yesterday and the announcement in the newspapers today, states that our application for a calendar deviation has not been successful.

The new term dates are as follows:

Term 1   ends on 4th June
Term 2   28th June – 10th September
Term 3   4th October – 17th December

Our program, currently is in its eighth week this term, has taken a huge amount of effort by everyone, pupils, teachers and parents with nearly three weeks still to go to the Easter weekend. The new dates do mean that our pupils will have been working for twenty weeks by the end of the 1st Term and our teachers 21 weeks.

Virtual Interhouse Cross Country
The Virtual Interhouse Cross Country starts next week.  All pupils are encouraged to participate and do their best for their house.  Please make sure you have signed up on the application, Adidas Running.  Good luck to everyone.

Merit & Effort Badges
3O Merit: Malika Masters  Effort: Sofia Mutendera
3C Effort: Tadiwa Magede
4T Effort: Zoe Nachiye, Nicole Munetsi, Aayanah Chironga
4S Merit: Tahlia Chaparadza
5M Merit: Hailey Nhira  Effort: Claire Tandi
5W Merit: Zoe Mapesa, Raeesah Patel  Effort: Rudairo Watyoka
6B Merit: Dhyani Sami  Effort: Nyasha Mabvurunge
6H Merit: Amani Dengwani, Shaanah Mukosera  Effort: Zoe Muchinenyika

Yours sincerely

R J Crook
HEADMASTER