Dear Parents

Firstly, we wish all our Hindu pupils, teachers, parents and friends a very Happy Diwali.

On Monday afternoon we were thrilled to welcome back our annual visitors, our Abdim’s Storks.  They arrived on their annual migration exactly one week earlier than last year and traditionally herald the start of our rains.

Exam Week is now over and the marking of papers and the writing of end of year reports begins as well as the finishing of teaching of what remains of the syllabus for the year in each Grade.  We are very happy with where we are regarding the syllabus and what we have been able to cover this year.

Sports have been compromised.  However, we have a means of assessing pupils swimming positions, as would have been done at an Inter House Gala, and we will be able to award the swimming trophies for the year.  We will also be able to give out the senior tennis trophies as is traditional for the final term of the year.

As all parents are aware, we have ELP classes in Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6.  The following outlines what we are extremely proud to be able to offer as the classes are unique, not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide as far as our research shows:

Bishopslea’s Enhanced Learning Program

Our ELP Programme is often misunderstood as it is presumed that the program is a Remedial Program.  The ELP classes, of which there are four from Grade 3 to Grade 6, are mainstream classes as they follow the syllabus and the curriculum as prescribed for each of the Grades. Each class has their own teacher and follows the same routine, extracurricular, specialist teaching and sporting activities that all Bishopslea pupils do.

What differs is that the ELP classes cater to pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, ADD and ADHD, but who have high potentials as ascertained by Educational Psychologists.  Generally, these pupils under achieve significantly compared to their potentials, but given the right environment, support and guidance can excel.

Historically, these pupils would receive extra assistance from our Remedial Department.  However, as these pupils’ needs differed significantly from others in the Remedial Department, we saw the necessity for a dedicated programme and classes.

The significant differences in the ELP classes are that they are limited in size to a maximum of nine pupils per class and the teaching methods are personalized and objective orientated so as to keep pupils’ attention, interest and, indeed, appeal to their intellects.

The overall objective is to build confidence and self-esteem and to identify and develop pupils’ individual strengths and interests while simultaneously offering support and assistance in weak areas.

Our ELP classes have now been established for five years. The success of the program has far exceeded our expectations.  The caring environment has given the pupils who have been in the classes a chance to progress, succeed and, most vitally, enjoy the educational process.

The invaluable lessons we have learnt from these teaching methods, styles of learning and catering to individual pupils’ needs have been invaluable, not only to our ELP classes, but to the entire school, as we incorporate and share ideas and methodologies.

We are extremely proud of our unique ELP department, which has helped so many children.

Infant Certificates
2B Alissa Zishiri, Asmaa Patel, Alayna Omarshah, Matida Pswarayi, Nicole Madho, Tadi Hofisi
2H Kayla Chanakira, Gabriella Mavhunga, Nandipha Nyamayaro, Candice Tandi, Makanaka Mupamhanga, Kelly-Anne Mutamangira

Yours sincerely

R J Crook
HEADMASTER