Pre-Prep 2020 - 2024

The lockdown proclaimed in March 2020 had enormous consequences for all schools, and the Pre-Prep was certainly affected. Immediate changes had to be introduced, which tested the resolve, skill-sets and resilience of both teachers and boys. Sharlene Groom wrote in her annual report: “To flip to an online platform in a matter of hours, from being a live teacher to an online presenter, developing skills we had to learn in an instant, were no small feats.”

The effects were very visible in the classrooms. In term 2, the boys engaged with their teachers while still at home through WhatsApp groups, YouTube videos, and Microsoft Teams. Setting this alternative in place was a massive undertaking. All boys had to be given email addresses, and arrangements had to be made at home for the boys to be able to get screen time from their parents’ devices. And the production of YouTube videos is in itself a huge undertaking, which the teachers had to take on board with immediate effect. In the extramural programme, activities were affected as well. In the first term, games such as athletics, swimming, tag rugby had all taken place, but in the second term, nothing was possible. In term 3, boys were allowed back to school in small groups on alternate days, with mask-wearing the norm. Despite this, a Readathon was able to take place, and boys had to adjust to walking alone from their parents’ cars at the drop-off point to get to their classrooms. In term 4, everyone was back at school, and certain events – a gala, the fun sports day, and the end of year Chapel service were able to take place.

At the start of 2021, despite most boys being back, the school needed to adapt and still cater for some boys who were at home. The isolation was unpredictable and the effect of the virus on the boys was inconsistent. Scanning, social distancing, wearing masks and taking temperatures became the norm. Teaching slowly started to get back to a degree of ‘normal’. The boys and staff had to conform with their mask requirements and being mindful and respectful of others.

The staff managed the resumption of group teaching by reintroducing flexible seating arrangements in the classrooms. Because the Pre-Prep offered sport in small groups at any given time, this was an easy one to manage. Despite having to cut down on offering too much, the teachers were able to continue with the sports timetable, being mindful of the use of indoor spaces and rather opting for the outdoors wherever possible. The whole school was able to have a Fun Sports Day, but there were no spectators. The planning of functions was tricky. All the Grade 1 and 2 boys usually took part in a four-night dramatic production in the theatre. This year, the event underwent a complete U-turn and an online version of “Cool Cats in the Hat” was produced.

Chapel services were alternated through the different classes, with careful distancing. The sound of music slowly started to return, but the singing was noticeably muted behind the masks. Outreach efforts continued – with collections of pet food, marshmallows, knitted squares for blankets, clothes, toiletries, books for readathons, tins of food for Mandela Day, bandana day for the Sunflower Fund – all being given to outside organisations. The Fathers and Sons camp-out returned – it had not been allowed in 2020, and so the 2021 Grade 2s, now in the Prep, were given their chance to enjoy this event.

Parents were once again allowed to take their boys into the classroom before the start of lessons, even though the boys had learned something about independence during Covid when parents had to stay in their cars and the boys found their own way to the classrooms. Chapel services resumed from the second term, and a new jungle gym was opened in the fourth term. A Physical literacy programme resumed. Various sporting activities returned but mostly in the form of training rather than full-on competitions with spectators.

2022 saw the return of all activities to pre-Covid normal levels. There were number of Outreach activities for Heritage Day and Mandela Day; boys from Langa who formed part of the VUSA Academy came to the Pre-Prep and spent a morning together with Pre-Prep boys; there was a special collection of food and cash for the Pre-Prep cleaning, grounds and security staff. The staff took part in a fund-raising challenge for the VUSA Academy. 

A complete Funsports Day happened at the end of the first term, and all the regular activities were back in place – weekly chapel services; the Bishops Praise and Founders Day services (celebrating Bishops 173th anniversary, strengthening the feeling of togetherness and belonging after the long period of Covid isolation); visits to various institutions and places, the Readathon with the boys dressing up as their favourite characters; Grandparents’ day; the Nativity play, and Carol service at the end of the year. Sports activities were again in full swing, with spectators once again allowed.

Two special events marked the ending for the Grade 2s of their Pre-Prep years. There was a Gentleman’s Awards Tea celebrating all those Grade 2 boys who had been awarded Gentleman’s badges. These badges were voted for, and based on MITRE Values (Manners, Integrity, Togetherness, Respect and Empathy).

The other event was the Blessing of the Ties ceremony in the Chapel – the Grade 2 boys who were going to Prep were presented with Prep ties, as part of the preparations in place to ease the transition from Pre-Prep to Grade 3.

Sharlene Groom retired at the end of 2023. Taryn Bain was appointed in her place for 2024, and the school was quickly engaged with the 175 celebrations.

It is important to appreciate the strategic importance of the developments in the Pre-Prep over the past ten years. The staff list doubled, with the introduction of specialist therapy opportunities, an increased range of offerings in specialist subjects and in extra-mural activities, in particular physical development but also in the introduction of the Grade N class. Competition for places in the southern suburbs schools has always been intense and building the base at Pre-Prep level ensured a steady flow of boys into the Prep and the College. Each year, 72 boys enter the Pre-Prep, while there are hardly any offers able to be made for those wishing to get into the Prep. The College intake is double that of the Prep’s stream but there is a desperate scrabble for places to meet all of the conflicting priorities for College admission – Prep, WPPS, ODs’ sons, scholarship boys, diversity considerations.