Post Matric

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Post matric applications for 2011 are now open.

Overview

Welcome to the Bishops Post Matric webpage. Click on the links to find out more about the Post Matric Programme.


Since 1921 a Post Matric year has been an integral part of the Bishops academic ethos.

As places at university become more sought after, an extra year of school study is often invaluable and plays an important role in securing early acceptance at university as well as improving the success rate of first-year students. Post Matric is not only of academic benefit, but also allows the student to develop socially and to gain confidence in order to meet future challenges.

The Post Matric year allows time to plan for tertiary studies, or to select a career from a more informed position. Career guidance is offered and aptitude tests are conducted. The course increases the students’ awareness of the higher academic demands made by tertiary education in South Africa and abroad, while fostering the development of independent study habits and new learning skills necessary to meet these standards.

Results from the final 2008 A-level exams are pleasing. From 19 candidates there were 8 As, 5 Bs, 6 Cs, 5 Ds and 5 Es with Nicolaas van der Mey achieving 3 As on A level for Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry which is an exceptional achievement.

Please contact the Post-Matric Director, Mrs Olga Peel, at opeel@bishops.org.za for further information on the programme or to arrange an interview. 

Curriculum

A wide choice of Cambridge AS-Level courses is offered in the Post Matric year. Students should study any four of the following AS-Level subjects:
Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, English, History, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.

Experienced teachers take the Post Matrics through each syllabus and regular testing and examining is done. Comprehensive reports are issued each term.

Post Matrics have access to a well-equipped computer lab and the school’s intranet where all information on academic course work as well as career guidance is linked.

Bishops has a world class library, the Molteno Library, which is offers an extensive supply of reference material as well as fiction and non-fiction books.

Regular seminars are held in which Post Matrics learn skills that they need for tertiary study. A variety of topics is covered; for example web page design and presentation skills are covered.

Exposure to career expos, Open Days and work shadow are part of the programme. These ensure that Post Matrics make informed decisions about applying for tertiary institutions especially those in South Africa.

 

Facilities

The Post Matrics have a study of their own with a social and a work area.
Post Matrics have access to all sporting facilities in the school for example the gym.
Access to certain facilities like the computer room is restricted to during the school day but other facilities like the squash courts may be used after hours.

Tags for various venues can be purchased at the admin office.

Extra Mural Activities

Bishops offers many sporting and cultural activities and Post Matrics are expected to participate in these throughout the year.

Sports offered:
Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Cycling, Fencing, First Aid, Golf, Hockey, Karate, Mountain Biking, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Water polo, Weights.

Cultural activities:
Societies – African Languages, Astronomy, Audiovisual, Bird Club, Bishops Afrikaanse Kub, Book Club, Bridge Club, Chess, Dance Club, Debating, Democritus, Drama, Forum, Historical Bench, History Club, Impact, Interact, International Affairs, Lingua Franca, Maths Club, Philosophy Society, Public Speaking.

Music: Apart from taking a musical instrument there are many musical groups that can be joined viz. Brass Band, Choir, Jazz Band, Marimba Band, Orchestra, Simply Blue (a capella group), String Ensemble, Wind Band.

Service: Post Matrics are encouraged to officiate at various functions and in the chapel.

Calendar

Post Matrics are expected to be at school during the Bishops school terms and to take part in events organized by the school. In addition, an assortment of activities, specifically for Post Matrics, is planned for each term for example:

Term 1: Orientation Day, braai with staff, hike at Elandspad, wine tasting in the Constantia Valley, write a report for the school magazine and spend a week in the Cederberg which includes abseiling, hiking, rock art appreciation, solo time and teaching.

Term 2: Sports Science course, community service, UCT Open Day, NBT Tests, Robben Island trip, write a report for the school magazine and mid-year exams.

Term 3: Careers Expo, Financial planning workshop, Public Speaking workshop, write and produce a play in the Bishops Play Festival, write a report for the school magazine and Mock exams.

Term 4: End of year function with staff and a formal Post Matric dinner, write a report for the school magazine, exit interviews and Final exams.

 

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care at Bishops is a vital partnership with parents in order to build what we believe are the essential foundation stones in an adolescent boy’s and girl’s life. These include:

  1. A strong sense of self-esteem and self worth.
  2. A spiritual foundation.
  3. A strong sense of boundaries.
  4. A maturing sense of emotional honesty.
  5. A strong sense of personal competence.

The Director of the Post Matric programme acts, among other things, as the tutor of the Post Matric group. Tutor meetings are held twice a week and Post Matrics present interesting information to the group every Friday. Personal interviews are held regularly to ensure that Post Matrics are enjoying their year and coping with the academic demands on them.

Post Matrics have the option to join one of the eight houses at Bishops. Involvement is usually limited to participating in and supporting the house at inter-house events such as inter-house athletics and inter-house singing.

The Bishops Support Unit (BSU) offers testing and counseling to all students who can make an appointment to see one of the counselors for advice. All visits to the BSU are kept confidential.
 

Info for Parents

Parents can contact the Director or any teaching staff by emailing them. Staff usually pick up emails fairly quickly and try to answer them within 24 hours.
MyBishopsLife is an online portal designed to help parents participate in their son’s or daughter’s academic, sporting and cultural life.

The site offers parents access to College newsletters, their Post Matric’s results and academic timetable and his/her sporting and cultural timetables, his/her House calendar, current mark and exam reports as well as attendance records, discipline records, laptop repair records, tutor notes and a listing of his/her teachers' email addresses.

This is a secure environment into which a parent will be authenticated.
In order to keep the information contained in MyBishopsLife secure, an application form must be submitted on-line. Please click here to request a secure login to MyBishopsLife.

Accomodation

Accommodation can be organised for Post Matrics who live outside Cape Town. Bishops has three boarding houses which may have space available for Post Matrics. In the event that these are full, an arrangement has been made with a nearby residence to take Post Matrics as boarders. Costs are similar to Bishops boarding costs and meals and laundry are included in the costs. Once a place has been offered to a Post Matric, arrangements will be done to ensure that accommodation has been reserved.

Past Students

All Bishops leavers including the Post Matrics are encouraged to join the Old Diocesan Union commonly called the ODU. There is a once off joining fee or an annual subscription.  Past students or ODs are kept in contact with the school by receiving copies of the school magazine and are invited to various functions held specifically for past students. For more information on the ODU click on this link http://www.odu.co.za/