Last week I discussed Freedom Day at our grade assemblies. I was pleased that so many of our boys knew what the day commemorated. I spoke to them about Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom, and the life it represented. Two of his most famous statements were included, the first at the Rivonia Trial of 1963/1964, where Nelson Mandela read a statement from the dock instead of testifying:

“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

And then towards the end of this book:

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

The boys were asked to think about freedom in our country. Are we truly free where so many do not have adequate shelter, many cannot count on a regular daily meal, or do not have adequate sanitation or even running water at school?

And then the love and acceptance that Nelson Mandela describes so well. What does this mean for our boys in the here and now. Are they always respectful to others? Are they interested in what others are doing, or believe or practise? Can they be happy for other’s success regardless of their own? Will they stand up for another who is being insulted, disrespected or excluded? A way of living that they have to take up for the rest of their lives if we are all to be truly free.

As Nelson Mandela ends The Long Walk to Freedom:

“I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”

This Thursday we observe Ascension Day and we will be in Chapel for the first time since February last year. Normally this is a family service but unfortunately it still has to be only boys.

To all our Muslim families, Eid Mubarak as you celebrate Eid al-Fitr next week.

Have a good weekend.

Kind regards

GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER

Ascension Day

Venue: Memorial Chapel

We regret no parents can attend

Parent Communication

Some of our class reps are having to field numerous questions from parents about sport practices and fixtures, uniform requirements, etc. Please note that this is not part of their job. All this information is readily available to parents on MyBishopsLife. Class reps will only be required to communicate any last minute changes to information.

Please access your son's profile on MyBishopsLife. The Parent Communication Page can be found on the INFORMATION tab as in the illustration below. In addition, your son's sports practices and fixtures are available on his profile. (See the second red arrow in the illustration below).

This page provides instructions on how to access the sports information using the software for Mobile devices. (See under Sport Communication) The extra-mural timetables are also available on this page as well as the uniform requirements for the summer and winter terms. PLEASE make use of this page.

Civvies Day

Our next Civvies Day will take place on Wednesday 19 May. We are collecting clothing (for adults and children) in aid of various organisations. This is a perfect opportunity to clean out your wardrobes. Please label bags appropriately, for example, adult male, teenage girl, boy 11/12, etc.