Dear Parents and Guardians

Welcome back to the start of the final term for the year. I hope you managed to have some time to relax with your family and that your son is ready for the term ahead.

Special mention is made of the Grade 12 parents, for whom this is their last newsletter! We wish you and your son all the very best as we go through the leaving process with Prize Giving, Valedictory and the House dinners. May they be special moments of celebration and reflection as your son prepares for his life after Bishops. We have spent some time talking to Grade 12s about leaving and how to do so, with dignity and with respect for the school. Thus far, it has been a special time and I am grateful to the Matrics for their co-operation and support.

The Matrics enjoyed a very special evening at their recent Matric Dance. This was a wonderful occasion, and my very grateful thanks go to the many people who made it possible. Led by Mrs Leanne Allison and her team of parents and Ms Nokuzola Gololo as school liaison, it was a truly enjoyable event and I hope the boys enjoyed themselves.

The Matrics had their final school assembly this Thursday at which they were addressed by representatives of the ODU as they were welcomed as the newest ODs in the community of alumni. They were given their OD ties as a sign of their membership and we trust they will wear these ties with great pride in the future.

Holiday activities

A number of our sporting teams took part in festivals and tournaments this past holiday and these are reported upon later in this newsletter. My congratulations go the boys who performed very well indeed and my thanks to the staff who accompanied the boys and make the tour possible. My thanks too go to the parents who supported the teams.

Attendance at school and appearance

It is a concern to us that a number of boys were absent from school towards the end of last term. While we understand and support the many cases where special family occasions took place, we ask for the co-operation from parents in this regard to ensure that the boys attend school right up to and including the last day of term. We are busy looking at how we can make this time as meaningful as possible, given that there are often staff away on sports tours in this week.

We have also noticed some of boys are in need of haircuts and ask that parents support us in this regard by ensuring their son complies with the school regulations regarding appearance. This is not just a school issue and should never be left up to the school alone but is a united effort from parents and the school.

Final thoughts

I have two thoughts that have stuck with me this past month. Both came from a newsletter I read that covers educational matters, published weekly.

The first was a critique of timed assessments – something I have commented upon previously. The author said, “Timed assessments reward those who think fast and shallow and penalise those who think slowly and deeply.” This gave me much food for thought. So many of our assessments, which to be fair are prescribed for us, are timed. Many boys experience pressure and anxiety when faced with time constraints in our current system of exams. So, if we are faced with this as an established and possibly unchangeable means of assessments, when would a boy have a chance to think slowly and deeply about things?

I think the answer to the question I have just posed lies in a boy’s reading habits and the conversations he has with peers and parents. Where the issue is not one that requires an instant response but deep and careful consideration. We try to have moments like this at school through groups such as the 10 Club, Big Ideas programme, projects that are done at home and the many societies that encourage this kind of thinking. So all is not lost in terms of thinking styles but perhaps our assessment structure needs some revision! I encourage parents to get their children to think deeply about issues and to stretch their minds.

The second thought was the topic of my final assembly to the boys at the end of last term where I challenged them to think about what they actually wanted from a Bishops education – not a school education but one specific to Bishops. I posed the question of whether their experience was transactional or transformational and I have attached the assembly below for your interest.
I wish our Grade 12s all the very best for this last chapter in their school lives and wish the parents of Grade 12s well as they help them manage their time and energies in these next few months. Being a Grade 12 leaving parent is also hard as so much of what we do as parents revolves around our children so I do feel for you having gone through this process with my own children! Good luck.

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

Is Bishops a transactional or transformational experience for you?

As we head towards change in our school with the departure of the Grade 12s, the moving up of the Grade 11s into the leadership of the school and the movement of each other Grade – Grade 8s no longer being the youngest in the school, Grade 9s taking on subjects of their own choice in their senior years and Grade 10s moving into the senior ranks in terms of so many activities – it gives us a chance to reflect on what it is we actually want from a Bishops education.

To clarify my message today, I need to define two words – transactional and transformational. A transaction is where goods or a service is exchanged, usually for money but also for other services or goods. A transformation is a change from one state to another.

With this in mind, I pose the question to you – is your education at Bishops transactional or transformational to you?

Simply put – why are you here? Is it because you have to be here and your parents sent you to school because that is what the law says. Is it because you see this as a means to an end – getting the best possible academic and other results to enable you to go on to the next phase of life. You need a piece of paper that demonstrates your competencies. That is transactional behaviour where you exchange school fees and your attendance for an outcome that benefits you.

Or is your experience transformational as you learn about yourself, what you can do and what you can’t. What you still need to master. How you can change your thinking not only academically but also in the way you view others and the world in which you live. How you can develop your values and beliefs through interacting with others. How you can grow as a person, with the ability to discern right from wrong and, in today’s world particularly, truth from falsehood.

In a recent study, students and teachers were posed this question – what it is they thought school was helping students achieve. Most students reported that they expected their school to set them up for life by getting them the best “ticket” to the game of life post school. It was largely transactional. Most teachers on the other hand, hoped their students would learn about themselves more and would be open to change and growth – a largely transformational experience. So why the difference?

Is it because schools have failed in their purpose and clung on to simply pushing out students who could perform well on standardized tests? Is it because students didn’t appreciate the different opportunities offered to them? Is it because there is a lack of understanding of each other’s roles and desires both for and of each other?

It is my hope that your experience at Bishops is more transformational than transactional. Yes, we want you to get the best possible opportunity to enter life post school but we want more than that. We want you to grow as a person and to develop that which is within you, allowing change to take place and being receptive to that change.

For you to do this, you need to be open to change, open to opportunity. So as you move up in the school, ask yourself that question. Do you want your experience to be transactional or transformational? Can you open up your heart and your mind to change? I hope you can because to me, transactions simply exchange one state for another and can have little lasting impact. Transforming is longer-lasting and far more impactful, truly setting you up for your lives after school. To regard a Bishops education as a transactional experience would be a missed opportunity. So – get involved and get all you can from your time at Bishops.

Matric Academic Awards September 2023

Congratulations to the following boys who earned their academic jerseys and ties.

Ties:
Benji Bechis Finotto
Liam Day
Jay Haskel
Jack Howard
James Morkel
Joseph Power
Dylan Todd

Jersey:
Yusuf Balim
Jack Crafford
Bilaal Mohammed
Ben Sachs

Service Ties for AV

The AV society provides a huge service to the school from the chapel to plays and concerts, sports day to prize-giving, Eisteddfod to music for the Wild Boys. This requires many hours of service as well as a fair amount of physical lifts to get equipment around the College. For their service to AV over a number of years the following boys are awarded Service Ties with our thanks:

Tristan Dahl
Nic Kaye
Matthew le Roux
James Short
Nicolas Bosini
Brett Jenman.

Art Colours

The award of Cultural Colours for the Visual Arts seeks to reward boys who are versatile and broad-ranging in the field of the visual arts, have a genuine love for the discipline and show real skill in the work they do. Half Colours is awarded to Tristan Carter and Thomas Cullum.

International Science Fair Silver Medal

The Science Department is proud to share Aadil Dawood’s (Gr10) results at the International Science Fair (ISF) which took place in Johannesburg from 3 to 6 October. ISF served as a platform for project communication and international competition and collaboration. Aadil secured a well-deserved silver medal for his project on the spectrometric analysis of urinary metabolic by-products forming as result of physical exercise. His original project partner, John van der Watt, could not attend the competition. The project extended well beyond the scope of the syllabus in its application and understanding of spectrometry as a chemical analysis method.

Aadil wrote a report to reflect on his time at the competition. In his own words:
“My time at the International Science Fair (ISF) in Johannesburg was truly an extraordinary experience. It wasn't just a science fair; it was a platform for learning, growth, and forging connections with brilliant young minds from diverse corners of the world. As the lone representative from Bishops, I had the privilege of interacting with students from all national provinces and countries like Mexico, India, Turkey, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. This broadened my perspective on the global reach of science. Throughout the week, each day was a captivating blend of activities and invaluable lessons. We kicked off the week by setting up our project displays, ensuring they met the stringent ethical and rule-based standards set by the project approval committee. The visit to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre was a standout experience, immersing us in the world of science through interactive exhibits and even a captivating play chronicling the life of Marie Curie. This encounter reinforced the significance of hands-on learning and the profound impact of science on our daily lives. Wednesday 4 October marked a pivotal moment with our interviews, where it was essential to remember that we were the foremost authorities on our projects. Following the interviews, the spirited "shout out" activity was a highlight, as I had the honour of representing Cape Town within the Western Cape province. Collaborating with fellow students to create a promotional poster and video for our region was a fantastic team-building experience. The day concluded with a lively disco, where we celebrated our achievements and the strong bonds we had formed".

The pinnacle of our journey arrived on Friday, as we gathered for the grand finals. The excitement and anticipation were palpable as medals were awarded. I was honoured to receive a silver medal, a recognition of the hard work and dedication that had gone into my project. Witnessing the remarkable projects and talents of my fellow participants inspired me, reminding me that science is not merely a solitary pursuit but a collaborative endeavour that propels us forward.”

Congratulations, Aadil!

Rugby

Distinction ties are awarded to Haashim Pead, Gilermo Mentoe and Aidan Norris for their selection to SA schools rugby.

1st Team at Sacs Water Polo Tournament

The Bishops 1st Team water polo squad put on a solid performance at the recent SACS Water Polo Tournament held over the first weekend of the holidays. Despite facing tough competition and having just one matric student, Ben Hatty, serving as captain, the team delivered an admirable and impressive performance.

The tournament began with an early morning match against Grey High, where the team encountered initial challenges. However, they quickly bounced back and secured victories in their next eight games in their pool. Notably, they defeated respected polo schools like Clifton, Kearnsey, and St. Stithians along the way.

One of the tournament's most exciting moments occurred during the pool stage when Bishops faced off against SACS. Both teams had their moments of brilliance, and the match ended in a well-deserved draw, reflecting the healthy competitive spirit between the schools.

The draw in the pool stage set the stage for Bishops to face an experienced Hilton side in the quarter-finals. The Bishops team fought bravely, initially taking a one-point lead. However, Hilton managed to pull ahead by two points. Bishops had several opportunities to level the score but, unfortunately, couldn't convert them, resulting in a proud yet hard-fought defeat.

In total, the Bishops 1st Team played a total of ten matches during the tournament, securing victories in eight and drawing one. This solid performance demonstrates their dedication and skill on the water. It sets a positive tone for their upcoming participation in the Stayers Tournament, scheduled towards the end of October.

Congratulations are also in order for Jordan De Sousa, whose goalkeeping skills are outstanding. His performance earned him the title of "Goalie of the Tournament," a well-deserved recognition of his contribution to the team's success.

We also say goodbye to our stalwart, respected and adored, captain, Ben Hatty, who played his last match at the end of the tournament. Thank you Ben for all you have done for Bishops Water Polo and helping develop our polo culture.

Water polo - WP selection

Congratulations to the following boys on their selection to WP Water polo teams:

U14B - James Hugo
U14A - Oliver Badenhorst, Harry Ford
U15B - Boytjie Fyfer, Anthony Lampe, Noah Viuff
U15A - Matt Fenn, Michael Mafunda, James Malan, Timothy Young
U16B - Milo Letschert
U16A - Noah Edmunds
U19B - Thomas Truter, Ross Stewart
U19A - Jordon De Sousa

Water polo - U14 Rondebosch Tournament

The U14A Water polo team played in the Rondebosch tournament over the long weekend. The team returned amazing results, winning 8 of their 9 pool games, thereby topping their pool. They beat Grey High School 10-7 in the quarter final, then Kearsney College 8-3 in the semi-final. The final was played against a very strong Rondebosch team. After a slow start in the first half, the team defended better, and the last 2 chukkas were close affairs. Although, the result of the final didn’t go the way of Bishops the boys can be pleased with their efforts! Overall, it was a great tournament, and the team did very well to claim the silver medal. Thomas Jenman was the team’s “player of the tournament’, and Harry Ford was named the attacker of the tournament.

Water polo - U15 Ian Melliar Cup

The U15A Water Polo team took part in the Ian Melliar Cup at Wynberg in the holidays, which saw 24 teams from around the country competing for the most sought after trophy in the U15 division. After winning 5 out of 5 games in the group matches, the team progressed to the quarter finals. They beat Wahoo in the quarter final and then Paul Roos in the semi-final. Despite the pouring rain the boys put in very strong performances on their way to the finals. The finals saw Bishops vs. SACS in a tightly contested match with Bishops ultimately coming out on top with a 6-5 victory. The coaching team are proud of the boys for their dedication, enthusiasm, and brilliant play throughout the tournament. Special mention must go to Tim Young, Michael Mafunda and Matt Fenn on their selection to the tournament team. Michael Mafunda was also awarded Goalkeeper of the tournament and Matt Fenn the Player of the Tournament.

U14 Water Polo Tour

The U14A Water polo team enjoyed a very successful tour to Hilton College over the first weekend of the holidays. They finished top of their pool, winning 3 from 3 games and then held their nerve against a competitive team from St Stithians in the quarterfinal to move into the semi-final of the tournament. Unfortunately, they lost the semi-final to Rondebosch, but recovered well to win the 3rd/4th playoff against Clifton to claim the bronze medal. The team played 6, won 5, lost 1.

Cricket

Cricket Awards

Darren Philipps took 5-28 against Stellenberg for the U15B team Michael Kotze 5 for no runs for the 1st XI against Trinity Grammar (Melbourne), well done on a fanstatic performance.

Congratulations to Ollie Chevallier who has been awarded half colours for cricket in recognition of his contribution to Bishops Cricket and, specifically, the Bishops 1st XI.

The following cricketers receive a signature bat for scoring centuries whilst on tour recently: James Robb-Quinlan 133 (107) for the 1st XI against Selbourne Calum Daniels 101 (105) for the 1st XI against Selborne Kyle Stirk 113 (68) for the U17A team against Michaelhouse David Handley 108 (96) for the U17A team against Michaelhouse Adnaan Lagadien 121 (129) for the 1st XI against Queen’s College The following boys achieved a hattrick and/or a 5 wicket haul: Travis Williams 9.3-0-43-5 for the U14A team against Waterkloof Tiaan Louw 10-0-24-5 for the 1st XI against Queens College, and then a hattrick the next day for the 1st XI against Selborne. Well done to our cricketers!

Festivals

Bishops was well represented at holiday-time cricket festivals staged at various locations across South Africa. The 1st XI, competing in the annual Cape Schools' Cricket Week hosted in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, overcame the disappointment of a first-day wash-out v Grey High School, to go four from four in the remaining matches care of convincing wins against Selborne; Queens and Union (twice). The 17As represented the school at the Michaelhouse festival and, despite defeats to St Charles; Hilton and the hosts, returned to Cape Town having registered a 100-run a win against Michaelhouse. The 15As headed to the Grey Colts Festival in Gqeberha and, without ever fully hitting their straps, had to settle for a rain-affected draw against Grey College; lost to St Andrew's College in a game played in Makhanda and finished the tour strongly with back-to-back wins against Paarl Gym and Menlo Park. The 14As struggled, initially, at the Charl van Rooyen Week, hosted by Selborne College in East London, and lost to Waterkloof; Affies and Jeppe. The tour, however, concluded on a high with a win against Kearsney. Personal milestones, of which there were many, have been published separately.

Interhouse climbing

Congratulations to Mallett House who won the inter house climbing with 211 points ahead of Kidd House and Gray House.

Road and Trail Running

Aiden Marsh in Mallett House has been appointed as the Captain for the summer season of Road and Trail Running.

All Rounders Tie

Two boys are to be congratulated on being awarded an All Rounders Tie.

Edward Cruise
Thomas Ludlam

Public Speaking and Debating

The Bishops Public Speaking team gave a stellar performance at the National Individual Public Speaking and Debating Championship in Durban recently. All six boys (Caden Chuang, Immanuel Magongwa, Milan Sandri, Samuel Clarke, Matthew De Jager and Maximus Sandri) placed in the top 30, and Caden Chuang was a finalist in the Interpretative Reading Category. Caden placed 6th overall and Matthew placed 15th overall. Caden and Matthew will also form part of the South African team that will compete at the World Championship in Canberra, Australia in 2024.

Exchange Programme

Bishops is delighted to welcome Aditya Gulla and Jackson Botherway, from Hamilton Boys' High School in New Zealand, to the Grade 8 Class as the inaugural participants in a just-launched exchange programme between the two schools. Aditya and Jackson, both talented and enthusiastic cricketers, will be at Bishops until the middle of November and will be hosted by the Brunton and Perold families respectively. Tristan Brunton and Daniel Perold will, in turn, travel to Hamilton in March/April 2024 as guests of the Gulla and Botherway families.

We are hosting two Australian exchange students this term. Tom Arnold is from Hale School in Perth and Yibin Khuu is from Pembroke School in Adelaide. We wish them a happy and fulfilling exchange experience with us at Bishops.

Programming Olympiad

The following Students participated in the National IT Programming Olympiad during Term 3 and have been awarded with certificates, well done to the following boys on an excellent achievement.
James Collins (gr12) - Bronze
Yusuf Davenhill (gr11) - Silver
Katlego Setai (gr10) - Silver
Michael Ritz (gr12) - Silver
Nico Schreuder (gr10) - Gold (80%)
Gabriel Comitis (gr10) - Gold (90%)
Matthew Brodziak (gr12) - Gold (100%)

Big Ideas Pilot Project

The Big Ideas Pilot Project has successfully concluded after nine weeks of dedicated work by the Big Ideas Class of 2023. The class engaged in various fundraising activities, stationery, toy, and magazine drives with the primary aim of making a positive impact on the children at Vuka Nomtobhoyi Educare Centre and Orphanage in Langa.

At the end of Term 3, the class returned to the Educare Center, donating stationery, toys, magazines, and substantial food parcels. A highlight of their efforts was the creation of a custom-designed activity book for the children. Initially in English, Mr. Williams kindly translated it into isiXhosa, and TopInc generously printed the final product.

The project's success depended on the collective efforts of the class, showcasing resilience and teamwork. Despite challenges, they delivered not only tangible goods but also created lasting memories and positive experiences for the children.

The impact of their endeavours was evident as they shared moments of joy and laughter with the children. The Big Ideas Class of 2023 has not only made a material contribution but has demonstrated the power of collaboration, compassion, and the profound impact a dedicated group can have on the lives of others. Congratulations to the Big Ideas Class of 2023 for their outstanding community contribution.

Women’s Month

In honour of Breast Cancer awareness, we will be flying a flag on our third flag pole next week. We pay tribute to those women who have so bravely fought breast cancer, and bring awareness and importance around having regular checks and mammograms for early detection and cure.

Cape Town Marathon

Certain roads around Bishops will be closed for the Cape Town Marathon on the 14th and 15th October 2023 between 05h30 and 11h30, for more details please visit www.capetownmarathon.com/information/road-closures/.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We would also like to wish the members of our community who are taking part, a safe and fun day out on the roads.

Kilimanjaro 2024

We are currently planning our 175 Bishops Kilimanjaro expedition, we are still at the planning phase, however we call to all families who are interested and would like more information to contact pcourt@bishops.org.za