Dear Parents and Guardians

As we approach the halfway point of the first term, I hope that your son has settled in to school routine, making sure he manages his time well. We have had a busy few weeks, in hot weather, which can cause boys to be tired and irritable. Routine is important and keeps our boys focused and on track. Please make sure that your son balances his academic work with his extra murals and has time too for relaxation and connection with friends and family.

These past few weeks have seen the implementation of our new cell phone policy and, while some boys have not followed policy and had their phones confiscated for a day, most boys have responded well. It has been a delight to see boys engaging with each other socially at breaktime and the human connection has been wonderful to witness. As I said when we started talking about restrictions on cell phone use, this is a team effort – school and home working together – and I urge parents to monitor the usage of devices and the time online at home too, making sure there is balance.

Inter House activities

We have had a number of inter-house events that our boys have enjoyed. The Relay Sports, Heats Week and our Sports Day were wonderful occasions with excellent participation and performance. My thanks to the many parents who came out to support the boys. On Thursday this week, we held our inter-house Swimming Gala, for the first time during the school day and this was again a very successful event. My grateful thanks to all staff who officiated and organized the day’s activities and to Mr Sa-eed Slamdien and Ms Nadia Snyman go my thanks as teachers-in-charge.

Project update

The start of the year saw us continue the drainage project running from School House down to the theatre. This very necessary project was as a result of water in times of high rainfall gathering at the lowest point, the basement rooms of the theatre. While there has been some disruption to traffic flow and movement in front of the chapel, I can report that this is almost a thing of the past and, hopefully, the efforts to redirect water into the stormwater system has been successful.

Our swimming pools at the Prep and College have been in need of attention for some time and we managed to repair the Prep swimming pool in the school holidays which included a resurfacing. My thanks to all who worked on this project. Our next area of attention will be the College water polo pool – a major undertaking that will take place after the conclusion of the current season. The pool has an inadequate filtration system that will require a complete rebuild and we will use this opportunity to create a slightly bigger pool with better surrounds and heating capability that will be a world-class facility.

The painting of the chapel and adjoining buildings has been going on for some time and the end result is certainly worth it with the focal point of the school looking the best it has for some time. We will also be redoing paving and surfacing in line with our campus master plan and finishing the perimeter fencing project along the Sahara field to complete the revamp of security around the campus.

All these activities have been carefully managed by our team at the College and my grateful thanks go to these people who work tirelessly to create a better environment for our boys. It is not easy in a campus of our size and relative age, and work is constantly required to keep our facilities in good shape.

Sport

Many parents will have read the article about the cessation of sporting activities between two Eastern Cape schools as a result of allegations of “poaching” pupils. This is a sad state of affairs indeed. We have a good relationship with other schools in the Cape Town area, boys schools in particular, and we will not engage in any practise that puts this relationship at risk. If a boy wishes to apply to Bishops from any local school, they are more than welcome to do so, particularly at Grade 8 level, but the initiation of application must come from the parents, not as a result of being approached by someone in our community. If there is a change in school after Grade 8, there is always a conversation between Heads to ensure that the change has been ethically managed and is in the best interests of the boy.

Well-known school sports writer, Theo Garrun wrote an article recently about schoolboy rugby which is worth a read. The article can be found at https://ssschoolsplus.co.za/opinion-schoolboys-rugby-needs-a-reset/

In this piece, Garrun speaks of the conflict between preserving the educational value of school sport and the age of increasing professionalism. One of his comments resonated with me concerning boys playing multiple sports and how many boys give up playing for the sake of focusing on one sport. I remain firmly of the opinion that balance is needed and that we have to encourage our boys to be all-rounders. The miniscule fraction of boys who end up in professional sport cannot drive the overall desire to develop well-balanced young men who have a broad range of interests. I recall current Protea cricketer, Aiden Markram who was a superb schoolboy cricketer, obviously destined for great things, still playing his rugby with great enthusiasm for the Second XV at my previous school. I still believe that this is preferable to the player who gives up a chance to be part of a team in a sport perhaps not his first choice, but one where he learns and grows with his teammates.

Final thoughts

For this week’s assembly, I shared a quote I read from ex-Lions coach Warren Gatland, that I found inspiring in which he encouraged his players through a slightly different approach, to be successful. I hope you enjoy the read.

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

Talent

“Let us be the best at everything that requires no talent.”

Warren Gatland (British and Irish Lions Coach)

This quote got me thinking as Gatland explained what he meant in the context of coaching a unique rugby team gathered every four years from five different countries to compete against countries like New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. A Lions team is special – drawn from players that spend weeks trying to beat each other, only to come together every four years to unite under a red shirt against the best in the world. How do you get players who are fiercely competitive suddenly want to play for the man next to him instead of wanting to beat him? There needs to be a unifying mantra and this was one of Gatland’s.

In the context of rugby, he knows he has talented players -some of the most talented in the world, at his disposal, but how does he get those talented players to win together. This phrase was one of his attempts to unify his team and give them purpose, together.

So, being the best at things that don’t require talent included getting up off the pitch after a tackle to get into position quicker. It meant following set plans and being in the right place to receive a pass or defend a line. But it also meant being on time for training, being appropriately dressed, following curfew rules and so on.

We have a school full of talented young men – talented in different ways. We see that talent in our academic endeavors, our sports programmes, our music, drama and art. And many of us are in awe of that talent, often forgetting we have our own talents while we marvel at others. Yet the one thing we can all do is be the best at things that do not require innate talent.

Let me give you some examples:

1. Be on time – for meetings, practices, class. Be prepared and show respect for your teammates, coach and the game itself by simply being on time.
2. Dress appropriately – the word “team” implies a uniformity of purpose but also a uniformity of attire that shows the world we belong to this band of players. Wearing different clothing to show individuality has its place, but not in a team context.
3. Have excellent manners. Courtesy requires no talent at all, just a desire to make others feel good, feel seen and heard. Say “please” and “thank you” a lot, with meaning, even though you may not feel polite inside.
4. Respect the officials, no matter what. You have a choice of response when a ruling goes against you and to choose well requires no talent, just respect.
5. Work harder than anyone else. Make your tackle but don’t just lie there afterwards – get up fast and get going again. Don’t just stop practising your piece of music when it is almost right, do it again, and again. Perseverance and grit often beats talent. Never, ever give up.
6. Be coachable. Listen to those around you who are trying to make you better and listen to the right people, those whose job it is to help you in that discipline.
7. Keep your word. If you say you will do something, do it, even if something better comes along. Your word is sacred, it talks to who you are deep down inside.
8. Love those around you and be kind.

Finally, be grateful for the talents you have and use them not only for your own advancement but to improve the lot of those in your team. Practise your talent so that it benefits others in your team and in your space. Don’t let others down by hiding your talent. Sometimes these talents may not appear until you try something never tried before but we all have talents.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5 verse 16

“Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

Leo Buscaglia

And if you feel you are one who has no special talent, you are wrong. But while you feel that way, until you have found your own unique and special talent, be the very best at things you don’t need talent for.

Cricket

The Bishops 1st XI, as Western Province runners-ups at the backend of 2024, travelled to Oudtshoorn to compete against the winners and runners-ups from the Boland and South Western Districts in the Western Cape regional finals of the Schools SA20 championships during the last weekend of January. The team defeated Paarl Gim, Paarl Boys and Bridgton Hub in the round-robin phase of the tournament to advance to a Saturday afternoon semi-final vs SACS: a rematch of the Western Province final which was won by SACS, in November 2024. Bishops managed to the tables and defeated SACS by 99 runs. In the final vs Paarl Boys at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn, saw a dominant display by the Bishops 1st XI as Paarl Boys total of 112 was chased successfully for the loss of only a single wicket, to see Bishops win by nine wickets and claim the title of 2024/2025 Schools SA20 Western Cape champions. Bishops will now represent the Western Cape/Western Province against South Africa’s five other regional-winning schools, at the prestigious Schools SA20 national championships in Pretoria (TUKS) from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th March.

Water Polo

The 2nd and 3rd Teams competed in the Pearson 2nd Team Water Polo Tournament in Port Elizabeth.

Well done to our Bishops 2nd water polo team, who emerged Gold Medal Winners after four days of intense competition. The team played exceptional water polo, remaining unbeaten. After topping their pool, they advanced directly to the quarter-finals, where they triumphed over Grey High School 7-2. In the semi-finals, they faced a determined Paul Roos team and secured a 7-3 victory. The final against Selborne College was a nail-biting, high-paced match, tied at 0-0 after the first chukka. However, our 2nd team showcased their teamwork and skill, ultimately winning 8-4 to claim the title for the first time. Their excellent performance in the pool was matched by their exemplary all-round sportsmanship. Special accolades go to Christo le Roux, who was named Defender of the Tournament, and Elijah Fisher, who was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Our Bishops 3rd team also displayed tenacity throughout the pool stage matches, finishing 3rd in their pool. This achievement earned them a spot in the playoffs, where they faced the Rondebosch 2nd team. In a stunning upset they won  3-1, showcasing their grit and skill. Unfortunately, their journey ended in the quarterfinals against a formidable Wynberg team. Nevertheless, the Bishops 3rds finished the tournament as the highest placed 3rd team with a commendable 6th place.

We commend the players from both teams for their outstanding team spirit and exemplary behaviour throughout the tour.

Rowing

137th Buffalo Regatta

The Buffalo River Regatta is the most exciting tour to participate in for our Bishops Rowers. A firm favourite as it is a national regatta, providing the opportunity to compete with athletes from all over the country. Unlike the SA Champs, Buffalo has less pressure, making it the perfect event to test yourself.

Bishops Rowing did well across the U16 and Open age groups. The 1st VIII put everything into their races and successfully showcased what Bishops Rowing represents, with a notable podium finish during the sprints day in the 4. The U16 crews also performed admirably, securing podium finishes in the 500m and 2000m events. The 2nd VIII had a particularly impressive regatta, clinching 1st place in their category for the 500m (Selborne Sprints) and narrowly coming 2nd to KES in the 2000m (Buffalo Regatta) race.

We are extremely proud of our Bishops Rowers, well done gents.

Results:
Selborne Sprints
1st VIII (First 8): 1st VIII (First 8):
5th - 8+ (Eight)
5th and 7th - 4+ (Coxed Four)
2nd - 4- (Coxless Four)
5th - 2- (Pair) 
2nd VIII (Second 8):
2nd - 8+ (Eight)
5th - 4+ (Coxed Four)
1st - 4- (Coxless Four)
6th - 2- (Pair)  2nd VIII (Second 8):
1st & 3rd - 8+ (Eight)
4th - 4+ (Coxed Four)
1st - 4- (Coxless Four)
2nd, 3rd , 4th - 2- (Pair) 
U16 Squad:
4th - 8+ (Eight)
4th - 4+ (Coxed Four)
4th - 4- (Coxless Four)
2nd - 1x (Scull)             U16 Squad:
3rd - 8+ (Eight)
4th - 4+ (Coxed Four)
4th - 4- (Coxless Four)
2nd - 1x (Scull)

Physical Education (PE) at Bishops Diocesan College

Physical Education classes at Bishops are designed to promote the physical development of students in grades 8 and 9. These lessons are held once every two weeks and are overseen by SPW Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Coaches. The focus of these sessions is on teaching fundamental movement skills and exercise techniques, with the aim of preventing injuries, improving training effectiveness, and enhancing sporting performance. Additionally, by introducing gym activities at an early age, students may develop a lifelong interest in maintaining physical health.

Who attends PE Lessons?

• Gr 8 and 9 learners.

How often do learners attend PE?

• Once every two weeks.

What takes place in PE?

• Physical Literacy: Learners are taught fundamental movement skills (Squat, Hip Hinge, Lunge, Jump, etc.) and exercise techniques (Goblet + Back Squat, Bulgarian Split Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press, etc.). This information is reaffirmed and expanded on during their sport science theory classes which take place during their scheduled LO lessons.
• Resistance Training Program Implementation: Learners perform exercise programs, that comprise of the previously taught exercises & movement skills, under the supervision of the SPW S&C coaches.
• Conditioning Games: Learners participate in activities, such as ultimate frisbee, link tag, netball, etc., that foster aspects of physical fitness, teamwork, coordination, reaction time, etc.

What are the benefits of exposing these learners to the gym as early as Gr 8?

are the benefits of exposing these learners to the gym as early as Gr 8?

• Reduce likelihood of them injuring themselves both in the gym and on the field/court.
• Help them train more effectively.
• Encourages them to take an interest in their own physical health.
• Increases their likelihood of engaging in resistance training at a younger age.
• Improves sporting performance.
• Prepares them for senior sport, during which a certain proficiency in the gym is expected.

Will introducing weighted exercises to young learners hinder their growth?

• Introducing weighted exercises to young learners can be both safe and beneficial, provided that it is done under appropriate guidance and supervision. At the Bishops gym, the SPW coaches prioritize teaching correct techniques in a supervised environment to minimize the risk of injury. During PE classes, we carefully monitor each participant's form and execution, stressing the significance of proper technique. By instilling these principles from an early age, we enhance their physical capabilities and encourage a culture of safety when these boys train independently and with their sports teams.

VUSA NEWS

Every Tuesday morning, a dedicated group of Bishops & WPPS parents, affectionately known as the ECD Angels, head out to one of VUSA’s ECD Centres,  Likhwezi Educare in Langa, to bring the joy of learning to young children. Leaving Bishops in a carpool at 10:15 AM and returning by 11:45 AM, these volunteers engage the little ones in fun, play-based activities designed to develop early literacy, numeracy, and motor skills.

The ECD Angels create a warm and engaging learning environment, helping to prepare the children for a bright academic future. Their visits make a lasting impact—not just for the children but for the staff at the centre and for volunteers themselves, who find the experience incredibly rewarding.
Want to get involved? Whether you can join weekly or just once or twice a term,  new volunteers are always welcome!

For more details, contact:
📞 Bryony Bruce – 083 626 0800
📞 Aoife Evans – 076 052 2405
Be part of something meaningful—be an ECD Angel!

It is with deep sadness that we announce to the Bishops and OD Community the passing of Mr John Brett Gardener (1930 – 2025). Mr Gardener passed away peacefully. He served Bishops in so many ways, having attended the Prep and College as a schoolboy. He was the school’s 11th Principal. Mr Gardener served Bishops with distinction, as a teacher and finally as its Principal. He was a Council member and a Vice-President of the ODU. Our condolences go to Sue his wife, and his sons James and Andrew and their families.