Dear Parents and Guardians

Friday saw a special celebration at the school as we bade farewell to our Grade 12s at the Prize Giving and Valedictory ceremonies. This was a joyous occasion with much laughter and many tears. The Matric exams started this week and we wish all our Grade 12s the very best as they undertake their final set of school examinations.
The new leaders for 2026/7 have formally taken up office after being announced at the end of last term and we wish Hamaad Badroodien (Head of School) and his two Deputies, Chris Reid and John Dingley all the best for the journey that lies ahead of them.

Condolences

Many of you would have heard of the passing of Mr Keith Richardson, OD, Headmaster of Wynberg Boys and Member of the Bishops Council. A special memorial service was held at Wynberg, attended by many hundreds of people, to recognise this special man. He played a significant role in my life as a mentor for over 20 years.

Very soon after this announcement was the sad news of Mr Grant Nupen’s passing. Grant was the 13th Principal of Bishops having served as the Principal of St Alban’s College in Pretoria previously. The memorial was held at St Alban’s but we are hoping to have a service at school shortly to honour him and his contribution to Bishops.

Then on Tuesday morning, I heard of the passing of Mr Bruce Probyn, former Headmaster at Wynberg Boys, DSG in Makhanda and Herschel. Again, a much-loved man who saw the good in everyone and every situation.

For those who know boys’ schools around the country, Maritzburg College announced the death of one of their ex-Headmasters, Mr Ron Jury – again, someone I knew well.

South African education has lost four giants, each having played a remarkable role in boys’ education in particular but also in the transformation journeys of the schools they led and subsequently through their mentorship of current Principals. And the oldest of them was 77 years.

We wish their families, friends and respective school communities all the best as they mourn the loss of these men.

Final thoughts

As this Friday was the opportunity for the new Head of School to address the assembly, instead of sharing an assembly message, I share an excerpt from my address to the Matric parents and boys at their Prize Giving.

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

Prize Giving message: the pursuit of perfectionism

We spend a great deal of time these days wrestling with the concept of mental health and the mental wellbeing of ourselves and our children is openly discussed – as it should. When we have an external, physical injury such as a ligament tear, the injury is there for all to see, take note of, express sympathy and good wishes for a speedy recovery. Not so with mental injury, which is kept hidden away, out of sight. Yet the impact can be as significant, perhaps more, than a physical injury.

Many argue that this rise in mental health awareness has been a result of the impact technology has had on our children.

I was sent an article by author and organisational psychologist Adam Grant who wrote in his newsletter “There’s more to the mental health crisis that just smartphones and social media.”

This is a concern for us as educators and parents right now – the mental health of our young men as they venture further and further away from our protective environment of school and home. I refer to the pressure on them to be perfect.

Grant shared ten pieces of practical advice to counter what he calls this pressure of “perfectionism”. He argues that perfectionism has been accelerating over time with the younger generation carrying the weight of expectation and fear of failure upon them more so than generations before and not just because of smartphones and social media.

I have chosen four of these ten to share with you and they are as applicable to us as adults as they are to our young men.

• “Achievements are not a symbol of your worth. They’re a snapshot of your performance in a single moment in time.” Who you are and what you stand for matters more than achievements. It is not an achievement to have attended Bishops. That is a privilege. It is an achievement to live out the school values in your actions and deeds.
• “It is impossible to please everyone. Decide whose opinion matters to you, and whose doesn’t.” Don’t annoy the right people and care less if you annoy those who don’t matter to you, particularly those with negative energy that leave you exhausted after time with them.
• “The objective is not to be the best; it’s to get better. The person you’re competing with is your past self, and the bar you’re setting is for your future self.” Your present self is what matters. A relentless pursuit of competition against someone else may do a little good, but getting better every day, including sometimes failing along the way, will keep you emotionally and mentally healthy.
• “Healthy goals include two targets, not one: an aspirational result and an acceptable outcome. If you fall anywhere between them, you haven’t failed.”

I always hope that our boys experience some hardship, that they make mistakes - in the relatively safe space that is school. Schools and families are the best places to make mistakes. To learn those lessons in adulthood can have devastating consequences. As my mentor and friend, the now late Keith Richardson said about schools “we are in the business of second chances…” Most of our boys get a second chance and most have used it well.

While these four pieces of advice may seem simple, they allow you counter perfectionism, to write your own story, and also to remove a fear of failure.

“Success is not a straight line. It’s a squiggly one.” It’s not always going to be a linear progression going forward. It may have exponential benefit, it may also have a negative gradient at times, but the wonderful thing that is called “life” is going to be messy – and that’s ok. Enjoy the ride!

Please click here for the Prize Giving and Valedictory programme.

Grade 12 Academic Awards - September 2026
Tie Awards

• Alessandro Esposito
• Alex Bower
• Chris Mclagan
• Harry Morgan
• Hayden Smith
• Kamsi Mbamalu (Cambridge)
• Nicholas Sedgwick
• Noah Coleman

Jersey Awards

• Ben Couves (Cambridge)
• Jethro Wickens
• Liam Hacking (Cambridge)
• Matt Couves (Cambridge)
• Oliver Howie
• Samuel Clarke
• Troy Haskel

Distinction Tie for Music
Congratulations to Matthew de Jager on being awarded a Distinction Tie for Music.

Public Speaking Colours
Congratulations to Hamaad Badroodien on being awarded Full Colours for Public Speaking.

Music Distinctions

Congratulations to the following boys who achieved distinctions at the KAE Music Eisteddfod:

Lilitha Mavuma – Piano
Michael Mafunda – Piano
Derek Meyer – Singing (three distinctions and two silver medals)

Music Certificates
Last term, music certificates were presented to boys who achieved distinctions at the KAE Music Eisteddfod. As the Matrics were writing exams at the time, their certificates are being presented today.
Congratulations to the following boys who achieved distinctions (marks above 90%):

• Lilitha Mavuma (Piano)
• Michael Mafunda (Piano)
• Derek Meyer (Singing) - Three distinctions and two silver medals

Public Speaking Boys Excel at NIDPSC

During the holidays, six Bishops boys competed in the National Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships, hosted by Bishops.

The boys performed exceptionally well. Adam Hendrickse reached the final of Interpretative Reading, while Cruz Sun reached the final of Impromptu Speaking. Jack Stansfield and Luca Heesom reached the finals in Interpretative Reading, Impromptu Speaking and Persuasive Speaking. Hamaad Badroodien reached the finals in all four categories: Debating, Interpretative Reading, Persuasive Speaking and Impromptu Speaking.

Hamaad progressed to the Grand Final for Debating, while Luca Heesom progressed to the Grand Final for Persuasive Speaking.

Four Bishops boys placed in the top twenty overall and were selected for the South African team:

• Cruz Sun - 16th
• Luca Heesom - 6th
• Hamaad Badroodien - 4th
• Jack Stansfield - 2nd

Congratulations to all the boys on these outstanding achievements.

Western Province Schools Team of the Year

Congratulations to the Bishops 1st Team Water Polo side on being named Western Province Schools Team of the Year for 2026 at the annual Western Province Schools Capping Ceremony.
This remarkable achievement marks the third consecutive year that Bishops Water Polo has received this prestigious award.

Water Polo Leadership Appointments

Congratulations to the newly appointed leaders of the 1st Team Water Polo side for the 2026/2027 season:

Captain: Harry Ford
Vice-Captain: Jack Grout

We wish both boys every success as they lead with pride, commitment and distinction in the season ahead.

Western Province Schools Water Polo Selections

U19A
Harry Ford
Michael Mafunda
Timothy Young
Dominic Zulch

U19B
Ryan Dales
Jack Grout
Sebastian Hiemstra
James Hugo
Thomas Jenman
Christo Le Roux

U16A
James Dimitri-Kark
Jamie Thomason

U16B
Cuan Cadiz
James Grout
Robert Kirsten
Andrew Sonqishe
Troy Webb

U15A
Matthew Dimitri-Kark
Gus Moran
Oliver Muller
John Weir-Smith

U15B
Bobby Katz
Dylan Latham
Ngonidzashe Murefu
Luke Port

U14A
Nicholas Ciolli
Kuhle Cossie
Charles Dingley
Maximilian Grout

U14B
Oliver Vickers

Congratulations to all the boys selected to represent Western Province. Your hard work, dedication and commitment to the sport are reflected in this outstanding achievement. We wish you every success in the upcoming campaign.

Bishops Crowned SACS Water Polo Tournament Champions

Congratulations to our 1st Team Water Polo side on winning the prestigious SACS Water Polo Tournament at the start of the September holidays.

The team progressed through the pool stages unbeaten with victories over:

• St John's
• Rondebosch
• Northwood
• Clifton
• Selborne
• Paul Roos
• Jeppe
• Pretoria Boys High
• Parktown

After topping their pool, Bishops defeated St Stithians 8-5 in the quarter-final before overcoming hosts SACS 3-1 in a fiercely contested semi-final.

In the final, they faced an in-form Hilton College side and produced another composed performance to secure a 5-3 victory and claim the championship title.

Special congratulations to:

• Tim Young - Defender of the Tournament
• Matt Fenn - Attacker of the Tournament

The team completed the tournament unbeaten, an exceptional achievement given the demanding competition format.

This victory means the side has now won all six tournaments they have entered this season and has maintained its position as South Africa's number one-ranked school water polo team for the past three years.

We are immensely proud of this group's commitment, discipline and humility. Particular recognition must go to the Grade 12 players, whose leadership and contribution have been instrumental in establishing a legacy that will be difficult to surpass.

Congratulations to the players and coaches on another outstanding achievement and for representing Bishops with distinction.

Bishops Rowing in Boston

The Bishops Boston Squad has travelled to the USA to compete at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. The boys will race in an Eight, Four, Double and Single Scull while gaining valuable international experience against some of the world's leading school and youth crews.

We wish the squad every success and are incredibly proud of the commitment and hard work that has made this opportunity possible.

Inter-House Surfing Competition 2026

The Inter-House Surfing Competition took place on Saturday, 19 September, at Blouberg Beach in challenging three to four-foot conditions that demanded a high level of skill from all competitors.

The junior final was contested by Jack Greig (Gray House) and Jai Aufrichtig (Birt House), with Jack Greig taking the victory for Gray House.

Following a series of closely contested senior heats and semi-finals, Birt House surfers Anthony Lampe, Stuart Hudson and Mikey Todd emerged as the leading competitors. Stuart Hudson and Mikey Todd advanced to the final, where Stuart secured the title of Senior Surfing Champion.

2026 Surfing Champions

• Junior Surfing Champion: Jack Greig (Gray House)
• Senior Surfing Champion: Stuart Hudson (Birt House)

After all heat points were tallied, the overall Inter-House Surfing Trophy for 2026 was awarded to Birt House.

Congratulations to all competitors on a successful day of surfing.

All-Rounder's Tie

Congratulations to David Traill on achieving his All-Rounder's Tie.

International Science Fair Success

Congratulations to Dean Weich and Milo Bonadei on their outstanding achievement at the 2026 International Science Fair in Johannesburg. Their project, A Novel Method of Repurposing PLA to Enhance Sustainable Bioplastics, developed a practical new natural composite material by combining corn starch, glycerine and recycled PLA filament from 3D printers.

Their innovation earned them a Silver Medal, the Shanice Francis Memorial Award in Chemistry and a cash prize of R5000.

A New Chapter for VUSA's Coronation DigiBus!

On Tuesday, 13 October, VUSA Rugby & Learning Academy celebrated the launch of its brand-new Coronation DigiBus, a purpose-built mobile digital classroom bringing English, coding and digital learning directly to children at five primary schools in Langa.

The launch marks another exciting chapter in VUSA's long-standing partnership with Coronation, who have committed to supporting the programme for a further ten years.
We were delighted to welcome Western Cape Minister of Education, Jaco Londt, alongside representatives from Coronation, Bishops, our partner schools and the many people who helped bring this wonderful classroom to life.

A special thank you to Advanced Engineering, Tafelberg Elektries and Parrot Products for their contributions, and to Bishops for its continued support of VUSA and the children of Langa.
The DigiBus is about far more than access to technology. It's about building confidence, strengthening foundational skills and giving children opportunities to thrive.

To see more photos from the event, please click HERE

As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations, Bishops launched a special wine project that was originally intended to be a once-off initiative for the milestone year. The response from our community was overwhelmingly positive, and due to its popularity, we have decided to make the Bishops Wine Collection a permanent feature.

We are proud to offer a selection of premium wines in partnership with renowned wine farms and winemakers, including Bruce Jack Wines and De Grendel. Whether for personal enjoyment, gifting, or celebrating special occasions, every purchase supports the Bishops community.

We encourage support of this unique initiative and enjoy a fine selection of wines carrying the Bishops name.

The Bishops Wine Collection is available to purchase online at Wine of the Month - Click here.