Dear Parents and Guardians

As we enter the most holy time in our Christian calendar, Lent, I wish our community a time of reflection, contemplation, perhaps new discovery of faith, but also a deeper connection with God in our 40 days of preparation for Easter. We held our Ash Wednesday Eucharist this week to mark the beginning of Lent and our services will be guided by this time in our spiritual lives.

At almost exactly the same time our Muslim families enter the holy month of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection and building a deeper faith and we wish our boys and their families well over the fast.

The term has reached the halfway stage, and we took a well-deserved mid-term break for boys and teachers. This initiative, started two years ago, has proved to be both popular and needed after the generally frenetic start to the year. I hope your son used this time to slow down, catch his breath and organise himself for the second half of the term.

The second half is no less manic! We have end-of-season tours for most summer sports, pre-season training for most winter sports, a school musical and many other activities that will keep our boys and staff busy. This is in addition to the daily classes, assessments and projects! Again, I exhort parents to help their sons with planning, keeping them steadily focussed on the tasks ahead. And when it gets overwhelming, to remember to climb whatever mountain we need to, we do it one step at a time. They will reach the top!

Events at school

A very successful athletics period of Heats Week, Relay Sports and Sports Day was held and my thanks to all staff who made this possible. Our boys competed with great enthusiasm and skill, with one record being broken at Sports Day that has stood for over 40 years! I thank the parents who were able to come and support their sons.

Our Grade 8 parents attended the annual academic information evening, and our Grade 12 parents also had an evening of information as the matric year was gone through in great detail with not only the times and dates of important events but also some tips on how best to help a young man at this time. A most enjoyable cocktail function, hosted by the PA, rounded off a good evening.

Our academic prize-giving celebrated our top achievers, and it was, once again, impressive to see the efforts of our boys being rewarded. We have been deliberate in our adjudicating the awards, trying to be fair to all as we balance existing school programmes that prevent boys writing full exams such as Big Ideas and the Exchange with those boys who write a full set of exams. It is a difficult task but I thank our academic department for their care and compassion as they oversee this important event.

We held a successful movie night in support of Zimele and Enable, organisations that provide prosthetics to those unable to afford them and assist people in learning to walk, talk and eat again following trauma. This was very well supported.

Our boys, led by Ms Jacky du Pont, held a successful cake sale which kick-started our support for the Blues Bash, a collaborative effort with St Cyprian’s to combat period poverty. Bishops will be hosting the main event on our campus this year.

We had a very successful Inter-House Gala on Wednesday at open period. We have changed the format to make it more accessible and enjoyable for all boys to participate, and they enjoyed the abbreviated sprints version, which created much excitement and camaraderie.

Driving on campus

We have received reports of vehicles being driven at excessive speed, making dangerous manoeuvres and drivers failing to adhere to basic road manners. Please be aware that we are setting an example to our boys in all we do, but we also need to be considerate of others, no matter the circumstances. Thank you for your co-operation in this regard.

Topics under discussion in the College

Two topics are forefront at the moment in our discussions. Firstly, the ongoing challenges of technology, access to harmful material and the distribution of unacceptable (and often illegal) content. I repeat my urgent request for parents to join with us in helping our boys. We give them these amazing tools such as smartphones, that can do so much yet leave them largely up to their own devices.

Please make sure you monitor your son’s phone and also the time he has online. It will be hard, but it is so important.

The second topical issue is that of the commercialisation of school sport which has come under the spotlight recently. A significant amount of money can be made from school sport through sponsorship, streaming, televised matches, contracting players and so much more. We need to be very careful as we navigate these new waters not to lose sight of who we are and what we stand for. We are a school. We are a school with values, that cares more for its boys than the money we stand to make. We will make some tough decisions, perhaps unpopular ones, but we will always make these decisions in the best interests of the boys, using the accumulated educational experience of our staff, the custodians of the ethos of the school, to guide us.

Inspiring Individuals – Growing Good Men

We are in the final stages of compiling the first iteration of our strategic plan that will guide us for the next three years. This plan will be approved by Council and shared with the broader community at the start of the second term. Heavily values-based, we seek to inspire boys to achieve greatness, according to their own ability. We seek to grow men who go on to do remarkable things in a variety of interests as individuals. But we also seek for all our boys to have a deep understanding and appreciation of “goodness” and “maleness” as they leave us for the wider world.

Final thoughts

I have become acutely aware of something as we work on our strategic plan and that is the importance of adults to model the behaviour we seek in our children. It is no use having fancy words and lofty ideals if we as adults are rude to others, unkind, selfish, entitled and unethical. If we laugh at or make racist or sexist jokes and comments. Our children have eagle eyes and watch all we do! As adults, we simply have to model good behaviour ourselves if we are to expect the same from our children.

In this week’s assembly, I shared the details of the upcoming celebration of the Centenary of our Memorial Chapel, such a special building that means so much to us in every way. Our plans for that celebration are laid out below and I hope you enjoy reading about them.

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

The War Memorial Chapel was completed 100 years ago, in 1926, and was built to commemorate the fallen Bishops ODs fighting for peace and justice in the First World War. Today it serves as a place of religious worship for the whole school community and as a place of spiritual healing

The Desmond Tutu Statue Project: Honouring a Century of the Memorial Chapel

The idea of commemorating the centenary of the Bishops Memorial Chapel first emerged in 2023, during a discussion about the stained‑glass window project planned in the Brooke Chapel for 2024, for the school’s 175th celebrations. As that project unfolded, a small interest group - comprising Mr Joc Wrensch, Dr Paul Murray, Rev Monwabisi Peter, Mr Husain Essop, Mr Tony Reeler and former parent and art specialist, Mrs Ashley Bestbier - began considering how the school might meaningfully honour the Memorial Chapel’s 100-year legacy in 2026.

Among the early conversations, a compelling proposal surfaced which was to commemorate and celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who as the Archbishop of Cape Town was also The Visitor to the College. The project envisioned a life‑size statue of Archbishop Tutu, to be positioned on the lawns opposite the Chapel. While the original author of the idea remains unclaimed, the group immediately recognised its symbolic resonance. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and moral compass for South Africa, Archbishop Tutu embodies many of the values that Bishops seeks to uphold—courage, compassion, justice and the dignity of every human being.

Finding the Perfect Site

As the group explored possible locations, it was suggested placing the statue behind the existing bronze statue of the boy seated on the lawns in front of the chapel. The positioning would create a powerful visual narrative: Archbishop Tutu standing behind the child in a posture of protection, blessing and care, thus symbolising his lifelong advocacy for children and the vulnerable.

Further investigation revealed a remarkable alignment. The intersection of the sight lines between the crosses that surmount the altars of both the Memorial Chapel, and the Brooke Chapel falls within the garden area in the proximity of the statue of the boy. That intersection point, rich in its symbols, became the chosen site. It was as if the space itself had been waiting for this tribute.

From Concept to Commission

The project then moved into an active developmental stage led by Mr Wrensch, Mrs Bestbier and Mr Reeler. We began exploring potential artists, reviewing portfolios and assessing sculptors with the expertise and sensitivity required to capture Archbishop Tutu’s presence. Mrs Bestbier’s professional experience as an artist in her own right, and her work on the previous stained-glass window project, proved invaluable in guiding the selection process.

After careful consideration, the team chose a sculptor renowned for significant national works, namely André Prinsloo. Some of his previous works include the iconic Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings as well as several sculptures featured in the Long March to Freedom installation near Canal Walk. His skill, reputation and understanding of national heritage made him the ideal choice to interpret and render Archbishop Tutu in full episcopal robes.

In addition to the full‑size sculpture, the commission includes ten maquettes - 60-centimetre miniatures of the statue. These are intended both as historical artefacts and as items that may be offered for fundraising and legacy purposes.

The Unveiling and Centenary Celebration

The artist has begun work, with installation planned for October 2026. Once placed, the statue will remain boxed from public view until its ceremonial unveiling. The unveiling is scheduled for Friday, 30 October 2026, on the eve of the Memorial Chapel’s centenary anniversary. The hope is that the current Archbishop of Cape Town, The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, will preside over the blessing of the statue, as one of his final official duties before his retirement at the end of the year.

This moment carries profound historical significance. The Memorial Chapel has served as the site for the election of the last three Archbishops of Cape Town: Desmond Tutu, Njongonkulu Ndungane and Thabo Makgoba. Each one first stepped through the Memorial Chapel’s doors newly elected, beginning a chapter of service that shaped the spiritual landscape of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Archbishop Tutu, as the first of the three, ties the Bishops history directly to a global symbol of justice, reconciliation and humanity.

A Tribute Worthy of the Centenary

As the Memorial Chapel approaches its 100th year, it is fitting that Bishops honours a person whose life illuminated the values the school strives to engender. Archbishop Tutu, fearless in the pursuit of truth, steadfast in the face of injustice, and deeply committed to the dignity of all people, stands as an exemplar to generations past, present and future.

This statue will be more than a work of art. It will stand as a symbol of who we are, what we honour and what we hope to inspire: compassion, courage, faith and a relentless commitment to justice.

It is a centenary tribute not only to a building, but to the values that have shaped its life and will continue to shape the life of Bishops for time immemorial.

Prize-Giving Omission

We apologise for the omission on the Prize-Giving programme.
The Grade 11 Information Technology Prize is awarded to Sebastian Robbertse.
Congratulations, Sebastian.

Congratulations to Alex Tadross who earned his Grade 11 Academic Jersey.

Service Tie

Congratulations to the following boys on being awarded a Service Tie for their dedication and commitment to the Simunye partnership:

Abdul Qaadir Abrahams
Hamaad Badroodien
Damien Barnard
Kwezi Mafenuka
Ridaa Sultan
Michael Rich
Elihle Tsobo
Yaasin Allie
Blake Slabber

National Debating League – Round 1 Results

The Bishops debaters delivered an excellent performance in Round 1 of the National Debating League, competing against strong opposition in both the Junior and Senior divisions.

Junior Team:

Joshua Fried, Sahil Khalfey, and Isaac Frankel debated the motion:
“This House believes that schools should not require parental approval for Grade 10 subject choices.”

Arguing against the motion, they presented well‑structured and thoughtful arguments, securing a convincing win against Brackenfell High School.
A special mention goes to Isaac Frankel, who was awarded Best Speaker for his outstanding contribution.

Senior Team:

Hamaad Badroodien, Cruz Sun, and Fardeen Parker proposed the motion:
“This House believes the state should regulate lobola.”
They engaged in a highly competitive and intellectually rigorous debate against Bloubergrant. Although they did not win the round, they demonstrated strong preparation, maturity, and considerable debating skill.

We commend all six debaters for representing Bishops with confidence, integrity, and distinction.

Rowing

Bishops Diocesan College recently enjoyed a highly successful rowing tour on the Buffalo River in East London.
The First Eight showed significant improvement, finishing third at the Selborne Sprints Finals and narrowing the gap to the leading schools.
The Second Eight delivered exceptional performances, winning both the Selborne Sprints Finals and the Buffalo Finals in tightly contested races.
Additional highlights included:

• A third-place finish for the U16 A Pair at the Buffalo Finals.
• Ben Redfern placing third in the single scull at the Selborne Sprints Finals.

Throughout the tour, our rowers represented the school with pride, supporting one another and upholding Bishops’ values both on and off the water.

Water Polo

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

We are delighted to announce that the 2nd Team emerged tournament champions, remaining unbeaten throughout the four-day event. After topping their pool, they advanced directly to the quarter-finals, defeating Michaelhouse 9–1. They then outplayed Paul Roos in the semi-final to secure their place in the final.

In a fast-paced, nail-biting match against Rondebosch, the Bishops 2nd Team displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, winning 9–7 and claiming the title for the second consecutive year.

A special congratulations to James Ciolli, who was named Defender of the Tournament.

The 3rd Team also performed exceptionally well, finishing 1st in their pool and securing a playoff position. Although they were defeated by the Rondebosch 2nd Team and later by St David’s in the 5th/6th playoff, they ended the tournament as the highest‑placed 3rd Team, in a commendable 6th place.

We applaud both teams for their excellent sportsmanship and strong team spirit throughout the tour.

Road and Trail Running

Congratulations to Kaan Numanoglu, who has been elected Road and Trail Running Captain for the summer season.
He will be supported by Alexander Horrell, who has been appointed Vice-Captain.

Climbing

In recognition of his dedication and leadership within the Climbing Club over several years, we are proud to announce Tommy Winfield’s appointment as Captain of Climbing for the 2025/2026 season.

SPW TESTING RESULTS ARE OUT! 

The Sports Performance and Wellness (SPW) Testing Results were emailed to all Grade 8 to10 boys over the past week.

Parents, please ask your son to forward the email to you if you would like to view his results.

Congratulations to Charles Dingley (Gr 8), Uya Sontshaka (Gr 9) and Julian Edwards (Gr 10) on being named the Top SPW Athletes in their respective grades, an outstanding achievement.

An example of a Grade 10 SPW Testing report can be seen below, along with the Top 10 SPW Athletes in each grade.

Well done boys, keep striving for excellence!