Dear Parents and Guardians

A warm welcome to you all at the start of the 2026 school year. It has been a joy to welcome our boys back to school, to welcome those who are new and to feel the energy on the campus. This energy was most apparent last Saturday as I walked around watching various cricket games, our water polo festival and our rowing fraternity hosting an erg competition in the centre. Needless to say, parking was at a premium!

I hope you had a good rest and are ready for the year ahead in support of your son and his school.

New staff and staff news
We welcomed two new full-time members of staff to our College:
Ms Lynne Arnott (Physical Sciences)
Ms Phumla Sono (isiXhosa)
In addition, we welcomed the following:
Mr William Hodgkinson (Junior Teacher (History))
Mr Pieter Smit (Temporary in place of Ms Lydia Barnett in Afrikaans)
Mrs Olga Peel (Temporary in place of Mr Leon Glanvill, who has taken early retirement, in Life Sciences)
Mr Kyle Jackson and Ms Gabriella Brown (SPW Interns)
Mr Shaad Boltman and Mr Byron Allsop (BSU Interns)

It is with great sadness and a sense of deep loss that we report on the passing of Mr Abdul-Aziz Cassiem, known affectionately as “Cassa” – our Head Hockey coach who passed away from a heart attack while coaching on the astro during the holidays. We will be holding a memorial for Cassa on Thursday 29 January at 18:00 up at the astroturf, to honour his memory.

Academic results

We were very proud of our Class of ’25 and their academic efforts which were made public on the Tuesday before term started. These have been reported upon in some detail, and I will be adding to the information as it comes across my desk. To have a pass rate of 100% and a bachelor rate of 98,6%, with an average number of distinctions per boy at 3,31 is quite remarkable.

While comparisons are never based on exact science and identical criteria, I am very pleased overall with how our boys did, in both NSC and Cambridge. I will be attending the annual WCED Awards Ceremony next Thursday and will be able to report on where we featured both individually and as a school in the province.

I mentioned to the boys that in all the hype around matric results and the jockeying for space in social media to report these results, they are not an end in themselves – they are a means to an end and that end is the next stage in their lives, whether it be at university or not. Due to the POPI Act, we are unable to gather information from universities on numbers of our boys who enrol in each faculty, those who complete first degrees within the minimum time and those who are undertaking post-graduate studies – all important information to us as a school. We only have anecdotal evidence, which is very pleasing indeed, with alumni telling us how well they are doing at university. This includes several of our boys who are offered places at prestigious universities abroad.

Again, I remind parents that us doing the NSC as opposed to the IEB exams does not in any way disadvantage our boys. Both examination structures fall under Umalusi, the moderating authority who issues the matric certificate. Nowhere on that certificate does it indicate which exam was taken and universities do not take this into consideration at all when allocating places. It is less about the exam that is written and more about how our boys are taught – to be critical thinkers, with an academic resilience and sound work ethic – that sets them up so well for life after school.

It was pleasing to be recognised by the Carfax Schools Index as one of the top 150 schools in the world, with two coming from South Africa, Bishops being one of them. While I am not exactly sure of the criteria used, I appreciate the acknowledgement of what we strive to do here as we aim towards being a leading school not only in South Africa but also in the world. The article can be read on various platforms but the one I thought was most comprehensive was on the Business Tech website and can be read here https://share.google/wF3kFc4ubkX74sLom

Projects

We were able to make use of our water polo pool this past weekend, despite the surrounds still needing much attention. This project is planned for completion within the next few weeks and it is looking simply amazing. My thanks to all those who made this possible and to Council for approving the allocation of funds. We have been asked about lights and a roof structure. We have no intention of putting a roof over the pool as water polo is an outdoor sport in the Western Cape. We do not have the challenge of lightning which Gauteng schools have to contend with and the claustrophobic atmosphere a roof creates is not in line with our thinking.

We have made provision for lights perhaps at a later stage but, for now, the principle decision is not to pursue this option. Firstly, it would mean later use of the facility in the evenings which would affect our neighbours, with whom we have a very good relationship, with the noise of whistles and light pollution. Perhaps more importantly, having boys practising more does not mean they become better. What it does mean is that they have less time for other activities such as cultural programmes, academic work and free time with family. These are important to us, and we need to make sure we protect our boys against over-training, ignoring the holistic education that is so much a part of what Bishops is and what we stand for.

The second Astro is well into planning stage with the new turf wicket having been laid at Lutgensvale to compensate for the loss of a cricket field. We are planning to start construction as soon as the 2026 hockey season concludes because we are doing the first two phases of the project, namely the turf itself and extensive renovations to the ground floor and changing facilities in the Woodlands pavilion. This cannot be done during the season as the facilities are in use.

Uniform and appearance

About 99% of our boys got it right with regards to hairstyles and I thank parents for this support in this regard. I have been running a series of comments in assemblies about gentlemanly behaviour, including dress and appearance. Our boys are human beings first and foremost and should, along with females, be striving to be the best they can be when it comes to dealing with their fellow human beings. Behaviour is not gender-linked, but we are trying to grow good men, gentlemen, and we believe that some traditional actions are as relevant now as before, if not more so.

I spoke about how a gentleman wears his blazer, with the top button and only the top button always fastened when standing or walking. I spoke of the length a tie should be, with the bottom of the tie just touching the belt and I spoke of how a gentleman always has clean and shiny shoes. These are little things that make such a good impression on others.

Today I spoke about how a gentlemen always stands up when greeting others and never remains seated while greeting or shaking hands. That a gentleman stands aside at doorways, not just for adults and women but for all people. Again, little things that boys can follow that will help them think more about others. I am a firm believer in relevance and the eradication of outdated, unacceptable and stereotypical roles, usually associated with gender, but I do want our boys to be gentlemen, and I think we can have both!

Final thoughts

A book I read recently had a profound impact on me. This was Rutger Bregman’s Humankind and I encourage parents to read it. In simple terms, Bregman speaks of the innate goodness in human beings that is often obscured by a public’s desire for scandal and sensationalism. Human beings these days seem to love gossip, rumour-spreading and sharing outrageous information that is often exaggerated or simply not true. Bregman takes real-life scenarios where what was reported upon as negative and showing the evil side of humanity was actually incorrect as humans acted with kindness and compassion. Well worth a read.

Assembly

For our new parents in particular, I often share the assembly message I deliver to the boys in the hope that it elicits conversation at home and that there is food for thought around the family dining table. This assembly was a personal message that tells of an experience my wife and I had that had a profound impact on us and references the need for us to have spaces of peace and reflection, often places of worship, where we can rest our minds, bodies and souls and fill our spirits.
I wish you well for the term ahead.

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

Lessons from Poland

 At the opening Eucharist, the Chaplain spoke of the sanctity of our chapel spaces and how they are central to the life of our school – places where we can meditate and reflect, no matter what our faith.

I thought I would share a personal experience of such a reflective moment and hopefully encourage you to do the same.

My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary some years ago with a trip to Eastern Europe. One of the countries we visited was Poland where we stayed in the old part of Krakow, a beautiful and historic city with a tragic history.

On our second day, which happened to be Good Friday, we had a day trip to Auschwitz where we saw the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau. These affected us both deeply. At Auschwitz one could see the horror of mass slaughter of people, simply because of who they were. The displays hit you hard in their design. Birkenau affected me more though – it has a railway running through a beautiful countryside down to broken down, deliberately destroyed buildings. Birds sang, the air was crisp and the sun shone. And all we could think of was the screams of thousands of people as they made their last journey on this earth on that train down to the gas chambers.

We were silent in the car on the hour-long journey back to our apartment in the city and, as it was approaching evening, went for a walk in the town square, passing one of the famous churches, the Mariacki Catholic church, where a service was being held. We went inside and sat down in this ancient building, listening to beautiful choral music and witnessing a service – held entirely in Latin. I did not understand a word but in that moment, I felt closer to God than ever before. The events of the day, the simplicity of the church and the beauty of the service, on Good Friday, was a moment I will treasure forever.

So why do I tell you this?

A chapel or church is a space for us to reflect, to think, to pray. It doesn’t have to be the church of your denomination. It doesn’t even have to be of your religion, and you can also be atheist or agnostic. But the space is one that encourages quiet, contemplation and just being with oneself or those you love.

We lit candles for our family on the way out and spent the rest of the evening walking, in the cold, but with our hearts filled with the warmth that comes from being at peace with ourselves and the world – if only for a moment.

Our chapels are not just for services or assemblies. They are spaces where you can just be – no matter who you are. Often, I walk into either the Brooke or the Memorial and sit quietly, just being alone with my thoughts or seeking clarity in moments of hardship.

We strive to develop your minds through critical thinking and academic rigour. We try to develop your bodies through physical activity and your souls through music and art. But these two spaces are for the development of your spirit, and I encourage you to make use of them often as places of quiet reflection and peace.

Ten Club 2026
Congratulations to the following boys who have earned their 10 Club tie:

Matthew De Jager
Aarav Desai
Ketan Govan
Matt Kriel
Jeremy Liddle
Cameron Macbeth
Naethan Mol
Zachary Rosenberg
Michael Whitelaw
Tommy Winfield

Academic Awards – November 2025

Grade 9 Ties
Waseem Dalwai
Dylan Davies
Matthew De Wet
Joel George
Jasper Magrath
John Nolte
Alexander Walker

Grade 10 Ties
Felix Bagg
Max Davies
Harry Dutton
Alexander Love
Nicholas Mackay
David Traill

Grade 10 Jersey
Edward Wild

Grade 11 Ties
Leo Cobbledick
Simon Le Feuvre
Jethro Wickins
Kamsi Mbamalu (Cambridge)

Grade 11 Jersey
Troy Stockdale
Derek Meyer (Cambridge)
Billy Oriander (Cambridge)

House Awards
Most Improved House/Grade (November 2025): Ogilvie Grade 10
Best House/Grade (November 2025): Gray Grade 11
Best Academic House 2025: Kidd (last won in 2015)

All-Rounder’s Tie

Congratulations to Dominic Kotze and John Hewat on achieving their All-Rounder’s Tie.

SA Schools Water Polo

Congratulations to Matt Fenn, Michael Mafunda and Tim Young, who were selected for the South African Schools Water Polo team at the conclusion of the Inter-Provincial Water Polo Tournament in December, where Western Province won silver.

In addition, Matt Fenn was named Attacker of the Tournament and Tim Young Defender of the Tournament.

Service Tie

Well done to Alexander De Fondaumiere, Christo Le Roux and James Hugo who have worked at the water polo table, managing the clocks, timing and game administration for all water polo games either Friday evening or Saturday morning and when any other games were scheduled, for a period of two years. They have been helpful, committed and represented the school diligently and are awarded service ties.

Cricket Awards

The following cricketers recently scored centuries and each received a signature bat: Thaafier Japtha scored 102 (87 balls) for the 1st XI against Wynberg Boys, and Shafeeq Brinkhuis scored 125 (135 balls) for the U15A team against Pretoria Boys.

The following boys received a mounted ball for taking five wickets in a match: Callum Kleye took 5–32 for the U15A team against Wynberg, and Alex Vintcent took 5–17 for the 1st team against St Stithians.

Congratulations to Michael Kruiskamp on his debut for the Junior Proteas against India in the second Youth One Day International in Benoni on Monday, 5 January 2026. Michael returned the impressive analysis of 6-1-23-2. Michael, who played alongside OD, Adnaan Lagadien (Founders 2025), and his team-mates have completed their preparations for the U19 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe, which is currently underway in Bulawayo.

Switch Schools SA20

We wish the 1st XI squad well this weekend as they head to Paarl to defend their SA20 title. The team will play three games in the regional finals as they look to secure a spot in the national finals.

23 January - Paarl Boys High (09:30) @ Paul Roos Oval
23 January - Paarl Gim (14:00) @ Paul Roos Oval
24 January - Bridgton Hub (09:30) @ Somerset College B

Rowing

The SA Schools Boatrace is an annual event where rowing schools from around the country descend on Port Alfred to race on the Kowie River. The course is a demanding 5.5 km stretch of twisting, winding water and is the largest changing tidal river in the country.

The format includes a head race, with each crew starting 30 seconds apart in an order determined by the previous year’s results. Crews race to record the fastest possible time in order to qualify for their targeted final.

This group began training in May 2025 and quickly developed a strong balance between focus and banter. For Oliver Kane-Smith (OD 2020) and me, it was a privilege to introduce these gents to Boatrace and the unique character of the Kowie. It is a brutal race where no stroke comes easily, and just five days before the event the crew completed a mock race in horrendous conditions to prepare.

On Friday, 5 December, Bishops’ 1st VIII achieved the 7th fastest time in the heats, qualifying for the D Final, only 10 seconds off the B Final in what was incredibly tight racing. This is a significant achievement and one of which the rowing club is extremely proud. Their performance placed them in a Bish–Bosh D Final, racing for overall positions.

In a hard-fought race, Bishops never gave up, pushing Rondebosch all the way to the finish to secure 8th place overall, an improvement on their 9th-place finish the previous year.

Congratulations to the following rowers for their immense commitment and sacrifice throughout the training period:

Cox: Max Petersen (Grade 11)
Stroke: Jordan Planting (Grade 11)
7: Max Marshall-Smith (Grade 11)
6: Kai Bacher (Grade 11)
5: Ben Davidson (Grade 11)
4: Nicholas Young (Grade 9)
3: Finn Moran (Grade 11)
2: Angus Bromley (Grade 11)
1: Theo Forsyth (Grade 11)

Social Media

The school proudly celebrates its boys, highlights the rich diversity of the College, and shares uplifting, feel-good stories.

We encourage our community to follow, positively engage, and interact with our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.

If you have newsworthy content or images to share, please submit them to your son’s House Master or Teacher-in-Charge (TiC) for potential inclusion on our platforms.

Our social media pages aim to reflect the diversity and richness of life at Bishops and not just mainstream sports or top achievers. It’s about capturing memories, promoting school events, and sharing moments of joy and connection.

Facebook: DiocesanCollege
Instagram: BishopsCollegeza

Woolworths Reward Programme

You may have heard that Woolworths has launched a brand-new loyalty programme called MyDifference, which is replacing the familiar MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme.
While this exciting new initiative offers more benefits to you as a shopper, it also comes with one important change:

Kindly re-select Bishops Diocesan College as your cause in the Woolworths App, or your support won’t reach us.

Download the Woolworths App from your app store or google play store.
Sign up or log in if you already have the app.

Tap on 'Loyalty' and then ‘My Causes’ and choose Bishops Diocesan College as your preferred Cause. This is vital step that must be redone please. We look forward to gaining momentum with the progarmme, which will now be easier without the cards.

You will still receive all the great Woolworths perks like exclusive discounts, rewards and promotions plus your everyday shopping will continue to support Bishops and various charities at no extra cost to you.

NOTE: From 1 November 2025, the cards you have no longer worked, please take a few minutes to reregister and add Bishops as your beneficiary.

Bishops Community Movie Night

We are thrilled to announce that Bishops, together with Zimele and ENABLE, are joining forces to bring you a fabulous first… an outdoor community movie night under the stars!

Gather your family and friends for an evening of feel‑good fun, delicious food stalls, and a relaxed picnic atmosphere. Bring along your picnic baskets and blankets, settle in, and enjoy a wonderful night out in support of a worthy cause.

Movie screening: The Upside
Get ready for laughs and heartwarming moments with this hilarious and uplifting film—perfect for the whole community!

There will be food available on sale.

Book your tickets and be part of this special Bishops community experience! https://www.quicket.co.za/events/349496-bishops-movie-night-in-support-of-zimele-and-enable/#/

If you would like to book a craft stand to sell local products, please email marketing@bishops.org.za and include details of the product(s) you will be selling. Please note that this opportunity is not open to food or beverage vendors, as these have already been secured.

We hope you have had a great start to 2026.

If you have been meaning to get involved but have not quite known how to fit it in, the ECD Angels is a lovely place to start. It’s a small, manageable commitment that has a big impact and is incredibly rewarding.

The ECD Angels are a group of (mostly) Bishops parents who visit one of our Early Childhood Development centres in Langa every Tuesday. You spend an hour with the children doing songs, puzzles, games, and simple activities. Volunteers usually agree on the activities beforehand, so you arrive feeling prepared and relaxed.

When:
• Once a term (you are welcome to join more often if you would like to)

Where:
• Meet at Bishops at 10:10
• Drive together to Langa where you will be met by a security escort
• Spend one hour at the ECD centre with the children

How to join:
• Add your name to the shared Google Sheet when you are available
• To get started, please email Aoife or Bryony or connect with Nikki at the VUSA office at the Mitre.

All that is needed is a little time and a big heart. In return, you will leave feeling connected, uplifted, and very well hugged.