Dear Parents and Guardians

As we reach the end of the term, I wish to thank you all for your support. The boys have been busy and can look forward to a good rest before the final push for the year.

On Monday this week, we announced the new formal leaders for 2027. I specify “formal” because all of our Grade 12 boys in 2027 will be required to lead as they take over the reins from the current matrics as the senior Grade in the school. I wish the leader group of Hamaad Badroodien, John Dingley and Chris Reid all the very best for the year ahead. I look forward to working with them. The outgoing leader group and the Grade 12s will be suitably acknowledged at the start of next term at the Matric Prize Giving.

Next term is, as always, a full one with the usual sets of examinations dominating the programme but we have two special events to look forward to – the reopening of the Water Polo pool and the Centenary of the Memorial Chapel.

The pool has been some time in finishing and we will have a short ceremony to recognise donors, the professional team and the operational team that has overseen the project. This will take place before the Bish-Bosch game – a fitting way to officially open the pool.

Details of the Chapel Centenary were shared in the February newsletter and the day will include a Eucharist led by the Archbishop and the unveiling of the Tutu statue. Due to space constraints, this service will be for the boys and invited guests only but parents are most welcome to come and view the statue later on in the term.

A sad loss to Bishops and education at large

It was with heavy hearts that we have had to come to deal with the loss of Mr Keith Richardson, OD and educator for life – mostly at Wynberg Boys where he was Headmaster for many years, and then member of the Bishops Council. He was also a founding member of the Principals’ Academy, a group of (mostly) retired Principals who sought to mentor and guide other Principals. Keith meant a great deal to me personally as he acted as my mentor for the last 25 years in my headship. His wisdom was so valuable and I find myself using phrases he taught me such as “we’re in the business of second chances…” On Council he was the education expert, always asking questions about how the decision under consideration would benefit the boys and their experience at Bishops. We will miss him greatly.

Matric Dance

The Matric Dance team of Mrs Yanou Pienaar, Mrs Alex van Selm (both teachers), Mrs Vimbayi Mafunda (Head of School’s mother) and Mr Charl Solomon (co-ordinator) were simply amazing, producing the most wonderful evening for our Grade 12 boys to enjoy. To them and their accompanying group of parents, staff and even Grade 8 waiters, go our very grateful thanks for a truly special evening.

Final thoughts

There have been a number of events in our world recently that are teachable moments for our boys and I really hope that parents have been engaging with their sons round a supper table and asking them what they feel about issues. This includes the upcoming Municipal election, the Madlanga commission and the awful incidents of gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni where, to date, nine women have been found dead, highlighting once more what many women face on a daily basis. Our boys need to know about these things and need to engage deeply with you so they may be a better generation than ours. Then on a global stage, the Ed Sheeren incident is a good one for debate at home on freedom of speech and for what people stand up.

We have always encouraged debate as a school, as long as it is respectful and understanding that opinion is not necessarily truth. We may take a position on certain things, we may not, and that is for educational experts to decide, knowing the school space and what is best for our boys in that space.

My last thought was from a short session I attended at the recent Daily Maverick Gathering where Murmur Intelligence co-founder Kyle Findlay spoke. Some of the phrases that stuck with me are:

• We are bombarded by alternative authority that is often autocratic in nature
• Social media is not reality…
• Know that creators of content on social media use outrage as a moral crusade and bait others that way
• “content stripping” is another useful tool to report selectively on a matter, quoting only that which suits their argument
• Scapegoating – creating fear of the “other” – a common tool used by internet trolls along with repetition and flooding the space, telling a story often enough so that it almost becomes believable
• Fake consensus – persuading some people that everybody is convinced..

Yet another conversation for the supper table! Our boys need to know they are being manipulated by social media, sometimes in the form of people but also in the form of bots whose job it is to repeat and flood the chats. They need to be hyper-critical and hyper-curious – more so than ever before. Our generation often believed what we read in our sources of information such as newspapers and magazines. We had little reason to doubt its veracity. Our children do not have that luxury of assurance and we need to make sure they are fully prepared for a world that will use every means possible to influence others to buy products or believe in a narrative that is being spun.

I wish you all well for the upcoming school holidays where your son will have an opportunity to rest. If you are taking leave, enjoy your time with your families and travel safely.

A final reminder to parents to make sure their son’s appearance complies with school regulations at the start of next term.

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

Heads Of School

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Heads Michael, Alex and Harry for their outstanding service and leadership. Your dedication, commitment, and passion for Bishops have left a lasting mark on our school community.

Thank you not only for the incredible job you have done during your year of leadership, but also for the years you have invested in making Bishops the special place it is. Through your strength of character, humility, and example, you have inspired those around you and made a meaningful impact on countless boys. We are deeply grateful for all that you have given to the school and wish you every success in the exciting journey that lies ahead.

To our newly elected Head of School, Hamaad Badroodien, and his deputies Christopher Reid and John Dingley congratulations on your appointment. This is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the confidence your peers and teachers have placed in you. We wish you every success as you step into this important role and lead this remarkable group of boys. Embrace the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities that come with leadership, and continue to uphold the values and traditions that make Bishops such an extraordinary community.

Thank you to our outgoing leaders, and welcome to our incoming leaders. We look forward to all that lies ahead.

Congratulations to Our New Heads of House and Deputies

We are delighted to congratulate the following boys on their appointment as Heads of House and their Deputies. We wish them every success as they take on these important leadership roles and look forward to the positive impact they will make within their houses and the wider Bishops community.

• Founders: Harry Ford and Ryan Dales
• School: Alistair Hughes and Jack van Breda
• White: Christopher Reid and Luca Heesom
• Gray: Dominic Zulch and Yaasin Allie
• Ogilvie: John Dingley and Callum Anderson
• Kidd: Will Hatty and Christo le Roux
• Birt: Arman Patel and Jonathan Horton
• Mallett: Felix Bagg and Olothando Kobus

We are proud of your achievement and have every confidence that you will lead with integrity, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of service to others. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour.

Junior Debaters

Our junior debaters delivered exceptional performances at the UCT Debate Open.
Team Bishops A, comprising Joshua Fried and Jack Stanfield, won the Novice Final Award, with both boys also receiving individual speaker awards.

Team Bishops B, represented by Sahil Khalfey and Seth Govender, also achieved an outstanding result, with both boys progressing to the Novice Grand Final.

These are remarkable achievements, particularly given that our boys were competing against university students and highly experienced debaters. We are incredibly proud of all four boys, not only for their impressive results, but also for their determination, willingness to learn, and humility throughout the competition. Their commitment and attitude are a wonderful reflection of the values we strive to foster in our debating programme.

Interact

Congratulations to the following boy on being awarded his Interact Tie in recognition of his service hours and commitment to Interact events:
Javier Sinath (Grade 10)

Interact Committee 2026/2027
The new Interact Committee for 2026/2027 has been selected. We congratulate the following boys and wish them every success as they lead the Interact Club in the year ahead:

• President: Reuben Futter
• Vice-President: Javier Sinath
• Secretary: Sahil Khalfey
• Communications and Marketing: Benjamin Kombo

Music Ensemble Leaders 2026/2027

Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected as Music Ensemble Leaders for 2026/2027:

• Simply Blue: Felix Bagg
• Choir and Jazz Band: Travis Turner
• Orchestra and String Ensemble: Edward Wild
• Brass Band: Qhamile Soqele
• Wind Band and Senior Marimba Band: Yazeed Lalkhen
• Music AV: Iqsaan Salie Mark

We thank these boys for their commitment to the Music Department and wish them well in their leadership roles for the coming year.

Rugby

Congratulations to all these boys on their achievements during the 2026 rugby season.

Half Colours

• Sam Bey
• Jarred Kowen
• Jack Hibling
• Joe Lanning
• Luke Hofmeyr
• Connor Clark
• Jonathan Horton
• James Gordon
• Jack Fleck
• Christian Toweel
• Danny Newton
• Elihle Tsobo
• Miyolo Ngculu
• Luca Wolfe-Coote

Full Colours

• Eljaron Geduld
• Caleb Clark
• Alex Vintcent
• Boytjie Fyfer
• Jack Venter
• Ethan Venter
• Dan Coetzee
• Lulibo Nyawula

Hockey

Hockey Umpiring Service Ties

The following boys are awarded Service Ties in recognition of their contribution to hockey umpiring over the past two years:

• Gordon Alexander
• Matthew Schultz
• Luc Dicey

Congratulations to all these boys on their outstanding Colours achievements during the 2026 hockey season. Your dedication, commitment, and hard work throughout the year have been recognised with one of the school's highest sporting honours.

Half Colours

• Max Morgan
• Kyle Dixon
• Robbie Vintcent
• Cuan Cadiz
• Nathan Whiffler
• James Arkcoll
• Fynn Cullis

Full Colours

• Callum Anderson (Re-award)
• Gordon Alexander
• Troy Stockdale
• Luc Dicey (Re-award)
• Matthew Edwards
• Joshua Huntingford
• Cameron Macbeth
• Litha Mbiko (Re-award)
• Harry Morgan
• Ryan Whiffler

Soccer

Well done to all our soccer players who have earned colours for their contribution to the sport this season.

Half Colours

• Luke Skillicorn
• Luke van der Bergh
• Cole Newton
• Fynn Cullis
• Will Hatty

Full Colours

• Keegan Rinquest
• Ashton Wyatt
• Luca Castelli Weich
• Oscar Tanton
• Max Davies
• Joshua Rolfe

Squash

Congratulations on your outstanding achievements and commitment to squash.

Half Colours

• Ismaeel Darsot
• Joe Edwards

Full Colours

• Zuhayr Sirkot

First Aid Colours Awards

Congratulations to the following boys who have been awarded colours for their service to First Aid:

Half Colours

• Reuben Futter
• Tristan Theys
• Yazeed Lalkhen
• David Brink
• Nikkiran Govender
• Luke Traut

Full Colours

• Gordon Alexander
• Alexander Beach

Golf

Congratulations to these golfers on earning their colours through dedication and strong performances throughout the season.

Half Colours

• Zac Rosenberg
• James Arkcoll
• Cole Hirsch

Full Colours

• Arman Patel
• Nicholas Axten

Basketball - Interhouse Tournament

Last week saw the conclusion of our Junior and Senior Basketball Interhouse Tournaments. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm, competitive spirit and house pride displayed throughout the competition.

Thank you to all the players who represented their houses and contributed to a fantastic few days of basketball.

After a series of exciting and closely contested matches, we are delighted to announce that Founders House emerged as champions in both the Junior and Senior Interhouse competitions. Congratulations to Founders House on an outstanding achievement and a well-deserved double victory.

Naethan Mol (Climbing)

Following an outstanding performance at the South African Climbing Finals, Naethan Mol earned selection to represent South Africa at the IFSC Youth World Championships in Arco, Italy, from 18 to 25 July.

Competing against the world's top young climbers, Naethan acquitted himself admirably in his first appearance at this prestigious international event. While he did not progress to the semi-finals, the experience will undoubtedly serve him well, and there is every reason to believe that he will return even stronger in the years ahead.

In recognition of the honour of representing his country on the international stage, we are proud to award Naethan Mol a Distinction Tie.

Congratulations, Naethan, on this exceptional achievement.

A Levels

Earlier this year, we congratulated several of our Cambridge pupils who achieved the remarkable distinction of placing first in South Africa in their respective subjects in the November 2025 Cambridge examinations.

In recognition of these outstanding academic achievements, it gives me great pleasure to award each of them a Distinction Tie.

Jeremy Liddle for achieving first place in South Africa for AS Level Chemistry.
Zac Rosenberg for achieving first place in South Africa for AS Level Economics.
Billy Oriander for achieving first place in South Africa for AS Level Music.

Congratulations, gentlemen. Your dedication, hard work, and academic excellence have brought great credit to yourselves, your families, and the Bishops community. We are immensely proud of your achievements.

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.

VUSA 24-Hour Cycle Challenge

Thank you to the Bishops community for the incredible support shown at the VUSA 24-Hour Cycle Challenge earlier this month. Together, you raised an extraordinary R940,000 towards the redevelopment of our kitchen, helping us create a safe, fit-for-purpose space from which we can feed 200 children every afternoon.

We are grateful to be part of a community that supports VUSA and the children we serve in so many ways.

To see some of the impact you helped make possible this term and learn more about VUSA’s work, please read our latest newsletter.

Please click here to view the Event Video 
Video credit: Paul Reichle Productions