Dear Parents and Guardians

As we approach the end of the summer sports season, I wish to extend my grateful thanks to all those who make these opportunities possible for our boys – the coaches and staff who go out of their way to prepare the boys, arrange fixtures and officials, our wonderful ground staff and our parents who turn up week after week to support their son(s) and the teams. Thank you all for giving our boys the opportunity to play these games and enjoy themselves with their friends. Thank you too to all those involved in the cultural programme, which is in full swing right now. The activities we provide our boys are most valuable learning moments for them.

I had a chance to visit the Pre Prep last week to engage with Grade 1s after a week of Valentine’s Day celebrations to give them some insights into love as a human quality. This was quite a special occasion for me as I spoke with 6 year-olds about love and kindness and learned so much from them in the process!

Activities

Many of our sports teams have travelled away on various tours and I commend them on their efforts and thank those who made these trips possible. There are a number of tours still in the pipeline and I will be accompanying our water polo teams and our rowers to Gauteng this weekend to support them as they take on opposition from around the country. These events are more than just contests. They are opportunities for our boys to test themselves against the best in the country and to build lasting relationships with boys from other schools. I was reminded about this when I caught up again with two Rondebosch parents who I taught and coached when I started my teaching career at Grey High School many years ago and they shared how much they valued the camaraderie of sport and the relationships they had formed with people from other schools over their own playing careers but also through watching their own children. It was special to see the first water polo teams from both Bishops and Rondebosch enjoy each other’s company after a tough match in the pool and reminded me that sport was about so much more than results. It is an opportunity to engage and connect with other people through a shared interest and to form life-long bonds and friendships.

Our annual inter house swimming gala was a great success and enjoyed by all those who participated. My thanks to Ms Nadia Snyman and her team for organizing this event won by Kidd House.

We held our mid-term Eucharist as a combined service with our Ash Wednesday service and had a wonderful opportunity to mark the beginning of the holy period of Lent. My thanks to all those who made this meaningful moment special.

Our annual welcoming function for Grade 8 mothers was hosted by the College PA and my thanks go to Mrs Terri-Anne Hatty and Mr Bobby Couves for making it happen. Those in attendance enjoyed the time together and hearing about the numerous activities and charities we support as part of the event.

The annual Quadrangular athletics event took place and we commend our athletes on their performances. This is the only time that the four boys’ schools in Cape Town compete at the same event and we celebrate this moment as one where we share in the athletic prowess of all the boys in the boys school system.   

Upcoming Events

We have started the process of self-evaluation as a whole school as part of the OISESA quality assurance process, under the auspices of ISASA. This takes place every six years and gives us an opportunity to engage with our stakeholders as we examine our systems, structures and environment in all three campuses. Part of the process is a series of surveys of parents, boys from Grades 4 – 12, teaching staff and Council and I urge parents to fill in the survey when it is sent by Mr Peter Westwood. We will share the results of the process when it is completed late in the second term.

The admissions process is well under way and entrance exams have been written by the prospective Grade 8s for 2024. The selection process will now take place with offers made towards the end of the first term.

Founders Day will be celebrated on Friday 10 March with the usual activities but also combined with the first of the Robert Gray Medal Award ceremonies. We hope our boys enjoy this special occasion and that the ODs who visit the school will enjoy reconnecting with those from their classes and seeing how the school has changed over the years.  

Our annual Carnival will take place this Friday 3 March down at Lutgensvale. While the focus is on the Prep and Pre Prep in terms of activities on offer, there are opportunities for parents to socialize and connect and we encourage all parents to attend and support the fund raising efforts. Part of the funds raised will support our Vusa programme and we ask that you make an effort to be there. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door.

Closing Thoughts

As I will be away this weekend in Gauteng, I swopped assembly with Chapel and spoke to the boys last week, continuing the theme of the school values. This week’s value was “integrity” and I attach my message for you to read.

I wish you well for the upcoming weeks as we move towards the end of term and the start of the winter programme

Kind regards

Antony Reeler
Principal

Integrity

You have been invited to a Matric Dance, a number of months before the event, by a friend who simply wants you as a companion for the evening and someone with whom they can enjoy their special occasion. You agree to go. Two weeks later, someone you have dreamed about for months as a potential romantic partner, someone you have fancied for a while but lacked the courage to ask out, contacts you out of the blue and asks you to accompany them to a special function on the same night. It could be the same function, it could be different but it is impossible to attend both. What do you do and what do you say to the second person? Do you stick to your original commitment and promise, or do you choose the person you would rather be with?

You walk into a store and buy groceries, paying in cash. On the way out of the store, you notice that the cashier has given you change for R200 instead of the R100 you gave them. You have effectively but erroneously been given an extra R100. What do you do? Do you go back to the store and rectify the error or accept what you see as a windfall and something lucky?

In both cases, there are consequences. In the first scenario, the person who asked you out first has every expectation that their friend will be there with them for the event, sharing in their fun and enjoyment. They would be shattered if they were suddenly rejected and may even choose not to go to the event and have to face embarrassment and disappointment. In the second, the cashier, who is probably earning very little, may only discover the mistake when tallying up at the end of the shift and will have to put in what was short from already meagre wages.

I have tried to give you two practical examples of integrity, ones that you may well face one day. The first is a moral dilemma, with the consequence of the hurt or rejection of another. The second has practical implications for someone else. Each one will test your conscience.

You will certainly face others. Integrity is defined as being honest and having strong moral principles. It is, simply, doing what is right, even though no-one may know, as is the case in the second scenario. The word is sometimes used to describe objects too, such as “the alteration to the building would remove its structural integrity” where a change can cause something to be wrong. Integrity was voted by you as one of our top core school values.

The word is bandied about often, and many people are praised for their integrity. But do they always do what is right? Do they do what they say?

We human beings are fallible creatures, we make mistakes. We cannot always live up to the lofty ideals we set ourselves. But we can try. Our school values are aspirational by nature – they are ideals we hope to live by, knowing that we may sometimes fail. By setting ourselves these ideals, we identify things that are important to us and try to stand by those things. And so we should. We should always strive towards goals we set ourselves and our behaviour can also be guided by goals – our values.

A final thought though – people’s values are different and our interpretation of those values is different. Values may be institutional or personal but the interpretation thereof is personal. Integrity therefore is holding on to what YOU believe is important and what you stand for as a person. You can have integrity in what you do and also disagree with the interpretation thereof. You cannot accuse someone of a lack of integrity if they have indeed held on to their values and interpreted them differently from you.

I hope this morning’s homily has given you a moment to think. A moment to reflect on the two scenarios I spoke of but also the many more you will face as you wrestle with your conscience in matters requiring integrity as a value. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you fail, that is all part of our learning. But strive towards having integrity, living out its meaning in the way you conduct yourselves. Be unafraid of making tough or unpopular decisions. Look at yourself in the mirror and be satisfied with what you see.

“One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”

Chinua Achebe (Nigerian author)

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

Marcus Aurelius (Roman Emperor)

African Relations Tie

The following boys are awarded their African Relations Tie for loyalty and dedication to the society:
Nashe Chahwahwa
Sihle Dyosi
Wakeem Fortuin
Gilermo Mentoe
Uzoma Ngcwangu
Lukholo Sidina
Christian Stewardson

Shakespeare in Revue

‘If you have ever refused to budge an inch, or suffered from green-eyed jealousy; if you have played fast and loose; if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle; if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play or slept not one wink, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing; if you have seen better days or lived in a fool’s paradise – why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it’s a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare.’

Bishops will be staging the witty Shakespeare in Revue from 21 – 24 March in the Memorial Theatre. Curtain up is at 7:30pm on these evenings and the production runs for 50 minutes (no interval). Shakespeare meets showbiz in this glittering cabaret-style piece.
This sparkling entertainment comprises comic writing inspired by Shakespeare, as well as some classic songs and sketches by such well-known names as Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, Noel Coward, Fry and Laurie and Monty Python.

You definitely don't need to be a Shakespearean scholar to enjoy this comic concoction of entertaining sketches and clever numbers!
Bookings open at Quicket (www.quicket.co.za) on 14 March at 9am, and tickets cost R65.00.

Debating

The Rotary Debating Competition is an annual event hosted by the Western Cape Debating board. In 2022, Bishops entered both a junior and senior team who won several knockout rounds to take their spot in the final. Both the junior and senior teams won their debates, making them the first school in 20 years to have both teams winning their respective leagues.
Congratulations to the following boys:
Junior Team:
Noach Macnab, Daniel von der Hayden, Oliver Frankel, Singa Mayoyo

Senior Team:
Ben Anderson, David Brunt, Caden Chuang, Jacob Fried, Ché Nanoo

Bishops First Team Hockey Captains 2023

Congratulations to Jack Crafford (Captain) and Dylan Van Coeverden de Groot (Vice Captain) on their leadership appointments. We look forward to the season ahead under their leadership.

Water Polo

U14A team did so well at the Reddam Pitcairn Cup over the Weekend.
They beat SACS in the Quarter Final, then beat Reddam in the Semifinals to advance into the final.
They came up against a very strong Rondebosch team in the final, and despite their best efforts, didn’t get the win in the end.
An incredible effort from the team and coaching staff to claim the silver medal!

Distinction Tie

Joseph Oelz was selected to represent South Africa in Karting both in 2021 and 2022. He was due to race in the World Final in Bahrain in December 2021, but another strain of Covid prevented that trip and the SA team was unable to attend. However, this past year, he went to the World Final in Portugal and finished 14th overall out of the world’s best 72 drivers. He was the highest finishing South African and the youngest in the premier DD2 category where ages range up to 32 years old and which also included former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello. We wish him well for the upcoming year of motorsport, particularly as he will be joining the international circuit to try and improve his chances of further success in what he hopes will be his selection to the 2023 World Final to be held in Bahrain once again.  Joseph also received his senior Protea colours for motorsport for his achievements overseas representing South Africa. We are delighted for him and in recognition of his SA representation, he receives the highest award the school can give – that of a distinction tie.

Basketball - Maritzburg College JOI tournament.

Bishops U14 and U19 basketball teams have made their mark in the Maritzburg College JOI tournament from 17th - 19th of February. The Under 14 team showcased an outstanding performance, winning four matches and losing two. Their teamwork, determination, and skill on the court were unparalleled, and their hard work and dedication paid off.
The U19 team, despite not having as much success as the Under 14 team, demonstrated great character and determination. They faced tough competition, losing all their matches, but never gave up and fought hard until the final whistle. It is important to note that our U19 team was the youngest team in the tournament, comprising only two seniors and grade 9 boys. Nonetheless, they held their heads high and played with the utmost spirit.
We are extremely proud of both teams' performances and are excited to see what the future holds for these talented basketball players. We commend them on their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship and look forward to seeing more impressive performances in the future. Congratulations to all the players and coaches for their efforts in the tournament.

Interhouse Gala Results

On Thursday last week we head our annual interhouse gala. Thank you to every time keeper and helper, as well as those who participated. A special thank you to Mr. Shaun Abrahams from our ground staff who set up the pool area.
The results are as follows:

1. Kidd House
2. Ogilvie House
3. Founders House
4. Mallett House
5. Birt House
6. White House
7. School House
8. Gray House

Service Ties for First Aid

Congratulations to the following matric boys who have been awarded service ties for their 3 years of continued effort as first aiders at Bishops sports events:

Jett Bacher
Michael Comitis
Divakaran Govender
Christopher Leith
Johann Steyn
Joshua Traut
Stuart Whitelaw

Thank you to all the incredible parents who have signed up to assist the VUSA creche programme. Their presence has not only provided additional support to our staff, but it has also created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our children. Thank you, ladies, for giving your time and energy to our Dalukhaynyou children and for your deep care and concern for the community its children. For more information on VUSA, please visit our website (https://www.vusarugbyacademy.com/) or contact Nikki Matthews at the Trust office.