VUSA CYCLATHON
This last weekend saw one of the best community events I have experienced in my time at Bishops. – the VUSA Cyclathon. Teams from all sections of the school including staff (support and academic), parents, ODs, VUSA community and College boys all signed up to cycle 24 hours to raise funds for VUSA, our Rugby and Learning Academy based in Langa. And there were a number of teams made up of Prep boys cycling for 12 hours.
It went from 9am on Saturday to 9am on Sunday. A huge marquee on the Piley Rees housed the event and while it was freezing cold and wet outside the atmosphere inside was warm and festive, with plenty of music, interviews with a number of rugby luminaries, live streaming and a number of sponsors donating food all of which got everyone though the night. Money in support of the teams kept coming in through last week and during the event so that by 9am on Sunday the total figure was R1 million, not the sum expected at the outset, but a real testament to the parents, staff, boys and friends of Bishops' generosity. Last year’s income was just more than half of this amount. It is planned that this will be used to further enhance the academic arm of VUSA.
A huge thank you to you as parents but also to boys, staff, ODs for your support of the Investec VUSA Cyclathon. I want also to thank Nikki Matthews, Operations director of VUSA and a member of the school’s administrative staff, and Brendan Fogarty, Director of VUSA, and all VUSA staff for the immense amount of work they did to bring this to fruition.
VUSA means “awake” in isiXhosa and this event truly saw our community awake, awake to the need and possibility of making a difference.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE
Next week’s AGM sees the end of this year’s committee’s term of office. I want to thank Nivvi Singh, Karine Young (secretary), Shanita Sam (Treasurer), Fika Madabulela, Mzo Ndzo, Mkhuseli Lujabe, ably led by Nida Hendrickse, for all they have done this year. Not only a superbly organized Carnival, but assisting the school, in so many ways, providing the school with valuable feedback, operating as a sounding board as we raised different ideas with them, often assisting or directing parents, the sport tuck shop, partnership projects with VUSA, St Pauls and Athwood Primary, and much more. They really have had the best interests of the Bishops Community at heart and we are very grateful for their service.
Next week’s AGM will be on Wednesday 13 September at 6pm in the Jagger Hall. Please do attend – we know people tend to shy away from AGMs – but this is a chance to hear in more details from the outgoing committee, ask questions of them and similarly raise any questions for the school’s concern – so please do attend.  Nominations have been received and the election will be part of the evening's proceedings.

NEWSLETTER
I will be away from tomorrow until Tuesday at the combined ISASA/SAHISA conference in Johannesburg. Sharon Johnson will be at a marketing conference next week so there will be no newsletter on Thursday 14th September. Any urgent notifications will be sent out via bulkmail.

Best wishes

PA AGM

Time: 18h00
Venue: Jagger Hall
Please see further information under TAKE Note

Top Schools Hockey Tournament

Time: 14h00
Details to follow

Inter-House Soccer

Time: 08h00
Details to follow

Prep Play - Lord of the Flies

Time: 19h00
Venue: Memorial Theatre
Please see details under TAKE Note

We will be hosting VUSA this Saturday and will be offering a Tuck Shop and an Egg and Bacon Stand. Please can you offer your assistance for just 30 minutes.

Please click HERE to book your slot and HERE for the fixtures.

All help will be greatly appreciated! 

PA Report and AGM

Please click HERE for the PA report. We encourage you to read this to familiarise yourselves with the PA activities over the last year.

Please also make every effort to attend the PA meeting next week.

With thanks from VUSA
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the 24-Hour Cycle Challenge on Saturday and Sunday. One of the standout moments of the event was Grant Lottering's solo 24-hour stationary bike ride. Grant, who once faced near-death and was told he'd never ride again, proved that determination can conquer even the most challenging obstacles. His journey served as a symbol of hope and resilience for us all.

Attendees enjoyed a lineup of entertainment that included magic by Olwethu Dyantyi, live interviews with sports personalities like Tank Lanning, Rob Fleck, Matt Pearce, and, of course, Grant Lottering. The Bishops rock band set the stage with live music, followed by a vibrant evening featuring more live music by Me and Mr Green and a dash of comedy by Kurt Schoonraad. As the night unfolded, DJ Ross guided us through a thrilling silent disco.

The VUSA 24 Hour Cycle Challenge is a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose.  Thank you again one and all for your support - The event was a true testament to the power of community coming together for a great cause.  Please see THIS short clip.

Artists of the Week
The Grade 3s drew Self Portraits and learnt how to blend different skin tones together to get the matching recipe for their individual skin tones. They also added an ornate gold patterned frame around their work. The following boys were chosen as Artists of the Week for their creative results. Please click HERE to view all the artwork.

3B Luke Egypt, Oliver Grave, Zaid Parker and Thomas Saunders
3P Isma-eel Domingo, Moosa Ismail, Alex Turck and Seth Whitburn
3S Pravar Naidoo, Matthew Oliver, Migjum Qiu and Aarik Sukha