Over the past few days, I have been engaged in discussions with our House Directors and Executive around “our way of being” — the norms that define us at Bishops. Norms are the shared standards and expectations that regulate behaviour and conduct. They are so powerful that they often override formal rules or policies.

Norms are the reason I sometimes struggle to get my daughter to put on her socks on a given morning, while her teacher can get her — and 25 other girls — to complete far more complex tasks over an extended period of time. It is not that her teacher is significantly more skilled than I am; rather, she is supported by 25 children doing exactly the same thing at the same time — conforming to established norms.

Without norms, neither schools nor society could function.

We are proud of the norms and idiosyncrasies that have come to define us at Bishops. They are the lifeblood of our school.

However, norms do not naturally permeate the home–school boundary. They require agreement, alignment, and commitment.

Over the next two weeks, we will be explicitly unpacking expectations around uniform, hair, and conduct with our boys.

I thank you, in advance, for your partnership and support.

Wishing all our families and enjoyable long weekend.

General Knowledge Quiz Round 1

Time: 14h00
Venue: Pinehurst

Charlton House Grade 4 Outing

Time: 18h00
Venue: To be confirmed

The Durbanville Exchange takes place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd May 2026. Please take careful note of the preliminary plans and ensure you complete the form contained in this document.

Academic acknowledgement is important as we get to recognise and celebrate the positive progress, hard work and achievements of our boys through various means and at different times – merits, Good Work visits, special mentioning at assemblies, Headmaster’s Letters, Reports and at formal celebrations such as Final Assembly and Prize-giving. The criteria for the awards at Final Assembly and Prize-giving are:

• Academic Achievement certificates are presented for obtaining an average of 85% and above for the semester in Grade 4, 83% in Gr 5 and 80% in Grade 6 and 7. These averages are calculated from the six academic subjects -English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. These certificates are handed out in the Final Assembly in June and December
• Academic Honours Awards are presented at Prize-giving for obtaining an average of 87,5% for the year in Grades 4-6, and 85% and above for the year in Grade 7.

You’re invited to a talk by Ian Michler (1977, White House), renowned conservationist, filmmaker, and co-creator of Blood Lions, which exposes the realities of the multi-million dollar captive predator breeding and canned lion hunting industries in South Africa.
Join us at the Mitre as he explores Living Sustainably: how our lifestyles are reshaping the planet, and what we can do about it.

•  Wednesday, 20 May
  
• 17h30
  
• The Mitre
  

Register online https://www.odunion.com/events/view/ian-michler-talk

Back row: Kiera Eshwar (guitar), Henri Keys (piano), Grayson Kennedy (drums), Brodie Bassett (voice), Mingjun Qiu (clarinet),  Murray Prain (announcer), Pravar Naidoo (cello)
Middle row: Cebelihle Mbuyazi (voice), William Sykes (cello), Daniel Hobbs (flute)
Seated: Vihaan Jeram (piano), Joshua Moore (clarinet)