Dear Parents
It was a pleasure to welcome all our boys back to school on Wednesday at our start of term Service in the Memorial Chapel. They are energised and throwing themselves into the life of the school. I also welcome all the boys new to Bishops from Grades 3-7 as well as new staff and staff in new roles. The staff are:
Chloe de la Harpe Librarian
Lutho Tsotso Divinity teacher
Nanele Tyali Former Intern, now teacher (Grade 5)
Grant de Sousa Charlton Housemaster
Anro Arendse Former Stooge, now Intern
Rorisang Mokeba Grade 3 Intern
Iviwe Ndamane Stooge
We wish them much success in these roles and hope that they will feel very welcome as part of the Bishops community.
NEXT WEEK’S CLASS MEETINGS
Please note that we can only accommodate one parent per boy at the meetings. Please go straight to your son’s classroom. We were not able to hold these meetings last year and they are a valuable opportunity to meet your son’s Form teacher and receive information about issues pertinent to his new grade and class
LEAVERS’ GIFT 2021
At the end of last year the leavers (Grade 7) installed a large Mitre together with the words derived from each of the letters of the Mitre, words that describe the key values and behaviours we attempt to inculcate in our boys: MANNERS, INTEGRITY, TOGETHERNESS, RESPECT, EMPATHY
This was installed along the south facing wall of the classroom block and their intention was for it to be a reminder to our boys of what needs to underscore our interactions and actions. We are very grateful to the 2021 Leavers.
ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU
No event in the last few months could have exemplified a life based on principle and positive values more than the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Tributes poured in from across the world and many South Africans paused, sensing that we had lost someone great and unique. So much was shared about him and by so many; one could sense a general sadness and some talked of the end of an era. Many quoted him, others tried to describe what was so special about him and still more spoke about his legacy. There was so much in the media and I would like to emphasise that which really stuck with me:
One of Desmond Tutu’s sayings: “I am a prisoner of hope.” What could better describe us as teachers and parents and what we need to be in our country?
A photograph of Desmond Tutu meeting with former President of South Africa, the late P W Botha, in the 1980s; he was prepared to speak truth to power about the evils of apartheid, so no doubt a difficult and uneasy meeting between two men diametrically opposed. And a few years later he attended P W Botha’s wife’s funeral, supporting him and extending his sympathies.
A tribute from Oprah Winfrey: “He was a hope-giver, peacemaker and justice warrior.”
The Archbishop of Cape Town (and Visitor to Bishops) Thabo Makgoba, who had been at his bedside a number of times in the days preceding his passing, was asked by journalists what he thought Desmond Tutu’s message was for us. His reply was that from what he could interpret in the last days and weeks it was: “Live a life of gratitude”.
We will certainly be discussing his life and what he stood for with our boys. His example of a life based on faith, solid values and principles is one that our boys can learn from, an example of how to live a life of integrity, courage and love.
Best wishes
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER
|
