The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 15
SCHOOL NEWS
Highlights
Tony Reeler with (seated) 2026 Head of School Michael Mafunda (O) and
Deputy Heads (standing, from left) Alex Vintcent (F) and Harry Morgan (W).
in 2026. Combined with the almost
100% fee-payment record, this is
a good indicator of the confidence
our community has in a Bishops
education.
We have, however, had a number
of less-than-pleasant incidents
at the school and the boarding
houses in recent years. In response,
the Bishops Council has appointed
an independent panel of experts
to review the culture at the school.
There are real concerns about
outdated “traditions” that might
lead to bullying, humiliation and
in some cases violence, and we are
determined to address these and
any other forms of anti-social
behaviour. Our plan centres on
building authentic relationships
within each age group, but also
across age groups. The response
from the boys has been positive,
with the 2025 leadership team
making great strides in this regard.
The school has been working on
its strategic direction for the next
three to five years; this will be
launched shortly. It is based on
the concept of Growing Good Men
– realising that growth happens
from the time a boy enters Bishops
as a four-year-old to the time he
leaves as a young adult, but also
that it continues beyond school.
Accordingly, we would like our
community of ODs to live out
the values of the school in their
work, family and life. The “Good”
is inspired by our Christian ethos
– courage, humility, integrity,
kindness and respect – and is the
core of the drive. “Men” seeks to rid
our school of outdated concepts of
masculinity, and help our boys be
proudly male in a modern world,
with behaviours that reflect the
values they learnt at Bishops.
Not everything in the broad
Bishops community is without
challenge, but in most respects
the school continues to flourish,
and the boys – our most important
stakeholders – remain happy
and engaged. At the same time,
there has been commentary in
Farewell to Greg Brown after
18 years as Prep headmaster,
and welcome to Lester Lalla, who
takes over from him in Term 2.
Congratulations to the cricket
First XI on winning the inaugural
Schools SA20 national
championship in March 2025.
Congratulations also to the
water polo first team on winning
the prestigious KES water polo
tournament two years running.
Bishops is ranked Nº 1 in SA
at the time of going to print.
Work on the new hockey
Astro is due to start in August.
The Desmond Tutu statue
unveiling – the highlight of
the Memorial Chapel centenary
– is due to take place in October.
various quarters, not all of it
supportive of the school, some
based on misinformation or
misunderstanding of events
and initiatives, and some a
result of differing perspectives
on change. As a community of
boys, staff, parents and ODs, it is
important that we work together
with mutual respect and support.
Healthy disagreement and robust
debate are welcome and necessary
in any institution – but actions
that risk weakening the collective
efforts of that institution serve
none of us well.
Each of us has a valued role
within our own respective spheres.
By focusing on our core tasks and
responsibilities, and fulfilling
these roles with integrity, mutual
goodwill and intentional support
for one another, we strengthen
the whole.
I wish all ODs God’s richest
blessings for 2026 and beyond,
and thank all those who continue
to support this magnificent school.
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 11
