The Old Diocesan Issue 13 - Magazine - Page 23
SCHOOL NEWS
BISHOPS BOYS ABROAD
Boys, staff and even a couple of ODs have been exploring the world –
on a Himalayan trek to Everest Base Camp and cultural discovery in Japan
Since a pioneering trip in 1994,
when Paul Murray began leading
tours through Europe, Bishops staff
have been encouraged to propose
cultural trips abroad – and where
boys and parents show sufficient
enthusiasm, these journeys
become reality. In the past six
months, two such adventures have
taken place – to the Himalayas and
Japan – both yielding memories that
will last a lifetime for all involved.
During the March-April holidays,
Graeme Klerck and Phil Court led
24 Bishops adventurers on an 18day expedition into the Himalayas,
echoing both a similar Bishops trip
undertaken in 2022 and Brandon
de Kock’s Himalayan pilgrimage,
which he writes about on page 38.
Two ODs joined the group: Phil’s
son, Andrew Court (2013B), and
Alan Turnley-Jones (1991G),
accompanying his son, Robert.
The aim was ambitious – to trek
to Everest Base Camp and spend
two nights there, taking in the
warmth of Nepalese hospitality
along the way. They covered more
than 100 kilometres, winding
through Namche Bazaar, home
of the Sherpa people; Tengboche
Monastery beneath the peak of
Ama Dablam; and Kala Patthar,
their high point, offering stunning
views of Everest. At 5,550m, Kala
Patthar is 200m higher than Base
Camp, and only 300m less than
Mount Kilimanjaro. Despite the
demanding altitude, every member
of the party reached Base Camp
– a great collective success.
Later, in the June-July holidays,
Zukile Ncube and Warwick Richter
led Bishops’ first cultural trip to
Japan, taking boys through Kyoto,
Hiroshima and Tokyo on another
memorable journey.
The Bishops contingent at the start of their trek to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas, including ODs Andy Court (2013B),
crouching bottom left, and Alan Turnley-Jones (1991G), back centre wearing sunglasses.
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 19
