MySchool

Bishops and MySchool have introduced an exciting new initiative and although it is only a pilot project for a year, it could roll out to every school in South Africa if successful. We believe that channeling the MySchool funds into particular projects at the school will be far more effective and will mean more to you as you will know where your contribution is going. There is no cost to you in any way and the project is based on the existing system of the MySchool card. Effective August 2009, simply use your card as before – or sign up should you not already have one – and the school will channel the funds to two critical projects - BISHOPS STAFF and the SCHOLARSHIP & BURSARY FUND. Bishops has always believed that our teaching staff is the backbone of the quality education that we provide and that Scholarships and Bursaries are an essential aspect of our school.

Bishops has participated in the MySchool project for many years, but has not really embraced the full opportunity. Currently less than 10% of our family is using a MySchool card. We believe that having a ‘project focus’ will offer you an incentive to use your card and make a difference in so many ways and to so many lives. We will send out regular feedback on the progress of this new initiative.

Access a MySchool Application Form by clicking on the link below. Please return completed forms via fax to MySchool on 086 682 2833.
Please use a separate Application Form for additional family cards.

MySchool Application Form (pdf)

Schooling in the 21st century will take on many new dimensions which were not regarded as being part of schooling in days gone by. Many of these new areas are forced on schools because of economic and social pressures leaving gaps in the lives of young children. Living in increasingly multi-cultural societies also requires of schools that they develop a common and accepted base for issues such as spirituality, discipline, and pastoral care. More than just these, schools which have the luxury of large resource bases now need to engage with the wider issues of education within the society in which the schools operate. In South Africa’s case, this is particularly true as the state grapples with the legacy of inequality which apartheid education entrenched, and which the new state is addressing. Schools need to learn to co-operate as well as compete; and co-operation extends right down to questions of classroom practice, teacher training (both for new teachers and in-service training), school management, modelling good practice, and general motivation.

The LEAP schools

Bishops enjoys a mutually rewarding partnership with the LEAP schools (Langa Educational Advantage Programme). When John Gilmour approached Bishops in 2003 with a dream to create schools that addressed the teaching of Maths and Science to the underprivileged community of Langa, Bishops immediately joined with him in helping set up the school, and part of the support given was the use of Science and IT labs in the afternoons when Bishops pupils were not using them. The relationship is now much wider than that, and Bishops and LEAP pupils frequently share opportunities such as the Bishops Epic, Debating, Outreach programmes and others. There are positive exchanges of ideas and insights between Bishops and LEAP, as well as shared fund-raising activities. Since its inception in 2004, LEAP has grown enormously, and there are now three LEAP schools (two in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg). Their past pupils are now reaching out in successful tertiary education as well as careers in various fields. Their Website is www.leapschool.org.za

The Royal Bafokeng

Bishops is building a relationship with the Royal Bafokeng Nation and is planning to embark on an educational joint venture of setting up a school of excellence in the Bafokeng land which will be owned by the Bafokeng, but will enjoy support and direction from Bishops. While the envisaged school will be run as an independent entity, with its own staff and pupils, there will be close interaction with Bishops to develop an ethos there which will on its own terms match what we aspire to do at Bishops.

Developments are still at any early stage. Visits have been exchanged – the King visited Bishops and addressed the whole school, and enjoyed a brisk exchange of question and answers with boys. The Principal, Deputy Principal and the Chairman of Council have visited the Bafokeng on several occasions, and teachers from Bishops and from the Bafokeng’s flagship school (Lebone II), have visited each and started building friendships and relationships in anticipation of further contact.