Please accept this as a warm invitation for you
to come and visit Bishops. We believe that our
ethos and history is best appreciated by
a personal visit to the school.

Bishops embodies a rich history and tradition which has made it one of the leading independent schools in Southern Africa. Our boys are individuals who belong to an international community and we welcome them from throughout South Africa, Africa and the world, enriching diversity and widening our perspective.
We are proud of the rich heritage formed by our young men in their adult lives; of their exceptional contributions to academic, artistic, scientific, sporting, political and public life. Many have risen to become prominent politicians, legendary sportsmen, corporate executives, acclaimed scientists and inspiring professionals - even an astronaut is among the ODs!

We are confident of the brightness of the future because we believe in our students’ happiness and strength. We want them to go forward with a sense of purpose, convinced of their own value and ready to meet challenges without fear. This brochure will provide you with a glimpse of life at Bishops but what it cannot do is adequately portray a particular strength of Bishops: the Bishops family and the good relationship that exists between staff, pupils, parents and ODs.

Introduction
At the foot of Table Mountain is without question South Africa's most beautiful city, Cape Town and a boys' school founded in 1849 by an Anglican Bishop concerned with the state of public education. Bishops Robert Gray's vision entailed an educational environment that would promote independent thinking, to create brave leaders and informed followers. It is in pursuit of these goals that Diocesan College (better known as Bishops) has continued to grow and develop over the last century and a half.

Academics
A Bishops education is a privilege for any young man and our
pupils are constantly reminded of their place in the broader South
Africa. Understanding the meaning of abundance and scarcity are as much part of their education as history and mathematics. It is this acknowledgement of one's place and role in broader society that helps make Bishops' graduates leaders of the future. Equipped with a world-class academic background, students are excellently prepared for progressing into tertiary education.
Cultural Music, art and drama are a vital part of Bishops life. Boys are encourage to sing in the choir, play an instrument and generally extend their cultural aptitude in a variety of different ways. As a well established centre of excellence we have facilities including a fully operational theatre, a professional recording studio and a highly acclaimed music department.
Sport Bishops offers more than 22 sports from individual to team sports so as to best suit the needs of each student. These include rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming, athletics, basketball, fencing, golf, rowing, squash, tennis, waterpolo and much more. Sport is compulsory, with team sports developing a sense of camaraderie among the boys in addition to enhancing their ability to work together toward a common goal. Pastoral Bishops offers weekly and full time boarding from prep to college. The fun, camaraderie and excitement that go along with staying full-time at the school all adds to the Bishops experience. Often it is the moments in the boarding houses that provide the most enduring memories. Day-boys, too, have a home base at school in the form of their House. When each boy begins Grade 8 he is allocated to a House that remains his base for the remainder of his school career. This develops a family structure that enhances the friendships that Bishops boys make with each other for life.

BISHOPS in a nutshell

FOUNDED: 1849 by Bishop Grey
CURRENT PUPILS: Approximately 1260
BOARDERS: 220 at College and 42 at Prep
CURRENT PUPILS FROM: Belgium, Botswana, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Liechtenstein,
Mozambique, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, UAE,
Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe
ACADEMIC STAFF: Approximately 115 teachers
MAX CLASS SIZE: 24 pupils
GROUNDS: 56 hectares

Interesting Facts

• Bishops has 10 rugby & 10 cricket fields, 4 major sports
      pavilions, 4 boarding houses, 8 day boy houses and 2 chapels
• Mark Shuttleworth was Head boy in 1991 and was the first
      Afronaut in Space on 2 April 2002
• Bishops is one only of four schools in the world that awards
      the Rhodes Scholarship
• More than 153 Bishops boys have played international sport
• Post Matric classes were introduced in 1921 and Girls were
      first admitted in 1976
• Bishops has produced 9 International Champion speakers
      and debaters in the last 10 years
• 2003 Rugby World Cup, Bishops had four players representing
      four different countries
• The Springbok rugby jersey evolved from the OD Rugby jersey
•Xhosa was introduced in 1975 and is compulsory at Prep from
                Grade 3 to Grade 7

Frequently asked questions

IS BISHOPS A COLLEGE ONLY?
Bishops also has a Pre Preparatory, Preparatory school and Post
Matric. A boy can start at the beginning of his school career in the year he turns 6 and remain at Bishops until Grade 12 or Post Matric.

IS BISHOPS FOR BOYS ONLY?
Yes but girls can be admitted to Post Matric.

IS BISHOPS THE MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL IN SA?
No, according to the Independent Schools in South Africa
(ISASA) Directory 2005 we are the 14th most expensive
independent school in South Africa.

AT WHAT AGE CAN A BOY START AT BISHOPS?
Entry points to Bishops are Grade R and Grade 8. It is very
difficult to get a boy into Bishops in between these times so we
encourage early and timeous application.

WHAT AGE DOES BOARDING START FROM?
Boys can start full boarding at Prep from Grade 3.

IS CHAPEL COMPULSORY?
The school welcomes and accepts boys of all denominations who are happy to attend Anglican Christian worship in the chapel. Where designated, Chapel services will be compulsory for all boys, and staff will be encouraged to participate in chapel as they fulfil their tasks as role models.

IS SPORT COMPULSORY?
We are one of the leading sports schools in South Africa and we
compete globally. To maintain our standards of excellence, all boys must play an official school sport in both summer & winter. We believe that sport is essential to develop life skills.

WILL MY SON BE ABLE TO STUDY OVERSEAS WITH HIS MATRIC EXEMPTION?
Yes, we offer the FET because we believe it is a first class
examination. Bishops boys have been writing University entrance to local and international universities on the strength of the Senior Certificate most successfully. More than 98% of Bishops boys graduate on to tertiary education.

WHAT ABOUT AS LEVELS?
We offer a year's course of Cambridge AS levels to boys and girls in Post Matric.