Housemaster News

Hello All

As I sit here this evening, I am overcome with by the hush in the quad with only the steady seeping from the fountain which smothers some of the silence. Not the usual clatter of the boys charging around. It is very peaceful. The days are different; a constant stream of workers have been hammering and bashing away all holidays installing the huge hot water system. I have never seen such a colossal geyser and am amazed it actually made it through the back entrance. It is in and hopefully the boys will have plenty of hot water which they will need if it remains so chilly. On top of this, the remaining unpainted areas are now painted and looking great. The dorms needed a coat more than anywhere and look so much warmer and more cordial.

You would have received all reports by now and I hope they were not unexpected and those that were, we will need to deal with in the new term. Please email me or your son’s tutor if you would like to discuss issues raised or of concern in the reports. On the whole, I was disappointed and will have to address some of my concerns in the new term. These concerns are of a general nature like poor presentation of work, poor adherence to deadlines, not doing homework and sloppy punctuality are a few of my concerns. I have put a lot of thought into how these issues can be improved. There is no doubt that prep time needs to be improved in terms of productivity and we really do need to enable boys to have the resources to produce project work etc. of a high quality i.e. colour printers etc. Boys’ not handing in work on time is totally unacceptable and the consequences for this needs to be heightened. However, there were some stunning results and some equally impressive improvements.

Michael, in his blog, has congratulated the House on their performances in the Eisteddfod. Overall, we came a creditable 6th, beating both the other boarding houses. We win the Blue Bird again. The 5th year in a row! I will certainly ensure it is awarded in chapel at the start of the term. I was so pleased and proud of the boys in all their efforts. I sometimes think we put so much effort into winning and sometimes forget the fun that is had in competing. Just look at the Stormers, for two years now they have made the last four and provided so much enjoyment along the way; I won’t forget their wins earlier in the season and the excitement they provided. Yes, they did not win but they provided so much more to be proud of. They tried their best and lost to a better side; they still did us proud. Well done to Stratos, Max, Andrew and KB for putting most of it together.

So what does next term bring us. The matrics are in their last academic term at Bishops. They are over it, I know, but perserverence and keeping the bridges intact for the troops in the future is essential. Steady heads and resolve will be called for from them. The other grades have it easy; no exams, but a lot of House sport to compete for later in the term. The grade 11s will be doing their final leadership training and preparing to take over the running of the House. Exciting and nervous times for them. The grade 10s will start thinking 'Epic' and some exchange. It is my best term and I am looking forward to it.

I will be sending out more information next week which will focus on the more mundane routine stuff. But for now, enjoy the rest of the holidays. I know I will as I am off to the family farm and Plett for a short while. Rumour has it that I will be jogging the Knysna Half Marathon.

Take care
Angus