Bishops Diocesan College

Description

Bishops Diocesan College, informally known as Bishops, is an Anglican independent school for boys in Rondebosch, Cape Town. Bishops teaches Grade R to Grade 12 and currently has 1360 students. It caters to both day scholars and boarders.

Bishops was the first school in the southern hemisphere to start playing rugby and the main Piley Rees field is the oldest in South Africa. While the school has many sports, the main focus is on rugby union and cricket. The school has more than one physical campus location. The college and pre prep school are located on the same campus, while the prep school is a short walk away on its own campus.

HERITAGE

Founded in 1849 by Bishop Robert Gray, Bishops was established in Maynier’s Cottage on the grounds of the Bishop’s residence, Protea, which is now called Bishopscourt. The aim of the school was to educate the youth of the colony using the principles of the English Church.

ACADEMICS

Bishops is known for its outstanding academic achievements, evident in the school motto: “Bishops inspires individuals”. The 2014 Matrics achieved a 100% pass rate.

SPORT & CULTURE

Bishops is best known for its rugby, cricket, hockey, and rowing. The most important sports grounds are called Piley Rees (rugby field), Frank Reid (cricket field), and Woodlands (hockey field).

SPORTS

• Cross country
• Golf
• Hockey
• Rugby
• Squash
• Athletics
• Basketball
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cricket
• Karate
• Shooting
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Water polo
• Weights
• Fencing
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Surfing

SERVICES

• First Aid

SCHOOL FACILITIES

• 8 tennis courts
• 25m 8-lane swimming pool
• Water polo pool
• 8 cricket fields
• 9 rugby fields
• AstroTurf
• 2 hockey fields
• Rowing, sailing, and canoeing facilities
• Basketball court
• Cross country track
• Mountain biking track
• 5 squash courts
• Fitness centre
• Library

SCHOLARSHIPS

Bishops has several scholarships on offer for students entering into Grade 8. The most notable is the annual Rhodes scholarship which gives an ex pupil the chance to attend the University of Oxford. Bishops is one of only four schools to offer this scholarship.

NOTABLE GRADUATES

• Mark Shuttleworth
• Raymond Ackerman
• Nizaam Carr
• Richard Cock