The 10th March 2023, marked the 174th Birthday of Bishops and the School's Founders Day. For many years we have celebrated Founders Day with a lunch in London and this year it was particular gratifying that so many - and so many younger ODs - joined in, most resplendent in their OD ties.

The Carlton Club, our spiritual home in the UK, once again provided the most apposite setting for marvelous company, delectable food and a seemingly endless flow of fine wine. And, in particular, a fantastic speech given by Tom Baigrie (F, 1978).

Before we sat down, we said the Bishops School Prayer, then a spot of lunch and then Tom. 

Tom's speech covered his early and formative life at Bishops where he learnt, for better or worse, strategies for future success, personally and professionally. The SADF played its role too but Tom's style is not to select only the good and reject the bad, but to experience everything that life has to throw at him and make the most of it.

In preparing for his talk,  he spoke to both Anthony Reeler (current Bishops Principal) and Guy Pearson (recently retired Bishops Principal) to get their take on the creation of a school culture in which not only would boys flourish, but one which would imbue them with a sense of critical thinking, compassion and resilience for the future. From his own point of view, he streesed how important and influential this had been for him.

He made a plea that if we as ODs wanted to see our School transform and thrive in the widest possible sense, we needed to help, not out of  sense of philanthropy, but, actually, duty. Bishops might be an expensive school, he said, but it is not a rich one and for it to endure as one of the best (if not the best) schools in South Africa it would need the help and support of all ODs.

He asked us to stand and drink a toast to Bishops.

Michael Mills (S, 1973) thanked Tom for his speech which enthralled and riveted those present. It was thought provoking and amusing and delivered in Tom's inimitable swashbuckling style. Tom is unafraid to tilt at windmills even if one of those is himself

To see all the photos, click HERE