1968 Reunion
A lovely evening was held at The Mitre on Thursday 22nd March where ODs from the class of 1968 gathered to celebrate part of their 50th Reunion. For feedback from the reunion organisers, Keith Richardson (1968O) and Charles Withington (1968W).
Feedback from the class of 1968 after their 50th Reunion in March 2018
Keith Richardson (1968O): “Dear Paul
You really were quite outstanding in your presentation to us on Friday. At our spitbraai afterwards, the tour was the topic of conversation among all of us. Thank you for your time and your expertise. I know that Bishops are enormously lucky to have someone of your passion doing tours of this nature.
You certainly made a number of re-converts to Bishops. I thought that every aspect of the morning was inspiring (bearing the true Latin derivative in mind of in + spiro) and you most certainly did force us to take deep breaths. You even made me want to teach history again! You certainly brought home the concept of good history teaching: History is about people and why they do things…
Well done and thank you.
I attach a portion of an email sent to the organising committee. It sums up far better than I what the group felt:
The past emotions were twofold, one being the ever unfolding recollections of one own experiences at Bishops be they good or bad, and the other being the history of Bishops. Paul Murray’s tour was for me one of the absolute highlights – I really believe that Paul probably does not fully grasp just how much he knows about Bishops, and for us an audience we did not know the half of it! It is hard to imagine that in this day and age the priority and expense which was given to building the Memorial chapel, which was dedicated to fallen friends and inspired by committed Christian faith. This and the other threads of history were incredibly humbling when one realises what value system, what ethos and what commitment, has persisted through the years of Bishops. As Keith mentioned, one suddenly so appreciates the sacrifices made by parents in those days, to make it possible for us to enter Bishops.”
Charles Withington (1968W): “Gentlemen,
The last two days have given cause for much reflection and I share some of this with you ….
Firstly – the class of 1968 owes HUGE thanks to you all for putting the event into place. I would think that in terms of actual versus possible, attendees at a 50th reunion this could be something of a record. Your foresight in starting well over a year ago, and your hawkish persistence to track down one and all, paid off.
The CURRENT emotions were the joy and surprise at seeing so many faces (no – NOT old!), and indeed, some that one had not seen since leaving School. The “current” also included a sense of the school as it is in the here and now, and the look and feel during all our on-site gatherings. Much has changed, much has not – the boys seemed unchanged, neither the smell nor feel, and the bells-and-whistles amenities were certainly much more than we could have dreamed of – some might even be considered OTT.
The PAST emotions were twofold, one being the ever unfolding recollections of one own experiences at Bishops be they good or bad, and the other being the history of Bishops. Paul Murray’s tour was for me one of the absolute highlights – I really believe that Paul probably does not fully grasp just how much he knows about Bishops, and for us an audience we did not know the half of it! It is hard to imagine that in this day and age the priority and expense which was given to building the Memorial chapel, which was dedicated to fallen friends and inspired by committed Christian faith. This and the other threads of history were incredibly humbling when one realises what value system, what ethos and what commitment, has persisted through the years of Bishops. As Keith mentioned, one suddenly so appreciates the sacrifices made by parents in those days, to make it possible for us to enter Bishops.
The FUTURE... It was more than once pointed out that while Bishops would accept nothing less than a standard of international excellence, for it to remain relevant in South Africa,
in farming terms, Bishops had to produce export quality fruit, but not only for the export market, but is being challenged and charged to help grow one’s neighbours as oneself!
To the outsider and even to returning ODs, Bishops can give an initial impression of facilities and an affluence that almost seems out of place in South Africa today, and my hope ahead is that Bishops never loses that commitment to fellow man, and while following a path to “greatness” each and every one of us may add something to make this world a better place before they move on!!
Thank you to all the 68’s – I am proud to be part of you.”
