It was a previous Principal at Bishops who said: "Education is far more than what happens in the classroom" (John Gardener).

The co-curricular offering at Bishops in the form of regular, and a host of different society meetings, could not serve as a better example.

Today, The Mitre is host to a several Societies at Bishops, Forum (Established by Michael Fisher in 1976 and taken over by Paul Murray in 1991 - ).  There are others as well, that meet at The Mitre: Lingua Franca (Founded by Michael Fisher in 1968 and taken over by Paul Murray in 1991 - ); The Historical Bench (Founded in Bishops' 150th year by Paul Murray after the eponymous society at Ampleforth, suggested by Michael Fisher); and The Archives and Museum Society (Founded by Paul Murray at formal retirement in 2018).  Murray's deep interest in societies emanates from school, continued at University and applied to the schools he taught at, St John's College in Johannesburg and Bishops, Cape Town.

This term (since the beginning of the year) there have been five meetings at The Mitre, as follows:

The Monday 19 January 2026 meeting of The Historical bench took the form of a PPT presented by Paul Murray.  It asked the question, Trump's invasion of Venezuela, a march of folly or a carefully calculated plan?  Murray outlined the different areas and reasons for US FP such as the control of spheres, the US economy (trade and dollar valuation) and the quest for strategic minerals.  The term "march of folly" was used in context of Barbara Tuchman, the American historian, journalist and author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize (twice).

The Tuesday 20 January 2026 meeting of Lingua Franca took the form of a talk by Mr Simon Halliday, former English rugby union international who also played nine first-class cricket matches and was educated at Downside School, Somerset and St Benet's Hall, Oxford.  His account of "From High Ball to High Finance" which is his own life's experience, with great disappointments such as a downside to the economy when he was in high-finance, to coming back from sports injury, will serve members of the audience well for their life's path.  Simon is a parent at Bishops, having a boy in Gr 3 in Bramley, Sebastian.  

The Tuesday 27 January 2026 meeting (of a combination of the societies) took the form of a discussion on Mental Models with participation from the members.  Whilst the talk centred on Parkinson's Law, other models were briefly discussed:  First Principle Thinking, Inversion, the Pareto Principle, Circle of Competence, Second Order Thinking, The Map is not the Territory, Occam's Razor, Hanlon's Razor, and the concept of Compound Interest.  At the end of the presentation, members made their choice - amazing to see how they were so different.

The Thursday 29 January 2026 meeting of The Archives and Museum Society took the form of a live display of some of Bishops’ ties.  The display itself was varied, from House ties, to sport, culture, overseas and of course the highest, the Distinction Tie for International participation.  Hamaad Badroodien (Gr11 - MH) happened to be wearing his distinction tie earned from International Debating.  Many students remain interested in their school ties, ironic as in the corporate world and places where ties used to be worn more, this has subsided.

The Wednesday 04 February 2026 meeting of Forum took the form of a presentation by Mr Hywel George, Director of Investments at Old Mutual Investment Group.  His work is to oversee investment activities across Old Mutual's affiliate asset management businesses and driving investment performance.  The title of his talk was "Diving into the Depths of AI & Geopolitics".  It must be said how unbelievably fortunate the members were to listen to the presentation of cutting-edge information made riveting by an expert in his field, as well as from the high position Mr George holds in Finance - a Forum talk in every possible way.

Next term we have a line-up of speakers ready to challenge the minds of our students.

ODs wishing to present at school societies can contact Paul Murray at pmurray@bishops.org.za 

Above - the photo of The Historical Bench meeting – Christopher Reid (Gr11WH) - Chair - addressing the audience.

Delving into some of Bishops' many ties, specific, historic and of the eight Houses (The Archives and Museum Society – Chair – Alec Alfaro-Mclaughli, fourth from Left, Chair).

The Lingua Franca meeting, with the Chair, Alec Alfaro-Mclaughlin (Gr12GH), Simon Halliday and Andy Wood (1977GH), the Executive Director of the ODU who attended.