Dear Jeremy

The ODU is happy to announce the inaugural Bishops Community Founders’ Week to be held on the Bishops’ Campus and in our branches worldwide, from Monday 8 March to Friday 12 March 2021. The annual Founders’ Day celebrations with the school, parents and ODs will form part of this Week and be held on Friday 12th March 2021.

In association with The Bishops College PA, Prep & Pre-prep PA, Bishops School and OD Union, we have planned many different events for the week. We are delighted that this is a Bishops Community initiative, which has been welcomed by all involved. All proceeds from the Week’s activities will go to a soon to be established fund - the OD Investing In Our Future Fund (IIOFF) as well as charities supported by the Bishops Community. Our goal is R1 Million. For some time, it has been apparent that some scholars have struggled when leaving the safety net of the College, with emphasis on those who attend the college via a bursary. The IIOFF will provide funds and mentors to these boys for tertiary education, training, careers guidance and psychological assistance, as well as accommodation and daily living expenses if required.

2021 is only the start of the new Founders Week and for every party involved, we see it as a springboard to improve year on year out. We would very much welcome any ODs who would like to contribute; whether it be prizes for the auctions or sponsoring holes on the golf day. A big part of the week is the raffle taking place, which prizes include a week away in a luxury villa in France or an investment portfolio worth up to R100 000.

This Fund in no way impacts on the OD Bursary Fund which aids boys entering the school. The IIOFF runs in parallel and complementary to the Bursary Fund, as well as the goals of The Bishops Trust.

Please follow the link below to our Founders Week landing page, where you will be able to find out all the information you require.

Founders Week 2021

It has been a disruptive year to say the least, and the world we knew has completely changed. This newsletter will be the last bi-weekly one for 2020 and so the ODU would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and all the luck for the new year. Please see our interview with ODU Chairman Wilbur Van Niekerk (1985K) below, as he discusses how the year has gone, with an eye on next year. As always, you are most welcome to contact the ODU for any matter, whether it be for advice or simply to connect again. The Mitre will close its doors from 18 December until 4 January.

Kind regards,
Jeremy Ryall (2014F)

Stay updated and connected with ODs

Stay up-to-date with all OD related news in your area by contacting your branch secretary and ensuring your personal details are correct (links below).

Activate your account with 2632 other ODs on OD Connect - it’s now very simple!

OD Stories Around The World

The ODU in 2020: Wilbur Van Niekerk

ODU Chairman of 2020, Wilbur Van Niekerk (1985K), sat down with digital community coordinator Jeremy Ryall (2014F) to discuss how the year has gone from an ODU perspective and where it is heading.

What a Guy: A rest well earned

A tribute to headmaster Guy Pearson, written by Timothy Jarvis, a former staff member of Guy's during his time at Michael House.

Stronger Together

We congratulate Tim Richman (1995B) and Matthew Pearce (1987G), on their collaboration to produce a 2019 Rugby World Cup commemorative book.

OD involved in SA v England series

Congrats to Andy Pycroft (1973F) on being selected as Match Referee for the SA vs England which took place over the course of last weekend and this week.

Thames Hare & Hounds 2020

The ODU has a chance to beat the best UK alumni cross country teams on 13th December. Compete In The World's Oldest Alumni Cross Country Competition

The Old Diocesan

We’re currently in issue 6 of the Old Diocesan Magazine. All issues can be found here.

Click here for the 2021 Old Diocesan 2021 rate card and should you wish to contribute to future issues, please do contact Jeremy at [email protected]

The name Richard Cock (1966O) is synonymous with classical music in South Africa. The third recipient of our prestigious Robert Gray Medal, Richard is a conductor, choirmaster and producer, and a ubiquitous presence at events of all musical genres - Starlight Classics being a favourite. Read more in Issue 6 of The Old Diocesan below.

Although obviously artistic at school, Stephen Rae (1995K) initially pursued a career in engineering. But his passion caught up with him, and today his artworks appear in international exhibitions, in the most expensive house in South Africa and on the cover of The Old Diocesan… Read more in Issue 6 of The Old Diocesan below.

Agape, 65 years ago

Sixty-five years ago, in 1955, much loved Father Leslie Irving (aka Agape), school chaplain, teacher and a friend returned to his home country, England, after teaching at Bishops for 14 years.

Reverend Sydney Herbert Clark

Rev Clarke served as the eighth Principal of St John's College, from 1935 until his retirement from that post in September 1954 after which he came to teach Maths and Divinity at Bishops from 1955.

NEW: OD Business Directory

We have recently added the OD Business Directory to OD Connect. We encourage you register your business and engage with many different ODs from around the world. Below is a short video on how the whole process works. We recommend you browse through the many businesses already online, below.

Business Directory

Watch this short 2-min tutorial video on how to get your business profile up and running correctly on OD Connect

Cape Fish focuses on the supply of sustainably caught and sourced seafood, specialising in the handling of fresh Yellowfin tuna and Swordfish.

OD Clubs and Interest Groups

The first OD Cannabis Society meeting

On Saturday 28th November 2020 history was made as the inaugural OD Cannabis Society meeting took place at Home Restaurant in Harfield Village – the brainchild of the previous owner Ant Hansen (1989O)