Student Leadership at Bishops

In 2008 Bishops moved from a prefect system of student leadership to one which involves all the grade 12 boys in the College operating within portfolios.

The College still has a Head Boy and each House has a Head of House. The latter are encouraged to act as captains of their team of matric leaders within the House and College.

What we believe about leaders and leadership:

1. All individuals have some leadership potential.
2. Certain personality traits predispose some individuals to assuming leadership positions. All people are not equally gifted.
3. Specific knowledge, experience and expertise allow some individuals to emerge as leaders in specific situations; equally, in different situations different individuals may come to the fore as leaders.
4. Leadership skills can be learnt and developed and therefore all individuals can demonstrate more effective leadership with training, experience, coaching and personal reflection.
5. Leadership involves both inspiring followers (influencing others) and achieving a task (accomplishing a goal).
6. Leadership involves mentoring and being mentored.
7. Leadership involves service.
8. Leadership should be exercised in a way which is consistent with the values which Bishops holds dear. Indeed leaders are custodians of these values.

Twice a year the matric boys go through an appraisal process which is used both to consider how they are doing and encourage and guide them. After the second of these the House staff decide upon leadership awards against certain criteria.

The new system has had a profound effect on the tone of the College as a result of a more united and caring matric group each year. Over the last few years over 90% of the boys have got an award (with about 30% at distinction level) which points to a pleasing degree of participation by most boys.