The Bishopslea of today is the result of vision, determination and the belief that if something is meant to happen, it will happen – and the details will take care of themselves.  Such was the attitude of Rt Rev Edward Paget, one of the great founding visionaries of education in Zimbabwe.  Described as an “under-funded gamble,” Bishop’s Lea, St Mary’s Diocesan Preparatory School, first opened in 1932 as a school for Grades 1 and 2. The School began in the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral, near where Africa Unity Square is today, as the Great Depression raged.  Its formative years were these - the 1930’s - and World War Two, which followed shortly after. 

Quality education was the goal and vision of Bishopslea from the very start.  Despite the hard times in the 1930’s, parents wanted the new school and were prepared to back it.  Bishopslea’s first house, called “Bishop’s Lea”, was ghastly and had been condemned by the wife of Bishop William Gaul, so new premises were bought...