Leading with triple excellence

By the time Chad Bacher reached matric at Redhill School, leadership had become less a title and more a way of thinking. Having moved through several schools before settling at Redhill in Grade 8, Bacher ’s journey shaped a student deeply attuned to the power of environment, culture, and consistency. 

“Moving between schools exposed me to different cultures,” Bacher said. His time at King David gave him a strong sense of identity and belonging, while Crawford introduced a competitive, performance-driven atmosphere. Arriving at Redhill, he came to value what he describes as a rare balance: academic rigour alongside space for sport, culture, and individuality. 

That perspective would come to define Bacher ’s leadership, which culminated in his role as student president. “I’ve always believed leadership is less about authority and more about responsibility,” he said. Leading by example, showing up consistently, and being present mattered more to him than perfection.  

Some of the highlights of his presidency brought Redhill national and international recognition. Winning the 5FM War Cry Challenge as one of the smallest schools in the competition was a moment of collective pride. “It reflected genuine student enthusiasm and belief,” Bacher said. His collaboration with CNN International, advocating against global child slavery, was equally meaningful. “It showed me the power of student voices and collective effort.” 

Excelling across academics, sport, and culture, Bacher achieved the rare distinction of triple-sphere honours. While academics came most naturally, it demanded sustained effort and discipline. Hockey, where he earned 100 caps for the first team, reinforced the importance of preparation and consistency. “Reliability matters more than occasional brilliance,” he said. Cultural pursuits, including performances in major school productions such as Cabaret and Chicago, pushed him beyond his comfort zone, teaching him vulnerability, discipline, and trust in the process. 

Sport, particularly hockey, offered lessons that extended far beyond the field. Bacher credits his coach, Justin Rosenberg, with instilling a philosophy of striving to be just 1% better each time, an approach he now applies across all areas of life. Early mornings, teamwork, and pressure management became foundations for resilience. 

Giving back formed a central part of Bacher ’s school experience. Through his involvement in the Johannesburg Junior Council and on the Interact Committee, he learnt that service is about responsibility rather than recognition. This commitment was recognised when he received the Rotary Club of Sandton award for Outstanding Service Above Self, an honour he values for the principles it represents. 

Academically, Bacher ’s approach was refreshingly practical. He attributes his success to sleep, consistency, and listening. Known for going to bed at 21:00 regardless of workload, he chose early mornings over late nights, trusting routine to keep him calm and focused. He is quick to acknowledge the role of Redhill’s teachers and executive staff in supporting and guiding him throughout his schooling. 

Bacher, who was chosen as the IEB DUX scholar, got a 95% average with eight distinctions, all of which were above 90%. His results were within the top one percent in the country in six or more subjects. 

As Bacher prepares to study industrial engineering at Stellenbosch University, he looks ahead with anticipation rather than apprehension. “School prepared me to expect difficulty rather than fear it,” he said. Carrying forward the balance, discipline, and intentional leadership he developed at Redhill, he steps into the next chapter confident in his ability to navigate challenge and opportunity alike.