Termly Reflection

The last missive from this desk reported on young Aaron Beyers having unearthed a fishing reel from Top Woods. Well, Aaron seems to have sparked something of a craze, which has had two incredible results! Grade 4 mates, Sam Veenstra and Quinn Lynch, produced something (also from Top Woods) which took quite a lot of digging (metaphorical and literal) to demystify. Ultimately, it appears that they found the top of an old iron – the sort into which hot coals were popped. Quite how (and why) it got to Top Woods is a bit of a mystery. Any past pupils with some idea?

Speaking of past pupils, Bastion McCormick of Grade 00 found evidence of what may well be our oldest old boy… this was in the form of a Middle Stone Age spearhead (between 130 000 and 80 000 years old), and found on the Clifton grounds! Having had the artifact verified by archeologists in South Africa and abroad, this is, without doubt, one of the more exciting finds of our generation at Clifton. Bastion is very proud of his find. He tells us he wants to become an archaeologist when he grows up… he’s off to a great start!

(Note: Clifton has followed the appropriate steps in ascertaining the integrity and provenance of the artifact and the area in which it was discovered.)

Archaeology aside, it has been another wonderful term at Clifton. The Maple has now shed its crimson coat, with the Gingko really showing off this year – its striking yellow leaves are spectacular in the Wintery sunshine. This weekend saw our Grade 7s concluding their rugby and hockey careers at Clifton. 

Our final rugby fixture saw the boys locking horns with Cordwalles at Clifton. These rugby matches were an excellent advertisement for the standard of Clifton rugby, with the 1st XV being shut out in the final moments of the match – an absolute nail-biter. While the boys were doing battle on the rugby fields, the girls competed for inter-house hockey glory. Trojans were the victors, of course! 

It may come as no surprise to know that 25 children are representing their sporting codes at a provincial level in the school holidays in rugby, hockey, squash, and horse-riding events. 

Our cross-country runners have acquitted themselves with aplomb, too, and it was with considerable pride that we hosted an interschools event at Clifton. Having wins and top finishers in each age-group was a fitting reward for a season of hard work. 

We also have a chess champion! Kivar Royappen won the annual Midlands inter-schools chess championship attended by 12 schools and hosted by Laddsworth, with De Wet Mulder a finalist in his category. Our Gr 00 Shongololos were probably hoping to add Kivar’s impressive trophy to their stash of loot if the characters dressed up for the Pirates picnic were anything to go by! Perhaps they could have made use of the Grade 1 Transport Day vehicles for a quick getaway? An aeroplane, a helicopter, various racing cars, tractors, horse-drawn carriages, a yacht and, actually, anything imaginable was seen being driven around campus earlier this term!

Our clubs program continues to provide an offering to the children, taking place in the second and third terms. Golf, fishing, trail-running, mountain-biking, a radio shack and an art club ensure a smorgasbord of opportunity! Outdoor pursuits continued in the shape of a termly Senior Primary hike, this term taking place in the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, featuring cascades, a few bum slides and some incredible views. We have also spent a day in Top Woods with the Grade 6 & 7 cohort working on a contour path through the woods… hopefully without disturbing the resident African Wood Owls!

In keeping with the theme of honouring the past, a plaque commemorating the legendary Mr James ‘Pop’ Daniel was unveiled by his son, Mr Tony Daniel, in the Pavilion. Mrs Barbara Kerr (who taught under ‘Pop’ as a first-year teacher) shared some of her memories, too. Please see Mrs Lorna Bruwer’s article "Old Boys Day" for more information on this wonderful occasion as well as the Old Boys focus.

Next term promises to be an equally action-packed one, with a particularly exciting trip for the Grade 7s, who are off on their Botswana adventure. 

The Clifton cogs keep turning… 81 not out!