CNR e-News Term 2

24 April 2026

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Term 2: Foundations and Frontiers

I trust that everyone in our community enjoyed a restful and restorative break. It is a joy to see our classrooms and fields bustling once again as we embark on what promises to be a busy, productive, and successful term.

Grit on the Field and the Turf

While many were resting, our 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Girls’ Hockey teams were flying the Notties flag at the St John’s and Wykeham Collegiate festivals, respectively. For both teams, the story was one of inspiring growth: with every match, we saw an increase in confidence, tenacity, and tactical skill.

Watching our boys show such grit and our girls gelling together with genuine trust was a masterclass in the "Notties Spirit." A sincere thank you to our coaching staff for their tireless dedication and enthusiasm, and to our parents, whose incredible support at these festivals mirrors the very heart of our school culture.

Hooves and Happiness

A special thank you to Sanka Davies and the Riding School staff for hosting a wonderful two-day "Pony Club" at Clifton during the holidays. It provided a healthy, outdoor environment for children to bond with animals and each other, the kind of immersive, nature-based learning that is uniquely "Notties." We are so fortunate to be able to offer these authentic country experiences right here on our doorstep.

The Three Pillars

In our first Chapel service of the term, I spoke to the children about three pillars that support our unique culture: Our Motto, Our Heritage, and Our Environment. We are stewards of a beautiful country campus, rich in lessons passed down through generations. However, the true soul of the school lies in our motto: Prodesse Quam Conspici - to be humble in one’s achievements. It is heartening to see our staff, parents, and children all striving to maintain this ethos, ensuring that even as we reach for success, we remain grounded in our values.

Building for the Future

The transformation of our campus continues at an exciting pace:

The Grade 4 Classrooms: We are officially on track! The excitement among the Grade 4s is palpable as they watch their new "home" take shape.
Usher House & Library: These builds have made excellent progress. We are deeply grateful to the project teams for their meticulous attention to detail in creating spaces that will serve our children for decades to come.
Road Closure: Thank you for your continued patience regarding the road closure from the JP to the tennis courts. This is a necessary step as our footprint expands, and your understanding is much appreciated.

Friday Afternoon Fever

Our "Clubs" initiative continues to gather momentum, and the variety is truly staggering. Whether it is the craft of "Seeds and Sawdust" and Crocheting, the focus of Golf and Pickleball, or the adventure of Mountain Biking, our children are discovering that learning happens just as vibrantly outside the classroom as within it. This program adds immense value to the Notties experience, allowing every child to find their "niche."

Looking Ahead

The children and staff have returned with an infectious energy. As we face the challenges and triumphs of the term ahead, we do well to remember that our strength lies in our quiet consistency.

As Kenneth Haworth (Headmaster of Clifton from 1938 to 1946) once reflected on the essence of a great school, it is not just about the buildings, but the spirit within them. We move forward into Term 2 committed to our journey together, always striving to be of service rather than to be conspicuous.

Staff News

A Milestone in Movement and Meaning: Celebrating Our Newest PPA Educators

We extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Kelland, Mrs. Sliedrecht, Mrs. Robertson, and Mrs. Jones, who have officially qualified as Psychomotor (PPA) educators. For the past 15 months, these dedicated teachers have given up their Fridays and many Saturdays each week to undergo this rigorous training.

Thanks to their incredible commitment, we have reached a monumental milestone for our school: our entire Pre-School staff, our Grade 1 teachers, and our Junior Primary HoD are now fully PPA trained. This training goes far beyond physical education; it marks a profound shift in how we view early childhood. Through PPA, we are reminded that a child is not simply a little person but a beautiful, unfolding story. It is a story we, as educators, are not meant to write for them but to read with understanding, acknowledgment, care, deep curiosity, and unwavering trust in the child.

In the quiet, non-directive moments of observation, our teachers are trained to see so much more. We understand that movement becomes meaning, play is pure expression, and behaviour is a vital form of communication. Above all, this journey has taught us the most beautiful foundation of learning: that from the pleasure of play comes the profound power to act, to transform, to develop cognitive focus, and to confidently discover the ultimate joy of being responsible for their own actions and becoming "somebody in the world."

A Masterclass in Numbers: Empowering Teachers through NumberSense

This week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, our staff participated in an enriching professional development series centered on the NumberSense Mathematics Programme, presented by Melanie Gow. Designed to foster a robust sense of number and a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics, the programme is grounded in current research and responsive to children's specific developmental needs.

On Tuesday, the sessions kicked off with a focused discussion for Pre-School teachers, followed by a "Nuts and Bolts" workshop designed to orient new staff members to the programme’s core mechanics. Wednesday offered a deep dive into pedagogical collaboration for both Junior Primary (Grades 1–3) and Senior Primary (Grades 4–7) teachers, covering critical topics such as Mental Maths, Fractions, and Pre-Algebra. Teachers explored a wealth of resources, including the NumberSense Teacher Guide, curriculum activity cards, and an extensive assessment bank ranging from diagnostic tools to Grade 7 item banks.

It was a wonderful learning opportunity where our staff, despite their expertise, embraced new strategies to expand their skill repertoire. The experience was valuable, highlighting a collaborative spirit as educators shared their own insights while refining their classroom routines and assessment strategies.

Meet our new intern, Sifundo Manyathi!

Sifundo is thrilled to begin his new chapter with the Clifton Notties community. Born on the 24th of June, he shares a birthday with Lionel Messi, though Cristiano Ronaldo will always be his favourite, making him a loyal Manchester United supporter through and through.

Growing up in Richards Bay as one of ten siblings (nine sisters and one brother) taught him the patience, teamwork, and resilience he carries today. He attended Veldenvlei Primary before heading to Maritzburg College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education through UNISA.

Sport is central to Sifundo’s life, he proudly represented KZN Inland in hockey last year and is a qualified SAHA hockey umpire. When he isn't on the field, he enjoys hiking the trails in the Berg. Living in Loteni means he is never far from his next adventure on the mountain trails during the school holidays.

Fun Facts: Sifundo is 6ft tall and is a big fan of the colour purple. He loves a homemade chicken wrap with a little chilli and considers music his "therapy." He also admits he still loves cartoons, so the boys and girls can expect him to be laughing along with them in the corridors!

Sifundo is inspired by the words of Denzel Washington: “Dreams without goals are just dreams.” He hopes to one day open his own school to help young people thrive through sport and education.

As he likes to say: “Don’t have a good day, have a great day!”

And yes, another Mr M has joined the Clifton Notties family!

Sifundo Manyathi

Sport

Hockey

Congratulations to our boys and girls who have been selected to represent the UMgungundlovu District for Hockey. Both the U12 and U13 teams have been organised as mixed-strength teams for the upcoming representative fixtures. We wish them all the best of luck.

U12 Girls

Lighting Team

Chloe Stanley
Ava Bredin
Emily Walker

Thunder Team

Bailey Pickard
Josie Bedell-Sivright

Non Travelling Reserves: Litsoanelo Nkunyane and Anna Duminy

U12 Boys

Rhinos Team

Keegan Flockhart
Andrew Saunders
Esihle Mbhele

Buffaloes Team

Harry Lepart
Wessel Ebersohn

U13 Girls

Storm Team

Esihle Zungu

Power Team

Botshelo Mophatlane
Grace Galloway

Force Team

Kenzy Galloway
Kyla Indeche
Nokwanda Sibeko

U13 Boys

Jumbos Team

Trae du Plessis
Rex Sclanders
Kian Moor

Mammoths Team

Jack Fyvie
Benjamin Leitch

Non Travelling Reserve: Litsitso Makara

Swimming

Congratulations to Aphiwe Mtawali, who participated in the SACSSA swimming gala at Curro Hillcrest during the holidays and returned with an impressive array of medals.

Silver: