1 May 2026
Dear Parents,
From Icebergs to Aladdin: A Week of Contrast and Connection
As the weather shifts towards those crisp winter mornings, the Clifton spirit is truly beginning to warm up. Our children are now firmly in stride with their hockey, rugby, and cross-country sessions, proving that a Midlands chill is no match for Notties energy!
Hands-on History
The "cold" theme was front and centre this week as our Grade 3s celebrated their Titanic Day. It was a spectacular sight to see the imaginative costumes, from the elegance of high-society passengers to the soot-smudged stokers from the engine room. A huge thank you to the parents for your incredible effort in helping the children dress the part.
The day was packed with activities designed to simulate life on board, but the "Iceberg Challenge" was a firm favourite; seeing the children immerse their hands in freezing water to grasp the reality of the North Atlantic was "hands-on" learning at its most visceral. My thanks to the staff for making history so tangible and memorable.
Balancing the Stage and the Study
Our Senior children have been deeply immersed in play rehearsals, and the excitement for opening night is palpable. In a perfect "yin and yang" of school life, these same children also attended a Study Skills workshop this week. It is a wonderful example of a holistic education in action, where the vibrant creativity of the arts and the disciplined focus of academia are celebrated in equal measure.
On the topic of the arts, Mrs. Holloway and I had the absolute treat of attending the Hilton College production of Aladdin this week. Watching the boys from Hilton and the girls from Epworth dazzle us with such high-quality performance was a glimpse into the future for our own aspiring stars. It is exciting to see the pathway that lies ahead for our Notties performers.
Welcoming our "City Cousins"
This week, we were delighted to host the Heads of Arts, Music, and Drama from Clifton Durban. The visit was a wonderful exercise in collaboration, allowing staff from both schools to connect, share expertise, and strengthen the bonds between us.
Our children and staff were, as always, fantastic ambassadors. Our guests certainly received the full "Notties Experience", from marvelling at our children’s refusal to wear shoes despite the plummeting temperatures, to the unexpected appearance of a Red-lipped Herald snake in the headmaster’s house during lunch! Seeking refuge from the cold, our slithering visitor was a timely reminder of the unique, wild, and enchanting environment we call home. Welcome to the Midlands, indeed!
Fond Farewells
Finally, it is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that I share the news that Sarah Goldie will be leaving us at the end of this term. Sarah has decided to step away to spend more cherished time with her family and to pursue new professional challenges.
We have been truly privileged to have had Sarah serving our school with such heart and commitment. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy, and we have nothing but gratitude for the time she has spent in the school. We wish her every success and happiness as she embarks on this next chapter.
As the author Gladys Taber once wrote of country life:
"The house was quiet, and the world was calm. The feeling of being part of a community that breathes with the seasons is a grace one never outgrows."
We truly live in a special place, and we should celebrate the magic of this community, and the people who make it so, every day.
Building Bonds with Our Alumni
At Clifton, we believe that the strength of our community lies not only in our current families but also in the generations of Old Cliftonians who have walked these grounds, no doubt barefoot, before. This year, our Alumni Department has embarked on a renewed drive to reconnect with past pupils, update our records, and rebuild the network of friendships and shared experiences that make Clifton so special.
By strengthening these bonds, we aim to create a vibrant alumni community that celebrates achievements, supports one another, and contributes to the ongoing story of Clifton Prep. Reconnecting with our alumni is not only about maintaining accurate information—it is about fostering lifelong relationships that enrich the school and provide meaningful opportunities for mentorship, friendship, and future collaboration.
We look forward to sharing more as this initiative grows, and we invite our parents to encourage Old Cliftonians in their families to join us in this exciting journey of reconnection. Together, we can ensure that the Clifton spirit continues to thrive across generations.
To read more about what our boarders have been up to, click on the Inside the Dorm newsletter.
