5 June 2026

Dear Parents,

From Chilly Fields to Warm Hearts: A Week of True Grit

Last week, Clifton had the privilege of hosting an Inter-Schools cross-country meeting, welcoming approximately 400 runners from various schools to our campus. A massive thank you to the entire Clifton staff who worked seamlessly together to ensure our many visitors and competitors were so well looked after.

The biting Midlands wind that whipped across the course could not dampen the incredible enthusiasm of the runners and spectators alike. We are truly blessed with a campus that allows us to layout a cross-country course that is as challenging and exciting as it is beautiful, our rolling grounds are a magnificent asset. Well done to every single runner who braved the elements and crossed the finish line!

Poise and Power in the Arena

We also had a fantastic contingent of equestrian riders competing at Waterwoods over the weekend. Navigating a half-ton horse around a ring and over formidable jumps requires an immense amount of skill, courage, and athletic talent, and our riders performed magnificently in this demanding sport.

A special thank you to our dedicated riding staff, who also took to the ring themselves to showcase their own superb skills, for their tireless coaching and expert care of both our children and their horses.

First Steps on the Field

Watching children take their very first steps on their sporting journeys is always an absolute treat. This week, our Grade 1 and 2 boys excelled in a lively soccer festival, while our Grade 1 and 2 girls took to the turf for a wonderful hockey festival, both hosted here at Clifton.

Seeing the children learning to work as a team while having unbridled fun was a joy for staff and parents alike. Kudos to our coaching staff for striking that perfect, delicate balance between healthy competitiveness and pure enjoyment, an essential foundation at this formative stage of a child’s development.

Home Away from Home

Thank you to our boarding parents who joined us for our online Boarding Forum. These opportunities to connect and collaborate are vital in ensuring our children remain happy, settled, and thriving in the houses.

We are fortunate to have a deeply embedded boarding culture that provides a safe, nurturing "home away from home" while simultaneously fostering the independence and resilience our children will need when they eventually transition to high school. On that note, the Usher House refurbishment is moving apace, and we are incredibly excited that our boys will soon be moving back into a truly world-class facility.

Honouring Our Educators

While these pages quite rightly celebrate the achievements and successes of our boys and girls, I would like to take a moment to thank our teaching staff for their unrelenting hard work. As we head towards the final stretch of a busy term, there is absolutely no resting on laurels.

Academic lessons continue with high energy, school trips are still heading out, exams and reports are being diligently prepared, and our full sporting and cultural calendar remains expertly supported. Furthermore, our Junior Primary teachers dedicated time this week to a professional development session, exploring innovative strategies to help our youngest children achieve their personal bests. Thank you, teachers, for your unwavering commitment.

Road Safety and Respect

A gentle but important reminder to all our parents regarding the access road into the school: please ensure you strictly adhere to the speed limit of 35 km/h on the Clifton Road. This is not only vital for the safety of our own children and families as they arrive and depart, but it is also a matter of courtesy and respect toward our neighbours who share this beautiful area with us. Your cooperation and mindfulness behind the wheel are greatly appreciated as we work together to keep our lanes safe for everyone.

The Power of Small Acts

We brought our Monday Chapel service to a deeply moving close by taking a moment to publicly thank two children who had shown exceptional, spontaneous kindness to others. I am incredibly proud to lead a school that is so deeply invested in the character development of its boys and girls. It is vital for our children to know that while big achievements on the sports fields are wonderful, it is these quiet acts of everyday grace that truly define who we are.

As the American author Henry James beautifully noted:

"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind."

Let us carry that spirit into the week ahead.

Boarding

To read more about what our boarders have been up to, click on the Inside the Dorm newsletter. 

Staff News

We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Siné and Gary Wagner have welcomed their daughter, Mia Kezia, into the world. Our warmest congratulations to the proud parents and we wish them a happy journey ahead and we look forward to meeting little Mia soon! 

Expressive Arts

Congratulations to our Grade 6 boys and girls who were awarded certificates at the SADASA (Speech and Drama Association of South Africa) festival held on 18 March.

Results are as follows:

6W Choral Verse 

6V Choral Verse Error

6R Choral Verse 

Eden Goliath - Individual Poem 

Ava Bredin - Individual Poem 

Ntando Zibi - Individual Poem 

William Cahill - Individual Poem 

Flora MacLean - Individual Poem 

Grace de Bufanos - Individual Poem 

Ted Forbes - Individual Poem 

Laura du Preez - Individual Poem 

Lehakoe Mokoaleli - Individual Poem