12 June 2026

Dear Parents,

Harmonies, Hikes, and High Standards

Our Clifton Reds Marimba Band ended the week on a joyful note by performing at a special event hosted by the SPCA. The band delivered a spectacular repertoire throughout the morning, receiving exceptionally complimentary feedback from both the event organisers and members of the public. Well done to our musicians for their vibrant spirit, commitment, and excellence. A huge thank you to Mrs Holloway; her profound passion for the marimbas has truly inspired our children, and it shows in every performance.

Intrepid Explorers

My sincere thanks go to the staff members who accompanied our Senior Primary children on a hike to Aasvoëlkrans Cave over the weekend. Not even the inclement weather could deter our intrepid explorers, and the customary grit and determination of Notties shone through beautifully. Immersing ourselves in this spectacular environment is a unique privilege, and I commend both the children and staff for their resilience and deep appreciation of nature.

Master-moves on the Board

Congratulations to John Bubb and Joe Lovejoy-Mortimer, who represented Clifton with immense pride at the Midlands Chess Championships hosted by Laddsworth. As foundational members of our chess team, they faced fierce competition against the top minds in the Midlands. Both John and Joe registered highly commendable wins in their respective categories. I am delighted to see this "Noble Game" flourishing so vibrantly at Clifton. Chess is a fantastic incubator for young minds; it teaches the invaluable life skills of strategic foresight, patience, and critical thinking, while quietly building the mental stamina required to solve complex problems under pressure.

Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Whitehead and Mrs White for their outstanding stewardship of chess at Clifton, and for their dedicated support in nurturing our growing squad of players.

The Academic Journey

Our Grade 6 and 7 boys and girls have been focused on their mid-year examinations this week. Navigating formal assessments is a vital milestone in their educational journey, providing the essential preparation and stamina they will need as they transition to high school. At Clifton, we pride ourselves on a truly holistic approach to education, where academic rigour is a core pillar.

Teaching staff look forward to the feedback process, which is where the deepest learning takes place. Thank you to our parents for supporting your children so beautifully through this week, maintaining that essential balance between focused study and healthy downtime.

A Strong Partnership

Thank you to the Parents’ Association for a highly productive termly meeting held this week. The partnership between school and home is vital, and I am deeply grateful to the committee members for their exceptional efforts in fostering such a positive, collaborative relationship. With a number of exciting projects on the horizon, a great deal of behind-the-scenes hard work is taking place. Thank you to the entire parent body for supporting the PA; your involvement truly brings us closer together as a community.

True Champions of the Game

Sport plays a fundamental role in the life of a Notties child, and we deeply value the character-building lessons learnt on the field. Clifton intentionally distances itself from a "win-at-all-costs" culture, choosing instead to focus on who our children become through sport.

Today, I want to shine a spotlight on our 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Hockey teams. In several fixtures this season, both teams have encountered formidable opposition where the final scoreline did not go their way. While it is naturally disappointing for young sportsmen and women who play with a desire to win, we should be immensely proud of the example our seniors have set.

In every single match, they have played with unbridled passion, energy, and verve, fighting right up to the final whistle. They have shown grace in defeat, warmly congratulating their opponents. Rather than looking for excuses, they have returned to the practice fields with a positive growth mindset, determined to work harder. Thank you to these children for their camaraderie, grit, and resilience. You are a credit to the jersey, a credit to the school, and a true inspiration to the younger grades.

Finishing the Chapter Together

As we head into the final stretch of another exceptionally busy and rewarding term, I would like to send a respectful but earnest reminder to our families regarding school attendance. It is vital that our children remain at school right until the final bell of the final day.

The modern tendency to wrap up the term early is a habit we actively discourage at Clifton. We constantly teach our children the importance of consistency, commitment, and finishing what they start with pride. Let us work together to set the right example for them.

As the legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine famously said:

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

Let’s ensure we cross the finish line of this term together, giving our best right up until the holidays arrive.


Out & About 

Our outdoor enthusiasts have been busy this term! Congratulations to the following Senior Primary children who were awarded their Out & About Badges in Chapel on Monday. 

Adventurer

Campcraft

Conservationist

Library

Outdoorsman

Weather Watcher

Wessel Ebersohn, Buhle Laphi, Dawson Campbell and Spencer Purdy were absent from photo