6 September 2024
Dear Clifton Parents,
This week, our entire school celebrated Arbor Week with enthusiasm as students joined Mr. Quinn in planting trees across our campus. Watching their excitement as they contributed to our 100-year vision for Clifton was truly inspiring. This effort marks an important step in our long-term strategy to transform our school grounds into a sustainable and engaging environment. One where children can love being children!
So what is our 100-Year Vision for the Clifton campus?
Our vision is to create a sustainable, educational, and beautiful campus that connects little champions, staff, and nature. Our school grounds will evolve into a living laboratory for sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship.
Key Principles:
Sustainability: Focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and preserving biodiversity.
Low Maintenance: Use indigenous, drought-tolerant plants that are easy to maintain and support local ecosystems.
Educational Spaces: Develop interactive areas such as vegetable gardens, native plant zones, and outdoor classrooms to enhance hands-on learning.
Kid-Friendly: Design safe, inviting spaces that encourage play, exploration, and learning.
Water Management: Implement smart irrigation, erosion control, and rainwater harvesting to manage water use.
Carbon Reduction: Plant trees and integrate sustainable practices to lower our carbon footprint.
Community Involvement: Involve students in the design, development, and care of the grounds, fostering ownership and responsibility.
Implementation Strategy:
This long-term plan will roll out in phases over the next century, with initial projects leading into detailed 5-10 year plans. Guided by key stakeholders and specialists, we will adapt our approach along the way, ensuring the entire Clifton community plays a role in shaping our future.
You may have noticed the start of construction on our new mountain bike trail, which will also serve as a cross-country and walking route. This 5.2-kilometer loop will provide the foundation for planting and developing the valley area, offering parents and children the opportunity to engage directly in leaving a lasting legacy at Clifton. We hope that, years from now, our community will take pride in seeing how their contributions have made the Clifton campus better than ever.
