CNR e-News Term 4

24 October 2025

Dear Parents

As the end of the year rushes at us like a steam train we have been applying our minds to the logistics and calendar for 2026. A significant part of the plan is, of course, the renovation of Usher House (boys' boarding). For the first time this year I take delight in inviting parents to view the bathrooms “for the last time” because they will soon be part of the history of the school and the upgraded versions will be a pleasure to behold and use.

While we anticipate the completion of the building, considerable time and energy have been devoted to ensuring that the boys’ accommodation in the interim will be attractive, comfortable and familiar.

After considering a number of accommodation possibilities, including a vacant house on campus and rented accommodation near the school, we have decided that the best option is to lease parkhomes for the duration of the build. These have been carefully selected and will be sited in the SP parking spaces on either side of the road just outside the dining hall.

Six units, each housing five boys have been ordered. Each will have a toilet and hand basin while three units will each have two showers and the other three will each have a cubicle for an intern. Six showers and toilets used on a rotational basis should adequately provide for the needs of 30 boys, but if more are required, boys may use facilities in the Indoor Centre. Each unit comes fully equipped with electrical fittings and geyser and will be connected to the power (and generator) and water supply and the sewers.

The existing furniture in Usher House will be installed in the units, so the boys will feel at home in their familiar surroundings and the parking lot will be prettified by the gardening team to look more homely.

Locating the units close to each other and conveniently near all the school amenities will retain the boys’ sense of community and boarding spirit.... Meals will also be just a few steps away!

The Movement Room in the EAC with beanbags, large screen TV and other homely comforts will be a cosy common room for the boys during weekends and on some evenings when they can watch TV.

A separate unit for storage of bags, bikes and sports kit will be placed near the dormitories.

The boarders who have joined Laura and I for supper have expressed excitement about living in the parkhomes. While they didn’t say that they thought their escape from the units for a night run might be easier than their current situation, I suspect they might have had this in mind.

I am confident that their temporary stay will be a unique, comfortable and fun interlude as the boys look forward to moving back into a refurbished Usher House. The other item which really seems to appeal to all the boarders is the combined boys’ and girls’ common room which will be built on the west side of Usher House.

To preview the boys’ exciting new temporary homes, click on this link or the image below.

Further Information

Click on the link for further information in our Question and Answer document.

Boarding Programme

Along with the deliberations about the boys’ accommodation, a boarding programme is being planned for the weekends. This will involve boys and girls and will ensure that fun, interesting activities are offered to the children staying at school on weekends. Details will be shared as soon as the programme is confirmed.

2500 Trees and Shrubs

Just as parents are invited to view the boys’ bathroom for the last time, I encourage all to view the new forests on the campus for the first time.

Over the past 12 months, 1,450 indigenous trees, 2,455 indigenous shrubs, and 80 Ouhout trees have been planted above the Senior Primary and below the Junior Primary. The tree and shrub species (among others) are listed below. In addition, areas of exposed earth have been seeded with indigenous mistbelt grasses, which will soon establish a lush, green, and thriving habitat for a diverse natural community.

Planting Programme

The planting programme is almost complete and we are extremely grateful for the generous donations made by our Clifton community.

The following areas on the below map have been planted:

Forest A
Forest B
Forest C
Forest E
Forest F
Top Woods Phase 1
Lapa Yellowwood Forest
Deciduous Thicket no 1
Grass Zones: 2 large areas complete
Ouhout Thickets 7, 8, 9

These forests and thicket plantings are as significant as the building projects on campus. Laura and I are thrilled to be leaving behind a few Cape Chestnut trees as we head back to the coast at the end of the year. We and our children look forward to seeing them mature and grace the campus with their beautiful pink flowers when we visit Clifton in the years ahead. Who knows, one day, long after our time, children may have the pleasure of building forts in these trees too.

Click on the link to view the map in a larger format.

A small section of the forest below the Junior Primary, and the donated trees arriving.

Click on the link to watch a video showcasing the same area and children enjoying the natural surroundings.

We will be here

We are here each one as different from the next as the children who grow beside us, running carefree through our glades.

Children’s bare feet will delight us as they noisily clamber up our branches.

We will be here, strong, silent sentinels watching over generations of children, bringing peace and calm to those who rest a while in our shade.

Children’s laughter will sing to us as we grow underground connections binding us to each other, while young people make lasting memories and forge friendships that will bind them to one another.

We will be here, exchanging carbon dioxide for life-giving oxygen.

Children’s hands will caress our bark while deeper within sugars travel from our leaves to our roots, keeping them strong as they create pathways in the soil for water and air.

We will be here, ready to nurture and shelter the life that will flourish in the valley, drawn to the sustenance of our nectars, fragrances and refuge.

Children will run through our leaves which we drop to return the nutrients we borrowed from the soil.

We will be here through seasons, and storms. The years will build us, and the wind will test us, just as the children grow in resilience and character.

Long after you have left, we will be here for tomorrow’s children.

Upcoming Events

We are looking forward to the upcoming Art Exhibition and Inter-house Gala on Tuesday, followed by the exciting Boeresport Day on Wednesday. It promises to be a fun and memorable couple of days for all the children, full of friendly competition, and school spirit.

Overheard in the playground..........

After a teacher rescued a little girl from being "stuck" on the monkey bars, another little girl sighs and says "ah I just love teachers"!

Sport

Squash

Our boys and girls participated in the KZN Stayers Trials Tournament last weekend, with games held at Clifton on Friday and in Gillitts on Saturday. They performed exceptionally well and achieved some great results.

U11 Boys