21 November 2025
Dear Parents,
It is always fascinating to page through old newsletters and magazines and to read articles about life at Clifton over the years. And so, it was interesting to come across the following sentiments in Headmaster John Forbes Speech Day address in 1982:
“If we are right in accepting that human beings develop most vigorously before about the age of 13 and that thereafter they mainly build, change and modify the experiences gained in this early stage of development then much of the daily parrying that crowds out the senses … must take place in those formative years before a child reaches his teens. What can we do to counter the parrying and encourage the growth of those sensors? It is a disturbing thought that we are in danger in our primary education of depriving the children of the very essence of living in its truest sense.
Too many people judge success at school by a limited range of water-tight subjects taught in a classroom, and by performances achieved in a very limited range of games generally recognised as being ‘the accepted thing’, notably cricket and rugby. I believe, however, that many of our outdoor activities are countering this false emphasis and so are of great value. And I appeal to parents to be conscious of this and to support us in our efforts to encourage the great undercurrent of spiritual development that, given the opportunity, will express itself, grow, expand and flourish, making our sons more sensitive and therefore, greater human beings.”
“Finally, a change that has been started to our dormitory accommodation may be of interest to many of you. It was felt that, as our dormitory accommodation did not match our classroom complement, we should take steps to increase dormitory space by moving the present Linen Room to an area that hitherto had been less productive. This will enable us to take possibly another 12 boys…”
As we prepare to renovate Usher house, I am pleased that the current upgrade will entail more than moving 12 boys into what was the laundry!
It is so rewarding to be part of a team of outstanding teachers and staff who are committed to championing childhood and to nurturing the best development in our children during these vital formative years, and who remain true to the sound values and principles of those who have gone before us. While the yardstick by which many communities measure their schools has not changed much since the ‘80’s, we are fortunate to have a far more holistic and sensible gauge of our success.
Dads vs Lads, Mums vs Basketball
The Dads vs Lads cricket and the Mums vs Daughters Basketball on Saturday brought a morning of fun, laughter and a fair amount of banter from the supporters. A few mums demonstrated some impressive cricketing skills and courage, opting to bat without pads. Staff, including Sister Penny batted for boys and at least one dad was clean bowled by his son.
The basketball mums turned up the energy on the courts and showed that age might actually be an advantage! Some creative scoring seemed to have crept in on the field, but in the end we all enjoyed a wonderful morning together, and the weather held off until the games were done.
