Termly Reflection 

Katie Polkinghorne (Clifton 2008) is fondly remembered as a noteworthy pupil who made the most of every opportunity made available to her, and in every facet of school life. Always positive, she was a gregarious young lady, and an exceptional sportswoman… she even played cricket for the school. Katie went on to complete her schooling at St Anne’s in 2013. The embodiment of the spirit of uBuntu, and still with the same effervescence and positivity, she is taking part in the 50km Ultra Trail Scramble in Arizona, USA, to raise funds for the #MilesforMandisa Fund. This provides bursaries for South African girls to attend St Anne’s DSG. What an example to us all.

While we haven’t been quite as adventurous as Katie Polkinghorne, there have been wonderful opportunities for our Clifton champs to develop and grow this term. From sporting fixtures (with impressive results and representative selections on the cricket and swimming fronts), to outdoor classroom days, school outings, and other internal events such as a Valentine’s Market, a Bird Day and a visit to our Pre-Primary by the Easter Bunny, to name but a few. It’s been an action-packed term. Specific points of interest this term would include the successful reintroduction of the Grade 000 class, an Interhouse gala victory by Trojans, Elvis Kalika reaching his 38th unbroken year of service to the school, our JP art auction and the fact that we have happy, energized children who benefit from the efforts of the combined staff complement each and every day.

Our termly school value has focused upon the concept of respect, building on the Psychomotor principles of respect for self, others and the equipment/environment around us. There have been many lessons to learn beyond the classroom, too. Our outdoor learning program has intentionally drawn children into the woods and outdoor areas, with emphasis on the evolution of the Clifton stream project. The 100-year plan (detailing the tree planting succession plan) is now available to the greater community. While on the subject of trees, our primary Conker tree (probably planted by Headmaster Geoffre Jenks around 1946) has succumbed to the elements, having begun to rot, resulting in its having to be felled from a safety perspective. One viable Conker tree does remain, ensuring our tradition of Conker season will continue. We can report that numerous conkers are in the process of being coaxed into germination, adding to the 100-year plan blueprint. Out of interest, we have retained a few prime pieces of the original Conker tree from which to fashion a meaningful trophy for the Conker champion. 

In coming across this ‘pre-Health and Safety period’ photograph, one realizes that Clifton children will remain Clifton children, irrespective of the years, and regardless of the paths life may take them along. Some, like the unidentified young man on the left, will be risk-takers, while others (in this case, our well-protected gent on the right) will be more cautious and circumspect in their approach towards life. However it may be, may they always have a heart for the environment, an eye for the finer details in things, and a thirst for knowledge and personal growth. Here’s to continued growth and fulfillment for the entire Clifton community in the second quarter.