Boarding 

A Story of Resilience, Rain, and Remarkable Children

As the term draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the magic that has filled our boarding community. The children returned full of energy, wide smiles, and stories still fresh from the holidays. From the very first evening, laughter echoed through the corridors as if they'd never left.

The weather had its own plans – relentless rain, muddy fields, and winter creeping in. But our boarders met it all with their signature spirit. They splashed through puddles, played barefoot on wet grass, and saw every challenge as part of the adventure.

Sport, as always, played a central role. Saturday mornings meant hockey for the girls and rugby for the boys, playing home and away games. When matches were postponed, they made their own fun – Inter-house rugby, spontaneous soccer games, and mixed basketball that blurred all boundaries.

But boarding life is more than sport. It’s in slow Saturday strolls on the bike track, marshmallow evenings at the Lapha, and squeals of excitement on the obstacle course. It’s in the surprise 5:30am fire drill, where children emerged wrapped in blankets, sleepy-eyed but giggling. These are the moments that make boarding special.

Sundays brought more joy – crab fishing, foursquare marathons, handmade cards, rap battles, and 30 Seconds games that never end. Rain or shine, they’ve danced, run, and played through it all.

Our Grade 6s and 7s have faced exams with quiet determination, balancing study with play in a way that’s inspired us all.

What stands out most this term isn’t the weather, the fixtures, or the activities. It’s the children themselves – resilient, kind, creative, and full of heart. In a world that often asks children to grow up too fast, our boarders remind us daily of the beauty of just being children.

To our parents and guardians – thank you. Your trust and support, even from afar, help make this community what it is. Clifton boarding is a partnership, and we are deeply grateful for yours.

As we send your children home with tired feet, full hearts, and memories that will last long after the mud is washed off, we wish you a restful, joyful break. It has been a privilege to share this term with them.