CNR e-News Term 2

9 May 2025

Dear Parents,

This has been another exciting and busy week: The Grade 5 outing to Baynesfield, a busy sporting programme, the Marimba band performing at the Harvest Moon Market, a choir performance at St Annes, Grade 3 Titanic Day, a week-end trip to Mahai, the Grade 0 Mums’ evening, the PA Golf Day and in-between all these, the academic programme has continued to forge ahead.

We felt the disappointment of having to withdraw all our teams from the Clifton Durban Founder’s Day fixture only to be surprised by notice that the N3 closure has been postponed. However, both schools have now made alternative arrangements for Saturday, so we will continue with the Inter-house rugby programme at home tomorrow.

Admissions

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mrs Hayley Muirhead to the Admissions Department. Hayley will stand in for Mrs Lisa-Jade Koopman, who will be going on maternity leave later this month. Hayley’s three boys attended Clifton, so she is no stranger to the school or the community.

Parents’ Association

The Parents Association Golf day was both a wonderful occasion for the community and a hugely successful event. The mist, which reduced visibility to an arm’s length, could not dampen spirits at the nineteenth. Our thanks and appreciation are extended to the PA team, sponsors and players for making the day the highlight that it was. Congratulations to the staff team who were placed 7th and to Mrs Nicky Taylor for being the 3rd lady on the day.

Campus

The recent rains have contributed to the deterioration of the roads on campus and delayed the repair work which is required. Fortunately autumn seems to have settled in and the dry ground means that the road works can finally begin. We hope to start repairing potholes and erosion on the roads around the parking area and the Junior Primary after half term.

Sport

Our boys and girls enjoyed a day of robust, but friendly, competition and camaraderie against Cowan House on Saturday. The rugby showed again the tenacity and courage of our Clifton boys, along with a good measure of care. It was heartening to hear about the care and concern our lads showed for a Cowan House boy who was injured on the field.

The girls showed their mettle on the hockey fields, both on the Astroturf and grass, against Cowan House and Winterton Prep. They certainly defended with determination and energy when under pressure and put up excellent performances and scores.

I look forward to seeing our cross country runners test themselves later today at the Inter-schools event at Howick Prep.

Music

The choir received enthusiastic applause and many appreciative mentions at the St Anne’s gathering on Wednesday. Their enthusiasm and joy were quite evident during their performance, and they were equally enthralled by the performances of the St Anne’s and Midlands Youth Choirs. I have no doubt that some of our children will be in one (or perhaps both) of these choirs in years to come. It was a pleasure to be in the bus filled with song, culminating in a rousing rendition of the ‘Grace” as we entered the Clifton gates.

read the full article here

The Marimba band was well received by the local community as they performed at the Harvest Moon Festival in Nottingham Road on Friday evening.

The number of Clifton children who participate in and enjoy music is really encouraging and we look forward to this trend continuing to grow.

Mahai

A group of children, led by Mr Quinn, Mr Neary and Mrs Whitehead enjoyed their hike in Mahai over the weekend, Their walk to the waterfall and caves on a beautiful clear autumn day, bathed in sunshine, will be a memory which they will cherish and is one of the many special features of Clifton. We are fortunate to have staff who enjoy the outdoors and embrace the value of these outings for children.

read the full article here

Devices

We continue to investigate and grapple with the issues around smartphones and social media and are grateful for the support of the Clifton community. The Junior Primary parents have been particularly diligent about signing the "Smartphone Free Childhood" pact. If you have not already done so, but are keen to, please click here and then select Clifton Preparatory School, which is Clifton Nottingham Road, NOT Clifton School, which is Clifton in Durban.

Tailpiece

Mrs Thea-Elè Viljoen's class discovered that reading in the Lapha is fun.

The Hadeda

Historically, the school newsletters dating back to 1978 were titled the In-Khankhane (Zulu word), named after the Hadeda bird, which is so iconic of Clifton. In the early mornings and late afternoon, their raucous and joyous voices proclaim the events of the night and the day for all to hear.

Our new school shop will be named "The Hadeda" to honour tradition. The Hadeda's doors were opened today, and we look forward to welcoming all children and parents to enjoy the new space, with old meaning.

Look out for the new sign which will be erected soon.