13 June 2025
Dear Parents,
The term “Outdoor learning” is used frequently in reference to the unique education offered at Clifton. Outdoor learning isn’t just a fun break from the school day. It supports academic achievement, strengthens emotional and physical health, and helps children grow their curiosity, resilience, and confidence.
Outdoor learning, different from Outdoor Education, includes any structured or unstructured learning experience that takes place outside the traditional classroom. This might include exploring a nearby open space, Top Woods, Reading in Headmaster’s Woods, learning maths with natural objects, writing stories under a tree, or finding patterns on a walk through the forest walk as part of a science lesson.
Outdoor Education, also a significant learning experience enjoyed by our children, has more to do with preparing for and completing a Berg hike, packing a rucksack, pitching a tent, completing an obstacle course and the relevant navigation, hiking, camping and other outdoor skills which are learnt on outings and expeditions.
The benefits of outdoor learning have been described by a number of respected educators over the years. These include:
Enhancing academic achievement: by encouraging curiosity and growing understanding. Children learn more effectively when lessons are linked to real-world experiences. Educator Louise Chawla has shown that outdoor learning improves memory and attention across a range of subjects.
Supporting physical and mental health: Being outdoors improves fitness, reduces stress, and helps children self-regulate. Forest medicine expert Dr. Qing Li found that even short periods of time in green spaces can lift mood and strengthen the immune system.
Building Confidence and Resilience: Activities such as climbing, exploring, and creating outdoors help children take healthy risks and build independence. Outdoor learning supports self-esteem and perseverance, as noted by nature educator David Sobel.
Encouraging Social and Emotional Growth: Outdoor settings naturally promote teamwork, empathy, and emotional well-being. Psychologist Peter Gray emphasises that free play in nature supports social development and communication.
Creating a Lifelong Connection with Nature: Children who develop a bond with the natural world are more likely to protect it as they grow up. Biologist Edward O. Wilson called this bond biophilia — our natural love of life and living things.
Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods", warns that many children today suffer from what he calls nature-deficit disorder, a result of too much time indoors. He advocates strongly for reconnecting children with the natural world — for their mental, physical, and academic well-being. He further underscores the importance of nature in nurturing passion in children when he says: “Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart.”
Outdoor learning isn’t just a trend — it’s a return to what children naturally need and our children are richly blessed to have teachers who subscribe to these views and who are passionate about using our wonderful campus as an outdoor classroom.
Staff News
Congratulations to Taylor Wood, one of our interns, on her recent wedding! We wish her and Wade all the best as they embark on this wonderful new adventure together.
Sadly, Ashálin Singh has tendered his resignation, and his last day at Clifton will be 24 September 2025. Ashálin arrived at Clifton with the hope that it would be the start of a new chapter for his whole family. Unfortunately, plans have changed, and his family is no longer able to join him as originally intended. After much thought, Ashálin has made the difficult decision to return to Johannesburg to be with them. While we are truly sad to see him go, we understand his choice and wish him all the very best as he reunites with his loved ones.
While we will bid him a proper farewell, I’d like to take this moment to express our gratitude for the invaluable contribution Ashálin has given in the short time he has been with us.
