25 July 2025

Dear Parents,

It is always a relief to hear the bus from Johannesburg arriving safely on campus, bringing the final load of boarders to school and then a delight to see hordes of smiling children arriving for assembly on the first day of school. Clean tracksuits and civvies dash down toward the Junior Primary and smart Greys with shining shoes head up to the Senior Primary. In a flash life returns to Clifton, with happy children shouting out their greetings and sharing stories as they line up for first assembly. Soon the holiday will be a distant memory as we settle into a busy and exciting third term.

Staff gave up the last Sunday of their holidays to join a getaway with workshops where we were able to reflect on the Clifton Promise:

 “We promise to champion childhood with the rigour and freedom to discover - in ways that inspire personal bests.”  

This was an opportune time to apply our minds to some strategic thinking, rested from the holiday and away from the distractions of school. The event was also a wonderful team-building occasion where we were able to deliberate on many topics.

The Grade 7’s have departed for Botswana and we look forward to hearing news of their adventure when they return.

The start of term is always a good time to reflect on what we do and how we see the months ahead and so the following note, penned by Kerri-Lyn Jones, is relevant for us all.

"We are grateful to walk alongside you in your child’s early learning journey. These formative years are full of curiosity, growth, and wonder, and we are always reminded of how deeply young children absorb the world around them, not only through what they see and do, but also through what they hear."

It has become increasingly evident, both through experience and research, just how attuned our children are to adult conversations. Whether at school, at home, or during a casual chat in the car, children are constantly listening, learning, and forming their own views based on the words and tones they hear.

We have noticed how beautifully many of our children echo the kind, respectful, and loving language they hear from the adults in their lives. Sadly, there are also times when they repeat comments that are less thoughtful, sometimes about other children, families, teachers, or even broader social and cultural topics.

With this in mind, we gently ask all our families to be mindful of conversations taking place within earshot of their children. Remarks made about school policies, staff members, or other families, even in passing, can be deeply internalised by children. These moments have a powerful influence on how they view others, and how they navigate kindness, empathy, and respect in their daily interactions. Occasionally children also repeat at school the details of conversations heard at home, which upset other children.

Instead of focusing on what others say or do, we encourage you to help your child reflect on how they can choose to respond with compassion and understanding. As adults, we model this best when we speak in ways that build others up and create a culture of positive, inclusive dialogue.

Thank you for the love, support, and partnership you bring to our community. Together, we can continue nurturing an environment in which every child feels secure, valued, and inspired to treat others with respect.

Hair Policy

We kindly remind parents of the school’s hair policy and ask for your support in ensuring that your child’s hairstyle complies with the regulations and reflects positively on the school. Hair should be considered appropriate for school and look neat at all times. 

To access the hair policy, please click on the link, which will direct you to the relevant section in the School Handbook. 

Staff News:

We are pleased to welcome Kathryn Godbold to our team of in-house therapists this term. Kathryn will be working at Clifton every Tuesday, commencing next week. Based in Hilton, Kathryn is a qualified play therapist who runs her own practice. Prior to this, she spent 20 years as a primary school teacher. It was during this time that she recognised the growing need for qualified play therapists to support children and their families with emotional and developmental challenges.

As a play therapist, Kath offers a safe, non-judgmental space where children are free to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play, their most natural form of communication. Her child-led approach empowers children to take ownership of their therapeutic journey, fostering self-expression, confidence and emotional growth. Kath is passionate about helping children develop a deeper understanding of themselves, build resilience, and unlock their unique potential. She works closely with both teachers and parents, offering guidance and support to help them better understand and respond to their children’s needs, ultimately enhancing each child’s overall well-being and success.

We look forward to having Kathryn as part of our community and to the collaborative work she will undertake with families and staff. This partnership is vital to the therapeutic process and lays the foundation for raising confident, well-adjusted children.

Should you wish to make contact with Kathryn, please email Monique Langlois at learning.support@cliftonprep.org.za.