29 August 2025

Dear Parents,

The long weekend, which brought a wonderful respite from the routines and busyness of the term, now feels like a distant memory as we settle back into school life. 

The most significant activities on campus during the past week have involved the trees near Top Woods and the Grade 4 and 5 classrooms.

Top Woods

Crowning a few of the older, top-heavy trees and felling those which had reached end of life or were leaning at dangerous angles, threatening to fall, has changed the skyline above the hillside. Resulting in the term "Chop Woods” being coined by some witty senior children. I have assured the children that Top Woods holds a special place in the life of Clifton and is not under threat from the chainsaws. While the area looks rather bleak at present, the crowned trees will soon sprout new branches and leaves and a variety of suitable indigenous trees will be planted in the area between the classrooms and Top Woods. We will also enjoy the return of peace once the chainsaws have fallen silent.

The children have already turned one of the larger felled trees into a slide, and pole cricket is quickly becoming a favourite sport, no lack of creativity here!  Some logs are being used as features in the area and elsewhere on campus and the wood for which we have no other use will provide fuel for fireplaces in homes and classrooms for years to come.