24 May 2024

Dear Clifton Family,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and that everyone has settled back into the school routine after the half-term break. It has been a good week back, filled with enthusiasm, learning, and reconnecting with friends and teachers. The energy and positivity in our classrooms and around the campus are truly uplifting, and I am proud of how smoothly the transition has been for all our children.

As we resume our academic activities, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the upcoming elections in South Africa. This is a significant event for our nation, and it presents an opportunity for each of us to contribute to the future of our country. The democratic process is a cornerstone of our society, and it is essential for us, as a community, to recognise the role we play in shaping the future.

I encourage all parents to engage in conversations with your children about the importance of participating in elections and being informed citizens. It is through these discussions that we can instill a sense of civic duty and responsibility in our young minds, preparing them to be active and informed members of society.

At Clifton, we are committed to growing our children in an understanding that they have the ability to make a meaningful impact in our country,

As we navigate through this next period, I urge parents to speak life about the future of South Africa, and the opportunities that it holds to make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and help shape a brighter future for our children and our country.

Other news:

We bid farewell to our Chairman of the Trust, Mr. Adam Kethro. Both of Adam’s boys attended Clifton Preparatory School, and Adam joined the Clifton Board in September 2006. He was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board in November 2007 and Chairman in June 2008. Although Adam stepped down as Chairman in November 2013, he remained a Board member until the end of 2014. He joined the Trustees in June 2015 and was elected Chairman of the Trustees in June 2019.

Adam has been incredibly generous with his time and expertise. In 2009, he donated a substantial sum to establish the Kethro Bursary Fund, which has since supported between 6 and 8 children each year, allowing them to benefit from our fantastic institution. Thanks to the sustainable management of the fund, this incredible support will continue into the future.

On behalf of Clifton, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Adam for his time, experience, leadership, and dedication to our community. Adam will be succeeded by Mr. Simon Woodland, who has been an integral part of the Clifton family for many years.

We have also said goodbye to two other Trustee members. Jill Brown retired from the Trustees in 2023, and Vicky Dillon this year. We express our gratitude to both of these remarkable ladies for their dedication to our school and community. Additionally, we extend a warm welcome to Patrick Sacco, who has recently joined the Trustees.