14 June 2024

Dear Clifton Parents,

This week, as I walked around the school one afternoon, I came across five Grade 7 girls at the far section below Greene field. They were busy going down Bob Sled Hill on their sleds, each time climbing the steep hill before letting go again, sliding, falling, rolling, and then getting back up. They paused briefly to greet my visitor and me very politely before returning to their seemingly pointless exercise.

But a few meters away from the action, we stopped and just listened to the sounds of genuine laughter coming from the group. They were helping each other up the hill, pushing, pulling, laughing, and screaming. It was one of my most incredible moments at Clifton. Seeing children in that moment, just loving life, loving their lives, was truly emotional. It made me so proud to be part of this special school and filled me with an overwhelming sense of responsibility to keep providing our children with opportunities to just be children. Without structuring formal activities, but rather providing them with opportunities to love being children.

This moment also made me realise that despite the many challenges we may face, the output of the Clifton child is happiness. It's easy to overlook the good that's happening in our homes when we become blinded by smaller, negative incidents.

This week, as we celebrate Father's Day, let us be reminded and encouraged to keep providing our children with opportunities to laugh deeply. Without relying on screens to provide these opportunities, but through the sheer enjoyment of spending time together. Having fun as families—mother and son, father and daughter.

Thank you for your investment in what I believe is the most significant influence on a child’s ability to make a difference in this world—the family.