13 February 2026

Dear Parents,

An Attitude of Gratitude at Clifton

Gratitude is known to boost mental well-being, strengthen relationships, and build resilience, and it is something I am fortunate to witness daily at Clifton. As a school, we are rich in moments of appreciation, connection, and shared purpose, and it feels fitting to continue this theme of gratitude this week.

I am grateful to all parents who were able to attend the JP workshop in the EAC last week. These opportunities for connection between home and school are invaluable, and we deeply value the time spent engaging, learning, and partnering together in the best interests of our children.

I am grateful to our staff members who have so warmly welcomed management into their classrooms for teaching and learning observations. The preparation, energy, and passion invested in delivering high-quality lessons is immense. I have been struck by the wide range of thoughtful approaches used to support learning, and by the genuine care and warmth shown by Clifton teachers towards their children, it is both reassuring and inspiring.

I am grateful for our Clifton children who are enthusiastically working towards their Out and About badges, something unique to Clifton. These pursuits develop independence, self-motivation, and balance. There is something deeply special about seeing children take part in activities that generations of Clifton children have enjoyed before them. I am also grateful for the cherished tradition of these badges being awarded on a porcupine quill, a small but powerful reminder of who we are and the traditions we proudly uphold.

I am grateful to our sports staff and the SA Legends rugby coaches who visited the school this week to run a coaching clinic. Their engagement with our children was energising and inspiring, and it was wonderful to see sporting legends giving back and truly paying it forward.

I am grateful to our boarding staff for organising the annual Valentine’s dinner for all boarders and staff. The delicious meal, capped off with a smorgasbord of treats, was filled with laughter and joy. It was a special opportunity for our boarding community to connect and celebrate together - and I can confirm that Mrs Brown absolutely loved the Valentine’s-themed milkshakes!

I am grateful to our Grade 7s for hosting the Valentine’s market, and for generously fuelling many of our children with sugar during the school day, which served the SP swimmers well at their gala!

I am grateful to the building teams working industriously across the school. Through wind, rain, and sunshine, they continue to make steady progress on projects that will add enormous value to our beautiful campus, for the benefit of our entire community.

Finally, I am grateful for our wider school community for the daily connections I observe, the positivity that surrounds us, and the shared commitment to making Clifton a place where children, staff, and families feel known, supported, and proud to belong.

As this is our final newsletter before half term, I would like to wish all Clifton families a happy and safe break. May it be a time of rest, reconnection and precious family moments, with space to recharge and reset before we return refreshed for the weeks ahead.

To read more about what our boarders have been up to, click on this week's Inside the Dorm newsletter.