6 March 2026
Dear Parents,
The first Parents’ Association meeting of the year took place this week, and I walked away feeling immensely grateful for the dedication this group pours into our school and community.
During the meeting, a poignant question was raised: How do we, as a staff, ensure that the unique ethos and culture of Clifton are protected? It was a superb question, and one I hope I answered well at the time. However, as I sat down to write this, I realised that this past week alone served as the perfect living answer. We protect our culture by living it.
By its very nature, the PA acts as a guardian of our spirit, bringing us together through service and connection. But the heartbeat of our ethos - a holistic approach that champions childhood was visible in every corner of the campus this week.
In the Arts, our Grade 7s have been diligently rehearsing for their upcoming production. Under the tutelage of our enthusiastic music staff, they are sounding fantastic. We also began the week with two brilliant solo performances on the violin and drums, in Chapel - moments of true individual courage.
On the Sports field, our ethos is about finding one's personal best. This week, our Senior Prep children competed in three galas. While winning two of them was a highlight, the real joy was observing the grit and evident progression of every swimmer since the start of the term. Additionally, the girl’s gala was organised and run superbly by Clifton staff, perhaps chasing their personal bests too? Simultaneously this week, our tennis players performed remarkably, our cricketers played on valiantly through some questionable weather, and the squash courts remained a hive of activity.
Our ethos is also rooted in Connection. We saw this in the meaningful partnerships formed during the JP parent-teacher interviews for the Bees, Shongololos, and Fireflies.
Beyond the classroom, we champion Adventure. From the Grade 2s visiting Zuivergoud Farm this week to the Grade 1s at Roselands and the SP children embarking on their traditional hike through Royal Natal, this is outdoor education at its finest.
Back on the academic front, hundreds of lessons were delivered this week by passionate teachers who understand that at Clifton, education is built on the strength of relationships.
Finally, we come to that part of our culture that simply cannot be duplicated elsewhere. This excerpt (paraphrased) from our staff WhatsApp group says it all:
"Our first chickens have arrived for the Grade 4 farmlands! They will be free-range. Please talk to the children about respecting animals and how to treat them. Give any dogs on campus the same talk! Hopefully we will have fresh eggs soon!”
As the author and activist Frances Moore Lappé once said: “Any culture is a process, not a finished product.” Our ethos is not a static idea; it is a living, breathing effort. Seeing our teachers, parents, and children working in such harmony this week convinces me that the soul of our school is in very good hands. Thank you all for a typically wonderful ‘Notties’ week. Let’s keep cherishing and working at what we have.
To read more about what our boarders have been up to, click on the Inside the Dorm newsletter.
