Executive Headmaster Dear Clifton Family Welcome back to the start of the Second Term. As always, it is a pleasure to see the “buzz” from the boys – and staff at the start of term – irrespective of how short the break might have been! On Tuesday morning as I walked past the cricket nets, I was “accosted” by some deliriously happy Grade 3 boys who were all eager to say hello and share their holiday stories. (“Sir, I went on a plane – to Jo’burg!” said one.) Even the typically loud mutual greeting, with which we open our College assembly, was more enthusiastic than normal!
played provincial cricket and hockey at both school and university. He qualified in Graphic Design and Arts and Culture from DUT and then completed his PGCE. He has taught at DPHS, Kearsney, Highbury and joins us from the position of Deputy Principal at International School of South Africa.
The staff returned to school on Monday for staff development, which comprised a number of workshops and report-back sessions presented by staff who had attended various courses and conferences during the First Term. A plenary session was held where the combined staff of Clifton and DGC were addressed by Mrs Nene Molefi, a global consultant and facilitator. Her inspiring and motivational presentation focused on issues of diversity and unconscious bias. (Her website can be found at www.mandatemolefi.co.za).
Mrs Mishkaah Mohamed and Mrs Meg Perkins (Grades 6 and 7 Maths) will be substituting for Mrs Klingbiel while she is on maternity leave.
As usual, we welcome some new staff to the Clifton Team this term. Whilst all these appointments were mentioned by Mr White and Mr Goedeke in their respective end-of-term letters, it is my pleasure to welcome the following people to the Clifton Family: In the Prep School: Mrs Joanna (Jo) Johnson: Remedial teacher. Mrs Johnson will be working part-time, and has a B.Ed. (Hons) in Inclusive Education. She has taught at St Cyprians, and Umhlanga College. She was also a Foundation Phase Teacher at Clifton from 20072014 and she now joins us from Penzance Primary. Mr Jurgen Kurz: Maths specialist. Mr Kurz attended Clifton Nottingham Road, Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. He is a qualified practitioner in Knowledgeable Number Sense, and joins us from Woodridge College and Prep School. Mrs Anne Thomson: Prep Librarian. She attended St John’s DSG and Rhodes University, where she obtained her Master’s degree in Psychology. She taught in South Korea for a year, then Danville Girls’ and joins us from St Henry’s Marists where she ran the library. Mr Richard Nienaber: Head of Grade 7. He matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College and
In other Prep staff news, we congratulate Mrs Lauren Klingbiel on the birth of her little girl, Emma Daphney, who was born on 4 April.
In the College, we welcome two new staff members: Mrs Anna-Marie Zeelie who comes to us from Mitchell House School in Polokwane. Mrs Zeelie is taking over from Mr Shaun Fitzmaurice as Subject Head of Business Studies. She was the Academic Co-ordinator at Mitchell House and also a matric marker and Cluster Leader for the IEB in Limpopo. She has two children and lives in Pietermaritzburg where her husband is the Bursar at Epworth School. Mrs Meryke Terblanche comes to us from Glenwood High School and has previously taught at Stirling High School. She taught Grades 10 to 12 Business Studies at Glenwood. She has marked in the state exam system and is a very keen sportswoman, having coached hockey, swimming and athletics. She has also managed various sports teams including hockey and was the Under 14 KZN Water Polo Manager last year. We also welcome Mr Justin Bennett, our new “Technology Integrator”, whose responsibility it will be to help staff further integrate technology into their teaching. Mr Bennett is a whole-school appointment and is a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator. He attended Maritzburg College, and studied a B.Soc.Sci at UKZN, majoring in Psychology and Environmental Science. He is a qualified rowing coach and Life Line counsellor. He joins us from Our Lady of Fatima, where he held a similar position. We wish these newly appointed staff members all the best in their new positions, and look forward to their professional growth and contribution to our school. Photographs of our new staff can be found on the next page.
