EDITION 16 23 May 2019
Calling
The smiles say it all...how wonderful to see Robbie Eddles popping in at Riverside on Saturday to support his Clifton family! Wishing you everything of the best for the next stage of your treatment, Robbie! www.sabmr.co.za
Remind friends and family between the ages of 18 and 45 that they can register on the SABMR website and be tested as a possible donor. A quick and painless process!
6-7 SEPTEMBER 2019
Preparatory School Principal
I experienced my fifth Comrades Marathon last Friday. My fifth Clifton Foundation Phase Comrades Marathon that is. Boys, parents and staff began the morning with a rousing rendition of The National Anthem. The cockerel crowed and the race started with the “rabbits” streaking ahead at a blistering pace, which sadly could not be maintained. The rest of our Comrades runners seemed oblivious to the fact that they were supposed to get tired and feel fatigued as the race progressed. It soon became apparent that only the finish line would stop the happy stampede. Armed with their water sachets they returned to class…at full pace! As John Cleese so aptly put it, “Ah, when we were young”. I have included this wonderful, positive email from one of our parents: “I was so impressed watching the boys after their little run this morning. They were fist-pumping, shoulder-bumping and one-arm-hugging each other, with complete disregard for who came first, second or last. To me, this signifies a few aspects:
on their one little friend. The boys have such a “brotherhood” going, and I can just imagine that this bond will get stronger as they get older. • It seems like the coaches and teachers genuinely
love the boys, and want the best for them. I watched them at a rugby match in Westville a few weeks ago. Not only were they in the thick of it, but they also encouraged the boys from the other teams. Their love for the boys is tangible.
In a highly competitive time, where the winner is highlighted and encouraged, and the weakest often get ignored and ostracized, it is so encouraging that, at Clifton, firm values are encouraged and set in place. An environment where all can thrive, find a niche and be encouraged to do their best.
The important things, like good manners, politeness, kindness and caring are encouraged at this school. Clifton Gentleman in the making.” Yours faithfully
• Firstly, the boys have a wonderful sense of
sportsmanship. I’m aware that parents can be extremely competitive, and I myself have to sometimes concentrate really hard not to lose my calm and shake my boy into action. Some boys are competitive too, but I’m fairly sure, that thanks to the beautiful example set by the Clifton teachers, good sportsmanship is their first priority.
• The boys have a very strong sense of
camaraderie. Just watching the last little Gr 1 boy finish had me close to tears, not because of his effort, but because the entire grade stood, turned around and were watching, clapping and spurring
VICTOR WHITE PREPARATORY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Meander... On Friday Messrs White, Mezher and Goedeke will be at the Clifton Golf Day being played at Royal Durban. Mr Ravenscroft will be at the Prep rugby matches being played against Umhlali Prep at Riverside and on the Whitehead Oval while, in the evening, Messrs Boniaszczuk and Bresler will be at KZN Youth Choir performance in the Sutcliffe Theatre. On Saturday, Mrs Achmad will be at the Grade R to 2 Dads and Lads session on the Whitehead Oval. Messrs Bresler, Mezher, Goedeke and Knowles will be at the College rugby (away) and hockey (Riverside) matches being played against DHS. Mr Bresler will also be at the tennis matches being played against Curro at Durban Country Club.
Congratulates... George Edward (Grade 11). After competing in the inter-club division of the 2018 World Lifesaving Championships in Adelaide, Australia, he set his heart on representing his country. Through his unwavering determination, dedication to his training, and talent for the sport, George has been selected for the National Team for the 2019 International Surf Rescue Challenge taking place on 28 September, 29 September and 2 October 2019 at North Beach, Durban. We congratulate George, as well as Travis Misdorp (COB 2016) on their selection to this team!
William Hermelin (Grade 8) who, with his partner, won the U14 doubles in the KZN Tennis Mini series.
As mentioned by Mr White in his opening letter, the FP boys really gave it their all at the annual Clifton Mini Comrades Marathon on the Whitehead Oval. All participants were cheered on to the very end, and the following Grade 3 boys were awarded a chocolate medal for their 'Top 10' positions: 1 Keagan White 2 Ollie Rey 3 Nicholas Taylor
4 Blake Coyle-Dowling 5 Hayden Ravenscroft 6 Connor Gaines 7 Mholi Phili 8 Alexander Verster 9 Adam Mayet 10 James Meyer Yet another special moment with memories made here at Clifton. Well done to all the boys and to the enthusiastic staff who put the event together.
Cameos The Grade 4 boys had a great time together on their tour of Durban!
#LearnWithUs #TourWithUs
#GrowWithUs
The Outdoor Education Program is here! It is aimed at exposing Grade 8 - 12 boys to various outdoor experiences, sports and interests. Headed by Mr Chris Rein, various teachers will offer a host of opportunities including archery, fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, surf lifesaving, SCUBA diving and skydiving.
Motivated for by Head Boy, Andrew Sparks, we look forward to seeing our boys seize this opportunity to grow and learn. #GrowWithUs #ThriveWithUs
Our new Technology Integrator enjoyed being invited to observe Prep boys using their iPads during a lesson on Earthquakes. Mr Justin Bennett is on hand to assist staff and boys in making the most of the integration of technology into the classroom.
The U11C rugby team thoroughly enjoyed their recent game and are gelling together nicely as a team. Well done, lads!
COLOUR CHAMELEON
The Grade 6 ‘Colour Chameleon’ performance last week included music, dance and drama. Well done, lads. So much talent on show!
SUPPORTER@CLIFTON ladies and gents wear is available at the School Shop and online. It is wonderful to see so many of our parents donning their RED, BLACK and WHITE gear at the various fixtures! With the Winter Derby vs St David’s coming up, make sure you have stocked up on your supporter wear! Ladies and gents golfers, beanies, caps, cushions, mugs, umbrellas, body warmers and more are in stock. You can also pick up new and pre-loved uniform items, gifts and sports kit. www.cliftonshop.co.za
The Clifton gents enjoyed the Grade 10 History Evening with DGC, Fatima and Kearsney. Well done to the staff and boys for this initiative.
The Grade 5 Cooking Club went to view Elangeni Hotel kitchens with Sous Chef Kaylyn Cobb as their tour guide.
Miss Watson has been teaching the ‘Red Ant’ boys the Clifton war cry. So many words to learn but so much passion to help things along! Keep it up, boys.
Classifieds HOUSE SITTING AND BABY SITTING Please call Amy Mezher on 064 687 5934 or email: amymez6@gmail.com if you are looking for a reliable House Sitter or Baby Sitter. LIFT CLUB BALLITO TO CLIFTON If you are interested in joining or creating a lift club for various mornings and potentially afternoons, please contact Cheryl Law on 083 286 2810.
Our Heritage Centre can now boast of its first official acquisitions: two original desks that were used in the Grade 1 classes back in the 1940s! These desks were graciously donated by Roy and Gladys Meaker, whose five sons attended the Preparatory School and whose two grandsons, Sky and Branson currently attend the College. Roy and Gladys have incredibly fond memories of their time as Prep parents and this continues as proud grandparents! The desks were originally owned by Jill Job, long-serving head of the Foundation Phase who rescued them after they were tossed out in ‘clean-up’ a number of years ago. Jill had them lovingly restored and they were used as bedside tables! Jill had, regrettably, to downsize and they went on sale. After an appeal was put out on social media, Roy and Gladys stepped up and purchased them for the school. Pictured are Gladys and Roy (seated at the desks) in the new Heritage Centre, with son Shawn, grandsons Skye and Branson, and mom, Enid.
AN UPDATE FROM BEN BRESLER AND JACK AYLWARD FROM BUENOS AIRES… St George's College is unlike any school we have ever been to. It is different in so many ways - from the boys, the language, to the school grounds and even in the way they teach. This school has taught us both so much even in the small amount of time we have been here. Not just about living in a foreign city like Buenos Aires but about ourselves too. We hope to learn even more with the time we have left and bring back some of this schools’ unique culture and diversity to Clifton and to its boys.” - Ben and Jack, St George’s
PHOTO: Ben and Jack pictured here with their hosts from St George’s on civvies day!
Old Boys Part of the displays at the Durban Holocaust Centre is an artwork by Dylan Baitz (COB 2016). Dylan created this very emotive piece by printing and sewing family birth, death, marriage certificates, naturalisation papers, letters, photos and documents, to pay tribute to the memory of those members of the family who were murdered in the Holocaust as well as the few who survived.
Phil Davies (COB 2010) enjoying life as a ‘yachtie’ in Capri, Italy.
CLIFTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOUNDATION SCHOLARS: 3 FEBRUARY 1924 Ronald Bartholomew Dennis Dawson
Brian Down Cyril Espatalier Frank Galloway Philip Gee William Graham Ivor Griffiths Walter Hadfield Cyril Ridge Ian Ritchie Raymond Ryan