EDITION 1 23 January 2020
Calling
Executive Headmaster
Dear Clifton Family
It is a real pleasure for me to welcome everyone back to the start of the academic year, and to wish the Clifton Family all the very best for 2020. Despite the gloomy prospects for the economy, and the unwelcome return of load shedding, we remain hopeful and positive that progress will be made at a national and provincial level this year – and of course, our hopes for the future lie with our youth, like the young men we encounter on a daily basis at our school.
Our Grade Rs and 1s had their orientation day the day before school started - and then it was the return of the whole school on Tuesday with the formal Induction Ceremony for the new College boys (Grade 8 and other grades). So, it certainly was not a case of wading gently into the new year – it was a jump into the deep end!
A special welcome to all our new families, including those in Grade R and Grade 8 – I wish you many years of joy at our school. Similarly, a warm welcome to our new staff. We have three interns that have joined us in the Prep (Ms Stacey Dewrance in the FP and Messrs St John Surgeson and Waldo Snyman in the SP) whilst the College welcomes Mrs Ronelle Raath to the Afrikaans Department, and Mrs Lulu Sofilas, who is our Drama locum while Mrs Jordaan is on maternity leave. Of course, in the near future we will welcome the new Principal of the Prep School, Mr Jason Brown, and in the second term we will welcome the new College Deputy Principal, Mr Praveshen Iyer. Both these appointments were made in the holidays and announced in early January.
At the Prep Parent Information evenings held over the last week, Mr White highlighted a number of initiatives being introduced over the next few weeks and months at the Prep – the introduction of golf (as part of Phys Ed) and football being amongst them. In addition, the “Big Brother” programme (linking Grade 3 and 7 boys) will be formalized, as will the new Leadership programme and the training system for the captains. Mathletics will become part of the mathematics curriculum, and an extra set of marimbas have arrived, as more boys are showing an interest in learning to play them!
Not to be outdone, 2020 will see some initiatives in the College as well. The Dale Carnegie “Generation Next” has been introduced as a voluntary option for our Grade 11’s. As usual, and as reflected on the Clifton Facebook page, 26 boys have enrolled, and we held the first session with it was a busy holiday, with Clifton gents representing KZN the outside facilitator last Friday afternoon. Mitch Ilbury, at Interprovincial tournaments in December. There were an alumnus of the Class of 2010, and son of Chantell various training camps in January, both for the Prep and Ilbury (who partnered with Clem Sunter to present College, and two very successful Cricket Festivals, for our strategic scenarios about the future of South Africa) U15s and First Team (of the 8 matches played by the two introduced the “Growing Foxes” programme to our Grade sides, across all formats, we either won or drew all of 9s on the first day back at school. This is an online course them – no losses!). with staff facilitation, designed to develop scenario planning and strategic skills, as well as “agile, adaptive The first full week of January started with the and anticipatory thinking”. The lessons will take place in announcement and release of the 2019 Matric results, the Life Orientation periods. In addition, our Grade 11s will about which you would have received a letter from me. be embarking on the second “6-degree shift Challenge”, a Obviously we were pleased with the results across the project-based learning exercise piloted by our current board, and commend the Matric Class of 2019 on their Grade 12s last year, and which will culminate in a project achievements. As usual, the results will be analyzed by or presentation in the second term. All these projects the academic staff in the College, to ensure that we keep happen in the context of our current programmes, such as improving on them. Our two Academic Honours Summa the Leadership Programme, where, for example, the Cum Laude recipients (whose average was above 90% in Grade 10s are “...learning leadership lessons from the the Finals), Ibi Khan and Naail Suliman, will be story of Shackleton”. acknowledged in the Academic Awards Assembly on Friday 24 January. As parents are no-doubt aware, we have added two new bus routes to the traditional Mt Edgecombe route. One Later in that first full week of January, the staff returned to bus comes from Balito, and the other from Kloof. All three school for some formal staff development and to prepare buses also offer return trips. This is obviously to help for the return of the boys. The Grade 8s had their parents in these areas in getting their sons to and from orientation day, and then left for the Grade 8 camp last school more easily, and we encourage you to make use of Saturday. The College Prefects also went on their training this service. camp up the North Coast, and joined the Grade 8s for a meaningful bonfire on the night before they came home. One final piece of information, and really just a “heads-
up�, for later in the term, is that the school, both Prep and College, will be having an IQAA visit later this term. IQAA is the Independent Quality Assurance Agency and is linked to ISASA. Later this term there will be stakeholder surveys, followed by reflection and focus groups in Term 2. Essentially the Agency helps us hold a mirror to ourselves and guides us through that evaluation process. So, an exciting start to the year, and we look forward to the fruits of these and other initiatives. The school is in full swing, including our much-enjoyed Grade camps in the Prep, and a full set of fixtures on the first weekend
back for the College, including a most successful trip to Johannesburg for our First Tennis Team, where they took part in the St Benedict’s Tournament and came in at a very commendable third place! Welcome back once again, and welcome to our new members of the Clifton Family. Warm regards
DAVE KNOWLES EXECUTIVE HEADMASTER
Meander On Friday afternoon Mr Bresler will be at the Idea Generation Workshop being held in the Geography Department. Messrs Ravenscroft and White will be at the Prep cricket matches being played against DPHS. On Saturday Messrs Knowles and Bresler will be at the College cricket and basketball matches being played against Glenwood. Messrs Mezher and Ravenscroft will be with their respective cricket teams for their matches against DPHS with Mr White in support of all the matches. Mr Ravenscroft will be at the Grade R - 2 dads and lads session while Mr White will join Mrs Achmad at the Grade R to 3 Parents Welcome Function in the Sutcliffe Theatre.
News bits... Clifton boys Ross Montgomery (Grade 10), Ronan Vardaya (Grade 11), Romashan Pillay (Grade 9) and Dario Reddy (Grade 10) represented KZN in the CSA U15 Week in East London, winning 4 out of their 6 matches.
Tiashan Moodley (Grade 11) has been selected as a violinist for the 2019 South African National Youth Orchestra. He traveled to Johannesburg to rehearse and perform. His violin teacher is our very own Clifton Prep music teacher, Mrs Jane Magner. Congratulations Tiashan, our young Springbok musician! Mrs Magner is also the strings tutor for the KZN Youth Orchestra. She is pictured her with Clifton boys Andrew Ward (Grade 9), Rishabh Nathwani (Grade 7), Rushil Parbhoo (Grade 8) and Chad Leslie-Smith (Grade 8) who are members of the orchestra.
At the Basketball IPTs in Pretoria in December, two of our Clifton gents represented KZN with the U15 winning gold and the U18 silver. Well done to Chris Masefield (U15) and Jacques Mahanga (U18).
Clifton was well represented at the Interprovincial Water Polo Tournament. Congratulations to Simon Taylor, Michael Bennett and Jaden Whiley who were selected for the SA Schools U19 team. The KZN U15 boys team coached by Mike Howieson earned a silver medal. Playing some great polo in that team were Duran Hall, Joel Jamieson, Josh Saayman, James Bentley and Calvin Kidd.
The College Media Centre aims to use this space to profile members of the Clifton community about books that they recommend a Clifton gentleman should not leave Clifton without reading. They will be sharing how the book affected their lives and being big on leadership and personal development, what better way to mentor our gents than to share success stories. As the hub of all teaching and learning, the Media Centre staff are here to serve the academic and social needs of the entire College. With the reading period firmly placed on the timetable, we look forward to welcoming all the gents through the library doors to browse our latest collection. Regards, Mrs Dlamini
The KZN U19 Cameron Murray Tournament was held at Kloof. James Jarvis (Grade 10) shot a birdie in the play-off against Luke Cubitt from Westville Boys' High to take the trophy. James won the tournament on 66, which included 9 birdies!
COLLEGE SPORTS AND CULTURAL CAPTAINS 2020 FOLLOW...
Basketball
Chess
Canoeing
Cricket
Jacques Mahanga
Lance Leslie-Smith
Jarryd Walker
Nabeel Jeewa
Golf
Swimming
Tennis
Water Polo
Muhammed Peer
Noah Ditz and James Matthews
Richard Hartmann
Simon Taylor
Choir
Debating
First Aid
Korbin Monson
Anthony Traicos
Austin Voigt
Photography
Tech Team
Community Engagement
Skye Meaker
Michael Thomas
Noah Ngcobo
Interact Ofentse Kgomo
Q&A with Mr Tom Brown FOUNDATION PHASE SPORTS COORDINATOR Describe your new role in the Foundation Phase for 2020. In my opinion the role of a Foundation Phase Sports Coordinator is a vital one as a school like Clifton wishes to give the boys the best grounding in Grade R and allow the boys to compete and manage the dynamics of formal interschool sport from Grade 3/U9 through to Grade 7 and on to their High School careers. The role is not a new one to me as I was the Foundation Phase Coordinator at Clifton from 2007 – 2013. As I return to the role, I embrace the changes that have taken place since then and endeavor to see where we can improve or overhaul certain areas so that Clifton continues to progress with the times.
What is your take on the importance of implementing the correct fundamental skills at this age?
The whole reason Clifton is looking to rejuvenate Foundation Phase Sport is not just to ensure that the boys have the correct motor skills and critical knowledge for each sport, but also to breed a culture of participation, a passion for sport and a healthy lifestyle. A mentor of mine once called it “starting the thinking of a club man”. A sportsman who is there for his club. He will What is your approach to the role? pitch up, practice hard and play hard but at the same time he will be making lifelong friends. We wish to teach the In the new role I wish to assist the coaches, management boys how to win and how to lose at an early stage where of the school and sporting codes to not only use this there is no pressure. We want the boys to realize the avenue to prepare our young men in a variety of codes, importance that everyone has in a team and that if you but also to equip them with strength of character and don’t come prepared, it has an impact on others. sportsmanship. The role involves both coaching and Winning, losing, getting dropped, making a 50, taking a facilitating during Phys Ed. lessons and the respective hattrick, scoring all the points or goals is the easy part. sport sessions the Foundations Phase boys have been How you deal with adversity and triumph is the key skill offered. There is also the administration role of ensuring on which we want to build a foundation. communication is relayed timeously, making sure that the parents are kept informed, organizing various sporting “Prodesse Quam Conspici’ events during the year and the aspect closest to my heart, Dads and Lads. Where do you see the Foundation Phase in a few years from now? What are some of the exciting things you have We will hopefully see the benefits of our FP sports planned for the Foundation Phase? programme going forward into each successive year. I Dads and Lads is receiving a face-lift and we do hope our hope that the Grade Rs of 2020 and afterwards will bear parents support these mornings out with their sons. true testament to whether the system has worked. Each There are three Dads and Lads mornings in the first term year we will tweak the programme where necessary and and we wish to increase the number of sessions going hopefully we will see it bear fruit in 2023 when the current forward. This initiative is a great way for families to get Grade R boys reach Grade 3. We would like to see out and integrate not only with their child but with the Clifton becoming more competitive in all codes and to Clifton community. The mornings have a skill and a game have the participation of every boy. component, allowing the boys game experience while All in all I look forward to growing under the watchful eyes of their parents. The teams for with the Foundation Phase staff, the Grade 1 and 2 boys are mixed ability and for this term boys and parents as we there are no scores recorded. A register will be taken as endeavour to see Clifton take on we are encouraging the boy not to let their team down. the new decade in 2020 in all the Another new initiative that the Foundation phase will codes with maximum benefit from is the introduction of the Connor Mcleod participation. Swim Academy at Clifton. This allows the boys to attend (Thanks to Keegan Hezlett for the swimming coaching that will aid them at their respective interview) level. Connor will be on site during Phys Ed. classes and we trust that our Aquatics will grow from strength to strength as the boys become more competent swimmers.
OPEN MORNING GR R-7 SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY 08H30
PREP CAMPS AND EXCURSIONS - Fun and adventure!
FROM THE SIDELINES By Nick Lambie Clifton First Team and Under 15 cricket teams off to a great start. The Clifton First Team started the 2020 season in great style winning four out of five of their games, with the fifth being abandoned due to rain. The Under 15 side won two and drew two during their tour to Maritzburg College. The first team started their season off with a preseason match against St John’s Harare. Batting first Clifton posted 209 for 7 with Teague Ridgway making 46*, Josh Platford posting 37 and Matt Adams 34. Clifton then followed up their batting performance with some outstanding bowling. St John’s were all out for 54. Marco Mottura picked up 3/3 and Ronan Vardaya 2/2. This closed out a 155 run victory. In Clifton’s first game at the Michaelhouse Festival they faced KZN Inland Academy. Batting first Clifton posted a massive 319/9 with Josh Platford and Matt Adams scoring 71 and 72 respectively. Clifton followed by bowling out the opposition for 235 with Ross Montgomery and Romashan Pillay picking up 3/28 and 3/20 respectively, which resulted in an 84 run victory. In the second game at Michaelhouse, Clifton faced Helpmekaar. Batting first Clifton posted 198 all out with Matt Gore making 68. Clifton then restricted Helpmekaar to 125 for 4. Clifton won on net run rate. In the third and final game of the Michaelhouse Festival the team played Falcon College. Batting first Clifton posted 150 for 5 with Darryl Lotter and John Munford scoring 66 and 30 respectively. Clifton followed up with a brilliant bowling performance restricting Falcon College to 104 for 9. Clifton won by 46 runs. The U15 team had a successful start to their season at the Maritzburg College Cricket Festival winning two and drawing two. They drew against Jeppe high school and Helpmekaar, followed by 17 and 14 run victories against Hoërskool Noordheuwel and Pretoria Boys respectively. “A cricketer’s life is a life of splendid freedom, healthy effort, endless variety, and delightful fellowship” - W.G.Grace
Captain: GEORGE EDWARD The Friday morning run is
OPEN TO ALL BOYS & STAFF OF THE COLLEGE Runners arrive at 05h25, put their bags in their lockers and meet in the lay-bye (Lambert Rd) Start running at 05h30, run ±4.2 km to Milky Lane near North Beach, have a quick swim and/or buy an ice-cream. Clifton bus collects runners at 06h30 and brings everyone back to school.
PLEASE DO REMIND YOUR SON/S AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN IN
#RunWithUs
Our Clifton Interact group are assisting the Denis Hurley Centre who urgently require second hand clothing for the men and boys they care for.
Please take a look and see if you have any clothes that no longer fit and consider donating them to this worthy cause.
Please drop off in the boxes in Mrs Wilkins’s classroom by 14 February 2020
Our Prep Library is such a beautiful, creative space! There is a lovely display up of Clifton teachers with their favourite childhood reads. A great way to nurture a love of reading in our boys.
Classifieds HOUSE SITTING/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.
CHILD CARE Tersia Brenna has eighteen years of experience in supervising and teaching children from 3 months olds to 5year-olds. She also has experience with autistic and ADHD children. She is available to au pair, assist with homework and holiday care Monday to Friday and weekends from the 15 December onwards. Please contact her on 0635351952.
Old Boys MUTHUSAMY SPINS DOLPHINS TO MEMORABLE WIN Durban – Standard Bank Proteas all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy took seven second innings wickets as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins pulled off a memorable 137 run 4Day Domestic Series win over the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in Oudtshoorn. Read the full article here: https://dolphinscricket.co.za/news/page/2/