EDITION 23 15 August 2019
Calling
What a tasty way to learn Maths!
The Grade 2 boys using ‘Kit-Kats’ to help them learn about fractions...
Preparatory School Principal Last week I had the privilege of joining our Choir and Marimba band on their tour to the Western Cape. Forty-one boys, ranging from nine to 13 years old performed at Bishops, Western Province Prep, Somerset House and Bridge House. Each morning I awoke with a ‘knot in my stomach’ about the pending day ahead and each evening I went to bed with a content heart filled with pride, wonder and awe. The learning for all of us on the tour was immeasurable… and the vehicle for this was music. Research shows that far from being nice-to have extra-mural activity, music has a fundamental role to play in the development of the brain, and the on-going success of a child’s academic career. Many of the world’s top performing academic countries such as Japan and the Netherlands place a high value on music education, and require music training at elementary and middle school. Research into the teaching of music as part of a child’s education shows that it can impact positively on areas such as language development, reasoning and spatial intelligence. Research, too, into the correlation between music and mathematics seems to suggest that studying music has a positive effect on a child’s understanding of mathematical concepts. Apart from this, music is a craft that demands excellence, and children who are taught music also learn craftsmanship as they work to perfect performing a piece of music. A successful performance is made possible only by hard work and sustained effort, and so music pupils not only learn to stretch themselves but they also learn the joy of reward for a job well done, and the self-esteem that results from this.
Music is a discipline, and no choir or band will succeed without all members working together harmoniously towards a single goal. Being part of a music group teaches children self-discipline and the importance of working as a team. Both these skills are invaluable in later life. And perhaps, most important of all, music provides a child with a unique form of self-expression that invites passion and demands dedication. In the words of the philosopher Plato: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything”. Enjoy your weekend! Yours faithfully
VICTOR WHITE PREPARATORY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Congratulates... The following boys who were selected for respective Durban Central Soccer Teams; U14A: Armaan Latoo U16A: Blake Pearson, Ethan Manuel and Slade Jewell U19A: Dhivan Ganpath
Kwazi Makhanya, who joined us recently, will be representing the Highway U16A Team. The boys will be taking part in InterDistrict Tournaments on 18 and 25 August.
Jack Rowe (Grade 8) who raced his first SA Nationals at the iDube race track over the weekend, placing 5th in the Junior Max class.
Guy McCarthy (Grade 7) who competed in the KDC Grand Slam Skate Competition held at the North Beach Skatepark on Saturday. The competition was high as skaters from Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Northern Cape all entered. Guy had a phenomenal first heat that earned him a place in the finals where he placed second overall, winning R3000 and a trip to Johannesburg to compete in the next regional contest.
Our College Rugby 7's team who won the Bowl trophy at the Toti tournament on Saturday.
Our Clifton Golfers who had a wonderful time at the Grey High School Links Festival. A special word of congratulations to Mickele Lehman for winning ‘closest to the pin’!
The Clifton First Soccer Team who finished off strongly at the St David’s Soccer Festival, beating both St Peter's and Waterstone.
Kirthan Chotoo (Grade 4), who participated in the walk up Sani Pass to raise funds for CHOC, the Childhood Cancer Foundation. The walk starts at the South African Border post on Sani Pass and makes its way up to the Lesotho border. The walk is approximately 8km to the top of Sani Pass at an altitude of 2865 metres. Kirthan almost made it to the top, covering a distance of 6.5kms. In 2020, Kirthan is aiming to complete the walk to the top of the Pass and back down again - a distance of 16kms in total. Well done, Kirthan!
THANK YOU! We would once again like to thank our Clifton community for their contributions towards our recent civvies day. We collected R 9281.00 that will be paid over to the Rhino Foundation. The second delivery of clothing and goods has also been made, this time to the Safe House in Umlazi. Miss Nonthando Gumede delivered this on behalf of the Community Engagement Team.
Cameos With Founders’ Weekend just around the corner, Mr McCabe kindly arranged for us to obtain a straw ‘basher’, which was once part of the original Clifton school uniform. The black and white diagonallystriped band around the basher bears a likeness to the band worn ‘back in the day’. The basher has joined our collection in the Heritage Centre at Founders’ House.
LEFT: The group of Clifton muscians, including Old Boy Kenton Leslie-Smith (2018), who were on the recent KZNYO Grahamstown Tour. They are pictured here with guest saxophonist, Andrew Young.
The Grade 6 Outreach boys had a visit from KZN Valley Dogs. They brought ‘Flash the Valley pup’ with them, which was a highlight for the boys. The Outreach group has been hard at work raising money and doing chores to buy food for the dogs and cats – and even chickens – of the Inanda Valley. KZN Valley Dogs goes into the valley every weekend, no matter the weather, to help the people who live there to feed and look after their dogs. This group of boys did a fantastic job bringing in food! Well done, lads!
A number of schools in KZN (particularly in rural areas) participate in the School Enterprise Challenge, in which schools create fully functional student-led businesses. The Clifton Film Academy were asked by the “Teach a man to fish” NGO, to help create more awareness about the work being done by the NGO. Follow the link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=opXXdpNJTqU
We held our inaugural College Grandparents' Assembly in the Ken Mackenzie Hall this week. Our choristers and instrumentalists showcased their talents for our invited guests who were treated to a delicious tea after the assembly. It was also encouraging to see so many boys showing their grandparents the facilities they enjoy on our unique and beautiful campus. Some feedback from our grandparents: “Wonderful morning, thank you Clifton. Very impressed with the music & politeness of the young men.” “It was such a lovely assembly with beautiful music and the chance to see my grandson at school. Thank you Clifton.” “Thank you Clifton for making us all feel so special! Beautiful music and lovely words!”
Old Boys Congratulations to Senuran Muthusamy (2012), Clifton's first Protea! All the hard work, extra hours and intense dedication has paid off. International cricket awaits you. Good luck in India where you will no doubt be an excellent ambassador for your country, family, team and school. Prodesse Quam Conspici.
Congratulations to Krysten Balshaw and COB, Quinton Blaauw who were married on 10 August.
Clifton Old Boy Oliver Druce (2014) is currently starring in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. Fantastic stuff, Oliver!
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