Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Private Bag X01, Nottingham Road, 3280 South Africa

Telephone: +27 033 266 8200 Facsimile: +27 033 266 6860

E-mail: reception@cliftonnr.co.za Reg. N0: 06-621 NPO

Member of

3 June 2011

“If you don’t look at me, I might not exist.” Baroness Greenfield on the existential crisis of Twitter culture.

Calendar Dates 2011 Many of our parents will have received a change in the dates of the end-of-year closing times for Hilton, Michaelhouse and St Anne’s this year. This change will not affect our dates and we will still close as planned on Friday 2 December 2011 with the Grade 7 Leaver’s Dinner that evening and the Senior Primary Prize Giving on Saturday 3 December.

2012 Term Dates There was a typographical error on the 2012 term dates published last week. The corrected dates are attached to this week’s e-news. Half term in the fourth term of 2012 is from Thursday 25 October to Monday 29 October, not Thursday 28 October as published. My apologies for the error.

Talks for Parents on Parenting the 21st Century Child! Creative Parenting expert Nikki Bush is a highly regarded speaker and author among parents and educators alike. Through her talks, workshops, books and games, she inspires parents and teachers to find creative ways of connecting with today’s children in a fast-changing world.

We are delighted that Nikki has kindly agreed to present two of her talks at Clifton on a public holiday (16 June) which we hope will allow as many parents as possible to attend. Nikki will be talking on “Future-Proofing Your Child” and “Parenting on the Go.” The programme for the day is:

Date: Thursday 16 June

09:00 – Future-Proofing Your Child

10:00 – Tea

10:30 – Parenting on the Go

Cost: R100 per person

The talk has been opened to the Nottingham Road, Mooi River and Balgowan communities. Seats are limited so please ensure you RSVP to Mrs Forbes on jphead@cliftonnr.co.za along with proof of payment, which can be made into the school account with the reference ‘Nikki Bush’.

Academics

Grade 2 at Weenen Mrs Karssing writes: “Fourteen white rhino, giraffe, waterbuck, red hartebeest – just a few of the creatures the Grade Two’s saw at Weenen Game Reserve. Our two night trip was more than just about the sightings. The children had to unload and load the buses, collect wood for the fire, pack and unpack the fridges and become involved in the day-to-day running of a camp. The children learnt that looking at the small things in a reserve can be just as exciting as the bigger ones. Our annual kudu-dung spitting competition was won by Olivia George and Joshua Sparks.

We hope that our children will retain all that they have learnt over this time.”

Parents’ Association The Swimming Pool Sub-committee has been largely finalised. The sub-committee is headed by Rowan Holt and he is assisted by Brett Bouwer, Debbie Gray, Jill Cribbins and James Jonsson. The committee is looking for one more enthusiastic parent to assist.

A target of R600 000 has been set which will completely refurbish the School pool. A tractor raffle, a car raffle and donations are part of the committee’s plans to raise funds. Please keep a look out for information from the committee regarding their plans and offer support in whatever way you can!

Culture

Miranda and the Magic Sponge A reminder to Grade 5 and 6 parents regarding practices and preparations for the end-of-term cultural showcase which includes “Miranda and the Magic Sponge.”

Tickets for the evening will be R20 per person which will include sherry, light snacks, tea and coffee. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets can be booked through Mrs Coetzer in reception from Monday 6 June.

Sport

Horse Riding Full KZN colours have been awarded to the following children for representing KZN Equestrian team at a provincial level: Paige Collier for Dressage, Patrick Béchard for Equitation, Rachael Stevenson for Showing, Carrie Mandy for Dressage and Showing, Thomas Erskine for Eventing and Showing.

Regional KZN colours have been awarded to the following children for representing KZN Equestrian team at a regional level: Paige Collier for Intermediate Equitation, Rebecca Erskine for Novice Equitation, Carrie Mandy for Novice Dressage, Samantha Schallen for Equitation and Dressage.

Congratulations to all our horse riders!

Hockey Congratulations to the following children who have been selected for various teams: Minenhle Teba (Inland U13), Jessica de Wet (Midlands U13), Lauren Johnson and Rachel Guthrie (Midlands U12), Michael Menear (Midlands U12).

Sports Results

Horse Riding

Karkloof Show: Equitation Open: 3rd and 4th places to Patrick Béchard and Peter Charles

Novice: two 1st places to Samantha Schallen and Black Magic

Dressage Elementary: 1st place to Carrie Mandy and Kavelier

Novice: 1st and 2nd places to Patrick Béchard and Pick Pocket; 1st Carrie Mandy and Take a Chance; 2nd Daniel Dillon and Just Dandy

Showjumping 80cm Class: 3 first places to Thomas Erskine and Indigo Blue; 2nd Daniel Dillon and Just Dandy; 2nd, 3rd and 4th places to Paige Collier and Rockstar; 4th and two 5th places to Paige Collier and Leckerli

Calendar Reminders

Saturday 4 June

Hockey vs Laddsworth and Winterton at home

Rugby vs Laddsworth – all matches at home

Sunday 5 June

Compulsory KZN Squash Squad training at Westville Country Club 09:00 – 13:00

Monday 6 June

Chess vs. Cowan House and Cordwalles

Wednesday 8 June

Girl’s Hockey vs. St John’s – all matches away

Thursday 9 June

PA Meeting 16:00

Friday 10 June

Horse Riding – Clifton Closed Show and Braai

Saturday 11 June

Rugby vs. Cordwalles – all games at home

Hockey vs TWC – all games at home

Old Boys and Old Girls Day and Reunion Dinner

Horse Riding – Pony Club Rally and Tests

Headmaster’s Commendations

KZN Horse Riding Provincial Colours Paige Collier, Patrick Béchard, Rachael Stevenson, Carrie Mandy, Thomas Erskine

KZN Horse Riding Regional Colours Paige Collier, Rebecca Erskine, Carrie Mandy, Samantha Schallen

Inland Hockey Minenhle Teba

Midlands Hockey Jessica de Wet, Lauren Johnson, Rachel Guthrie, Michael Menear

Enjoy your weekend!

Brendan Brady HEADMASTER