Our People
A Teacher’s Prayer: Lord, enable me to teach with WISDOM for I shape the mind. Equip me to teach with TRUTH, for I help to shape the conscience. Encourage me to teach with VISION for I help to shape the future. Empower me to teach with LOVE, for I help to shape the world.
The Clifton Team is made up of 90 full time staff members. This includes Academic staff and support staff such as the Estates, Catering and Cleaning teams. We have a number of residential units on our campus for staff, as well as 11 Intern rooms within the boarding houses. The fact that the Headmaster, various academic and boarding staff members, the sanatorium sister and key support staff members are on-site contributes to the homely feeling here at Clifton. We truly are a community.
Clifton offers a structured Intern Programme to 10 students passionate about children and the educational environment. Not only does this programme allow mentorship and growth for our future teachers but also the opportunity for our children to develop relationships with passionate, inspired, relevant and vibrant young people who interact with and guide them daily.
MEET OUR TEAM
It is our aim that children at Clifton will develop skills and abilities academically, culturally, emotionally, socially and physically.
This takes a team.
Meet our Headmaster, Paul Fleischack
Paul is an avid nature enthusiast who during his time at Michaelhouse introduced the now traditional C Block Journey and Pondoland Cultural Immersion. Since his retirement, Paul qualified as a Biomimicry Educator, and has been teaching this unique science to students, educators and nature guides across the country. With an obvious passion for the value of bringing nature into learning (and bringing learning into nature), we believe that Paul will be a wonderful fit for safeguarding this shared spirit at Clifton. With a proven track record in many different areas of the education system, and a reputable standing in leadership, we are confident that Paul will be a valuable anchor for our school during this transitional period.
Paul works closely with our staff and other school stakeholders to maintain the high standards of teaching excellence of which we are so proud, whilst championing Clifton’s values which we are committed to protecting.
Paul’s wife Laura spent 18 happy years teaching the Clifton Champs in our Junior Primary and both of their children are Clifton alumni. Clifton is a familiar and much-loved part of the Fleischack’s story, and they are thrilled to be returning to the Midlands to play their part in the next phase of our school’s evolution.
Peter Quinn always with a trick up his sleeve – our Deputy Head and Grade 7 teacher
Damien Rautenbach our Business Manager, keeping us all on track with all things financial
Kerry Witherspoon, our Marketing Champion, tying a bow on the Clifton story every time she shares it!
Kerri-Lyn Jones – Our Head of Junior Primary, always keeping our little champs close and happy!
Head of Academics and Grade 7 teacher, Louise Rautenbach, and the handsome Benji
Justice Majola, he does it all! Our Head of Boarding, Housemaster of Usher House, isiZulu teacher and Grade 7 tutor
Looking after our busy ‘Bees’ is an energetic and full time job, Heather Kelland
Anita Whitehead, shaping the minds of our little ‘Chameleon’ champs through fun and play
Catherene Maposa enjoys her role as teacher of isiZulu (Grades 0-3)
Rebecca Robertson, bringing love and warmth to our ‘Shongololos’ in the Pre-Primary
Kind and caring to our Pre-Primary ‘Fireflies’, Linda Hudson
Friendly and always with a smile is Elmari Sliedrecht, nurturing our ‘Frogs’ in the Pre-Primary
Charlotte White, our Pre-Primary assistant teacher always with a smile and open arms
Giving our Grade 1s wings to “fly”, Joanna Fly
Jeannie Shewan, always keeping her little Grade 1 Champs close
Donna Moor, our Grade 2 teacher, always with a big smile!
She always has a spring in her step, Emma Fyvie, our Grade 3 teacher
Shelley Rossouw brings the calm when teaching our Grade 2 Champs
Our Grade 3 teacher, Nicole Venter, always ready for a story!
Our warm and friendly Senior Primary Afrikaans teacher, Siné Wagner
Helping our Grade 4s grow, Nicky Taylor and Nikki Stokes
Douglas Neary – Outdoors is his passion, luckily for our Grade 5 champs
Our keen sports coach and Grade 5 teacher, Gary Wagner
Phillippa Lowe finding the beauty while guiding our Grade 5 champs
Nicola Worrall always keeping up with her energetic Grade 6 champs
Liza Borgen het altyd ‘n lied in die hart, our Grade 6 & 7 Afrikaans teacher
Action man Sean Veenstra, Grade 7 teacher and more!
Grade 7 teacher, raring to go, Kyle Venter
Making robots come alive, Gary Mortimer, our Grade 4 to 7 IT STEAM teacher
Fibiano Chapatha – our music man, playing the soundtrack to life at Clifton Notties!
Our creative and calm art teacher, Janey Frank
Ready to listen, always with a smile, Monique Langlois, our Learning Support Champion
Our Learning Support Therapist Megan Osler brings warmth and a beautiful smile, everywhere she goes!
Hala – Our multi-talented and wholly-involved Head of Senior Primary Sport, Halalisani Xulu (aka Mr X)
The fantastic and energetic Louise Jelliman, Head of Junior Primary Sport
Our Alumni Coordinator, Kathryn Turner bringing the Old Cliftonian memories to life!
Our Equestrian team: Sanka, Lisa, Freedom, BK, Thandela, Mdu and Angie
Welcoming new families with a warm smile, Lisa-Jade Koopman, our Admissions Champ!
Our Headmaster’s PA, Sarah Goldie, keeps Mr Fleischack’s day on track!
Keeping the Clifton Magic alive is Nicole Ball, our Marketing and Creative Coordinator
Cheryl Coetzer, the face of Clifton in Reception and our Sutcliffe Housemother
Our cool, calm and collected Assistant Bursar Stephanie Farquharson
Creating memorable experiences, the Bursary Assistant and face of the School Shop, Antoinette O’Connell
Our nurturing San Sister Penny Willson, getting stuck in any way she can!
Always helping with a smile, Leo Stagg, our IT manager
“A man for all seasons” – our ever-positive and helpful Estate Manager, Elvis Kalika
Cultivating the terroir for a champion childhood is Russell Trott, our assistant Estates Manager
Mbongeleni Bhengu, our eager to please school driver, always ready to transport our little champs
Sanele Dube always keen and ready for his next trip around the Midlands
Our Fun Loving Interns
Back L-R: Art Lumkwana, Tori Graham, Aphelele Ntuli, Amogelang Mokobane, Justin Kufal, Nick Ross
Front L-R: Uhuru Vanda, Nicole Houart, Desireé Kalika, Taylor Mcnamara, Linda Sibiya
Capitol Caterers Cleaning Team
Left to right: Sanuja Surajpersad (Sunny), Thembi Msomi, Zodwa Dlamini, Bongi Mnikathi, Zinhle Zuma, Mbali Shange, Homestar Mnikathi, Elizabeth Maduna, Noxolo Chonco, Nosipho Ndlela, Thandi Mnculwane, Thabisile Mkhize, Thanda Mshengu, Nontobeko Sithole, Prisca Zulu, Thandi Sibisi, Janelle Prins (Jay)
Capitol Caterers Kitchen Team
Left to right: Sanuja Surajpersad (Sunny), Thembi Msomi, Zodwa Dlamini, Bongi Mnikathi, Zinhle Zuma, Mbali Shange, Homestar Mnikathi, Elizabeth Maduna, Noxolo Chonco, Nosipho Ndlela, Thandi Mnculwane, Thabisile Mkhize, Thanda Mshengu, Nontobeko Sithole, Prisca Zulu, Thandi Sibisi, Janelle Prins (Jay)
