Northcliff High School - A leading South African co-educational school, focused on developing the whole child by offering a balance of academics, sport and cultural activities.
Northcliff High School History

Northcliff’s History

Northcliff High School was established in 1969 at the foot of the hill in the leafy suburb of Northcliff. The founding principles of the school were the pursuit of excellence and a sound value system. Five Headmasters have ensured that the school has maintained a high level of achievement for more than 50 years, at the same time remaining true to its original ideals.

Northcliff High School is a centre of excellence - a safe, secure, disciplined and caring environment for all. As a proudly independent state high school, we offer a firm foundation of traditions and values which have been carried through from when the school was established in 1969 to today.
Mr. Andrew Wilkins

Andrew Wilkins

Mr. Andrew Wilkins has been appointed as Acting Principal to take us into 2025. Mr. Wilkins brings with him a wealth of experience, having served Northcliff High with dedication for 30 years. Mr Wilkins’ tenure has included leadership roles as Grade Tutor, Head of Department Physical Science and as the school’s Deputy Principal for 21 years. We look forward to the benefit that his leadership and experience will bring to our school community.

Mr Walter Essex-Clark

MR WALTER ESSEX-CLARK

Mr Walter Essex-Clark was officially appointed as Headmaster in 2003 after he was the Acting Headmaster when Mr Klein retired in 2002. He joined Northcliff as Deputy Headmaster in 1999. With his calm, easy-going nature, and his strength of character, Mr Essex-Clark proved the ideal person to meet the challenges of school leadership in the 21st Century South Africa. Mr. Essex-Clark retired in December 2024 after a long and illustrious career as a leading educator in South Africa

Mr Ged Dickerson

MR GED DICKERSON

Northcliff’s founding headmaster, Mr Ged Dickerson was asked to open a new high school in Northcliff, and began the preparations – appointing staff, designing the school badge, planning the uniform – so that Northcliff High School could open with 176 Grade 8 pupils in January 1969. Mr Dickerson, a former Latin teacher, provided all the Latin names for Northcliff’s top awards: the Optimus Omnium (Best of All), Nulli Secundus (Second to None) and Magna cum Laude (With Great Honour), and of course the school motto, Nihil tam Altum (Nothing so High).

Mr Peter Cawdry

MR PETER CAWDRY

Mr Peter Cawdry joined Northcliff as Senior Deputy Headmaster in 1985, and became Headmaster in July 1986 on the retirement of Mr Dickerson. He initiated the building of the lecture theatre complex, first computer centre and the squash courts.

Mr David Klein

MR DAVID KLEIN

Upon Mr Cawdry’s retirement, Mr David Klein took up the post of headmaster in 1997. The year he became principal, was the year Northcliff first held aloft the A League Athletics Trophy. Under Mr Klein’s leadership, the school was equipped with two computer centres and possibly the greatest idea of his, was the Major Production Tour.

OUR SUCCESS IS OUR STAFF

A key to the enormous success of this school has been the stability of the teaching staff. With exceptional leadership over the years, the management team has ensured the school is staffed with committed and experienced educators who are experts in the field. This attracts talented young graduates into a rewarding teaching environment.

From the very early days all the way through to the present, Northcliff High School has lived up to its motto ‘Nihil Tam Altum’ – Nothing So High that courage cannot scale it. Today the school is widely recognised as one of the finest co-educational schools in South Africa.