Upper Commem 2025

What an occasion Upper Commemoration was this year!

Celebrations kicked off with a Commem Concert in the Chapel on Friday evening with a wide range of musical styles on display, from opera to musical theatre, vocalists to instrumentalists, we witnessed some incredible talent.

‘It wasn’t just the musical talent that blew us away. It was their confidence, their belief in themselves, the support from their friends, from their houses, it felt magical.’
Parents of pupils in the Pre-Prep

This was followed by our competitive House Dance competition in the marquee, where after seeing many creatively choreographed routines, our guest judge Courtney Jackson, Dancer and Choreographer, and in house Dance Teacher declared Hallward’s as the winners. Our amazing Soul Band then took to the stage to get everyone up on the dance floor.

Saturday was a wonderful day bringing the whole School community together on College grounds for services in the Chapel, guest speakers, awards, three excellent speeches given by our Heads of School, reminiscing fondly on their years at Clifton College, and looking forward to their journeys beyond with new skills, interest and friends to take with them, and much more.

After a sit down lunch, we held a varied programme of exhibitions and activities for all to enjoy, including a discussion and Q&A with Martin Hartley, Polar Explorer, Photographer and Climate Advocate, held in the beautiful Percival Library.

In the evening, our Year 13 leavers and parents regrouped to enjoy the Clifton College Commem Ball, themed around the 1920s and Great Gatsby everyone really dressed to impress. We welcomed a fantastic guest band Funkty Dumpty on stage and ended the event with a bang as everyone stepped outside to watch the fireworks.

Thank you to everyone who made it so memorable, to parents and loved ones, guests, teachers and staff attending and running the event, and of course to our pupils who we couldn’t wait to celebrate.

(Click on an image below to expand the gallery.)