Our Clifton Old Boys' Association recently had the pleasure of catching up with Old Boy, Rolf Sims (’79), who is currently living and working in Norway, for a short Q&A.
Rolf recently visited from Norway especially for our Centenary Gala Dinner in February. He brought together a table of his year group contemporaries, with some even flying in from Europe and Canada to join the celebration. Friendships were rekindled and a truly memorable evening was enjoyed in style.
He also attended our Founders’ Weekend in May, coming out for the Icebreaker on Thursday evening and then the annual Old Boys’ Reunion Dinner on the Friday. Rolf’s story is the latest in our ongoing series, ‘From Our Old Boys’ Network’.
“Myself and the rest of the ‘Sutcliffe Generation’ Old Boys had an amazing evening. It was so good to be back at the school, and my… how it has changed and grown from our day.”
Rolf Sims
How did you end up where you are now?
I ended up in Norway as my mother is Norwegian. I qualified as a lawyer at the University of Oslo and spent 22 years working as a public sector lawyer and policy adviser for the Norwegian Government, focusing on gambling regulation. In 2018, I moved into the private sector and am now Head of Corporate Affairs at Kindred Group, one of Europe’s largest online gambling companies.
I plan to continue working for another 10 to 12 years before retiring, possibly partly in KwaZulu-Natal.
What are some of the good/fond memories you forged during your time while still a schoolboy at Clifton?
It is impossible to talk about my Clifton years without starting with Tim Sutcliffe.
“He was a bauta of a man and a monumental figure who dominated every aspect of life at Clifton. He was responsible for shaping the school and its ethos as we know it today.”
Rolf Sims
He was everywhere, showing generosity, enthusiasm, encouragement, and support for every pupil at any time. He was also a disciplinarian, but always just and fair. Back then, caning was allowed, and if punished by him, he would always explain and justify the reason – often well deserved.
I still have vivid memories of Tim Sutcliffe’s now legendary Shakespeare classes. His recitals from Julius Caesar and The Merchant of Venice were delivered with such vigor and energy that they sometimes went over time. I remember our maths teacher often had to sacrifice part of the next class to let Tim finish. Et tu, Brute!
I also have great memories of the plays and musicals during my time at Clifton. Derek Fockens was a highly talented music teacher with strong connections in the Durban music scene, and he orchestrated all the productions with extreme professionalism. My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver Twist were productions staged with both staff and pupils as actors, in addition to the annual musicals in which all classes contributed.
Playing ball games during lunch breaks was a highlight. Touch rugby was a serious matter, and in the class preceding our main lunch break, paper notes were sent back and forth to set up the teams. As soon as the bell rang, we would rush to the ball room next to Tim Sutcliffe’s office to fetch orange rugby balls and convene on the field for a good game. We often played until after the bell, with Alan Pass chasing us back into class. Stingers was another game we played frequently on the field.
Marble season descended upon us every year for about a month, and everyone at school would converge on the tennis courts to fight it out for smokies, ironies, allies, and oilies. This was probably the most competitive activity at the school each year, and even teachers used marbles as rewards for good performance in class.
In Standard 5, we went on a trip to Umgeni Valley Ranch, which I remember very fondly. Sleeping in a tree house and exploring the bush was quite an experience. We had to take turns keeping night watch to make sure the food wasn’t stolen by monkeys or other animals.
Most of all, I remember my Clifton years with great happiness and joy. I was genuinely fond of going to school, and every morning I would nag my father to drive me as early as possible so I could make the most of each day.
Who or what experience had the biggest impact on your life whilst still a schoolboy at Clifton?
For me, it’s the teachers who stand out – Jenny Hands, Rose Visser, Rod Lamont, Craig Sinclair, John Eppel, Derreck Fockens, Libby Bonnet, and of course, Tim Sutcliffe, to name just a few. To some, these may be just names in Clifton’s history, but for my contemporaries and me, they were the people who shaped the foundation of our education and our future lives.
Clifton was ahead of its time, embracing progressive teaching methods that encouraged us to think openly, develop our abilities, and nurture a sense of individuality. Our teachers inspired us to succeed with confidence and to trust in our own potential.
What made the school truly special was the way the staff worked together. I recently learned that Tim Sutcliffe was very deliberate in selecting teachers, and that incumbents were consulted on new appointments. The goal was always to build a team that could thrive together while guiding the school in the right direction.
Even after Clifton, through my years at school and university in South Africa and later in Norway, the lessons and values I learned there remained my foundation. In every new educational system, Clifton was my compass, my reference point, my outset. The teachers I had there made all the difference – they were the ones who set me on the path to succeed.
As was so beautifully said:
“The spirit of mutual trust and confidence which exists between pupils and teachers at this school is one of it’s most precious features.”
Tim Sutcliffe
What did you take away with you from Clifton: lessons, skills, friendships etc.?
The friendships I made at Clifton have truly stood the test of time. Over the years, attending reunions both in South Africa and overseas, I’ve been reminded of how those early connections shaped us. That particular time in South Africa, combined with Clifton’s close-knit environment and ethos, gave us a shared identity and a strong sense of community. What has amazed me most is that, even though we now live all over the world, we remain so remarkably similar. Having this Clifton outset has created a bond that feels unique and enduring.
Clifton also nurtured my love of music, a passion I carry with me to this day. The school placed great emphasis on arts and culture, opening my mind to creativity and self-expression. I pursued this personally by diving into electronic music, and I still delight in going to concerts whenever I can.
Another gift from Clifton was the focus on articulation and presentation. Our English teachers placed a strong emphasis on giving presentations and writing compositions, skills that have proven invaluable in my career. Whether dealing with the media or speaking at conferences and events, the confidence and ability to express myself clearly traces back to those early lessons.
What do you attribute your successes in life to? What is your personal ethos or creed?
There are no problems in life, only solutions. I believe in finding what you’re good at, both professionally and personally, then putting in the effort to master and pursue those strengths.
Travelling has also shaped a big part of my outlook. Exploring the world with an open mind and embracing new countries and cultures teaches you so much. It helps you see your own country in context, the good and the challenging. One of my biggest lessons from travelling is how much it makes you appreciate your upbringing and where you come from.
What advice would you share with yourself as a schoolboy knowing what you know now?
Enjoy every moment of your time at Clifton. Take every opportunity that comes your way and give it your best. Find what you’re good at and commit to it, whether it’s rugby, soccer, the arts, academics or anything else.
Value your friendships and make the effort to keep them strong. Your school years are unique and they lay the foundation for the rest of your life. The friends you make now will stay with you and will probably be the ones who truly understand who you are and where you come from.
Take pride in being part of the school’s history. Make the most of each day, because every pupil contributes to Clifton in their own way. Step in, get involved and make your mark from day one.
What is your message to other Clifton Boys to inspire them to contribute or get involved in an Old Boys' Association?
Clifton was, and still is, a unique school that helped shape the foundations of our lives. Getting involved in the Old Boys’ Association is a way of giving back to the place that set us on our paths. We all carry experiences and stories from our time at Clifton. They may feel like a distant past now, but they form an important part of the school’s history that only we can share. Passing that on helps keep the spirit of Clifton alive for current and future pupils.
Thank you, Rolf, for sharing your story and reflecting on your time at Clifton. Here’s to the shared stories, the friendships that never fade, and the pride we carry for the place that helped shape who we are today.
We wish you every success in the future and hope we continue to celebrate one another while keeping the Clifton spirit alive in everything we do.
#FromOurOldBoysNetwork #WhereAreTheyNow #AdventureAwaits
