Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
6 June 2025
6 June 2025
Dear Parents,
Please take note of the following important reminders:
Parent-Teacher Meetings
If you would like to meet with your child’s class teacher, please arrange a meeting via the Google Calendar link shared by the class teachers.
Food Drive - last day for collection 13 June
Join us in supporting Ekhayakidz Educare's feeding scheme by donating food supplies. Together, we can nourish their learners and create a better learning environment. We are collecting instant oats, instant noodles, Cup-a-Soup and tinned food.
Grade 3 PBL Showcase - Food Fair
Parents are welcome to attend the Grade 3 culinary delights at their Food Fair on Friday 13 June at 08h45.
Grade 2 PBL Showcase - Animal Habitats
Parents are welcome to attend the Grade 2 Animal Habitat showcase on Wednesday 18 June between 09h00 - 10h00.
Grade 1 PBL Showcase - 'Why is my School Cool?'
Parents are welcome to attend the Grade 1 'Why is my School Cool?' PBL showcase on Friday 20 June between 09h00 - 10h00.
Last Day of School
Wednesday 25 June is the last day of school and school closes at 13h00. Please make arrangements to collect your child promptly at 13h00 as there are no aftercare facilities on this day.
Contact:
Staff email addresses: Staffing
General Preparatory email address: prep@parklands.co.za
IT queries: Christian Oertel, Network Manager - choertel@parklands.co.za
Our Secondary Faculty Economics learners participated in the inaugural Coronation Top Investor Challenge, an engaging competition designed to teach the basics of investing through videos, reading materials, and simulated investment scenarios. Open to all schools nationwide; teams invested R1 million in virtual funds with no prior investment knowledge required.
We are proud to announce that team Cashflow Copilots (Reuben Rietoff and Mbali Nhuku) won 1st place, and team 877 Fortune Investors (Noah le Grange, Jagger Solomon, Gabriel le Roux) achieved 9th place.
During the prize-giving ceremony, Reuben and Mbali were each awarded R25 000 in unit trust investments and R50 000 for the College.
This outstanding achievement reflects the strength of our Economics programme, which equips learners with practical skills and a deep understanding of real-world financial literacy. We hope this experience inspires all participants to continue their investment journeys, and we look forward to future success in next year’s challenge.
Congratulations to Mr Fortuin (Grade Head and Economics Teacher), Reuben Rietoff, Mbali Nhuku, Noah le Grange, Jagger Solomon and Gabriel le Roux
DreamWorks Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. features original music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan, and book by Kevin Del Aguila.
As the show opens, we learn that Marty the zebra may be celebrating his tenth birthday at the Central Park Zoo with his friends Alex the lion, Gloria the hippo, and Melman the giraffe, yet he longs to experience life outside of the zoo’s walls. When Marty eventually escapes, his animal friends from the zoo pursue him into New York City. After reuniting, the animals are chased by the police, and ultimately felled by tranquilliser darts. They awake, trapped in crates on a ship, which, through a series of events, is thrown off course. Upon reaching land, the animals discover they have been shipwrecked on the island of Madagascar. Ultimately, it is only in being so lost that they can begin to discover where they really belong.
Every Grade 4 - 6 learner as well as every Grade R - 3 dancer is getting ready to Move it! We hope to see you join in the fun too! Ticket Sales are now open!
Book here via Quicket.
This quarter we are also collecting instant oats, Cup-a-Soup, tinned food and instant noodles. Please add these to your shopping list for next time you go shopping so we can continue to support those less fortunate than us. Items can be sent to your child's class.
We are excited to announce our upcoming Music Assembly on Wednesday, 25 June! This vibrant event will showcase the incredible talents of our Orchestras, Choirs, and Marimba Bands, celebrating the hard work and dedication of our young musicians. Parents are warmly invited to attend and enjoy the performances—please be seated in the gallery before the assembly begins. We look forward to sharing this joyful musical celebration with you!
We ask all parents to please be courteous to one another, as well as our security staff in the JP Car Park. You may not park or wait in the yellow drop and go zone. If there are no parking bays available, please park along Wood Drive or exit the parking and loop back to try again. The yellow drop and go zone is only for dropping and going. Remember that stopping at the gate causes great congestion.
Snapshots from our Open Day
Our classrooms were buzzing with activity as visitors explored classroom displays and what our amazing school has to offer. Visitors were able to see our talented Design Society learners crafting fabulous faux food props for the upcoming Madagascar Jr. production. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, we loved having you!
Classroom Highlights
Learners from Mrs Rabe's class using a balance scale to measure different objects.
WINTER UNIFORM
Girls Winter uniform
Girls sports uniform
Boys Winter uniform
Boys sports uniform
Foundation Phase (Grade 1 – 3) learners continue to complete both formal and informal assessments throughout the quarter on a regular basis to improve the knowledge, understanding or skills of the learners. They receive the standard report, which reflects codes and a comment from the class teacher. At the end of quarter Two and Three, parents have the opportunity to meet with the class teacher to discuss their child's academic progress.
Reports will be released on Friday 20 June.
Parent-Teacher Meetings (Friday 20 June-Tuesday 24 June)
If you would like to meet with your child’s class teacher, please arrange a meeting via the Google Calendar link shared by the class teachers.
It is a week of two important days, World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, and Library activities focused on awareness and practical examples of making a difference to our planet. A highlight for our Grade 3 - 6 classes was meeting the talented Heléne Booyens, author, editor, cartoonist, environmentalist and snake catcher! The children were enthralled by all the fascinating creatures that they were introduced to.
I like the spiders that have camouflage because you can touch them and not notice that they are there. Khumo
I got to learn more about meerkats, spiders and snakes and their daily lives. I feel that it could help me in the future and it is nice to know fun facts like that. Jakeem
I got to see animals that I have never seen before and I also always thought that snakes were out to get me and now I finally know that we are out to get snakes, because we always harm them. Nkosinathi
Copies of Mammal Safari and other books by Heléne Booyens can still be ordered by phoning Nicole at 064 530 6693. Books will be delivered to school.
What a festive week this has been! Mrs Lamb celebrated her birthday on Tuesday and she always leads by example. She donated one of her favourite children’s books, The Ugly Five, which has become a much-loved classic everywhere.
Siseko brought Gugu Gets a Star by local author Wendy Maartens, a wonderful story about showing empathy and kindness which is an important value in our school.
Have you ever seen a robot move on its own or a game come to life with just a few lines of code? At Parklands, Coding and Robotics aren't just about screens — they’re about creating, problem-solving, and preparing our learners for a future where technology is part of every career!
From building LEGO robots that can follow a line or rescue a Minifigure to programming stories and games using Scratch, learners are developing 21st-century skills in the most hands-on, exciting ways.
🔧Why It Matters:
Critical Thinking: Every robot challenge is a puzzle that sharpens logic and reasoning.
Creativity: Coding turns ideas into animations, apps, and even virtual worlds.
Collaboration: Teams learn to share ideas, troubleshoot together, and celebrate each win — big or small.
Encourage your child to keep exploring coding skills with this free online tool: 🚀 Code.org
💡 Did You Know?
Many jobs of the future haven’t even been invented yet — but Coding and Robotics give our learners the tools to invent them. That’s why we teach coding like it’s a superpower — because it is!
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Be sure to catch our last netball fixture of the term happening on Wednesday, as we officially draw the curtain on an exciting and jam-packed sports calendar. Come along and cheer for our young athletes one more time!
🎯 Please note: While official matches wrap up next week, sports practices and PE lessons will continue as scheduled right through until the end of the term.
Sadly, due to ongoing inclement weather, our much-anticipated Mini Rugby Festival at Van Riebeeckstrand has been canceled. While it's disappointing, we know our players were ready and raring to go — and we’re proud of their preparation and commitment!
A warm and heartfelt thank you to all our supporters this term. From chilly early mornings to rainy Friday evenings, your energy has never gone unnoticed. A special shoutout to those who braved the Friday night lights at Curro Durbanville — your presence meant the world to our teams!
Bundle up, stay warm, and we’ll see you next week for one last sideline cheer!
Jared Margetts
For their safety, learners are required to wear a gum guard and shin pads for hockey, and a gum guard for rugby. They may NOT PARTICIPATE in practices or games without this.
What a vibrant week of sport to round off our Quarter 2 fixtures!
🏑 U8 Internal Hockey Matches – Boys & Girls
Our U8s hit the turf for an exciting set of internal fixtures: Red vs Green vs Blue vs Orange!
The energy was high, the skills on display were impressive, and the sportsmanship made us all proud.
Player of the Match? All of them! Well done to every boy and girl who participated — you were all stars!
U8 & U9 Mini Hockey Festival at Curro Durbanville
Our superstars took on the best of the best and did they shoot the lights out! 3 games, under lights, high octane, such awesome Hockey - Congratulations Boys and Girls, you all did us so proud - check out the picture below!
🏐 U9 Netball vs Reddam Durbanville
U9B stormed to a confident 4–0 win!
Player of the Match: Beyoncé – showed a fantastic understanding of her position and brought great balance to the team’s play.
U9A played to a tight 1–1 draw in a competitive and thrilling match.
Player of the Match: Summer – displayed excellent sportsmanship and hustle throughout the game!
🏉 U9 Rugby vs Blouberg Ridge
Our boys put in a gutsy effort in a fast-paced and physical game, ultimately going down 6–3.
Player of the Match: Iwenose – scored a brilliant brace and led the charge on attack!
As we wrap up our Quarter 2 matches, we’d like to thank our players, coaches, and families for all the passion and dedication shown this term. Let’s finish strong and keep the team spirit alive as we head toward the end of the term!
Mini Hockey Craze!
U8 Mini Hockey Supporters Corner
Open Day Highlights
Sport Quick Links
Autumn Quarter
Monday 12 May - 12 June Dance Eisteddfod (dates will be confirmed with Parents)
Wednesday 11 June: International Day of Play
Friday 13 June: Grade 3 PBL: Food Fair (Parents invited)
Sunday 15 June: Father’s Day
Monday 16 June:
Public Holiday- Youth Day
Thurloe Ernstzen’s birthday
Wednesday 18 June: Grade 2 PBL: School Showcase (Parents invited)
Friday 20 June: Grade 1 PBL: School Showcase (Parents invited)
Reports released
Monday 23 June:
Madagascar Run-through
Report Feedback Meetings
Tuesday 24 June:
Madagascar Photographs
Report Feedback Meetings
Wednesday 25 June: Last Day of the Quarter
Dates for 2025
Summer Quarter: 20 January - 28 March
Autumn Quarter: 08 April - 25 June
*Mid-term break: 29 April - 2 May
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 05 December
Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Junior Preparatory learners.
College parents are able to list their businesses in our Parent Business Directory for free – www.parklands.co.za/parent-business-directory/.
Should you be interested in marketing your business to over 1000 families, email: marketing@parklands.co.za to get started.
All listings will be subject to the College’s final approval.
This week's feature business is...
Cake sales
Classes will all have an opportunity to host a cake sale and there is much excitement as the children eagerly look forward to this treat. Cake sale money is used to support various outreach projects.
We request that items such as cupcakes, popcorn, crisps, muffins, etc. are sent in by the classes that are hosting the cake sale. Please ensure that items donated for cake sales do not contain nuts. We love healthy goodies, especially popcorn!
Parents are welcome to send the year's money in advance to be kept safely locked away (i.e. 6 cake sales x R10=R60.00) or send in R10 on cake sale days.
If you are able to assist at your class cake sale from 09h40, please notify your child’s class teacher.
Friday 19 September: Grade 1P & 1A Cake Sale
Friday 24 October: Grade 1R & 1K Cake Sale
We wish all our dancers well in the continuing Dance Eisteddfod over the coming weeks till 12 June.
Wishing our Muslim learners and families a peaceful and meaningful Eid-ul-Adha tomorrow.