Dear Parents,

We’ve had a wonderful first few days back at school, and the College is once again filled with the lively chatter and energy of our learners. It has been so lovely to see familiar smiling faces again and to welcome everyone back for the new quarter.

FIFA may think that the Soccer World Cup is over ... but it is not! The learners have enjoyed showing off their skills at break and one was even overheard claiming: "I KNEW Spain would win, I just knew it!" Hmmm ...

Library News

NASA Astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger

Coming to Parklands College

Cape Town Highlight of the National Space Tour 2026

Cape Town, South Africa - Former NASA astronaut, educator, and STEAM advocate Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger will visit South Africa for the Space Tour 2026, running from 22 July to 4 August 2026 across Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban, and selected remote communities.

Presented in partnership with Living Maths, the tour will bring world-class STEM inspiration to schools, universities, science centres, and communities nationwide, including underserved and remote areas where learners often lack access to global role models.

Metcalf-Lindenburger flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on the historic STS-131 mission to the International Space Station in 2010, serving as Mission Specialist 2 and robotic arm operator. The mission delivered over 27,000 pounds of equipment to the ISS and travelled 6.2 million miles during 238 Earth orbits. She was also part of the first occasion on which four women were simultaneously in space. A former earth science and astronomy teacher, she was selected by NASA in 2004 through the Educator Astronaut Program and was the first Space Camp alumna to join the Astronaut Corps. She later commanded the NEEMO 16 underwater exploration mission and today champions STEAM education globally through Dottie ML, LLC.

Steve Sherman, Chief Imagination Officer of Living Maths, said the tour is about possibility. “When young people in South Africa meet someone who has travelled beyond Earth, it changes the way they think about their futures. Curiosity and talent are universal, opportunity is not. This tour is designed to help bridge that gap.”

Metcalf-Lindenburger added: “Science and exploration thrive when young people are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, and imagine boldly. I’m honoured to share experiences from space exploration, teamwork, and discovery with audiences across South Africa.”

Tour Dates: 22 July – 4 August 2026

Public Event: Parklands College, Cape Town, 3 August 2026, 18h00–20h30

Tickets: quicket.co.za

Media & booking enquiries:

Steve Sherman, Living Maths

steve@livingmaths.com  |  +27 83 308 3883

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Junior Prep Sport | Welcome to Quarter 3! 

Welcome back to Quarter 3! We hope all our families enjoyed a well-deserved break and are feeling refreshed for another exciting quarter of Junior Prep sport.

We have an action-packed quarter ahead, with plenty of opportunities for our learners to participate, compete, and continue developing their skills.

The excitement begins next week for our U9s, as our sports fixtures get underway, and we're also thrilled to welcome the start of our Golf programme, with practice sessions teeing off for the term.

The biggest highlight on our calendar is just around the corner – our Derby Day against Blouberg Ridge Primary School, taking place on Saturday, 1 August.

Selected U8 and U9 learners who will be representing Parklands College have already received communication via email. This is a big sporting fixture of the year, and we'd love our entire Parklands community to get behind our teams.

If your child has committed to playing, we ask for your support by arriving on the day with our players dressed proudly in their Parkie sports kit. Your encouragement from the sidelines creates an incredible atmosphere and makes a real difference to our young athletes. Let's fill the sidelines with blue and white, bring the gees, and proudly support our learners as they represent Parklands College.

See you on the sidelines! 

Sports Clinic Feedback | 20–21 July

The holiday sports clinics were a great hit and enthusiastic players arrived to make use of this opportunity to sharpen their skills ahead of a busy term of fixtures.

Over the two days, our Rugby and Hockey players focused on developing their core skills, game understanding, teamwork, and confidence under the guidance of our coaching staff. 

The learners enjoyed reconnecting with teammates and rekindling friendships, and are ready for an action-packed quarter ahead.

Thank you to all our coaches for two awesome days and we look forward to seeing all our Rugby and Hockey players on the fields and astro as we embark on another exciting season of Parklands College sport!

Derby Day programme

Reminders:

All our sport and co-curriculars are underway. The only exception is for golf , which will start on Wednesday, 29 July and dance, which will start from Monday, 27 July.

Hockey Quarter 3

Grade 3 parents: A reminder that if you have signed your child up for hockey,  learners must be dropped at the Astro at the Secondary Faculty by 07:30 every Friday where teachers and coaches will be to welcome them. Learners who have not signed up for hockey may not arrive at the Astro, as coaches and buses are booked according to the sign-up sheet.  

Here are a few important reminders specifically for hockey:

• Clothing: As the weather can be unpredictable, please pack a change of PE clothes and white socks for after practice.

• Transport & School Day: Learners’ school bags will be kept safe and dry. School buses will transport them back to the Junior Preparatory, where they will begin their school day at 09:00. 

• Matches: Boys' and girls' hockey matches take place on Thursday afternoons on either grass or AstroTurf. You will receive an email if your child has been selected to play.

• Required Equipment for all practices and matches: All hockey players must have a gum guard, shinpads, and a hockey stick. If learners do not have their kit for practice, they will not be selected for matches. 

If your Grade 3 child has been signed up for rugby or netball ONLY, these practices are at 07:30 on the Junior Preparatory campus. Rugby boys must have gum guards for every session. 

This is a reminder to check that your child has the correct items for hockey and rugby that will take place this quarter. 

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