Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
30 January 2026
Embedded Files
Dear Parents
Celebrating Outstanding Achievement:
Celebrating Outstanding Achievement:
WCED 2025 NSC Awards
WCED 2025 NSC Awards
We are immensely proud to share that Amy White was invited to attend the WCED 2025 NSC Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 29 January 2026, in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement.
Amy achieved an outstanding 96%, placing her 4th in the Western Cape Province, and was honoured as the Top Learner Achiever for Independent Schools in the Western Cape. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a true reflection of her dedication, consistency, and academic excellence.
Amy is studying Veterinary Sciences at Onderstepoort and is currently in Pretoria where she is busy with the Vice Chancellor Distinguished Merit Award Conference. She is one of 40 first year students that was awarded a full scholarship from VCDMA.
We congratulate Amy on this well-deserved recognition and celebrate her achievement with great pride. She is a wonderful ambassador for our school community, and we wish her every success as she continues her academic journey.
Amy is currently in Pretoria where she is busy with the Vice Chancellor Distinguished Merit Award Conference. She is one of 40 first year students that was awarded a full scholarship from VCDMA.
Well done, Amy. We are incredibly proud of you.
We are so proud of our Grade Ones who attended our very first 2026 combined Assembly for the year. They looked so smart and sang the school song with such pride. It was a memorable morning. It is lovely to see all our Junior Preparatory learners have settled into their first full week of school and there have been very many smiles!
We are looking forward to welcoming Parents to our World Read Aloud Day picnic on Thursday. Please see the invitation and information in the Library section.
First Assembly of 2026.MOV
Thank you to all the parents who attended our sports meeting on Monday afternoon.
Contact information:
All the staff and their email addresses are included in the tab called staffing and on the link below:
The general Preparatory email address is prep@parklands.co.za
Six Bricks Teacher Training
Some of our Junior Prep teachers were joined by Pre-Primary and Senior Prep teachers on Friday afternoon for a hands-on session with Brent Hutcheson, from Care for Education. He is the mastermind behind Six Bricks. We were all reminded of the importance of play and left with a few fun (and noisy) games to play with the classes. Needless to say, our teachers spent the afternoon playing.
Six Bricks in the Classroom
Mrs Naidoo's class having fun with 6 Bricks.
Mrs Lamb has had some Grade Ones visiting her office to proudly show off their first activities in their workbooks.
LIBRARY
Invitation
World Read Aloud Day is an initiative of the LitWorld organisation which was started in 2010. It has grown immensely to become a worldwide event, celebrated by more than 170 countries. Research confirms the power of reading aloud which contributes to building neural pathways in the brain, contributing to both emotional wellbeing and academic success.
We are delighted to invite you to our annual World Read Aloud Day picnic, which will take place in our beautiful gardens. Parents may arrive from 09:15 on Thursday, 5 February, and go to your child’s classroom, where the class teacher will allocate a little group to you.
From there you will make your way to the garden, where you will find a picnic spot and share stories with the children. They will also have their lunchboxes with them.
At 10:00 the children will go off to play, and parents are invited to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer to sooth those tired throats.
Birthday Books
Azande was one of three brave Grade 1s who presented their Birthday Books at our first assembly on Monday. Azande brought Liam Lets His Light Shine, a wonderful story that teaches us that courage can look different for all of us.
Georgia’s Birthday Book is all about best friends Pearl and Matilda, and a memorable playdate. This lovely story is a celebration of inclusivity and a great addition to our library.
Book Club
There was a little magic in the air as the new 2026 Book Club members gathered for the first time and chatted about their personal experiences with books. We are looking forward to making precious memories this year.
2026 Library Challenge
Our Library Challenge is off to a great start and these wonderful photos will make you smile. Keep watching this space.
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
2026 dates
2026 dates
Summer Quarter: 20 Jan - 26 March
Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 24 June
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 4 December
Thursday 05 February:
World Read Aloud Day: JP Picnic with Parents
Happy birthday Sarah de Graeff
Thursday 12 February:
Happy birthday Andrea Martch
Friday 13 February:
Friendship Day (Dress in Red, Pink and White)
Grade 3P + 3A Cake Sale
Saturday 14 February:
Open Day
Tuesday 17 February:
Happy Birthday Nikki Niemand
Ramadan
Lunar New Year
Wednesday 18 February:
Happy birthday Kirsten Hartley
Friday 06 March:
Grade 3R + 3K Cake Sale
Saturday 07 March
Softball Festival
Tuesday 10 March:
Grade 3 Outing to the Fire Station (TBC)
Wednesday 11 March:
Happy birthday Christopher Robin Pre-Primary
Thursday 12 March:
Grade 2 Splashtacular (1-2pm)
Friday 13 March
Grade 3 Splashtacular (8:15-9am)
Saturday 14 March:
Happy birthday Nadia Rabe
Monday 16 March:
Grade 1s Individual Photos
Tuesday 17 March:
Grade 2 & 3 Individual Photos
Wednesday 18 March:
SPCA Dress-up Day
Thursday 19 March:
Grade 3 Outing to the Fire Station
Friday 20 March:
Eid al-Fitr
Grade 2P + 2A Cake Sale
Saturday 21 March:
Public Holiday: Human Rights Day
Monday 23 March:
Reports Released
Report Meetings
Tuesday 24 March
Report Meetings
Autumn Awakenings Concert (6pm)
Wednesday 25 March
Report Meetings
Fallen Angels Drop Off
Thursday 26 March:
Last Day of the Quarter ( school closes at 1 pm)
Friday 27 March:
Sunday 29 March:
Happy Birthday Sisanda Mvulana
Friday 03 April:
Public Holiday - Good Friday
Monday 06 April:
Public Holiday - Family Day
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 13 February: Grade 3P and 3A Cake Sale
Friday 06 March: Grade 3R and 3K Cake Sale
Friday 20 March: Grade 2P & 2A Cake Sale
Friday 17 April: Grade 2R and LEC Cake Sale
Friday 04 September: Grade 1P & 1A Cake Sale
Friday 30 October: Grade 1R &1K Cake Sale
OUTREACH
We’re teaming up with Fallen Angels to support animals in need by collecting cat and dog food. Every bag or tin of food donated shows how small actions can make a big impact.
Let’s keep the momentum going and prove that when learners work together, we can create real change — one paw at a time. 🐶🐱💙
Robotics
This week in Junior Prep Robotics and Coding, our learners explored big ideas through hands-on fun, curiosity, and lots of teamwork!
Grade 2: Building Strong Bridges
Our Grade 2 learners stepped into the role of young engineers as they learned all about bridges. The focus was on understanding stability, the importance of support from underneath, and how symmetry helps structures stay strong and balanced.
Using simple building materials, learners experimented with different designs, tested what worked (and what didn’t!), and discovered that bridges need a solid base to support weight. They quickly noticed that symmetrical designs were often stronger and more stable than uneven ones. It was wonderful to see them problem-solve, collaborate, and proudly show off their bridge creations.
Grade 3: Coding with Envelopes in ScratchJr
Our Grade 3 learners continued their coding journey using ScratchJr, where they learned how to use envelopes to organise and control their code more effectively. This lesson helped them understand how different pieces of code can work together to create smoother and more intentional animations.
A special highlight of the lesson was when learners had the opportunity to watch and learn from each other’s creations. By observing their peers’ work, they gained new ideas, improved their own projects, and practiced giving positive feedback—an important part of learning in robotics and coding.
PARENT AND LEARNER DIRECTORY
PARENT AND LEARNER DIRECTORY
Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Junior Preparatory learners.
SCHOOL HOURS
GRADE 1
GRADE 1
START: 08:00
END OF DAY: 14h00.
Collection from outside the Grade 1 classrooms. Learners who are not collected at this time will be sent to aftercare and billed.
GRADE 2
GRADE 2
START: 08:00
END OF DAY: 14:00.
Collection is in the Grade Two and Three Quad. Learners who are not collected at this time will be sent to aftercare and billed.
GRADE 3
GRADE 3
START: 08h00
END OF DAY: 14h30 (except for a Monday - the school day ends at 15h00)
Collection is in the Grade Two and Three Quad. Learners who are not collected at this time will be sent to aftercare and billed.
Please note that school opens at 7:30 and there is no supervision for learners until 07h30. To ensure everyone's safety, please do not leave your child unattended before 07h30.
School is LOCKED promptly at 16:45 daily. Please assist us by ensuring that your child is collected on time allowing our dedicated staff to return home to their own families. A late collection fee of R250 per half-hour (or part thereof) will apply for children collected from aftercare after 17h00.
Drop-off
Drop-off
Please ensure that learners arrive on time for the start of the academic day. Parents are welcome to drop their children off between 07:30 and 07:55 and are requested to use the Drop and Go Zone at the back of the school in Wood Drive.
Preparatory parents are reminded that the Pre-Primary Drive-through is reserved for Pre-Primary parents ONLY.
You are welcome to park in Wood Drive and walk your child to their classroom for the first few weeks of the quarter. Our Junior Preparatory parking area is a Drop and Go Zone and parents may pull into the yellow zone for learners to get out and walk into school on their own. Please do not park or leave your car in the Drop and Go Zone.
Aftercare
Aftercare
Aftercare is a combined group of Grade 1-3 learners. Parents, please inform the College via email should you wish to make use of our aftercare facility. Learners may wear their Parklands College sports uniform and in the interest of security, learners are signed out when collected. Learners attending Aftercare will be escorted to the venue. Parents who wish to make use of our aftercare facilities, must please inform us via e-mail. Learners must be collected before 17h00, as the College is locked at this time.
Security & Car Stickers
Security & Car Stickers
For safety reasons no learners are permitted to wait outside the College gates at any time.
Parents entering our campus are required to have a car identification sticker which can be collected from class teachers. By displaying the sticker on your car you will gain easy access to the College premises. Vehicles who do not have a sticker will be scanned. ‘At the Gate’ Access Solution is used by the College and involves drivers' and car license discs being scanned. This information is stored on a secure database off-site for future reference should the need arise. Pedestrians are also required to produce identification.
Our new 2026 stickers have arrived and been handed out. Please visit reception if you have not received your parking disc.
PARKING OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE
PARKING OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE
Parents are kindly reminded to be mindful of our neighbours when parking. Vehicles that block traffic or obstruct private driveways will be reported to the Traffic Department by our neighbours and will most likely be issued a fine/ticket. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that parking is done considerately and responsibly.
AFTERCARE
AFTERCARE
HEALTH
HEALTH
HEALTHY LUNCH BOXES
Learners require a packed lunch box and a bottle of water for an early morning snack and two break times.
HEALTHY LUNCH BOXES
Learners require a packed lunch box and a bottle of water for an early morning snack and two break times.
Please note that Parklands College is a nut free zone and no nut butters i.e. peanut butter, Nutella or nuts may be sent to school.
Learners store their lunchbox and water bottles in the classroom. All items must be clearly marked with your child's name.
There are NO tuckshop facilities for the Junior Preparatory learners.
SUNBLOCK AND SUNHATS - "NO HAT - NO PLAY!"
SUNBLOCK AND SUNHATS - "NO HAT - NO PLAY!"
Please apply sunblock on all exposed parts of your child’s body before they come to school in the morning. All learners must wear the Parklands College cap/hat for break time and sports. In order to protect your child’s skin from the harsh rays of the sun, we have a “no hat, no play” policy.
Please remind your child to apply sunblock before they arrive at school. Sending in a small sunblock stick is great for reapplication during the day.
MEDICATIONS AND IMMUNISATIONS
MEDICATIONS AND IMMUNISATIONS
Should your child have a medical condition/ allergy /require prescribed medication to be administered, please e-mail Sisanda Mvulana on smvulana@parklands.co.za.
Please ensure that your child’s immunisations are up to date and forward a copy of the updated immunisation record to the secretary once your child has received the vaccine.
Department of Health recommended schedule: Childhood Immunisation Schedule
2026 REQUIREMENTS
2026 REQUIREMENTS
Device Requirements
Please click on the link below to view the device requirements for this year.
Stationery Requirements
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
UNIFORM
For free delivery to school, in the address block, please insert school name and address and add discount code before check-out.
Junior Preparatory - 91 Raats Drive, Parklands 7441
Senior Preparatory - 50 Wood Drive, Parklands 7441
Secondary Faculty - 1 College Avenue, Sandown 7441
Discount Code : PKLSCHOOL (both upper and lowercase works)
COLLEGE BLAZERS
Please be reminded that all learners are required to wear the new striped blazer with braiding from the start of 2026. Please ensure that the uniform is the correct size for your child, in particular the blazer.
All new 2026 blazers with braiding are in stock at School and Leisure.
SECOND HAND SCHOOL UNIFORM
Please contact Tania Fourie if you would like to buy or sell good-quality second-hand uniforms. She is also the supplier of Froggy School shoes. Contact details: +27 83 631 7683 or tania@sportstudio.co.za
SPORT
SPORT
A Fantastic Start to Junior Prep Sport – Quarter 1
A Fantastic Start to Junior Prep Sport – Quarter 1
What a first week it’s been for our Junior Prep learners! The fields, courts, and pool have come alive as we jumped straight back into action with Softball, Cricket, Physical Education, Tennis and Swimming.
A special mention to our Grade 3s, who wasted no time getting stuck in. Some of our learners took part in swimming trials last Friday and are already preparing for their first gala of the year. The enthusiasm, focus, and effort on display have been fantastic to see.
Matches for selected Grade 3s are scheduled to begin next week, and we’re excited to see our learners put what they have learnt into practice. While it’s only been one week of training, the energy and readiness shown so far give us great confidence heading into our first round of fixtures.
Please note:
If your grade 3 child is involved in the matches next week, you will receive a notification by the end of today.
Where a notification has been sent, please ensure you respond by the stated deadline. If no response is received, it will be assumed that your child is unavailable for that fixture.
We look forward to an exciting and active Quarter 1, filled with learning, growth, and plenty of smiles. We can’t wait to hear your cheers and feel your support on the sidelines as our Junior Prep learners continue their sporting journey at Parklands College.
Swimming.MOV
Sport Days (during the school day)
Grade 1: Tuesday and Thursday from 1-2 pm
Grade 2: Monday and Wednesday from 1-2 pm
Grade 3: Monday 2-3 pm, Friday 07:30-08:30
Sports Kit
All learners may wear their sports kit to school on their two Grade sport days as well as their PE Day.
Swimming during PE in Quarter 1 and 4
Please pack Parklands Swimming costumes / Parklands Swimming Cap / Towel and sunblock.
Although coaches guide and support learners during swimming in Physical Education lessons, we are not a Learn to Swim School, and, for their own safety, it is critical that learners are water-safe and able to swim.
Please liaise with the coaches if you need contact details for LEARN TO SWIM schools for your child to attend.
On Monday 26 January, a Sport Parent Meeting was held at the Senior Prep. Thank you to all parents who attended and engaged so positively. The presentation slides from the meeting have been attached below for your reference.
Should you have any questions or require clarity, please feel free to contact me at jmargetts@parklands.co.za
Parent Sport Meeting '26 (1).pdf
SPORTS AND MATCHES
Sport in the younger grades is developmental, and our programme is designed to build the foundational skills needed for various sport. Our Grade One programme uses fun games to build strong, healthy bodies and develop fundamental skills.
Ad hoc internal/external matches begin in Grade Two once the Sports Department has determined that learners are adequately prepared and all safety considerations have been met. Game selection is rotational to give as many learners as possible the opportunity to develop their skills and get “a little taste” for the game. Key players will be selected for festivals.
The Grade Threes will have opportunities to participate in internal/external matches. We will field an A Team, while our B Teams will be selected using a rotational basis. This approach allows as many learners as possible to develop their skills and experience playing the game. The A Team will primarily participate in festivals, and we will enter additional teams where possible.
Junior-level sports (Mini cricket, hockey, netball, rugby, softball) have specific rules set by associations which are different to the rules of the various codes in the older age groups. The goal is to allow children to try different positions and build a wide range of skills before specialisation begins in Grade Four.
If your little one has excelled in a sport outside of school, we would love to celebrate their achievements. Please use the link below to fill in the external achievements form to make us aware of their shining moment.
➡️ EXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS ⬅️
PARENT & LEARNER DIRECTORY
PARENT & LEARNER DIRECTORY
Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Junior Preparatory learners.
QUICK LINKS
QUICK LINKS
EdAdmin Portal
EdAdmin Portal
The EdAdmin Multi Portal App (EdAdmin MP) is available on the Google and Apple App stores. The features include access to your child’s reports, calendar activities and daily attendance records to mention a few.
To install the App please follow the below instructions:
To install the App please follow the below instructions:
1.) Download the EdAdmin Multi Portal App by using the relevant link below:
● Apple App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ed-admin-multi-portal/id646910856
OR
● Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edana.edadmin&hl=en&gl= US
2.) Enter 230034 (Parklands College Code) and your email address to log in. For your convenience, please refer to the image below:
3.) The next step will require you to enter the login code sent to you via email. For your convenience, please refer to the image below:
Please ensure that you keep this App updated otherwise you will be logged out and will have to repeat the above process to regain access.
How to update the Edana app
with emergency contact details:
How to update the Edana app
with emergency contact details:
PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY
PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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...
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
We are looking forward to welcoming our parents to World Read Aloud Day on Thursday. Please join us for an hour or so from 9:15 and bring a picnic and a book to read to your child.
We would like to wish Sarah de Graeff a very happy birthday for Thursday and hope she has a wonderful year ahead.
We are looking forward to welcoming our parents to World Read Aloud Day on Thursday. Please join us for an hour or so from 9:15 and bring a picnic and a book to read to your child.
We would like to wish Sarah de Graeff a very happy birthday for Thursday and hope she has a wonderful year ahead.
Have a wonderful weekend.
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