Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
10 April 2026
10 April 2026
WELCOME BACK
Our teachers were welcomed back with a fun hands-on Professional Development session which focused on Six Bricks and the new 'Find Me Fast' game mats.
The Pre-Primary teachers were in attendance too and let's just say things got competitive and very noisy!
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
Art: Grade 2 Mini Beast Collage.
CONGRATULATIONS
We would like to congratulate Khanya Mbikwana, our isiXhosa teacher, who is expecting a baby in July. We are absolutely delighted for Khanya as she prepares to welcome her baby into her family.
We are very pleased to welcome Mrs Sandisiswe Dlakavu who will take over from Miss Mbikwana next quarter while she is on maternity leave. Mrs Dlakavu will visit for a few days in June and teach alongside Miss Mbikwana, getting to know each learner before she begins her maternity leave.
Please join us in making Mrs Dlakavu feel very welcome.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL AND LEISURE
If parents opt for free delivery to the school, the correct campus must be specified in the address block. Please insert the school name and address and add PKLSCHOOL as the discount code before check-out.
Junior Preparatory Faculty (Grade 1-3) - 91 Raats Drive, Parklands 7441
Senior Preparatory Faculty (Grade 4-6) - 50 Wood Drive, Parklands 7441
Secondary Faculty (Grade 7-12) - 1 College Avenue, Sandown 7441
The Grade 2A & 2L learners had a delightful outing on Thursday to SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). During their visit, they discovered the important work SANCCOB does to protect coastal birdlife and learned how people can play a role in caring for the environment.
It was a meaningful and inspiring experience that enriched their understanding of wildlife conservation.
Grade 2P (Miss Labuschagne) and 2R (Mrs Rabe) learners will be visiting SANCCOB next week Tuesday 14 April.
Please sign the consent form below:
Art: Grade 1 Self Portraits in oil pastel.
Art: Grade 2 Mini-Beast Collage.
ACADEMICS
Throughout the quarter, our Junior Prep learners continue with their formal and informal assessments. These are carefully integrated into the school day, ensuring your child feels supported and comfortable in their familiar classroom environment.
For a learner to successfully progress to the next grade, the Department of Education requires the following averages throughout the year:
Home Language: English - Code 4
Mathematics - Code 3
First Additional Language: Afrikaans/isiXhosa - Code 3
Regular attendance is equally important for academic growth. As per Department guidelines, a medical certificate is required for any absence of two days or more.
Art: Grade 1 Self Portraits in oil pastel.
LIBRARY NEWS
World Book Day is Coming!
Our libraries are abuzz with the vital question: “Who are you going to be on World Book Day?” Our World Book Day celebrations are now less than two weeks away and our readers are visiting the library and scanning the books to find inspiration for making the important decision of which book character to be for a day. We are also excited about welcoming back the Hooked On Books theatre company, and look forward to seeing which books they will be showcasing for us this year. The children’s book market has been mushrooming in recent years, and browsing all the new arrivals is another treat in store for us, as we host a two-day sale with books specially chosen for our learners. Keep watching this space, as next week we shall be updating you with shopping times!
In the spirit of World Book Day, the Book Club selected their all-time favourite books, and here they are!
Birthday Books
Oreeditse and Ayoola celebrated their birthdays and donated beautiful books to our library: two adorable stories and irresistible nonfiction from Miles Kelly Publishers. What a wonderful treat! Thank you, girls, and happy birthday to you both.
Gr 3 Design Society: Paper flowers and vase project
Summer Quarter: 20 Jan - 26 March
Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 24 June
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 4 December
2027 Provisional Dates
Summer Quarter: 19 January - 18 March
Autumn Quarter: 7 April - 23 June
Winter Quarter: 21 July - 22 September
Spring Quarter: 6 October - 3 December
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 17 April: Grade 2R Cake Sale
Friday 04 September: Grade 1P & 1A Cake Sale
Friday 30 October: Grade 1R & 1K Cake Sale
HEADS-UP: QUARTER 2 DATES
Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Junior Preparatory learners.
What an awesome start to the quarter - and sport is already back in full swing!
We hit the ground running this week with a full week of sport, and the energy from our Junior Prep learners has been fantastic to see. New quarter, new codes, and plenty of excitement as we get stuck into our winter programme.
For all the details, please make sure to jump onto the co-curricular timetable, where you’ll find everything you need to know for Grades 1, 2 and 3 - from training times to venues and match days.
A quick but important reminder:
👉 Safety apparel is a must!
Please ensure learners arrive with the correct gear - gum guards for Rugby and Hockey, and shin pads for Hockey. This is essential for both safety and participation.
We’re looking forward to seeing our learners out on the:
🏑 Astro
🏉 Fields
🏐 Courts
It’s set to be a fantastic quarter of sport filled with growth, teamwork and loads of fun.
Let’s go, Junior Prep - Quarter 2, we’re ready!
Grade 3 parents: A reminder that if you have signed your child up for hockey, it has started this Friday 10 April and learners must be dropped at the Astro at the Secondary Faculty by 07:30 every Friday where teachers and coaches will 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, shin pads, 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 also started on Friday 10 April 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 in quarters 2 and 3.
➡️ EXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS ⬅️
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.
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...
Grade 2P & 2R are looking forward to their upcoming outing to SANCCOB next week. Please don't forget to sign the consent form to give permission to attend this exciting outing.
Tuesday 14 April: 2P (Miss Labuschagne) and 2R (Mrs Rabe)
👉Grade 2 Consent: Outing to SANCCOB👈
We have had a great start to the quarter and look foward to more learning and fun next week. Have a lovely weekend!