Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
17 October 2025
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Dear Parents,
Quarter Four is underway! It was wonderful to welcome the learners back and we have enjoyed the first few days together.
As the weather warms up, we would like to remind Parents to 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.
West Coast Song Festival - Tuesday, 21 October
The JP Choir will be taking part in the West Coast Song Festival at Van Riebeeckstrand Primary School on Tuesday night.
Grade 3 Outing to Babylonstoren - Friday 31 October: Consent: Gr 3 Outing to Babylonstoren
Valedictory
Valedictory
Our Grade ones sang a few special farewell songs to our Matrics at Wednesday's Valedictory. As always the Grade Ones "stole the show" and ensured that the Matrics' send-off was extra special. They looked so smart and sang beautifully. Aren't they absolutely gorgeous!
Our Grade ones sang a few special farewell songs to our Matrics at Wednesday's Valedictory. As always the Grade Ones "stole the show" and ensured that the Matrics' send-off was extra special. They looked so smart and sang beautifully. Aren't they absolutely gorgeous!
IMG_0177.MOVIMG_0178.MOVIMG_0179.MOVIMG_0180.MOVTo the Matric class of 2025, our best wishes accompany you on your upcoming exams! We hope you do incredibly well and achieve the results you’ve been working so hard for.
Cake Sale
Cake Sale
We all enjoyed cake sale today. What a fabulous treat in the first week of the quarter! Thank you to 1R and 1K for supplying and selling all the delicious goodies for us to enjoy. The cake sale is all about Outreach and R 2138 was collected this morning. We shall inform parents later on in the year which charity has been selected by our outreach committee to receive our cake sale profits for the year.
Professional Development
Professional Development
During the holidays, our class teachers gathered for three days of training. A curriculum expert came and shared information on the Science of Reading and reminded us all on the importance of Group Guided Reading.
Thank you to our teachers for giving up a bit of their holiday to learn, share and keep our learners at the heart of what we do.
UNIFORM
We are delighted to inform you that the special braiding for our striped blazers has finally arrived. We are now ready to begin the process of adding this distinctive touch to every learner's blazer.
Please ensure your child's blazer is:
Dry cleaned or cleaned.
Clearly labelled with your child's name and surname.
Sent in to the class teacher on Wednesday 22 October.
The braiding process will take a few weeks, after which the blazers will be returned to our learners. Should the weather be a little chilly, your child is welcome to wear their school jersey.
Don’t miss this opportunity as it is a once-off service for our Grade 1-3 learners with striped blazers. After this there will be an additional cost to have the blazer braided. In the future, any blazers purchased from School and Leisure will include the braiding.
Please note that from 2026 ...
The boys will wear Parklands College Grey striped socks.
The girls will wear Parklands College white striped anklet socks in summer.
Congratulations
Congratulations
Please join us in congratulating Coach Courtney on her engagement. We wish Courtney and Dario a lifetime of happiness together.
Outreach
Outreach
Santa Shoebox Project
As part of our Quarter Four outreach, we are excited to support the Santa Shoebox Project, a wonderful initiative that provides personalised gift boxes to children in need. Each class is responsible for preparing two boxes – one for a girl and one for a boy. Your child's class teacher will be in touch with details about what is needed for these boxes and how you can contribute. Completed boxes are due 5 November 2025.
If you would like to donate an additional box on your own, please reach out to Mrs. De Aguiar at cdeaguiar@parklands.co.za to pledge a box and receive further details.
FUNKY SOCKS DAY: 21 NOVEMBER
Library News
Library News
Happy Birthday, Greg!
There is a festive atmosphere in the libraries as we count down to the arrival of PARTYPOOPER, the 20th book in the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which arrives on Tuesday morning.
It is Greg’s birthday and the Heffley home is very quiet. Greg is sure that his family must have planned a surprise party for him, but in fact, they have forgotten his birthday! When party plans finally do get underway, it is chaos as usual. Our readers can’t wait to start reading, and we have been treated to a sneak peek of the book from our ever-encouraging publishers. These pages have been collated in Book Creator and shared with everyone.
We are offering fans the opportunity to order their own copies, which will be delivered to them on Tuesday morning. Learners can bring R250 to get one of the first books when the boxes are opened.
Book Donation
Thank you to Lillabet and the Oxley-Simpson family for a beautiful selection of books that will now reside in our library, where they will bring joy and lovely reading practice to our beginner readers. Thank you for sharing the joy!
Birthday Books
Happy birthday to Hugo for yesterday! Hugo brought a very special book for the library. It is a delightful story featuring his dog, Rocky, Santa, and a present mix-up, and it is written by his mom, Marcelle Keevy. Is Rocky naughty, nice, or both? You will have to read the book to find out!
Music
Music
Join us for a delightful start to the day at our Morning Melodies Concert! 🌞
🗓 Time: 08:15 – 09:15
📍 Venue: Junior Preparatory Auditorium
This special event features selected Grade 1–3 musicians performing for the very first time or those not yet ready for a larger audience. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their progress in an intimate and encouraging setting.
Performers are reminded to bring along their music books and/or instruments. We look forward to a beautiful morning of music and smiles! 🎵✨
Robotics News
Robotics News
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Celebration
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Celebration
This weekend, our Grade 3 teams will be taking part in the FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Celebration, and we couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved this season!
This weekend, our Grade 3 teams will be taking part in the FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Celebration, and we couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved this season!
In FIRST® LEGO® League Explore, teams focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, learn to design and code, and create unique solutions made with LEGO bricks powered by LEGO Education SPIKE PRIME. The programme, created through an alliance between FIRST and LEGO Education, helps young people experiment and grow their confidence, critical thinking, and design skills through hands-on learning.
In FIRST® LEGO® League Explore, teams focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, learn to design and code, and create unique solutions made with LEGO bricks powered by LEGO Education SPIKE PRIME. The programme, created through an alliance between FIRST and LEGO Education, helps young people experiment and grow their confidence, critical thinking, and design skills through hands-on learning.
This year’s theme, FIRST AGE – UNEARTHED, has inspired teams to step into the shoes of archaeologists — exploring how artifacts can help us uncover the stories of people and cultures from long ago. The challenge invites teams to explore, create, test, and share as they dig into the past to better understand our shared history and imagine how we can build a better world for the future.
This year’s theme, FIRST AGE – UNEARTHED, has inspired teams to step into the shoes of archaeologists — exploring how artifacts can help us uncover the stories of people and cultures from long ago. The challenge invites teams to explore, create, test, and share as they dig into the past to better understand our shared history and imagine how we can build a better world for the future.
Throughout the season, our young engineers have:
🧩Explored how archaeologists study the past and asked questions about history, technology, and discovery.
⚙️Created and tested their own models of dig sites, tools, and discoveries using LEGO bricks, motors, and sensors.
💡Coded their designs to bring them to life using SPIKE Prime.
📕Shared their learning and creativity through an Engineering Notebook and a Show Me poster that tells the story of their research and teamwork.
Throughout the season, our young engineers have:
🧩Explored how archaeologists study the past and asked questions about history, technology, and discovery.
⚙️Created and tested their own models of dig sites, tools, and discoveries using LEGO bricks, motors, and sensors.
💡Coded their designs to bring them to life using SPIKE Prime.
📕Shared their learning and creativity through an Engineering Notebook and a Show Me poster that tells the story of their research and teamwork.
Most importantly, they’ve embodied the FIRST Core Values — discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun — in everything they’ve done.
Most importantly, they’ve embodied the FIRST Core Values — discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun — in everything they’ve done.
We can’t wait for them to share their hard work and creativity at the Explore Celebration this weekend. Whatever the outcome, they’ve already shown incredible curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills — and made our College community very proud!
We can’t wait for them to share their hard work and creativity at the Explore Celebration this weekend. Whatever the outcome, they’ve already shown incredible curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills — and made our College community very proud!
Good luck, team! Dig in, explore, and most of all — have fun unearthing the amazing discoveries you’ve made together!
Good luck, team! Dig in, explore, and most of all — have fun unearthing the amazing discoveries you’ve made together!
Justine de Wet
SPORT
SPORT
Junior Prep Sports Update – We’re Back in Action!
Junior Prep Sports Update – We’re Back in Action!
School and sport are officially back! Our boys and girls have hit the ground running this week, getting back into rhythm for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed (yet short) summer quarter.
From the sound of tennis rallies to the crack of the cricket bat and the laughter on the fields, it’s great to see our learners full of energy and enthusiasm once again. Next week, we dive straight into full practices and matches - it’s all systems go!
As we enter this final quarter, we’d like to remind all our young athletes that success begins with showing up, working hard, and committing to the sport you’ve chosen. Every practice counts, every drill helps you improve, and every game is a chance to grow and enjoy the spirit of sport.
Heads-up on future event:
Heads-up on future event:
Mark your calendars for our annual Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival taking place at the Secondary campus!
Date: 08 Nov '25
Time: 08h00
Let’s bring the same determination, teamwork, and fun we’ve seen all year to the summer fields and courts - it’s going to be a great finish to 2025!
Programme -Mini Cricket 2025 - Final (2).pdfBridge House Mini Cricket Festival:
This Saturday at Bridge House, Franschoek.
Good luck to all our U8 and U9 cricketers who are taking on various schools! There certainly will be loads of catches, runs and stumpings all in action.
GRADE 3 Squad Swimming trials are here!
GRADE 3 Squad Swimming trials are here!
Monday 20 Oct '25 at 14h00 - 15h00 at our JP pool!
This is not to be missed!
All Grade 3's are welcome - please note to qualify for Swim Squads Quarter 4 2025, learners are required to swim a length of the pool and complete all strokes unassisted and unaided (without floating devices.)
No exceptions will be made for learners that miss trials unless for exceptional circumstances.
Grade 1s & 2s will be assessed in their weekly Sports Hours and personally invited via email.
PE AND SWIMMING
Swimming during PE will only begin near the end of October when the weather and our pool water are a little warmer. Please keep an eye on the blog and grade-specific consolidation slides, as we will let parents know when swimming will begin.
Please keep in mind that 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.
Parkland Mini Cricket Clinic
Thank you to those who showed up a day before school started. The clinic focused on batting technique, bowling fundamentals and fielding. This sets our learners up for an awesome action-packed season.
Summer Co-Curricular Timetable (Quarter 4)
Summer Co-Curricular Timetable (Quarter 4)
Extra Mural Timetable Q4 BLOG.pdfQUARTER 4 Co-Curricular sign-ups
If you have missed the sign-up for Quarter 4 co-curriculars, please email Coach Jared jmargetts@parklands.co.za for any Sport queries and Mrs Buckle rbuckle@parklands.co.za for any Culture queries.
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 ⬅️
Congratulations to Qhyryn who participated in his second open water swimming event held on 27 September 2025 at Preekstoel beach at West Coast National Park. Qhyryn entered the open water equinox swim in the 800m category.
Marais Makes a Splash!
Over the weekend, Marais competed at the Splash Gala in Somerset West and delivered an incredible performance. He brought home gold medals in backstroke, freestyle, butterfly, and breaststroke – and to top it all off, he broke the record in his Individual Medley (IM)!
For this outstanding achievement, Marais will also be awarded a special medal. Congratulations Marais - keep up the hard work.
Sport Quick Links
Our gardens and campus are looking delightful as the warmer weather is upon us.
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
Dates for 2025
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 05 December
2026 dates (subject to change)
2026 dates (subject to change)
Summer Quarter: 20 January - 26 March
Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 24 June
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 4 December
Growing Minds Celebration
We are looking forward to our Growing Minds Celebration.
We invite all parents to attend our Growing Minds Celebration - a special occasion where every learner will receive a certificate recognising their hard work and progress throughout the year. We anticipate this celebration will last just over one hour.
Learners may go home with their parents after the celebration, should they wish.
Spring Quarter
Saturday 18 October: Happy Birthday Siobhan Duke
Monday, 20 October: Diwali
Tuesday, 21st October: JP Choir West Coast Song Festival
Thursday, 23rd October: Morning Melodies
Monday 27 October: Happy Birthday Nadine Marais-Swart
Friday 31 October:
Grade 3 Outing to Babylonstoren: Consent: Gr 3 Outing to Babylonstoren
Friday 21 November: Funky Sock Day
Thursday 27 November: JP Growing Minds Celebration
Friday 28 November: Grade 1 Giraffe House Outing: Consent: Gr 1 Outing to Giraffe House
Tuesday 2 December: Happy Birthday Candice Holder
Friday 5 December: Last day of the quarter. School closes at 11am
Sunday 14 December: Happy Birthday Emma Oxley-Simpson and Carmen Thyssen
Wednesday 24 December: Happy Birthday Caressa Manickum
QUICK LINKS
QUICK LINKS
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.
Information Directory
Information Directory
2025 Junior Preparatory P&L Information Directory.docx.pdf 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 have a busy weekend ahead...
Our U8 and U9 cricketers are super excited for the festival at Bridge House tomorrow and we wish them everything of the best for their matches. We are rooting for you!
We would also like to wish our Grade 3 Robotics Team all the best for their FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Celebration on Saturday. They have worked hard and we hope they have lots of fun!
We wish Mrs Duke a very happy birthday for tomorrow, Saturday the 18th of October.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Contact Details
Staff email addresses: Staffing
General Preparatory email address: prep@parklands.co.za
IT queries: Christian Oertel, Network Manager - choertel@parklands.co.za
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