Dear Parents

Sport in the younger grades is developmental and our programme is designed to build the foundational skills needed for various sports. Our Grade One programme uses fun games to build strong, healthy bodies and develop fundamental skills. Adhoc 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. 

Outreach

An enthusiastic cartoonist, Jeff Kinney’s first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book was published in 2007. It was an instant bestseller, with 100 000 copies in print in the USA alone within the first year. Numbers continue to grow exponentially with each new edition, with more than 300 million copies in print worldwide. Since that very first book, the series has been a fixture on the New York Times bestseller lists, for more than 800 weeks in total. You will find these books everywhere you go in the world, with 87 editions available in 70 languages. 

Jeff is a father of two teenage boys, a bookshop owner, and has travelled the world to promote his books. When he was in Cape Town a few years ago, he told us that teenagers everywhere are similar, with the same dreams and interests. We are grateful to Jeff for creating a series that engages our young readers and gets them excited about reading. No wonder he was named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people in the world!

On Tuesday morning there was a palpable sense of expectation, followed by tremendous joy when the books arrived on our campus. Happy reading, everyone!

CULTURE

Music Melodies

Well done to our little performers who participated in our Morning Melodies to an intimate audience on Thursday morning. We are very proud of their confidence and musicality.

Assembly

SPORT

OUR VERY OWN COACH GARY GILDER: HEAD OF CRICKET

Junior Prep Sports Weekly Update

This week kicked off with a splash and a smile as some of our Grade 3 learners took to the pool for their JP Swimming Trials!  It was amazing to see each swimmer give it their all - some showing off their confidence and speed, others showing incredible bravery as they took the plunge and pushed through nerves. Regardless of experience, they gave their best effort, and that’s what sport is all about!

On the fields and courts, it’s been full steam ahead for our summer sports programme. Tennis, Swimming, Golf, Softball, and Cricket sessions have filled our afternoons with energy, teamwork, and laughter. Our learners have shown impressive focus - refining their throwing, catching, and batting skills while also learning the importance of practice, patience, and sportsmanship.

A special mention to our Softballers - your match week is just around the corner! ⚾

Get ready to step up to the plate and show off the hard work you’ve been putting in during practices. Remember to bring your mitts (if you have one) and your best game-day attitude. We can’t wait to see you out on the diamond, playing with passion, teamwork, and Parklands pride!

And to our Mini Cricketers - well done on a fantastic start to your season! 🏏

You go again next week against Elkanah, and we’re all behind you as you take to the pitch with confidence, enthusiasm, and those signature Parklands smiles.

It’s been a wonderful start to Quarter 4 - keep the energy high, keep practising, and let’s make this short summer season one to remember!

What's coming up: Save the dates

There’s plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks as we dive deeper into our summer sports season!

• Friday, 31 October 2025: Parklands College Gala 🏊‍♂️
  Some of our U9 swimmers will be involved in this gala and notifications will be sent out soon.  Come cheer our swimmers on as they make a splash and represent Parklands College with pride!
  Learners will be notified straight after their Squad practice session next week Tuesday. 

• Saturday, 8 November 2025: Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival 🏏
  Hosted at our Secondary Faculty, this exciting morning of cricket promises great energy, sportsmanship, and plenty of fun in the sun.
  Invited players will be notified by Friday 31 Oct. 

PE AND SWIMMING

From next week, please remember to pack your Parklands swimming costume, Parklands swimming cap, towel and if you need, goggles and come dressed in your PE attire. We’ll play it by ear on the day - if the sun is out and the weather’s warm, we’ll dive right into the pool for a refreshing PE session!

If it’s a little gloomy, don’t worry - we’ll keep the learners active and engaged on land instead. Either way, it’s going to be an exciting part of our summer PE programme! 

Please take note 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.

Summer Co-Curricular Time Table (Quarter 4)

Sport Quick Links

Uniform and Sports Attire

College blazers

Please be reminded that all learners need to wear the new striped blazer with braiding from the start of 2026.  To ensure timely delivery, we advise you to place your order with our uniform supplier, School and Leisure, early.

All new blazers with braiding for 2026 are in stock at School and Leisure.

Second-hand school uniforms

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

Dates for 2025

Spring Quarter: 14 October - 05 December

HEADS-UP: 2026 INFORMATION

Device Requirements

Please click on the link below to view the device requirements for next year.

iPad Requirements 2026

Discount Voucher

Uniform Requirements:

Uniform and Sport Attire

Textbooks (Caxtons)

Caxton Letter

Grade 3

Grade 3 2026 Caxton List

Grade 4
Grade 4 2026 Caxton list 

Learners are required to take either Afrikaans FAL or isiXhosa FAL. Please ensure that you only order either Afrikaans or isiXhosa FAL books. 

NOTE: Grade 4 - 6 Afrikaans FAL learners will be issued with an Afrikaans Made Simple workbook @ R230 which will be billed to their account at the beginning of the year. 

FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE 

Our Grade 1 - 3 learners have a choice between Afrikaans FAL and isiXhosa FAL. Please click on the link to complete the form: First Additional Language Choice 2026. If a selection has not been made, it will be assumed that the learner will attend Afrikaans as their First Additional Language.

QUICK LINKS

The Grade 3s are looking forward to their outing to Babylonstoren next Friday 31 October. Please ensure you have completed the consent form in order for your child to attend:  Gr 3 Outing to Babylonstoren. 

We wish coach Nadine a very happy birthday for Monday.  

Contact Details

Staff email addresses: Staffing
General Preparatory email address: prep@parklands.co.za
IT queries: Christian Oertel, Network Manager - choertel@parklands.co.za