Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo

1 November 2024

Dear Parents

This week, we have been reminding the learners about our rules (Code of Conduct) and its importance in keeping our school a safe and happy place for ALL of us. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our Parent Body when we implement both rewards and consequences. This collaboration ensures that from a young age, and in a safe space, our children learn about positive and negative behaviours and their impact. This sets a strong foundation for their future interactions and decision-making. It helps them understand the importance of respect, empathy, and responsibility, all of which contribute to a positive school environment. Plus, it's wonderful to see them grow and celebrate their achievements along the way! Yes! We absolutely LOVE celebrating positive behaviour and will continue to encourage and award lots of merits to our learners.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us foster a positive learning environment!

Junior-Preparatory-PL-Information-Directory-2024Download

Our Code of Conduct can be found on page 13 of the Parent and Learner Information Directory.

Blazers

In order to affirm our unique image, the College blazer from Grade 1 - 12 has changed. Current parents will have until the start of the Academic Year 2026, to replace the existing light blue blazer with the new royal blue, striped blazer. This fabric is unique to our College, and therefore distinguishes our learners from other schools who are wearing the same colour as our current blazer.

Every Grade One learner and all new learners joining the College are required to wear the striped blazer.

Parents are reminded that our blazers are an important part of the uniform which sets us apart from other schools. We therefore request that parents be particular about the condition of a blazer and if it is either faded or too small, it must be replaced.

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Growing Minds Celebration

We are looking forward to our Growing Minds Celebration and seeing all our Parents there as every learner will receive a certificate. We are aiming for an hour but this event may be longer so please be aware of this. Learners may go home with their parents after the celebration should they wish to do so.

Winter and Spring Quarter Dates

DATES FOR 2024

Spring Quarter: 02 October – 04 December

DATES FOR 2025

Please note that there has been a slight change to the 2025 dates indicated in blue below:

Summer Quarter: 20 January - 28 March

Autumn Quarter: 08 April - 25 June

*Mid-term break: 29 April - 2 May

Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September

Spring Quarter: 14 October - 05 December

2025

MUSIC LESSONS

We invite parents of all current individual music learners as well as those wishing to commence individual lessons in 2025 to please complete the following enrolment form: JP Individual Music

We require a new form to be completed annually. A form for Ensembles, including Marimba, Choir, and Orchestra, will be shared at the start of 2025.

For Grade 3 learners who wish to receive individual music lessons in Grade 4, the following SP Individual Music form should be completed.

We will endeavour to ensure that your child is placed with the same teacher as in 2024, but we can only finalise a time slot at the start of 2025.

DEVICE REQUIREMENTS

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

2025 Device Requirements

Grade 1

Please note that stationery must be labelled and sent to school on the first day of the year. Books DO NOT need to be covered as this is done in class with the children.

Waltons Stationery Letter (How to Order)

Grade 1 Waltons Stationery List

Grade 2

Please note that stationery must be labelled and sent to school on the first day of the year. Books DO NOT need to be covered as this is done in class with the children.

Waltons Stationery Letter (How to Order)

Grade 2 Waltons Stationery List

Grade 3

Please note that stationery must be labelled and sent to school on the first day of the year. Books DO NOT need to be covered as this is done in class with the children.

Waltons Stationery Letter (How to Order)

Grade 3 Waltons Stationery List

Caxtons Letter

Grade 3 Caxtons

Grade 4

Waltons Stationery Letter (How to Order)

Gr 4 Waltons Stationery List

Caxtons Letter

Gr 4 Caxtons

Some of our Pre-Primary and Junior Preparatory Staff dressed in pink to support Breast Cancer month.

WhatsApp Video 2024-10-30 at 18.50.12.mp4

SPORT AND CO-CURRICULARS

Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival: 09 Nov ‘24

Cricket on Thursday

Our U8 mini-cricket team played against Reddam Durbanville on Thursday. It was a very, VERY close game and we narrowly lost by 1 run. Wow, well done to all our U8 boys and to Ben who was named player of the match.

Our U9 mini-cricket team played against Reddam Durbanville on Thursday and won by 13 runs. It was a very good game and our boys showed great sportsmanship. Zachariah was named player of the match. Well done boys, we are very proud of you!

Softball

Our U9 softball team played against Blouberg Ridge on Thursday. Despite losing 8 to 15, our girls tried their best and have improved upon their batting. Gloria and Anna were named players of the day. Well done, girls!

PE AND SWIMMING

Please pack in 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.

CO-CURRICULARS

Quarter 4 Cocurricular Time Table.pdf

EXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Please find a link to the notification letter informing the College of a learner's external achievements at Area/Regional/Provincial level.

External Achievements

We would like to say a very special congratulations to Tumisho who was awarded the Examiner's Cup for Acrobatics.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement.

We are very proud of you!

Sebastian competed in the 43rd Freda Barnard Invitational Gala in Oudtshoorn from 17 - 20 October 2024.

He won silver in the boys 100m freestyle , bronze in the boys 50m backstroke, bronze in the boys 50m freestyle, and had one personal best time.

What an incredible achievement Sebastian, we are very proud of you!

LIBRARY NEWS

NEW ARRIVAL

Over many years the Dork Diaries series has been the girls’ answer to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Nikki Maxwell draws, doodles and documents her life in her diary and it is unashamedly all about girls - BFF’s, crushes and all the day-to-day stuff that girls adore. The 16th book, Sister Showdown, has been welcomed with cheers, hugs and happy enthusiasm.

BOOK CLUB

Timmy Failure is an eleven-year-old detective with a partner called Total, that is an imaginary polar bear. This series is funny, a bit quirky, and teaches empathy for children who find it difficult to find their place socially. The 2020 film of book 1, Mistakes Were Made, can be found on Disney+.

This week the Book Club used their impressive Keynote skills to grace their favourite Timmy Failure cover. Such fun!

BIRTHDAY BOOKS

Brynn and Ewan started off the week’s birthdays on Monday and presented two intriguing magic mystery novels by the wonderful Ben Miller at the assembly. Benjamin is another super reader and brought the first book in the Wings of Fire series, as well as Wilbur Smith’s marvellous Cloudburst.

Last but not least, Layla brought a glittery Sugarlump and the Unicorn. What a feast! Thank you so much, and happy birthday to all of you!

OUTREACH

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.

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. Thank you for your generosity!

PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Parklands College and Christopher Robin Pre-Primary parents who are in business are able to list their businesses in our Parent Business Directory – www.parklands.co.za/parent-business-directory/

LISTINGS ARE FREE and include contact information as well as the opportunity to include a business logo or advert. Listings are available 24/7 on the College website and will be updated each quarter.

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...