Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
18 October 2024
Dear Parents
It has been a very big week of celebrations in the Secondary Faculty and we would like to extend our special Congratulations to the Executive Prefects of 2025:
Head Girl - Alexandra Bester
Head Boy - Reuben Rietoff
Deputy Head Girl - Chanel Ritz
Deputy Head Boy - Trent Mc Cullogh
We wish them everything of the best in their leadership roles for the remainder of this year and 2025.
Our Grade ones sang a special farewell song to our Matrics at Wednesday's Valedictory. As always the Grade Ones "steal the show" and ensure the Matrics send off is extra special. Aren't they absolutely gorgeous!
IMG_7991.MOVIMG_7992.MOVIMG_7993.MOV
The Matrics who started with us in Christopher Robin Pre-Primary
While waiting for the bus to arrive and collect the Grade 1s after their Valedictory performance, they spent some time in the Herb Garden. There were squeals of delight as rosemary was found, mint was smelt and butterflies fluttered past. For some of our learners the best part of the day was the chips and juice waiting for them when they returned to their classrooms.
To the Matric class of 2024, 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.
Just for fun....
One of our parents created a very unique Team Logo for Emma and I and we couldn't resist sharing it with you.... The Ox & the Lamb.
Thank-you Jonty!
Summer Uniform
We have switched over to our Summer uniform.
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.
DATES FOR 2024
Spring Quarter: 02 October – 04 December
PROVISIONAL 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: 23 July - 02 October
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 05 December
2025
DEVICE REQUIREMENTS
Please click on the link below to view the device requirements for next year.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Grade 1
Coach Nadine was our guest to look at our healthy lunches
Grade 2
The Grade Twos had a lovely outing to Intaka Island last week.
SPORT AND CO-CURRICULARS
SWIMMING GALA
On Friday, 11 October 2024, Parklands College made a splash at Laerskool Jan Van Riebeeck's friendly gala! To say our swimmers did exceptionally well would be an understatement. Out of the 24 events we competed in, we proudly secured 16 first places and 8 second places.
A special shoutout goes to our incredible U10 boys relay team, composed of just three swimmers (a relay is typically 4 x 25m). Despite the odds, our team, including Taylor Harrison-Ralph (U10), Sebastian Fourie (U9), and Jean-Louis Kroon (U9), remained undefeated on Friday. What an inspiring performance from these young athletes!
Congratulations to all our swimmers for making Parklands College proud! Your hard work and dedication truly shone through. Go Parklands!"
Softball
Our U9 Softball team played against Rallim on Thursday and won 13-9. The Player of the Match was Tumisho We are very proud of our girls. Well done and keep up the great effort!
Cricket
Our very enthusiastic U8 cricket team played against Sunningdale Primary on Thursday and unfortunately lost by 29 runs. The Player of the Match was Luke for his excellent bowling. Well done and keep playing your best boys!
The U9 cricket team also played against Sunningdale Primary and after a very close game, lost by 1 run. The Player of the Match was Cooper. Well done boys, we are very proud of you!
Please get in touch with the Sports Department should you wish to sign your children up for Quarter 3 sport!
Football / Boys’ Hockey / Rugby: Liam Maharage
Netball / Girls’ Hockey: Nadine Marais-Swart
Head Of Department: Jared Margetts
Bridgehouse Mini Cricket Festival on Saturday 19 October
Notifications for U8 and U9 have already been emailed to parents for this festival. If you did not receive an email, your child is not involved in the festival. Please RSVP to the email ASAP to give us time to select other learners should your child not be available.
SAVE THE DATE: U8 & U9 Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival: 09 Nov ‘24
PE AND SWIMMING
Swimming is back!
Please pack in Parklands Swimming costumes / Swimming Cap / Towel and sunblock. Whilst we are still playing it by ear in terms of the weather, we’ll make a decision on the day regarding Swimming for PE.
CO-CURRICULARS
Quarter 4 Cocurricular Time Table.pdfEXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Please find a link to the notification letter informing the College of a learner's external achievements at Area/Regional/Provincial level.
Oluhle had her grading on 9 October 2024 and was awarded the rank of Orange Belt in the art of Goju Kai Karate.
Well done Olu, we are very proud of this wonderful achievement!
Riley competed in the Cape Town Acrobatic Dance Festival - her group won the category of Novice Group 8 years & Under. Well done Riley, we are very proud of you!
LIBRARY NEWS
BIANCA FLANDERS
In another exciting book event, Grade 1 - 3 learners will meet entertainer and nominated children’s author Bianca Flanders on Thursday. You are welcome to pre order from The Book Box website (information in your consolidation slides), and books will also be available on the day (cash or card.) Watch this space for photographs next week!
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
Sweltering heat, the extended family and a tiny beach house is a recipe for disaster. This is what Greg Heffley discovers when the whole family gathers for a summer vacation, in what promises to be another hilarious instalment in the life of the Wimpy Kid. Anticipation is at a high and our readers can hardly wait for the books to arrive on Tuesday. Preorders at R250 will be delivered to school during the morning.
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!
CULTURE
The Drama Society had great fun this week creating "live action adventure pictures"
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...
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
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 wish Siobhan Duke a very happy birthday for today. We hope she had an amazing day.
Have a lovely weekend!
Chantel Lamb
Junior Preparatory Principal
clamb@parklands.co.za
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Links to other faculty blogs:
Pre-Primary Faculty: https://ppblog.parklands.co.za
Senior Preparatory Faculty: https://spblog.parklands.co.za
Secondary Faculty: https://secblog.parklands.co.za