Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
2 August 2024
Dear Parents
We would like to congratulate all our learners who participated in the Junior Preparatory Music Concert on Tuesday night. It is daunting going up on stage in front of an audience and even our youngest learners were confident.
A very special thank you to Mrs Buckle, Mr Ernstzen, Mrs Domingo and our individual music teachers for their hard work, for nurturing the talents and most importantly, the confidence, of our little people. We are very proud of them.
It was fantastic to have our JP teachers and parents supporting the children and cheering them on with such energy - the audience were wonderful, thank you!
IMG_7193.mp4We celebrated International Friendship Day on Tuesday and in assembly Grade 3P reminded us about friendship.
IMG_7170.mp4Important Dates
Dates for 2024
Winter Quarter: 10 July – 13 September
Spring Quarter: 02 October – 04 December
Provisional dates for 2025
Summer Quarter: 20 January - 28 March
Autumn Quarter: 08 April- 25 June
*Mid-term break: 29 April - 2 May
Winter Quarter: 23 July - 01 Oct
Spring Quarter: 13 October - 05 December
Learning
GRADE 1
Grade 1A had their turn to visit Rosen Castle today and had a wonderful time learning about different occupations.
GRADE 2
The Grade 2s have been learning how to write a friendly letter to another Grade 2 child whose name was drawn out of a hat. They had to write about their holiday fun and address an envelope to post it in. We learnt all about the Post Office and the role of the Postman. These letters were then “delivered” to the various Grade 2 classrooms. The children thoroughly enjoyed reading about each other’s holiday news.
They have also been learning about capacity. We enjoyed a practical lesson involving estimation, and then actually pouring the cups of water into the various containers. There was a lot of anticipation and excitement as each cup was poured.
The Grade 2s also went outside to test which objects were the best for catching rain.
GRADE 3
Excitement filled the Grade Three Quad as Mr. Duffield arrived to launch our Project Based Learning: Mission to the Moon. He introduced himself and explained the purpose of his visit. The learners collaborated and discussed the importance of studying the moon, then shared their thoughts with the group. We were impressed with how much our learners already knew about space.
The learners worked in small groups. They were given a soccer ball and a tennis ball to estimate the distance between the Earth and the Moon. We discussed the actual distance and the necessity of rockets to travel to the moon. The lesson concluded with a Q&A session.
Thank you to Mr. Duffield for his passion and enthusiasm!
This week we have had loads of filming taking place as we plan to update our Prospectus in the new year. It has been joyful to see our learners’ enjoyment being captured! We have snapped shots in our Robotics Labs, Library, Dance room and our beautiful gardens. We are excited to see the end result!
Communication
EDADMIN APP
EDADMIN APP
Ed-Admin MP Installation
We are pleased to inform you that the new Ed-admin Multi Portal App (Ed-admin MP) is now available on the Google and Apple App stores. The features include access to your child’s reports, calendar activities and daily attendance records to mention a few.
To install the App please follow the below instructions:
1.) Download the Ed-Admin Multi Portal App by using the relevant link below:
● Apple App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ed-admin-multi-portal/id6469108569
OR
● Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edana.edadmin&hl=en&gl= US
2.) Enter 230034 (Parklands College Code) and your email address to log in. For your convenience, please refer to the image below:
3.) The next step will require you to enter the login code sent to you via email. For your convenience, please refer to the image below:
Please ensure that you keep this App updated otherwise you will be logged out and will have to repeat the above process to regain access.
International Kidz Orchestra
Embark on a transcendent musical journey with conductor Alexander Walker as young musicians from Stellenbosch and the West Coast Youth Orchestra, joined by international players from England, the US and Australia, ages 14-17, create a cultural symphony. Highlights include the premiere of ‘The Future is in Africa’ by South African composer Malcolm Dedman, composed for this International Youth Orchestra Tour.
In collaboration with Parklands College, the first half showcases their talent. Experience music's transformative power to bridge divides and celebrate unity. Join us for an evening of harmony and inspiration, where melody's universal language reigns supreme.
Monday 5 August, 19:00, Senior Preparatory Hall.
Tickets via Webtickets
Cake sales
Our next cake sale is on Friday 30 August and is hosted by Grade 1K and 1R. 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 money in advance to be kept safely locked away or send in R6 on cake sale days. If you are able to assist at your class cake sale from 09h40, please notify your child’s class teacher.
Sport
Schedule for the Quarter Ahead
Please click on the link to see what matches are coming up. Please note that matches may change and Team Managers will communicate details with the parents of the children involved.
Quarter 3 Match Schedule U9-U13
Please note that there will be no Sports Hour on Friday 16 August. The learners will stay in their classrooms.
The North and South Sports Festival has been moved to Saturday 7 September 2024.
Soccer
Parklands College played against Reddam Durbanville on Monday and won 4-0. Calvin was named player of the match. The boys had so much fun and loved playing in the rain. Well done on a great game!
Rugby
Thank you to our parent body for your support and making the necessary arrangements to allow your boys to play rugby in Camps Bay on Wednesday (and return rather late!) The boys put up a good fight but lost 5-9. Despite the loss, it was a good game. Quincy was named player of the match. Well done to our boys!
Netball
The sun was out on Wednesday and our U9 netball teams played a very strong Edgemead Primary School. The girls gave it their all. In the first game we lost 14/0 and the player of the match was Milka. The second game was much closer and we lost 5/3. The player of the match was Naledi. Well done Girls!
Hockey
There was much excitement as our U9 hockey girls played against Seamount Primary School on Thursday and drew 1-1. After the initial setback in the first half, they showed tenacity to equal the score in the second half which showed really good teamwork. Naledi was named player of the match. We are very proud of our girls, keep it up!
Sporting activities selected in Quarter Two carry over to Quarter Three to complete the Winter Season. Please get in touch with the Sports Department should you wish to sign your children up for Quarter 3 sport or make a change. The only amendment to the Timetable is the collection time of the girls and boys for hockey on a Monday. This has been changed from 15:45 to 16:00.
Football / Boys’ Hockey / Rugby: Liam Maharage
Netball / Girls’ Hockey: Nadine Marais-Swart
Head Of Department: Jared Margetts
GENERAL SPORTS INFORMATION
In addition to the sport selected, the Grade 3s will join the Grade 4s on a Friday and attend a compulsory sport training session that forms part of their school day. This will take place on the Junior Preparatory campus and will end at 14:30 in time for collection.
Grade 1 and Grade 2 learners may wear their sports kit to school on their two Grade sport days as well as their PE Day. Grade 3 learners may wear their sports kit to school on their PE day as well as on a Friday for the new sport training session. Grade 3 learners are to bring their sports kit to school in the navy drawstring bag, for their sport days. The learners will change at school before their chosen sport.
Sport Days
Grade 1: Tuesday and Thursday
Grade 2: Monday and Wednesday
Grade 3: Friday
Unless otherwise communicated, the Grade 3 learners who have signed up for hockey will play on the Astroturf at Sandown every Friday during sports hour (13:30 - 14:30) and every Monday (14:30 - 16:00) during practice time. They will be transported to and from the Secondary Faculty back to the Junior Preparatory Faculty. Gum guards and shin pads must be worn.
We would like to assure parents that winter sports will continue each day as scheduled, especially if there is only light drizzle. In the event of extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, indoor sports will be arranged instead. Our coaches will engage the learners with field/court placements and strategies to ensure that their development and enjoyment of the sport continues uninterrupted.
External Achievements
Please find a link to the notification letter informing the College of a learner's external achievements at Area/Regional/Provincial level.
Culture
The JP Drama Society had great fun this week creating stories using puppets.
Outreach
Ria Abel Collection
Please send black Woolworths bags to school in which we can pack the care packages.
Wear your funky socks on Thursday 8 August and donate R10 to the Home of Hope. For those who choose to wear funky socks, a sticker will be given to the learners and R10 will be billed to your account. The learners may wear their PE clothes with their socks.
Library News
GOING FOR GOLD!
Leading the race in both libraries at the moment is David Walliams’s Astrochimp, the graphic novel about a chimp that goes to space. It is the most beautiful graphic novel, printed on high quality, glossy paper and featuring Adam Stower’s appealing illustrations. We have several copies doing the rounds in both libraries and our readers are highly entertained by this excellent story. Of course there is always a bit more than the storyline to explore and this time Walliams introduces all the animals that have been sent to space during many years of space exploration. The very first animals that travelled to space were fruit flies, and they make a comeback in this novel, having gone through a black hole and grown into giants.
In the senior prep there is a great demand for the hilarious diaries of Lottie Brooks. We are pleased to report that her latest book has just arrived in South Africa, which means copies for our library, of course. How lucky we are!
BIRTHDAY BOOK
There is a heartwarming Parklands tradition that on our birthdays we share a gift with our friends by donating a book to the library.
Happy birthday to Luke and thank you so much for these gorgeous Birthday Books. We are going to love reading them!
OLYMPIC ARTISTS
We cannot let the opportunity pass us by to celebrate our sports stars. Library lessons during the Olympics include a quiz of Olympic trivia and a word quiz on all the sports on offer. The Grade twos demonstrated their iPad expertise in decorating the most beautiful Olympic posters. How talented are these learners!
VIDEO-2024-08-01-18-10-09.mp4We hope our families are all enjoying watching the Olympic Games and supporting the South Africans. The Grade 3s motto is to believe in themselves and they made a lovely video about the Olympic Games.
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
We look forward to seeing our parents at the Grade two project based learning on Thursday 8 August.
Please also remember to encourage your child to wear funky socks with their PE kit on Thursday 8 August and donate R10. For those who choose to wear funky socks, a sticker will be given to the learners and R10 will be billed to your account.
A reminder that next Friday, 9 August, is Women's Day which is a Public Holiday.
Please invite any interested friends and family to our Open Day tomorrow.
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