Dear Parents

It has been such a lovely week with our Grade 3 assembly and I have really enjoyed interacting with and watching our children at sport and break time this week. My favourite interaction this week was when one of our little girls told me that her favourite subject at school was break time. I loved that and I think many of us can relate.

On Monday, the Grade 3s hosted an unforgettable 'Bye Bye Bye' assembly, sharing heartfelt words of wisdom with the Junior Preparatory and reflecting on cherished memories. They expressed gratitude to their past teachers and ended the event on a high note with an energetic 'Bye Bye Bye' dance that had everyone cheering!

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.

Grade One

Mrs Thyssen's class had a ball in the Block Room and built a large house with a door and windows! 

Grade Two

Grade Two are learning about parts of a sentence (adjective, noun, verb)

Grade Three

Grade Three working hard on creating posters to market their services for Entrepreneurship Day. 

The much-anticipated Grade 3 Entrepreneurship Day was an incredible success! Our young Grade 3 entrepreneurs impressed their Grade 1 and 2 customers with their creativity, teamwork, and selling skills. From innovative product ideas to persuasive marketing, the learners showcased their skills with pride and enthusiasm. What a memorable learning experience for our young Entrepreneurs! 

2025 INFORMATION

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. 

Please note that the full Waltons kit is offered at a discounted price. If the list is changed, the discount falls away.

Waltons Stationery Letter (how to order)

Grade 1 Waltons Stationery List

If you have ordered your child's Walton's kit and indicated that collection is at Parklands College, a reminder that collection is on Monday 2 December 2024 from 8am-2pm or Thursday 16 January 2025 from 2pm-4pm from the Senior Preparatory Faculty, 50 Wood Drive.

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. 

Please note that the full Waltons kit is offered at a discounted price. If the list is changed, the discount falls away.

Waltons Stationery Letter (how to order)

Grade 2 Waltons Stationery List

If you have ordered your child's Walton's kit and indicated that collection is at Parklands College, a reminder that collection is on Monday 2 December 2024 from 8am-2pm or Thursday 16 January 2025 from 2pm-4pm from the Senior Preparatory Faculty, 50 Wood Drive.

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. 

Please note that the full Waltons kit is offered at a discounted price. If the list is changed, the discount falls away.

Waltons Stationery Letter (how to order)

Grade 3 Waltons Stationery List

Caxtons Letter

Grade 3 Caxtons 

If you have ordered your child's Walton's kit and indicated that collection is at Parklands College, a reminder that collection is on Monday 2 December 2024 from 8am-2pm or Thursday 16 January 2025 from 2pm-4pm from the Senior Preparatory Faculty, 50 Wood Drive.

Grade 4

Grade 4 Afrikaans FAL learners will be issued with an Afrikaans Made Simple workbook @ R200 which will be billed to their account at the beginning of the year. 

Please note that the full Waltons kit is offered at a discounted price. If the list is changed, the discount falls away.

Waltons Stationery Letter (how to order)

Gr 4 Waltons Stationery List (This list has been updated as all Grade 4 learners require a 50cm chair bag.)

Caxtons Letter

Gr 4 Caxtons

If you have ordered your child's Walton's kit and indicated that collection is at Parklands College, a reminder that collection is on Monday 2 December 2024 from 8am-2pm or Thursday 16 January 2025 from 2pm-4pm from the Senior Preparatory Faculty, 50 Wood Drive.

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

This coming Monday, five of our incredible robotics teams: Eco Trio; HighTech Dragon Riders; Technoblade, Techtron and Super Robot Builders will head to Turkey to represent South Africa at the World Robot Olympiad International Competition!  

We are proud of the hard work and determination these teams have shown, and we wish them and their coaches, Austyn Delport, Phumlane Nkosi, Justine de Wet, and Richard Knaggs, the best of luck as they take on this exciting challenge - go and show the world what South African innovation and teamwork are all about! 

Safe travels and good luck, we will be cheering for them every step of the way! 

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

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

SPORT AND CO-CURRICULARS

Sport will end on Friday 29 November

SUNBLOCK AND SUN HATS

Please apply sun block 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.

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.

Our first U9 parent-learner cricket match was a huge success, bringing together young and "older" in mixed teams for some friendly competition. The field was filled with laughter, cheering, and unforgettable moments as everyone enjoyed the game. It was a perfect blend of fun, teamwork and Parkies spirit!

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

Well done to Ashlyn on her racing skills. What a brave girl!

CULTURE

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.

Our Design Society artists have been creating city skylines using carbon paper. Do you remember using carbon paper when you were younger?

Ballet

The medal tests went very well this week. Well done to all our dancers!

LIBRARY NEWS

On Monday these three boys will join each other on stage as they present their Birthday Books, and in a way they represent the reading journey that teachers and the libraries facilitate for each reader. 

Sebastian read furiously this year in Grade 3 to stay on top of every new book that came our way. He honed his skills with great determination and can hardly wait for the senior prep library where there is such a varied choice for his age group. 

Mandla entered the SP this year and has already established his preferred series; now he is ready to stretch his wings and explore different genres. 

Calvin has loved the library since he joined the school in Grade 1. Next year he is moving on to the Secondary Faculty’s Resource Centre, where a whole new world of teen and Young Adult literature is waiting to be enjoyed. 

Thank you for sharing your books with us. May books continue to give you joy and open the world for you.

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

The Grade Ones are looking forward to their outing to Giraffe House on Monday. Please ensure that you have completed the consent form in order for your child to attend.

Grade 1 Consent Form: Giraffe House

We are looking forward to our Growing Minds Celebration on Monday 2 December and welcoming all our Parents as every learner will receive a certificate.

If you have any spare 2 and 5 litre ice cream containers with lids, please send them in with your child. House points will be given.

A reminder that school will close on Wednesday, 4 December at 11:00, and there will be no Aftercare. Please make arrangements to collect your child by 11:00.

Have a wonderful 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