Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
24 January 2025
Dear Parents,
The first week of school has been an exciting and joyful time as we welcomed our learners back to campus. A special welcome to our Grade 1 learners and their families. Watching their enthusiasm as they explored their classrooms, met their teachers and began making new friends has been lovely to witness.
As for our returning Grade 2 and Grade 3 learners, it has been wonderful to see their smiling faces as they reunited with friends and teachers.
As we move into the second week, please take special note of the following:
Grade 1 learners will finish their school day at 14:00 going forward.
Our sports and co-curricular programmes kick off on Monday, 27 January.
Parents entering our campus are required to have a 2025 car identification sticker, which can be collected from class teachers.
Contact:
Staff email addresses: Staffing
General Preparatory email address: prep@parklands.co.za
IT queries: Christian Oertel, Network Manager - choertel@parklands.co.za
HIGHLIGHTS
Parent Information Meeting
Our parents were welcomed to the Junior Preparatory Faculty for an afternoon information session. Thank you for making the time to attend. We enjoyed meeting you all and hope the time spent with us was informative and helped calm any nerves for the new year.
Grade One Orientation
Grade ones were welcomed by their new teachers to familiarise themselves with their classrooms and meet their classmates. It was a fun afternoon of games, colouring, listening to a story and ended off with a tasty treat.
Grade One First Day
Principal Paul and Mrs Lamb welcoming Grade One learners on their first day.
Parents and learners arriving for their first day of school.
Grade One Fun
What an exciting start to Grade One! Our learners looked fantastic on their first day, proudly wearing their school uniforms. Teachers captured some special moments with photos, marking the beginning of a fun-filled year.
The Grade Ones explored the campus on a tour, met their enrichment teachers, and got busy learning about numbers, Zero the Hero, and Mr. Greedy Zero. They had a blast forming their names in playdough and helped create classroom rules for the year.
There was lots of play, laughter, and time spent making new friends. What a great start to Grade One.
Grade Two First Week Back
It was wonderful to welcome all our Grade Two superstars to school. They wrote about their first day to tell their teacher how they felt; who they played with; what they had for a snack and what they liked and didn't like.
Enjoying the book corner
and the LEGO.
Having fun playing games and connecting with our friends in the morning.
Watching and waiting for our friends to arrive in the morning.
I felt curious about what grade 2 felt like. I had some KFC Pops. I played with Hluma. I liked playing LEGO the most. - By Josh
I felt happy but nervous. I played LEGO with Sydney. I had a wrap for a snack. I liked playing LEGO the most. I liked everything.
- By Qhyryn
I felt happy but a little shy. I played soccer with my friends. I ate a naartjie. I liked break. I didn't like the hot sun.
- By Damon
I felt nervous at school. I had crackers and grapes. I played with Remo. I liked colouring the most. I didn't like the traffic. - By Shreya
I had a good day. I ate an orange. I played with Xhanti. I didn't like waking up early.
- By Sydney
Mrs Rabe's class
Grade Three First Week Back
cara grade 3.MOVMrs De Aguiar's Class
LIBRARY NEWS
Grade One Visitors
Our library came alive again this week as children visited to select books and enjoy this magical space.
These Grade Ones came for the first time. They enjoyed storytime with a delightful new Julia Donaldson book and got to choose a special book to take home.
Birthday Books
Towards the end of last year we celebrated the birthdays of Beck and Nina, Lilly, and Adam and Aiden. There were no more opportunities to share their books at an assembly, but this coming Monday they will finally go on stage to present their lovely books before they start circulating in the library. Thank you to you all for waiting patiently, and for donating these lovely books!
World Read Aloud Invitation
World Read Aloud Day takes place annually on the first Wednesday of February. This event is the initiative of a global organisation, LitWorld, which aims to provide reading groups in the least resourced areas in the world. Our local organisation, Nal’ibali, has been driving the programme in South Africa, making books and resources available on their website. This year their special story is called What is That? It is written by the talented Baeletsi Tsatsi and illustrated by Rico, and available in all 11 official South African languages. Follow the link to share this new story with your children in your home language: https://nalibali.org/WRAD-2020/download-the-story
We are delighted to invite parents to join us for a magical story picnic on Wednesday the 5th. Please let your child’s class teacher know if you are able to share a story with a group of children. Reading is thirsty work and we shall provide a cup of tea in the foyer afterwards.
Extreme Reading
We are starting the year with a fun challenge for the month of February as we invite learners (and their teachers!) to find a really adventurous spot to read. Get someone to take a photo and share with your librarian, by either airdropping in the library, or emailing the photo to Mrs Crouse at ecrouse@parklands.co.za
We can’t wait to see all your creative ideas!
CO-CURRICULAR SIGN-UPS
Sign up for this quarter's activities
Please complete the sign-up forms by clicking on the link below, as cocurricular and sport activities will commence on Monday, 27 January 2025.
All information and days and times for co-curriculars are included in the link.
The sport and extramural programme will start on Monday 27 January. Please refer to the timetable and select activities carefully as there may be clashes because match days are determined by the various Sports Associations.
ALL learners MUST wear their school caps when outdoors. NO HAT, NO PLAY!
There is an additional charge for Design Society, Drama Society, Golf, Chess, Junior Chefs and Marimba. Your child will be billed for these activities if they elect to participate in them. Please refer to the fee structure for 2025.
From a young age we are teaching the children about the importance of commitment and sportsmanship, and we encourage them to commit to their teams and attend all practices. Please inform the class teacher if your child is unable to attend an activity.
Parents are notified via email whether their child has been selected to play in a match or not.
Extra Mural Timetable .pdfSPORT
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Welcome to 2025!
Dear Parents,
A warm welcome to the new school year! We’re diving straight into an action-packed first quarter, filled with all things linseed oil, sunblock, helmets, goggles, and hats - the unmistakable signs of summer sports in full swing.
We’re thrilled to announce two fantastic full-time additions to our Sports Department this year: Ms. Courtney Janeiro and Mr. Gary Gilder. Their energy and expertise are sure to inspire our learners both on and off the field.
This term sees a full Swimming PE programme, and we can’t wait to see the learners making waves in the pool, hitting the courts, and charging onto the fields. A special welcome to our new learners joining us this year - we’re excited to have you on board and look forward to seeing your enthusiasm in our summer sports codes.
Here’s to a vibrant and active term ahead!
Yours in sport,
Jared Margetts
Head of Preparatory Sports.
The Week That Was
Physical education is back in full stroke at our brand-new resurfaced pools! Our Grade Ones made a splash as the first learners to dive in on Wednesday, kicking off with a fun-filled session on pool safety and the basics of swimming. The smiles and splashes said it all - what a way to start the quarter!
Looking Ahead
Today’s Highlight:
Grade 3 swimming trials are being held this afternoon from 13:30 to 14:30 at the Junior Prep pool. Don’t forget your goggles, swim caps, costumes, and cheer spirit!
Sport Is Back!
Mark your calendars for 27 January 2025. While our tennis courts get a facelift, tennis training will continue just next to the courts. No excuses - we’re keeping the ball rolling!
Matches Alert:
Get ready! Matches for Grade Twos and Threes kick off from 3 February 2025. There will be NO practices or matches this Thursday.
On That Note:
Parents, we need your consent for sports as we travel to away fixtures/practices. Please click the link below and select "Agree."
Missed the Parent Sport Information Meeting?
If you couldn’t attend last year’s meeting, here’s a quick recap! We’re thrilled to introduce exciting additions to our Sports Programme this year, with Compulsory Sport being a key highlight.
Parent Sport Meeting (3).pdfSport Information
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. Grade 3 learners are to bring their sports kit to school in the navy drawstring bag, on their sport days. The learners will change at school before their chosen sport.
Sport Days (during the school day):
Grade 1: Tuesday and Thursday from 13h00 - 14h00
Grade 2: Monday and Wednesday from 13h00 - 14h00
Grade 3: Monday and Friday from 14h00 - 15h00
PE & 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.
Sunblock and Sun Hats:
Please apply sunblock 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. To protect your child’s skin from the harsh rays of the sun, we have a “no hat, no play” policy.
External Achievements
Cheer Cam
Congratulations to Marais for winning all four of his races—backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, and breaststroke.
Please find a link to the notification letter informing the College of a learner's external achievements at Area/Regional/Provincial level.
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.
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.
Edana App - individual Music Time slots
Currently the Edana App does not generate specific time slots for each individual Music lesson. You will observe that the lessons are set for Monday 08:00-08:30. Please contact your child’s Music educator should you wish to confirm their individual lesson time.
Dance Lessons
Please follow the link below for more information pertaining to our Dance Department.
ROBOTICS NEWS:
Parklands College Hyperion Bots Qualify for FIRST Tech Challenge Nationals!
Parklands College Hyperion Bots Qualify for FIRST Tech Challenge Nationals!
On 17-18 January, we played host to the best Western Cape FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics teams for the highly anticipated regional competition.
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Hyperion Bots had an exceptional performance, especially considering this is their rookie year!
✨ Achievements:
🏆 Design Award: Recognised for their robot's innovative and functional design, solving challenges effectively.
🤝 Selected as one of the 12 Alliance Teams by the Cyber Champs team.
The Hyperion Bots showcased their skill and determination, advancing through the alliance stages to the semifinals and securing an impressive 4th place Alliance position amidst fierce competition.
🎉 We’re excited to share that the team has now qualified for the South African FTC Nationals, taking place on 14-15 February right here at our school! At Nationals, the Top 3 teams will earn the honour of representing South Africa at the World Festival in the USA.
We are incredibly proud of our Hyperion Bots and wish them all the best as they continue to innovate, compete, and inspire! 💪🌍
#INTOTHEDEEP @RTX #FIRSTDIVE #ParklandsCollege #FIRSTTechChallenge #HyperionBots #STEMExcellence #InnovationInAction
Back Row L-R: Ashley Machine, Mkhuseli Mngese, Tristan Daries, Liya De Allende, Elihle Hadebe, Shakti Manga
Front Row L-R: Connor Niske, Mathew Mizrachi (Coach), Yemira Mamdoo
Absent: Joshua Jackson-Smith
DROP-OFF & COLLECTION
School Hours
GRADE 1
START: 08:00
END OF DAY: 14h00
Collection from outside the Grade 1 classrooms. Learners who are not collected at this time will be sent to aftercare and billed.
GRADE 2
START: 08:00
END OF DAY: 14:00
Collection is in the Amphitheatre. Learners who are not collected at this time will be sent to aftercare and billed.
GRADE 3
START: 08:00
END OF DAY: 14:30 (except for a Monday and Friday as sport is from 14:00-15:00)
Collection is in the Grade Three Quad. Learners who are not collected at this time will be sent to aftercare and billed.
Transport from Sandown campus to the Preparatory and Pre-Primary Faculty
We have a school bus that leaves at 07h15 from the Secondary Campus, Sandown, every morning to transport learners to the Preparatory and Pre-Primary campuses. A supervisor on the bus ensures that the little ones travel safely. Kindly email Gillian (goppenshaw@parklands.co.za) if you would like your child to use this transport.
Drop-off
Please ensure that learners arrive on time for the start of the academic day. Parents are welcome to drop their children off between 07:30 and 07:55 and are requested to use the Drop and Go Zone at the back of the school in Wood Drive.
You are welcome to park in Wood Drive and walk your child to their classroom for the first few weeks of the quarter. Our Junior Preparatory parking area is a Drop and Go Zone and parents may pull into the yellow zone for learners to get out and walk into school on their own. Please do not park or leave your car in the Drop and Go Zone.
Aftercare
Aftercare is a combined group of Grade 1-3 learners. Parents, please inform the College via email should you wish to make use of our aftercare facility. Learners may wear their Parklands College sports uniform and in the interest of security, learners are signed out when collected. Learners attending Aftercare will be escorted to the venue. Parents who wish to make use of our aftercare facilities, must please inform us via e-mail.
Learners must be collected promptly by 17:00, as the College is locked at this time.
Security & Car Stickers
For safety reasons no learners are permitted to wait outside the College gates at any time.
Parents entering our campus are required to have a car identification sticker which can be collected from class teachers. By displaying the sticker on your car you will gain easy access to the College premises. Vehicles who do not have a sticker will be scanned. ‘At the Gate’ Access Solution is used by the College and involves drivers' and car license discs being scanned. This information is stored on a secure database off-site for future reference should the need arise. Pedestrians are also required to produce identification.
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
Monday 27 January
Sport and Cocurriculars begin
Grade 1's stay for the full day -2pm
Wednesday 29 January: Chinese New Year
Sunday 2 February
Happy Birthday Anastacia Mvulana
Tuesday 4 February
Grade 3 Outing to The Two Oceans Aquarium Consent Form for Grade 3 Aquarium Outing
Wednesday 5 February
World Read Aloud Day ( join us at 9:30 and bring a book to read to your child/children and a picnic blanket)
Wednesday 12 February
Happy Birthday Andrea Martch
Friday 14 February
Friendship Day (Dress in red, white or pink)
Grade 3P and 3A Cake Sale
Riaan Manser with the ultimate Friendship Story Grade 2 - 6 @ 12:00
Saturday 15 February
VRS Mini Cricket Festival
Open Day
Monday 17 February
Happy Birthday Nikki Niemand
Tuesday 18 February
Happy Birthday Kirsten Hartley
Friday 21 February
International Mother Language Day
Saturday 1 March
TVPS Mini-Cricket Festival / Curro Century City Mini Cricket Festival
Sunday 2 March
Dr Seuss' Birthday
Tuesday 11 March
Happy Birthday Christopher Robin Pre-Primary
Friday 14 March
Happy Birthday Nadia Rabe
Grade 3R, 1L, 2L & 3L cake sale
Monday 17 March
Monday Gr 1 "My First Photograph in Gr 1" in JP library
Tuesday 18 March
Grade 2 and 3 Individual Photographs
Wednesday 19 March
18:00 'Autumn Awakening' Choir Concert
Friday 21 March
Public Holiday: Human Rights Day
Tuesday 25 March
Reports Released
Report Feedback Meetings
Wednesday 26 March
Report Feedback Meetings
Thursday 27 March
Report Feedback Meetings
Friday 28 March
Last day of the Quarter
Saturday 29 March:
Happy Birthday Sisanda Mvulana
Cake sales
Classes will all have an opportunity to host a cake sale and there is much excitement as the children eagerly look forward to this treat. 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 the year's money in advance to be kept safely locked away (i.e. 6 cake sales x R10=R60.00) or send in R10 on cake sale days.
If you are able to assist at your class cake sale from 09h40, please notify your child’s class teacher.
Friday 14 February: Grade 3P and 3A Cake Sale
Friday 14 March: Grade 3R, 1L, 2L & 3L Cake sale
Friday 9 May: Grade 2R and Grade 2K Cake Sale
Friday 30 May: Grade 2P & 2A Cake Sale
Friday 19 September: Grade 1P & 1A Cake Sale
Friday 24 October: Grade 1R & 1K Cake Sale
STAFFING
Our Team
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chantel Lamb
Principal
clamb@parklands.co.za
Emma Oxley-Simpson
Associate Principal
eoxleysimpson@parklands.co.za
Roché Buckle
Head of Culture
rbuckle@parklands.co.za
Elise Crouse
Head of Media Centres
ecrouse@parklands.co.za
Jared Margetts
Head of Sport
jmargetts@parklands.co.za
ADMINISTRATION
EDUCATORS
Sharon Louw
Learning Enrichment Centre: Gr 1-3 slouw@parklands.co.za
Khanya Mbikwana
isiXhosa
kmbikwana@parklands.co.za
Licia Hammond
Aftercare and Learning Enrichment Centre Assistant
lhammond@parklands.co.za
GRADE HEAD
Grade 1P
Siobhan Duke
sduke@parklands.co.za
Grade 1A
Kerri-Leigh Illman klillman@parklands.co.za
Grade 1R
Samantha Naidoo
samnaidoo@parklands.co.za
Grade 1K
Carmen Thyssen
cthyssen@parklands.co.za
GRADE HEAD
Grade 2P
Karen Hunt
khunt@parklands.co.za
Grade 2A
Tammy Labuschagne
tlabuschagne@parklands.co.za
Grade 2R
Caressa Manickum
cmanickum@parklands.co.za
Grade 2K
Nadia Rabe
nrabe@parklands.co.za
GRADE HEAD
Grade 3P
Cara de Aguiar
cdeaguiar@parklands.co.za
Grade 3A
Anine De Lange
adelange@parklands.co.za
Grade 3R
Andrea Martch
amartch@parklands.co.za
SPORT
ROBOTICS
CULTURE
ART
Kirsten Hartley
khartley@parklands.co.za
MUSIC
Thurloe Ernstzen
ternstzen@parklands.co.za
MUSIC
Serena Domingo
sdomingo@parklands.co.za
DRAMA
Roché Buckle
rbuckle@parklands.co.za
DANCE
Sylvia Stander
sstander@parklands.co.za
DANCE
Candice Holder
cholder@parklands.co.za
DANCE
Amy Dean
adean@parklands.co.za
REQUIREMENTS
Device Requirements
Please click on the link below to view the device requirements for this year.
For IT- related queries contact Christian Oertel, Network Manager - choertel@parklands.co.za
Stationery 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.
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.
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)
Uniform Requirements
The Parklands College uniform can be purchased at School and Leisure. They are situated in the N1 shopping mall and online.
Website: https://www.schoolandleisure.co.za/pages/parklands-college
Telephone: (021) 914 0495, extension 341: Gabeebah Petersen
Email: tygervalley@schoolandleisure.co.za
Please ensure that all uniform items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This assists in returning missing items to the rightful owner.
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.
Houses & House Points
Our school houses are Oxford (yellow), Yale (red), Harvard (green) and Cambridge (blue). The house system provides opportunities for each learner to develop friendships across all levels within the College, and at the same time provides occasions for a healthy spirit of competition. Learners earn “house points” for internal sports and cultural activities, as well as outreach projects. Each teacher and learner is assigned to a house upon enrolment.
Please note that learners will be allocated houses in the next few weeks and house shirts will not be required immediately. House shirts may be purchased from School and Leisure once our new learners have been allocated houses.
For new learners, within the first few weeks, a badge will also be ordered and issued to your child to wear on their blazer.
HEALTH
Lunch and Snacks
Learners require a packed lunch box and a bottle of water for an early morning snack and two break times. Please note that Parklands College is a nut free zone and no nut butters i.e. peanut butter or nuts may be sent to school. Learners store their lunchbox and water bottles in the classroom. All items must be clearly marked with your child's name. There are NO tuckshop facilities for the Junior Preparatory learners.
Medication
Should your child have a medical condition/ allergy /require prescribed medication to be administered, please e-mail Meagan Petersen on mkotze@parklands.co.za or Sisanda Mvulana on smvulana@parklands.co.za.
Immunisation schedule
Please ensure that your child’s immunisations are up to date and forward a copy of the updated immunisation record to the secretary once your child has received the vaccine.
Department of Health recommended schedule: Childhood Immunisation Schedule
Ed-Admin Multi-Portal Installation
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/id646910856
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.
PARENT & LEARNER DIRECTORY
Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Junior Preparatory learners.
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
Congratulations to all our learners, parents, and staff on a successful first week of school. We look forward to continuing this momentum in the weeks to come and sharing in the many achievements, big and small, that lie ahead. Let’s make this a year to remember!
We would like to wish all our Chinese families a happy new year for this coming Wednesday, 29 January.
This weekly memo is sent out every Friday and is our main form of communication and includes important information regarding the College.
Wishing all our families a relaxing weekend.
