Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
8 August 2025
8 August 2025
Dear Parents
Please take note of the following important points and dates:
📸 NEW LEARNER Individual Photos - Tuesday 12 August at 09:00 in the Library. Learners to please wear their full uniform with blazers.
Derby Day: Parklands College vs Somerset College - Saturday 16 August
Come dressed in blue and white, bring the noise, and come support our Parkies.
Emergency Contact Details
We would like to remind you that it is imperative for us to be able to contact you or a member of your family or a close friend in the case of an emergency. Kindly visit the Edana App and check the contact details in the fields provided. To ensure that the information is complete and correct, it is vital that the contact numbers are accessible at all times by the College.
This is a very important request, and we are asking you to comply immediately as a safety precaution.
Please select your profile, then "Contact Information" update, and "Emergency Contacts" and update accordingly. Please click on the link for step by step guidance.
Amended Parent & Learner Directory
The Parent and Learner Directory has been amended. Please click on the links in the directory to view the updated sections:
👉Learner Code of Conduct (#22) and
👉Learner Attendance Policy (#1)
👉Link to Information Directory
Contact:
Staff email addresses: Staffing
General Preparatory email address: prep@parklands.co.za
IT queries: Christian Oertel, Network Manager - choertel@parklands.co.za
We are so proud of our learners for their outstanding performance in the Madagascar Junior production! A big thank you to the Culture Department for their hard work and dedication in creating a space for the learners to shine. Here are some snapshot highlights of their shining moments on stage.
The Grade Twos enjoyed a wonderful trip to Intaka Island this week and had a great time exploring and learning. Some of our learners shared what they enjoyed the most about the outing.
“I liked everything!” - Shreya
“My favourite part was the hike because we saw lots of birds and we had to tick them off on a checklist.“- Amani
“The boat ride was the best because we saw lots of ducks!” - Sydney
“I liked seeing all the different birds.” - Damon
“I liked making the water filter. Our one didn’t work the first time but that didn’t matter because we got to do it over again.” - Lily
“My favourite part was the water filter because the water was so clear.” - Parah
“I liked the boat ride because I liked learning about all the birds and the fish.” - Ntokozo
“I really liked the hike!” - Kyaan
Our Grade Three learners recently enjoyed a wonderful outing to the Artscape Theatre to watch Vlooi, a delightful Afrikaans production based on the much-loved character from the popular Oxford Reading Tree books. This outing formed part of our Afrikaans First Additional Language and Second Additional Language curriculum and provided learners with an opportunity to experience the language in a fun, engaging and memorable way.
Mrs Thyssen's class exploring the analogue clock and learning to tell the time.
We celebrated spiders this week. As usual, the topic was prompted by the arrival of a new book, Kids’ Spiders of Southern Africa.The editor of this informative book is Helene Booyens, who addressed our Grade 3 - 6 classes on World Environment Day in June. The Grade 2's and 3’s played an exhilarating game of Kahoot! based on the book, and learnt some really strange facts about spiders. Ask them about it!
The Grade 1's had much fun and lots of giggles as we read the hilarious Diary of a Spider together. It was fascinating to experience school life through the eyes of a spider, who has a vacuum cleaner drill (vacuum cleaners are very dangerous for spiders!), takes his moulted skin for show-and-tell, and learns to release silk and catch the wind during PE.
This quarter we are excited to launch our Be the Change Outreach Q3, focused on giving back to our community in a meaningful way. Our goal is to create 100 care packages for the residents of Ria Abel Retirement Home.
Each grade has been assigned specific items to collect, from wet wipes and tissues to soap, toothpaste and more, as shown in the image below. We also hope to add mini chocolates to each care package as a small, thoughtful treat. Any donations towards these sweet treats are warmly welcomed.
The final date for collections is 12 September 2025.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. Together we can brighten someone’s day and remind our elderly community members that they are seen, valued and cared for.
College blazers
Please be reminded that all learners need to wear the new striped blazer from the start of 2026, with the obvious exception of those who wear Honours Blazers. To ensure timely delivery, we advise you to place your order with our uniform supplier, School and Leisure, early.
Second hand school uniforms
Please contact Tania Fourie if you would like to buy or sell good quality second-hand uniforms. She is also the supplier of Froggy School shoes. Contact details: +27 83 631 7683 or tania@sportstudio.co.za
The Grade 1 - 3 culture and sport programme has commenced. All sport, dance and music will continue as it was in the 2nd quarter.
Sign-ups for Design Society, Drama Society and Junior Chefs are now closed.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Excitement is mounting across Parklands College as we head into Derby Day Weekend. Come join us and cheer for our older teams next Saturday.
This past week marked the return of competitive fixtures for our Junior Prep learners, and what a thrilling start it has been. Across the Hockey, Rugby, and Netball fields and courts, there was no shortage of action, enthusiasm, and team spirit.
Coaches and supporters were met with determined players, big smiles, and moments of brilliance - proof that the hard work from Quarter 2 is already paying off.
U7 Netballers Make History
Next week brings a particularly special moment as our U7 Netballers step onto the court for their first official matches against Curro and Riverside. This marks a historic milestone for the Junior Prep Netball programme.
Saturday, 16 August 2025
Parklands College vs Somerset College Derby
💙 Come dressed in blue and white, bring the noise, and support our teams in what is always the biggest sporting event of the year!
MOCK Version: Derby Day Programme
What an exciting week of sport it’s been! Our Netball, Rugby, and Hockey teams were in action, bringing energy, determination, and heaps of school spirit to the courts and fields.
Our Netball girls showed grit and great progress across all age groups:
U8 White | Lost 4–0
U8 Blue | Drew 0–0
U9A | Won 3–0 – ⭐ Player of the Match: Liyana
U9B | Won 5–1 – ⭐ Player of the Match: Lunathi
Each game offered moments of excellent teamwork, strong defense, and promising talent. A special mention goes to Liyana and Lunathi for their standout performances!
Our boys took on Pinehurst in a tough Rugby fixture and, despite a 9–1 result, showed enormous heart and resilience. The game was a valuable learning opportunity for the team, and we’re proud of how they kept their spirits high.
Players of the Match: Hudson and Renier.
For their safety, learners are required to wear a gum guard and shin pads for hockey, and a gum guard for rugby. They may NOT PARTICIPATE in practices or games without this.
Sport Quick Links
Winter Quarter
Friday 22 August:
Grade 1 PBL: Occupations
Cape Town Eisteddfod in Senior Preparatory Hall
Monday 1 September:
First Day of Spring
Wednesday 3 September:
Happy Birthday Sharon Louw
Friday 12 September:
Funky Socks Day
Saturday 13 September:
Roald Dahl Day
Open Day
Monday 15 September:
International Dot Day
Tuesday 16 September:
Happy Birthday Sam Naidoo
Thursday 18 September:
Reports Released
Report Feedback Meetings
Friday 19 September:
Happy Birthday Amy Dean
Grade 1P and 1A Cake Sale
Saturday 20 September:
Happy Birthday Efraim Cupido
Tuesday 23 September:
Last day of the quarter
Wednesday 24 September:
Public Holiday-Heritage Day
Thursday 2 October:
Rosh Hashanah
Saturday 4 October:
Happy Birthday Cara de Aguiar
Sunday 5 October:
World Teachers' Day
Happy Birthday Tammy Labuschagne
Tuesday 7 October:
Happy Birthday Roché Buckle
Thursday 9 October:
Happy Birthday Licia Hammond
Spring Quarter
Tuesday 14 October: Learners Return
Wednesday 15 October: Grade 1's sing at our Matric Valedictory: Consent: Gr 1's singing at Valedictory
Friday 17 October: Grade 1R & 1K Cake sale
Saturday 18 October:
Open Day
Happy Birthday Siobhan Duke
Monday 27 October: Happy Birthday Nadine Marais-Swart
Thursday 30 October: Grade 2 Outing to Kirstenbosch
Friday 31 October:
Grade 3 Outing to Babylonstoren
Grade 1 PBL: Healthy Eating
Wednesday 12 November: Diwali
Thursday 27 November: JP Growing Minds Celebration
Friday 28 November: Grade 1 Giraffe House Outing
Tuesday 2 December: Candice Holder’s Birthday
Friday 5 December: Last day of the quarter
Sunday 14 December: Happy Birthday Mrs Oxley-Simpson and Mrs Thyssen
Wednesday 24 December: Happy Birthday Mrs Manickum
Dates for 2025
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
Summer Quarter: 19 Jan - 26 March
Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 25 June
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 4 December
Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Junior Preparatory learners.
College parents are able to list their businesses in our Parent Business Directory for free – www.parklands.co.za/parent-business-directory/.
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...
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 19 September: Grade 1P & 1A Cake Sale
Friday 17 October: Grade 1R & 1K Cake Sale (Please note this change)
With heartfelt appreciation, we wish all the remarkable women in our Parkie community a wonderful Women’s Day tomorrow. Thank you for all that you do!