Junior Preparatory Weekly Memo
8 November 2025
Dear Parents
Our Grade Ones shared a lovely message about kindness in assembly on Monday.
9b41b985-c424-4ed8-a0af-89e56775e8d4.MOVWe are very proud of our Grade Three Robotics learners who took part in an in-house World Robotics Olympiad competition and received certificates in assembly—well done on this wonderful achievement!
It’s that time of the year again as our Pre-Primary learners are getting ready for their annual end-of-year concert. Our Junior Preparatory learners were invited to watch and be an audience for the little performers. What a delightful concert and we wished all the Christopher Robin learners the best of luck!
IMG_8101.MOVIMG_8100.MOVThe Grade 3s enjoyed their outing to Kirstenbosch Gardens today. They had great fun learning about plants and trees.
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.
2025 INFORMATION
DEVICE REQUIREMENTS
Please click on the link below to view the device requirements for next year.
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.
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.
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.
Waltons Stationery Letter (How to Order)
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
Exciting News: Grade 3 Entrepreneurship Day!
All Grade 1-3 learners may wear civvies (clothes that are not too special to get a little spray, slime, nail polish, dirt on)
Mark your calendars!
On Friday, 22 November, our Grade 3 learners will host their much-anticipated Entrepreneurship Day! This is a fantastic opportunity for our young entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and business skills, and they have some exciting services lined up for everyone.
The Grade 3s have put together a variety of fun stations for learners to enjoy, including:
- Funky Hairstyles to add a bit of flair to your look
- Nail Painting for colourful, cool nails
- Tenpin Bowling for some friendly competition
- Fake Tattoos to rock some creative designs
- Rubik’s Cube Competitions for the puzzlers
- … and much more!
Who’s Invited?
Grade 1 and 2 learners are invited to join us for this fun-filled morning and experience all the creative services that the Grade 3s have to offer.
Cost and Budgeting:
Each station will cost R5. Children are welcome to bring as many R5s as they want, depending on how many stations your child would like to visit.
To build the excitement, the Grade 3s will also be walking around, giving sneak peeks and advertising their stations in the days leading up to the event.
We can’t wait for a fantastic morning of creativity, fun, and budding business minds at work.
See you there!
The Grade 3 Team
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
Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival: 09 Nov ‘24
We are very excited for our mini cricket festival tomorrow and hope to see lots of families at our Secondary Faculty. Please note there have been slight changes to the programme and field layout.
Mini Cricket 2024 Parklands College Festival Letter.pdf
On Monday afternoon, three U9s were asked to step in and support the U10s in a cricket match against Van Riebeekstrand Primary. The constant downpour of heavy rain clouds could not dampen their enthusiasm, and the game went ahead! The team won by four wickets. Well done to Blake, Zachariah, and Cooper! We are so proud of you all.
Thank you to our U10s who were very supportive and welcoming of the three younger players.
The U9 cricket boys played their last match against Blouberg Ridge on Thursday and won by 22 runs. We have watched their skills develop throughout the season and are very proud of them. The Player of the Match was Raphael. Well done, boys!
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.
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.
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.
On Saturday 26 October, Bailey successfully completed her Orange belt Grading in Krav Maga Self Defence. Well done, Bailey!
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.
Junior Chefs
The Junior Chefs had a messy but tasty lesson this week as they all became sushi masters! Get your orders in ...
OUTREACH
Thank you to all our families for your generous donations for the Santa Shoebox Project. We pledged 80 boxes which were dropped off on Thursday. A VERY special shout out to Cara De Aguiar for organising all our outreach for the year. Cara, you have such a big heart and put so much effort into our projects to help others - THANK YOU!
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill “
WhatsApp Video 2024-11-07 at 21.23.54.mp4
LIBRARY NEWS
At this time of the year new books are arriving constantly. David Walliams is a great favourite with our learners of all age groups, and his new mystery novel created much enthusiasm this week. As can be expected from this author, the story is hilarious and also features great illustrations by Adam Stower. However, it also provides an opportunity to teach the elements that can be expected in the mystery genre. The SP learners already have some favourite mystery series to compare with, like the wonderful Adventures on Trains and Scarlet and Ivy.
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...
Join us for a Full Moon Hike at Intaka Island on Thursday, 15 November 2024, starting at 18:30!
The Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH) has identified a concept for each Full Moon to celebrate South Africa’s rich heritage, and this month we experience the enchantment of the Milk Moon, celebrating a vital agricultural product with historical significance in our country.
What to bring: Please remember to bring a torch!
Pet policy: Due to the environmental impact caused by dogs, no dogs are permitted on Intaka Island's nature reserve.
Tickets are R110 per person and can be purchased via Quicket:http://www.quicket.co.za/events/287858-full-moon-hike/. For more information, please email info@intaka.co.za or call 021 552 6889.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
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