Dear Parents,

A gentle reminder of how important it is for children to arrive at school on time each morning. When children arrive late, they often miss out on valuable lessons such as Robotics, isiXhosa, and Ball Skills, all of which play an important role in their development and daily learning.

A calm, punctual start also allows children to settle in, spend time with their friends, and feel prepared for the day ahead.

Why Arriving on Time Matters

Arriving on time is more than just about the clock. It’s about giving children the gift of routine, security, and a sense of belonging.

• Establishing Healthy Routines: Children thrive on structure. Consistent arrival helps them build lifelong habits of responsibility and time management.
  
  

• Time to Settle and Play: These moments of calm help them feel settled and ready for the day’s learning.
  
  

• Being Present from the Start: When children arrive late, they miss greetings, opening routines, or even the start of a lesson. This can leave them feeling unsettled or behind, and repeated late arrivals may affect both confidence and progress.
  
  

• Teaching Responsibility and Belonging: Arriving on time shows children that their presence matters. They are part of the morning ring discussions, class routines, and the shared learning journey.
  
  

Arriving on time helps children develop healthy habits, feel secure, and begin each day with confidence. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference for both learning and wellbeing.

School Times

• Christopher Robin opens at 07h30 and closes promptly at 17h00.

• Class activities begin at 08h30, and in Grade R, they start earlier at 08h00.

• Morning-only collection: between 13h00 and 14h00.

• Parents are kindly requested to collect their children on time.

Crackerjacks (1 - 3 years):

• Rest time: 12h00 – 14h00.

• Aftercare: 14h00 – 17h00.

Grade 000 (Piglets, Tiggers) and 00 (Honey Bees, Pooh Bears, Roos):

• Collection: 13h00 – 14h00.

• Aftercare: 14h00 – 17h00.

• Learners staying for aftercare are encouraged to rest between 13h00 – 14h00.

Grade R (Kangas, Owls, Rabbits):

• Collection: 13h00 – 14h00.

• Aftercare: 14h00 – 17h00.

Thank you for helping us ensure that every child starts their day the right way, on time, calm, and ready to learn! Collection is between 13h00 and 14h00, and aftercare starts at 14h00 and ends at 17h00. 

‼️Spring Quarter Extra Mural Sign Up Form‼️

Please use the link below to sign your child up for the Spring Quarter Extra Murals.  Sign-ups close on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. No late sign-ups will be allowed, as there are only 8 weeks available for the 8 guaranteed lessons. 

Extra murals will start on the first day back next quarter, 14 October 2025.

Spring Quarter Extra Mural Sign Up Form 

Little Chefs Sign Up Form

A Peak Into Our Week 

Tiny Tots 

Our Tiny Tots had such a joyful week filled with colour, creativity, and discovery. With our theme “Look how much I have grown”, our little tiny tots loved looking back at photos of themselves from the start of the year and comparing them to now,  such a special way to see just how much they’ve grown.

Armed with paint rollers, brushes, glue, and lots of imagination, they explored textures, practised important fine motor skills, and decorated their work with wild animals and fuzzy craft balls. With a little gentle guidance, each child made choices that were truly their own, and the pride on their faces said it all.

Watching them grow in confidence, independence, and joy each week is such a privilege; we couldn’t be prouder of our Tiny Tots as they are growing up.

Grade 000

“This week our Grade 000 learners hopped into the world of frogs!  

We discovered how a tiny egg slowly grows into a wriggly tadpole and then, with time, into a jumping frog. To really feel like frogs ourselves, we went outside for a frog movement game, stretching our long legs and hopping around outside with lots of giggles. At the art table, the children painted their very own bright and exotic frogs, each one unique and full of personality. It was a wonderful week of learning, moving, and creating — showing us once again how curious and imaginative our little ones are!”

Roo's House

This week our class has been learning about metamorphosis and the fascinating life cycle of a butterfly. To bring the theme to life, we began by imagining what we might look like if we were butterflies ourselves. The children created wonderful self-portraits with wings, showing off their creativity and unique personalities.

Alongside this imaginative exercise, the children also practiced free-drawing the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle — from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and finally to a butterfly. This activity not only supported their understanding of the science concept but also allowed them to express what they’ve learned in a creative way.

It’s been such a joy to see how imagination and curriculum can come together, helping the children grasp new knowledge while celebrating their creativity.

Pooh Bear's House

What an exciting STEAM lesson we had with Teacher Nikki this week! Our challenge was to build stairs and a bridge, a big step forward from last week’s platforms. Each week our theme of structures grows, and so do the children’s imaginations and skills.

With eager ears, the children listened to the task and got straight to work, carefully placing, balancing, and building. Little fingers worked hard, fine motor skills were put to the test, and ideas turned into real-life creations before our eyes.

There was so much teamwork and problem-solving happening too - children shared ideas, helped each other, and found clever solutions when their structures wobbled or fell.

The best part? The big smiles when they proudly showed off their finished bridges and stairways. It’s safe to say we have some future architects and engineers in our midst!

Honey Bee's House

What an exciting week we’ve had! We explored the life cycle of a butterfly, discovering each stage from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis and beautiful butterfly. Our creativity soared as we made vibrant butterflies using coffee filters and markers, watching colours merge with water taught us how primary colours mix to make secondary colours, blending art with science.

In our phonics corner, each Honey Bee buzzed with excitement as they took turns at the phonics table, revising the “a” sound through fun, tactile activities. These not only build early literacy skills but also help refine our fine motor development - essential for confident writing 

In STEAM Park, Teacher Nikki guided us through building stairs, showing us the importance of a strong foundation, a hands-on lesson in engineering and problem-solving. 

Out in the garden, we joyfully went butterfly spotting, connecting nature with classroom learning. And in our Honey Bees ‘kitchen’, we followed a recipe, mixed ingredients, and baked the most delicious marble cake, thanks to Chef Kerry and Rita. Here we learned all about sequencing, measurement, and teamwork. 

A week full of wonder, creativity, and joyful discovery, where learning came to life in the most magical ways! 

Kanga's House

This week in Kangas, we’ve been tuning in to the world around us with our theme: Sense of Hearing! We started the week by getting crafty, turning paper rolls into colourful shakers! We painted, decorated, and then shook them with pride while singing our favourite songs. The classroom was full of rhythm and smiles!

We played a super fun clapping game, where we repeated patterns faster and slower, our hands were flying, and the giggles were non-stop! Then it was time to turn on our listening ears to hear loud and soft sounds. If it was loud, we raised our hands like superheroes; if it was soft, we folded our arms like sneaky ninjas. And wow, the Kangas nailed it!

Later, we headed outside to get our bodies moving with some silly and strong activities like crab walks, bear walks, and our favourite: the SUPERMAN pose! The fresh air made it even more fun, and there were lots of laughs as we zoomed and crawled across the playground.

To finish the week, we used 6 building bricks to create things that make noise, like jets, race cars, tubas, and drum sets. The teamwork and imagination were incredible! And last week in coding and robotics, the children wowed us again by building amazing houses and bridges, all powered by their bright ideas and big imaginations.

What a week of listening, laughing, building, and flying through fun!

Owl's House

This week the Owls have been exploring the 6 Bricks activities, and what a fun learning experience it has been! Through these simple, hands-on tasks, the children are developing important skills such as listening, memory, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Working in pairs, the Owls followed instructions, remembered patterns, and found creative solutions together. It was wonderful to see how they encouraged each other, shared ideas, and celebrated their successes as a team. 

Rabbit's House

Rabbit's house has been exploring scientific concepts this week. We looked at factors impacting floating and sinking in a body of water, such as the size of the item, buoyancy and water depth. We used objects beginning with our letter of the week to test which could sink, float and move in water.

We also learned about Earth and its warm core and how that relates to volcanoes and lava. We used a National Geographic volcano set to create a volcanic eruption, and observed how chemicals impact one another to cause a reaction. There was great excitement observing the Lava gushing out.

Health

Library Adventure 

Children are naturally curious about their world and often show great interest in nonfiction books. Animals are a favourite topic for many. We have recently acquired this attractive and informative book that shows children how animal groups work together. Animals team up for protection, providing food, sharing body warmth and taking care of their young. Beautiful illustrations and photographs show a variety of fascinating animals demonstrating how teamwork enables them to thrive. From ants to starlings and sardines, there is safety in numbers.  The children learn about the power of teamwork and how we can also use our strengths for the benefit of everyone in the group.  

Elise Crouse - Librarian

Bok Friday

In the spirit of supporting our national team during the upcoming rugby games, we’re inviting all our learners to join in the fun and wear their South African gear or Bokkie shirts to school! 

Let’s fill our classrooms with green and gold, show our proudly South African spirit, and cheer the Bokke on to victory!

2025 Dates 

Summer Quarter: 20 January – 28 March
Autumn Quarter: 08 April- 25 June
*Mid-term break: 29 April – 2 May
Winter Quarter: 22 July – 23 Sept
Spring Quarter: 14 October – 05 December

Winter Quarter Information

Important Dates - Winter Quarter

1 September: SPCA Dress-up Day @R20 donation in celebration of Spring Day

5 September: Grade 00 Cake Sale

9 September: Happy Birthday Kim 

12 September: Reports sent to parents 

13 September: Open Day

13 September: Happy Birthday Ntombi 

15 September: Happy birthday Zodwa 

15 - 22 September: Report Feedback Meetings Grade 0000 - R 

16 September: Special Person’s Day Grade 000 11:00-12:00 (Tea and Coffee for Adults in Foyer) 

17 September: Special Person’s Day Grade 00 11:00-12:00 (Tea and Coffee for Adults in Foyer)

18 September: Special Person’s Day Grade R 11:00-12:00 (Tea and Coffee for Adults in Foyer) 

19 September: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks Cake Sale 

      Special Person’s Day Crackerjacks 10:30 - 11:30 (Tea and Coffee for Adults in Foyer) 

22 September:  Happy Birthday Lungi 

23 September: Gilly Southwood: SA Heritage Day Storytelling and dress-up

23 September Last day of the quarter 

24 September:  Public Holiday: Heritage Day  

OUTREACH 

Grace Outreach NPO – Clothing Drive

A heartfelt thank you to all our families who donated towards the clothing drive this week. We received a wonderful amount of clothing, which was handed over to Grace Outreach this morning. Your generosity will go a long way in helping others, and we are truly grateful for the kindness shown by our school community. 

SPCA Animal Dress-Up Day – 1 September

On Monday, 1 September, we’re supporting the SPCA with a fun Animal Dress-Up Day! Your little one can come to school dressed as any animal of their choice. A donation of R20 will be billed to your account. 🐾

Conclusion

Have a lovely weekend!