Dear Parents, 

Welcome to an exciting new year at Christopher Robin Pre-Primary! As we begin another special chapter of learning and growth, we are delighted to welcome back our children and to meet the new families joining our school.

The start of a school year is always filled with anticipation, new routines, and wonderful opportunities for each child to explore, learn, and grow. This year promises engaging activities, hands-on learning experiences, and many joyful moments. We look forward to working closely with you to make this a happy and successful year for every child.

Thank you to all parents for the well-attended orientation and parent meetings held last Friday. We trust that these sessions have supported a smooth and confident start to the school year.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me, Riëtte Pieterse at:
📞 021 521 2710
📧 rpieterse@parklands.co.za

2026 Parent Meeting Information 

AFTERCARE REMINDER

Please note that the school is locked promptly at 16:45 each day. We kindly ask that children are collected on time, allowing our dedicated staff to return home to their own families.

A late collection fee of R250 per half-hour (or part thereof) will apply for children collected from aftercare after 17:00. Late collection can be distressing for children and may lead to feelings of anxiety or uncertainty.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

SHOWS

We enrich our curriculum with carefully selected, tailor-made shows that reinforce learning in an interactive, enjoyable way. If you have not yet done so, please take a moment to complete the consent forms for your child.

Grade 0000 Shows Consent Form

Grade 000 Shows Consent Form

Grade 00 Shows Consent Form

Grade R Shows Consent Form  

SUMMER QUARTER EXTRA-MURAL SIGN-UP

We are looking forward to the start of extra-murals on Monday, 26 January. We are particularly excited about the FIRST® Robotics Co-curricular Programme and look forward to many happy moments in the specialist labs and venues.

In Pre-Primary, it is especially important to lay a solid foundation of unplugged coding skills, and the bigger the equipment, the better for the child. The signed-up children will be divided into two groups:
• Grade 00 will be coached by Nikki Niemand, and
• Grade R by their coach, Khanya Mbikwana.

The groups will alternate between the Block Room (Junior Preparatory, Room 6) and the Robotics Lab in the Junior Preparatory building.

A light snack will be provided to keep little tummies happy. If children are not collected at 15:00 from these venues, they will join the aftercare groups. If not enrolled in full-time aftercare, a recurring aftercare fee will be charged.

Ballet Uniform Fitting

31 January:   Ballet Basics Uniform Fitting - 7B Sandown Campus at 09H00 - 11H00

PRE-PRIMARY PARENT AND LEARNER INFORMATION DIRECTORY 

Please follow the link to our Parent and Learner Information Directory. 

What Does Your Child Need For School This Year? 

As we begin the new school year, please find below a brief overview of what each grade will require. This will help ensure your child is ready, comfortable, and prepared to learn from the very first day.

TINY TOTS AND TOTS:

During your parent-teacher meeting, your child’s teacher will go through specific requirements. In general, please provide:

• Wet wipes

• Nappy cream

• Nappies

• A soft toy (if needed for sleep time)

• Pacifier (if used)

• Milk and bottle (if needed for sleep time)

• A full change of clothes

• Bag

• Hat

• Sunblock

• Water bottle

GRADE 000 - PIGLET'S AND TIGGER'S:

• Wet wipes

• Tissues

• A full change of clothes

• Bag

• Hat

• Sunblock

• Water bottle

GRADE 00 - HONEY BEE'S, POOH BEAR'S & ROO'S:

• Wet wipes

• Tissues

• A full change of clothes

• Bag

• Hat

• Sunblock

• Water bottle

GRADE R - CHRISTOPHER ROBIN'S, EDWARD BEAR'S, KANGA'S, OWL'S & RABBIT'S HOUSE:

• Wet wipes

• Tissues

• A full change of clothes

• Bag

• Hat

• Sunblock

• Water bottle

GRADE R STATIONERY REMINDER: 

Please remember to send proof of payment for the Waltons Grade R Stationery Pack:

The Grade R stationery kit for 2026 is payable via Credit Card, Direct Deposit or EFT to Waltons. This kit will be used daily to support handwriting, literacy, and numeracy in a fun and informal way. All paid stationery packs have been delivered to the school and has been issued directly to your child’s class teacher.

Outstanding stationery kits must be paid by Monday, 26 Januray, as the children will start using it from then. 

Grade R Stationery Requirements 

Outreach 

A PEEK INTO OUR WEEK

It has been a lovely week of getting back into routines and enjoying time together. The children have been busy exploring, playing, and trying new activities. There were lots of little moments of laughter, curiosity, and learning along the way. Enjoy the photographs and short videos showing some of what we’ve been up to.

Summer Quarter 2026

Summer Quarter Important Dates 

SUMMER QUARTER:

26 January: Extra murals commence

30 January: CRPP group photograph at 09:00 (Grade 000 - R) 

30 January: Cake Sale: Grade R (Rabbit’s, Owl’s and Kanga’s)

31 January: Ballet Basics Uniform Fitting - 7B Sandown Campus
09H00 - 11H00

2 February: Happy Birthday Annastacia Mvulana 

4 February: World Read Aloud Day - Bring your teddy and read in garden 

6 February: Happy Birthday Chloe Mathee 

13 February: Friendship Dress-Up Day @R20- donating to Casual Day (People with Disabilities)  

13 February: Group Photograph at 9:00 Crackerjacks 100 Aker Wood Garden 

14 February: Happy Birthday Ingrid Lubbe

14 February: Open Day 

16 February: Happy Birthday Olivia Arendse

17 February: Playlab (Grade 000) 09:00 - 10:00 

18 February: Playlab (Grade 0000) 09:00 - 10:00

19 February: Playlab (Grade R Edward Bear’s / Rabbit’s) 08:00 - 09:00 

19 February: Playlab (Grade R Kanga’s / Owl’s) 11:00 - 12:00 

20 February: Playlab (Grade 00) 08:00 - 09:00
20 February: Playlab Grade R (Christopher Robin’s House) 11:00 - 12:00 

20 February: Cake Sale: Grade 00 and Grade R (Christopher Robin’s House) Cake Sale 

27 February: Making Fruit Kebabs (All grades) 

1 March: Happy Birthday Nadine Fourie 

2 March: Happy Birthday Vuyo Raqa 

9 March: Happy Birthday Abigail De Witt

11 March: Happy Birthday CRPP 46

Everywhere Experience - Circus Performance 

Evening Sunset Picnic 17:00 - 19:00 in the garden 

13 March: Cake Sale: Grade 000, Crackerjacks and Grade R (Edward Bear’s) Cake Sale 

15 March: Happy Birthday Riëtte Pieterse and Eric Mkangeli

16 March: Grade R Reports sent to parents

16-20 March: ExtraMural Open Week 

17-25 March: Grade 0000 - 00 Feedback meetings & Grade R Report meetings

21 March: Public Holiday - Human Rights Day

26 March: Last day of the quarter (school closes at 13:00 - No Aftercare) 

2026 Information 

2026 Dates

Summer Quarter: 20 Jan - 26 March 

Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 24 June 

Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 Sept 

Spring Quarter: 14 Oct - 4 Dec 

STAFFING

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to share our staffing for the new year. Our teachers and support staff will continue to bring their warmth, care, and enthusiasm into each day, making sure our little ones feel safe, loved, and ready to learn. We’re also welcoming a few new staff members, and we know they’ll fit in beautifully and add something special to our school. 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Grade 0000

Shannon Marx - smarx@parklands.co.za

Olivia Arendse - oarendse@parklands.co.za

Ingrid Lubbe - ilubbe@parklands.co.za

Grade 000

Erin Liggett - eliggett@parklands.co.za

Lauren Medcalf - lmedcalf@parklands.co.za

Grade 00

Chloe Mathee - cmathee@parklands.co.za

Sydney Kohn - skohn@parklands.co.za

Nadia Leitao - nleitao@parklands.co.za

Grade R 

Tali Maltz - tmaltz@parklands.co.za

Abigail de Witt - adewitt@parklands.co.za

Chanay de Klerk - cdeklerk@parklands.co.za

Nadine Fourie - nfourie@parklands.co.za

Jerusha Ismail - jismail@parklands.co.za

Chef

Kerry Kemp - kkemp@parklands.co.za

Nurse
Amy Dolley - adolley@parklands.co.za

Office
Liezl Stander - lstander@parklands.co.za

Deputy Principal:
Kim Truebody - ktruebody@parklands.co.za

Principal: 

Riëtte Pieterse - rpieterse@parklands.co.za

Theme Discussions

We are passionate about a creative, rich, authentic, and layered approach to learning for our little ones. Theme-related learning allows for the child to learn about their world and the world around them. Below is an overview of our Summer Quarter weekly theme discussions and learning focus, as well as an overview of the 2026 themes.

Please click on the link below for details on our summer quarter theme discussions in each grade:

Grade 0000 Theme Discussions 

Grade 000 Theme Discussions 

Grade 00 Theme Discussions 

Grade R Theme Discussions 

Conclusion

🌱 What Habits Do Children Pick Up Without Us Realizing?

Children are curious learners. From their first steps to their first words, they pick up so much just by watching and interacting with the adults around them. The ways we move, speak, and respond often become quiet lessons that stay with them for years.

👀 How Children Learn by Watching

• Little Movements: Infants start by copying simple actions, like clapping hands.

• Sounds & Words: They mimic gestures, sounds, and eventually words, which helps with communication.

• Social Cues: Watching others helps them understand sharing, taking turns, and responding to emotions.

• Everyday Routines: Simple things, like getting ready for the day, can show them how adults approach tasks.

💡 Everyday Habits They Notice

Kids pick up more than we sometimes realize. They notice:

• How we react to frustration or disappointment 😤

• How we deal with mistakes

• How we treat others 🤝

• How we ask for help

• How we care for ourselves, animals 🐾, and the world around us 🌍

Even small actions—listening patiently, showing curiosity, or lending a hand—can leave a lasting impression.

🎉 Fun Ways to Explore This Week

💪 Brain & Body Exercise: Try patting your head while rubbing your tummy—it’s tricky but fun!

🎨 Pattern Play: Give children some blocks and let them create simple patterns.

⚽ Coordination Game: Kick a ball to each other, first with the right foot, then the left.

✨ Something to Think About

“Children don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” – Jim Henson

Take a moment to notice what your little ones might be learning from you today—it’s often the small, everyday things.