Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
15 January 2025
Dear Parents,
I want to take this opportunity to wish our children and parents all the best for the new year. I look forward to working with our existing families and acquainting myself with the new families joining us. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 021 521 2710 or email me at rpieterse@parklands.co.za
We warmly invite you and your child to attend the Learner Orientation and Parent Information Day on Friday, 17 January:
09:00 - 10:00 Grade 0000 (Crackerjacks)
10:30 - 11:30 Grade 000
12:00 - 13:00 Grade 00
13:30 - 14:30 Grade R
This will be a great opportunity for your child to meet their teacher, get acquainted with their classroom, and for you to receive important information and connect with the teacher.
For a smooth and efficient start to the year, kindly complete the forms below:
PARENT CONTACT DETAILS, ALLERGY AND AFTERCARE FORM
Kindly follow the link below to complete the form, which you are welcome to obtain from your class teacher should you wish to use this information to contact parents for birthday parties.
Parent Contact Details, Aftercare and Allergy Consent Form
SHOWS
We enrich our curriculum with carefully selected, tailor-made shows that reinforce learning interactively and enjoyably. If you have not yet done so, please take a moment to complete the consent forms for your child.
SUMMER QUARTER EXTRA MURAL SIGN-UP
Please follow the link below to sign up your little one for the Summer Quarter Extra Mural activities. The cut-off date for sign-ups is Thursday, 23 January. After that, the form will be locked for submissions, and extra murals will start on Monday, 27 January.
Summer Quarter Extra Mural Sign-up Form
Due to the wide selection of activities on offer, some extra murals will take place at the same time, and parents/learners will, therefore, have to make a choice. The Grade R daily programme is enriched with weekly compulsory swimming lessons, Robotics lessons, recorder lessons, and isiXhosa lessons, all included in their tuition fee. Should you wish to enroll your little one in beginner piano lessons, a piano at home is not required. Parents are welcome to contact W. Heuer for rental options. To book a piano or for more details, contact Hans: E-mail hans@heuerpianos.co.za or call 021 8872938.
For more information on the various offered extra murals, kindly follow this link:
PRE-PRIMARY PARENT AND LEARNER INFORMATION DIRECTORY
Please follow the link to our Parent and Learner Information Directory.
2024 Matric Results
Congratulations to our Matriculants of 2024 on their outstanding results.
Health
Back to School.pdf2025
2025 Dates
Please note that there has been a slight change to the 2025 dates indicated in blue below:
Provisional 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 Sept
Spring Quarter: 14 October – 05 December
Important Dates - Summer Quarter 2025
5 January: Happy Birthday Tammy Shuttleworth
9 January: Happy Birthday Rita Kumalo
17 January: 09:00 - 10:00 Grade 0000 Orientation Day & Parent Meeting (All)
10:30 - 11:30 Grade 000 Orientation Day & Parent Meeting (All)
12:00 - 13:00 Grade 00 Orientation Day & Parent Meeting (All)
13:30 - 14:30 Grade R Orientation Day & Parent Meeting (All)
20 January: First day of school
25 January: Ballet Basics fitting at Secondary Campus 08:30 - 11:00
(Ballet Basics will be at Sandown 7B for dance uniform fittings for all our dancers from Pre-
Primary to Grade 12.)
27 January: Extra murals commence
31 January: Grade R Cake Sale
5 February: World Read Aloud Day - donate a book
6 February: Happy Birthday Chloe Mathee
7 February: CRPP group photograph
10 February: Teddy Bear’s Day (picnic lunch & bring a teddy bear to school)
14 February: Friendship Dress-Up Day @R20- donating to Casual Day (People with Disabilities - Friends
Daycare Centre)
Manner for Minors: Friendship Show (Grade 000 - R)
14 February: Happy Birthday Ingrid Lubbe
15 February: Open Day
21 February: Grade 00 Cake Sale
28 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 Christopher Robin Pre-Primary 45 years
Jig Saw Children’s Theatre: Seasons and Colours Show (ALL)
14 March: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks Cake Sale
15 March: Happy Birthday Riëtte Pieterse
24-27 March: Grade 0000 - 00 Feedback meetings & Grade R Report meetings
21 March: Public Holiday - Human Rights Day
28 March: Last day of the quarter (school closes at 13:00)
Staffing and classes
As we step into this new year, we extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated teachers and support staff. Their thoughtful preparation ensures a welcoming and supportive environment for every little person. We look forward to a year of growth, exploration, and meaningful experiences. Here's to a great start to 2025!
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 2025 themes.
Please click on the link below for details on our summer quarter theme discussions in each grade:
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...
We are excited to begin this journey together and look forward to all this year's wonderful moments. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work hand in hand to make 2025 a memorable and fulfilling year for everyone.
I thought I would include a couple of tips from the book “Worries and Fears” written by Dr John Pearce, for those parents whose little ones need help to settle in.
Say goodbye quickly and be happy and confident.
The best thing you can do is smile and give your child a big hug
Watch out for your anxiety –Be calm and confident in yourself
Avoid reassuring your child too much-they may think there is something to worry about.
Establish a strong link in the child’s mind between growing up and going to school
Establish a goodbye routine i.e. a secret handshake or hug. That special moment between the two of you is a great way to start the day and provide that sense of reassurance.
Trust your child’s teacher and ask them to keep in touch with you daily until your little one has settled.
Acknowledge how your child is feeling. It is important to accept and respect your child’s feelings. Believe it or not, learning to cope with sadness is an important learning process for your child.
Be on time or perhaps arrive at school a little earlier before the daily discussion has started. This will be less overwhelming for your little one.
Encourage friendships. Make a point to set up ‘playdates’ for your child to encourage and promote friendships within the class group.
Try some of the suggestions above and you should notice a significant difference in a couple of days. Please bear in mind that even when progress has been made, Mondays are usually a little tough!
Here’s to a fantastic start and a year filled with growth and joy!
Riëtte Pieterse
Principal: Christopher Robin Pre-Primary
E-mail: rpieterse@parklands.co.za
Tel: 0861 EDUCATE
LINKS TO THE BLOGS FROM THE PREPARATORY AND SECONDARY FACULTY
JP: https://jpblog.parklands.co.za
SP: https://spblog.parklands.co.za
Sec: https://secblog.parklands.co.za
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