Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
7 March 2025
Dear Parents
Above: Lorraine and Werner Roth Above Right: Founding Educators: (Back L-R) J. Booysen, L. Davies, L. Steynberg (Nee Greenway), J. Armstrong, R. Knaggs (Director), G. Douglas, A. Bailly, N. Muller (Front L-R) H. Kreyenbroek, R. van der Merwe, P. O’Brien, L. Ribaudo and L. Torbet. (Highlighted names denote staff who are still with us).
We will be celebrating our 45th birthday on Tuesday, 11 March and on this day in 1980, Lorraine Roth, opened the doors of Christopher Robin Pre-Primary School to the residents of Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. The quality of education provided brought about a well – patronised and respected establishment, which offered care and early learning to young children, aged from six months to six years.
The reputation and quality of the school continued to grow and numerous requests by parents, for the Pre-Primary to offer formal education began. Encouraged by the staunch support of parents we were prompted to search for land to grow the school’s academic offering. As a result of a thorough research process, the Western Seaboard was identified as a potential major growth area. This was further supported by growth and population statistics from the City of Cape Town’s Planning Department. The construction of Parklands College commenced in 1998 in the new suburb of Parklands and in July of the same year, proudly opened the doors of the new Campus in Raats Drive, to 32 learners.
The College was built in phases, in order to accommodate the growth in learner numbers. The window period provided during the construction phases enabled the College to acquire additional land for sports and future developments. Parklands College currently operates from three sites, on approximately twenty-six and a half hectares of land. The growth of the College and Pre-Primary required careful strategic planning, and a decision to develop a new campus for the existing Secondary Faculty was formalised by the Board in February 2010. Parklands College, at 1 College Avenue, opened its doors in January 2012.
The College continues to grow as a result of the outstanding education and foundation our learners receive in our Pre-Primary and we are proud of what has been made available, in order to enrich their academic, cultural and sporting interests. We look forward to providing many more years of outstanding innovative education, beginning in the early years. The success could not have been achieved without the outstanding support we have received from our parents.
Lorraine Roth
Feedback Meetings
As the quarter draws to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to thank all the parents for their support throughout.
We invite parents to a feedback meeting with your child’s class teacher. Click on the class links below to choose a preferred date and time. We encourage every parent to take the time to book and diarise a feedback meeting. This is a very important meeting in terms of your child’s progress and finding out more about their days at school. It is also a wonderful opportunity to have the teacher’s undivided attention and focus on your child. It is a vital aspect of the home-school partnership and it greatly assists each child’s development and progress when we work as a team.
Crackerjacks (feedback meetings)
Tiny Tots 1
Tiny Tots 2
Tots 1
Tots 2
Grade 000 (feedback meetings)
Tigger's House
Piglet's House
Grade 00(feedback meetings)
Pooh Bear's House
Roo's House
Grade R (report feedback meetings)
Kanga's House
Owl's House
Rabbit's House
Grade R reports will be sent on Thursday, 20 March, to all parents, before report feedback meetings next week.
Health

Registered Nurse: Amy Dolley
Library Adventure
Every year we take a little time on the 2nd of March to express our appreciation for an author who has made a tremendous contribution to beginner readers everywhere. Theodor Seuss Geisel has written about 50 wonderful books, filled with lovable characters, while using limited vocabulary and lots of repetition to enable young children to have lots of fun while practising their reading. Children adore the rhyming and ridiculously funny stories and these books deserve a place in every home and classroom. They are perfect for all ages (adults included!) Have you tried one yet?
Thank you for the joy, Dr. Seuss!
Elise Crouse - Library
NOTICES
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate have advised that they will be commencing construction of a median island and relocation of the speed hump in Wood Drive between Raats Drive and Dorchester Drive. They will be constructing an island opposite the Senior Preparatory exit gate and moving the speed hump closer to the circle.
Birthday Book Donation
A big thank you to Evie and her family for the beautiful book, What Shall We Do, Winnie the Pooh? Teacher Ingrid read it in class, and the children absolutely loved it! We truly appreciate your kindness in sharing the joy of reading with us! 💛
2025 Dates
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
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
24 March: Madame Daleena Storytelling (Grade R) NEWLY ADDED
28 March: Last day of the quarter (school closes at 13:00)
Extra Mural Open Week
Friday 14 March:
Little Chefs (Group 3)
Orchestra
Monday, 17 March:
Ballet
Tennis
Tuesday, 18 March:
Swimming
Cricket
Minor Repertoire Grade 000 - 00
Wednesday, 19 March:
Speech and Drama
Intro-golf
Little Chefs (Group 1)
Thursday, 20 March:
Intro-golf
Wednesday, 26 March:
Little Chefs (Group 2)
Individual music lessons will be liaised directly with the parents
Autumn Quarter Extra Mural Sign-up Form
Please follow the link below to sign up your little one for the Autumn Quarter Extra Mural activities. The cut-off date for sign-ups is Thursday, 10 April. After that, the form will be locked for submissions, and extra murals will start on Monday, 14 April.
Autumn 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 enrol 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 extra murals on offer, kindly follow this link:
This sibling dancer video captures the shared love for dance across all campuses of the school.
Video credit: Amy Dean, Candice Holder & Sylvia Stander
Little Chefs
Our little chefs had so much fun in the kitchen this week, mixing, pouring, and even cracking their own eggs! The joy on their faces as they baked their delicious chocolate chip Oreo muffins was priceless. What a wonderful experience for our future master chefs!

Cake Sales – A Monthly Treat!
Each grade has the opportunity to contribute to a cake sale, and the children eagerly look forward to their special treat. We ask that cupcakes, popcorn, crisps, muffins, etc. be sent to the class on the allocated cake sale date. Please ensure all items are nut-free and do not include sweets.
To keep appetites in check, we recommend that children spend no more than R2 at the cake sale. You may send R2 on the day in a sealed envelope/packet or prepay for the term (R6 per term, R24 for the year).
Summer Quarter Cake Sale Dates:
📅 14 March – Grade 000 & Crackerjacks
Parents who wish to assist with their child's cake sale must liaise directly with the class teacher. Not all parents are required to attend, as too many adults can be overwhelming for the children. Teachers will manage the number of helpers accordingly. Please arrive no earlier than 09h45 to help set up.
Thank you for your support!
Madam Daleena
We are delighted to welcome back Daniella Djan, former Drama teacher at Parklands College, who will be visiting Christopher Robin Pre-Primary as her storytelling character, Madam Deleena. On Monday, 24 March, she will bring an exciting, interactive storytelling experience to our Grade R learners, using her expertise as an educator and performer to captivate and inspire a love for reading.
The cost of R50 per learner will be debited to your account.
Parent Business Directory
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...
Notice
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate have advised that they will be commencing construction of a median island and relocation of the speed hump in Wood Drive between Raats Drive and Dorchester Drive. They will be constructing an island opposite the exit gate from the Senior Preparatory Parking lot and moving the speed bump closer to the circle.
Conclusion
We’re excited for a week of celebration ahead and can’t wait to welcome the Jigsaw Children's Theatre on Tuesday for our school’s birthday! Their lively sing-along performance will take children on a fun journey through the changing seasons, exploring the vibrant colours of our world through music and storytelling. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience! A fee of R30 will be billed to your account.