Dear Parents

It has been another lovely and busy week at Christopher Robin Pre-Primary, filled with exciting learning experiences and special moments!

This week, our Grade 0000 to Grade 00 learners enjoyed a wonderful visit from the Aquarium, who presented their interactive puppet show, I Love Turtles. Through fun songs, engaging puppets, and plenty of audience participation, the children learnt about marine animals and the importance of keeping our beaches and oceans clean.

We ended off the week on a sweet note with our much-anticipated Grade R Cake Sale! A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who generously volunteered their time and contributed delicious treats to help make the Cake Sale such a wonderful success.

🚀  An Inspiring Visit from Astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger

We were incredibly fortunate to begin the week with a truly unforgettable experience! On Monday evening, many of our learners had the exciting opportunity to meet astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, who shared her remarkable journey to space and inspired everyone to dream big.

Through her engaging presentation, Dottie encouraged our learners to:

🌟 Stay curious and embrace learning every day.

🌟 Work together, solve problems, and support one another as a community.

🌟 Be courageous, take action, and become part of the solution.

🌟 Follow their passions, champion what they love, and never stop believing in their dreams.

Her inspiring message reminded us all that with curiosity, determination, and perseverance, even the biggest dreams are within reach. It was a truly memorable evening that left our learners feeling motivated to reach for the stars.

Rooibos is going to Space and Parklands College is at the centre of it.

In October, Rooibos seeds will launch from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, dock with the International Space Station, and spend about six weeks in orbit before returning to Earth. It is the first time an indigenous South African plant has flown as part of a space research programme.

Rooibos in Space is a project of the South African Rooibos Council and MaxIQ Space, backed by SANSA. Parklands is involved in three ways.

The programme was launched on 16 July in our Innovation Centre. It drew national and international coverage, from News24 and SABC at home to France24 and RFI abroad.

When the seeds return, our Secondary learners will plant them alongside Earth-grown controls and track how the two compare. Three seed types fly: untreated, scarified, and scarified with a protective coating, each matched to a control on the ground. The question is whether time in space changes how they germinate and grow.

Our Senior Preparatory learners are coding the device that will monitor the environment they are exposed to. The seeds travel with a Springbot, a single-board computer built by MaxIQ Space in Cape Town. It records the conditions the seeds experience on the ISS: temperature, humidity, gases including carbon dioxide, light, and microgravity. Its accelerometer is what will prove the seeds reached orbit. Our Grade 6 learners are programming it in SpringBlock, a drag-and-drop language built with the original Scratch team. It is the first time a single-board education computer will run in space using block coding. The data is saved to a microSD card and read back here in Cape Town.

Parklands is MaxIQ Space's Centre of Excellence, which is why our learners get first access to hardware like this.

The seeds fly in October. We will share updates as the mission progresses.

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/stem-project-launches-rooibos-seeds-to-space-station/

Parent Communication

If you think you may have missed any emails from the school recently, please check your Junk or Spam folder, as some parents have found our correspondence there. Adding our school email addresses to your safe senders list can also help ensure you receive future correspondence.

We are also pleased to let you know that the Ed-admin Parent Portal and App are now back online following the recent outage. You may notice the occasional minor glitch over the next few days while the system settles, but normal communication and access to school information have resumed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Looking Ahead: Protecting your child's future health

As parents, we all want to give our children the healthiest possible start in life. While many health decisions may still seem a long way off, staying informed about the vaccinations available as our children grow helps us make confident choices when the time comes.

One vaccination you may come across in the future is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

HPV is a very common virus. Most people who are infected experience no symptoms, and the infection often clears on its own. However, some types of HPV can cause health problems later in life. The HPV vaccine helps protect against the types of HPV most commonly linked to these conditions and is most effective when given before exposure to the virus.

The HPV vaccine is generally recommended from around 9 years of age. The vaccine is available through healthcare providers, pharmacies and clinics. If you would like to know more about whether it is appropriate for your child and when it is recommended, your family doctor or healthcare provider will be able to guide you.

Staying informed today helps us make confident decisions for our children's health tomorrow.

Outreach

A Peek Into Our Week 

Crackerjacks

This week the Crackerjacks have been busy exploring the wonderful world of shapes! We discovered that shapes are everywhere around us, and it was amazing to see just how many we could spot once we started looking.

Our shape hunt took us outdoors, where we searched for shapes in nature. We looked up at the clouds and imagined all sorts of interesting shapes drifting across the sky, then explored our little garden to find the different shapes of leaves and flowers. Every plant seemed to have its own unique design, giving us lots to talk about and compare.

We also investigated our lighthouse, where we found plenty of rectangles and triangles hiding in plain sight. Back in the classroom, the children realised that shapes surrounded them there too! From our rectangular and square soft bricks with their circular studs, to playdough creations, puzzles, books and classroom furniture, there were shapes everywhere we looked. It was wonderful to watch the children become shape detectives, eagerly pointing out their discoveries to one another.

During Creative Art, we enjoyed a fantastic box construction activity using a variety of boxes, containers and recycled materials in different shapes and sizes. The children let their imaginations run wild, transforming everyday objects into wonderful creations. There was plenty of discussion, experimenting and laughter as they decided which pieces would fit together best. Sometimes a tower leaned a little too far or a box refused to balance, but that simply gave us another opportunity to think, problem-solve and try a different approach!

Exploring shapes in this hands-on way helps children develop important early mathematical concepts such as recognising, naming and comparing shapes. It also encourages spatial awareness, critical thinking, creativity and perseverance. Most importantly, the children discovered that learning can be found everywhere—sometimes even hiding inside an ordinary cardboard box! So, please keep your cardboard boxes, bottle tops, toilet roll inners and small yoghurt containers for us.

Grade 000

This week, our Tiggers House and Piglets House classes continued exploring our exciting "In the Garden" theme with a fun and hands-on planting activity.

Each child planted their very own bean plant! First, they carefully sprayed water onto a piece of cotton wool before counting out five beans and placing them inside. They then folded the cotton wool over the beans, sprayed it with a little more water, and sealed it inside a plastic bag. We taped the bags onto our classroom windows so the children can observe their beans as they begin to sprout and grow.

The children thoroughly enjoyed this activity and were so excited to become little gardeners. We can't wait to watch the beans grow over the next few days and learn more about how plants develop. Be sure to ask your child about their bean plant—they are incredibly proud of their growing project!

We hope you all have a wonderful weekend and continue to keep warm during these chilly winter days.

Grade 00

This week, our Grade 00 learners had so much fun exploring the wonderful world of insects! We enjoyed learning about different insects, their unique features, and sharing interesting facts through class discussions.

The children loved getting creative by making their own caterpillars and colourful ant artwork. We also went on an insect walk around the school, where we carefully looked for insects and chatted about what we found.

It was a week filled with curiosity, creativity, and lots of exciting learning!

Grade R 

A Week Full of Sensory Adventures! 👅🍎🍩

What a fun-filled week our Grade R children have enjoyed!

This week, we continued developing our puzzle-building skills, encouraging perseverance, problem-solving and teamwork as the children challenged themselves to complete a variety of puzzles.

Our focus was on the sense of taste. The children explored the five basic tastes – sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami – through exciting tasting experiences. Before trying each treat, they made predictions, discussed how the flavours might feel on their tongues, and shared their reactions. It was wonderful to hear them compare and describe the different tastes. Our Show and Tell sessions also embraced the sensory theme, with everything from homemade playdough to tasty treats, with Jelly Tots proving to be the class favourite!

Creativity was in full swing as the children designed colourful ice creams using drawing, paper tearing, glueing and painting techniques, created vibrant citrus artwork with oil pastels, and decorated giant doughnuts using gum paper, pom-poms, glitter and a variety of art materials.

Another highlight was creating imaginative Sensory Monsters. Using boxes and a range of materials, the children designed unique creatures complete with eyes, ears, noses, mouths and arms, allowing their creativity to shine.

The Owls enjoyed tasting crisp apples and describing their flavour and texture before having fun in Robotics, where they built imaginative creations underneath a table.

Our friends in Edward Bear’s House also celebrated Pyjama and Doughnut Day, arriving in their cosy pyjamas and enjoying a special treat together.

It has been a joyful week of exploration, creativity and hands-on learning, and we look forward to many more exciting adventures together!

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 

2027 Dates

Provisional 2027 Quarter Dates

Summer - 19 Jan - 18 March
Autumn - 7 April - 23 June
Winter - 21 July - 22 Sept
Spring - 6 Oct - 3 Dec

Public Holidays 

Monday 10 August: National Women's Day
Thursday 24 September: Heritage Day

Winter Quarter Information

Winter Quarter Important Dates

WINTER QUARTER:

8 August Happy Birthday Asange Gqibane

9 August: Public Holiday: National Women’s Day

10 August: Public Holiday: National Women’s Day observed 

13 August Happy Birthday Shannon Marx

Happy Birthday Masanda 

14 August: Happy Birthday Mavis Ngcwama

16 August: Happy Birthday Busi Mdunyelwa 

28 August: Cake Sale: Grade 00 and Grade R (Rabbit’s)

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

3 September: Grade R Graduation Photographs 

4 September: Museum of Illusions (All Grade R classes) 

  08:00 Depart from Christopher RobinPre-Primary 

  11:00 Return from Museum of Illusions

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

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

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

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

9 September: Happy Birthday Kim Truebody 

11 September:  Cake Sale: Grade 000, Crackerjacks and Grade R (Owl’s)  

12 September:  Open Day

13 September:  Happy Birthday Ntombi Ntlabe

15 September:  Happy birthday Zodwa Ntombizodwa

14 September:  Reports sent to parents 

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

18 September   Class Photographs (All Grades)

19 September   Happy Birthday Amy Dean

21 September   Concert Photographs (Grade R)

22 September   Concert Photographs (Grade 000 and 00) 

22 September:  Happy Birthday Lungi Voxeka 

23 September: Last day of the quarter
Heritage Dress Up Day All Grades (Boerewors rolls for lunch) 

24 September:  Public Holiday: Heritage Day  

Puppet World - Better Together - 3 September (Grade 000)

Our Grade 000 learners are in for a wonderful treat on 3 September as they enjoy Puppet World's delightful interactive show, Better Together.

This heartwarming performance celebrates the values of friendship, kindness, compassion, diversity, and teamwork through the adventures of Toby and Talloula. As they journey together and meet a variety of creatures beneath the baobab tree, they discover that everyone is unique and that working together is the key to success.

We can't wait to see our children laugh, learn, and be inspired by this vibrant show, reminding us all that we truly are better together. 💛

Grade R Graduation

Heads Up: Graduation Photographs - Thursday, 3 September

The very special Grade R Graduation photographs will be taken on Thursday, 3 September during the morning. A treasured keepsafe for many years to come! 

On the morning of Thursday, 3 September, please send your little one to school dressed in the following: 

Girls:

• Pink full-length ballet tights (available from Belinda at Ballet Basics 021 558 9897 / 074 114 6661 or Dance Euphoria 021 557 6887)

• White or light coloured underwear (with no pictures)

• Ballet shoes for those that have. (The school will supply the girls with ballet shoes if they do not have a pair).

• A graduation cape and dress will be supplied for the photographs.

Please tie your daughter’s hair into a neat pony, should it be long enough. Please ensure that every item is clearly marked with your child’s name and that a change of clothes is sent for the remainder of the day after the photographs. 

UNIFORM SUPPLIER: SCHOOL & LEISURE, N1 CITY

The friendly staff at School & Leisure are waiting to serve you!

Address: SCHOOL & LEISURE

N1 City Mall, Shop 84B

Louwtjie Rothman Street, Goodwood

Trading Hours:

Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 18:00

Saturday: 08:30 – 16:00

Sunday: 09:00 – 13:00

Contact No.: Tel 021 205 1951

Email: goodwood@schoolandleisure.co.za

Website: www.schoolandleisure.co.za

Store Manager: Ashley Schwartz

You may order online by visiting the website.

Second-hand school uniforms

Please contact Tania Fourie if you would like to buy or sell good-quality second-hand uniforms.  She is also the supplier of Froggy School shoes.  Contact details:  +27 83 631 7683 or tania@sportstudio.co.za

Special Person's Day

We warmly invite one special person to join your little one for a memorable morning in their classroom, filled with fun, laughter and precious shared moments.

This is a wonderful opportunity to step into your child's world, take part in classroom activities, and create special memories together. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or another cherished family member, we look forward to welcoming you for this morning.

A Friendly Reminder

As part of our commitment to fostering a caring and respectful school community, we would like to remind parents to be mindful of the information shared on WhatsApp groups and social media platforms.

We also ask that everyone remain mindful of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) by respecting the privacy of our children, families and staff when sharing information or photographs online, and by refraining from discussing sensitive matters relating to children.

As outlined in our Parent Code of Conduct, we ask parents to refrain from negative gossip or unsubstantiated criticism, including on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Should you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact the school directly so that we can assist you promptly and appropriately.

Thank you for helping us maintain the positive, respectful and supportive community that makes Christopher Robin Pre-Primary such a special place.

Conclusion

Women's Day is a special opportunity to celebrate the remarkable women who enrich our lives every day. Whether they are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, teachers, friends or caregivers, each plays a unique role in shaping the world around us.

For our children, these women are often their first teachers, biggest supporters and greatest role models. Through their love, kindness, patience and encouragement, they help build the confidence, resilience and values that will stay with them for a lifetime.

At Christopher Robin Pre-Primary, we are grateful to be part of a community filled with such incredible women. Thank you for the care you give so generously, the example you set, and the difference you make—often in ways you may not even realise.

To every woman in our school community and beyond, we wish you a wonderful Women's Day. May you feel appreciated, celebrated and reminded of the important role you play in the lives of those around you.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday! 🩷

Happy Women's Day!