Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
28 August 2026

We had such a lovely variety of delicious contributions, and the Cake Sale was a big success! We truly appreciate your time, effort and generosity in helping make the day so special. Thank you!

Our little Crackerjacks have had a fantastic time exploring land transport this week! There have been wheels turning everywhere as the children made colourful tracks with cars and paint, raced vehicles with markers attached, and discovered just how much fun can come from a little car and a lot of imagination.

Our budding engineers also transformed cardboard boxes into their very own modes of transport. They were so proud to show off their creations and tell us exactly what their vehicles could do! We have also enjoyed moving like different vehicles, singing "Down by the Station" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad," and learning about traffic lights and staying safe on the road.

And, of course, there have been plenty of car races along the way! It has been a busy, happy week filled with creativity, learning and lots of Crackerjack fun.

This week, the Piglets and Tiggers continued exploring life cycles, with a special focus on one of our favourite pond creatures — frogs!

We discovered how tiny frog eggs hatch into tadpoles, grow into froglets and eventually become fully grown frogs, ready to start the life cycle all over again. We also learned an interesting fact: the bright colours of some poisonous frogs serve as a warning to other animals to stay away!

The children brought their learning to life by creating their own frog life cycles. Using bubble painting, they made wonderfully textured ponds and added lily pads, frog eggs and the different stages of a frog’s development. There was plenty of messy, hands-on fun along the way!

We also enjoyed matching and memory games, encouraging concentration, observation, remembering and, of course, taking turns with our friends. Our name games helped the children practise recognising their own names as well as those of their classmates.

Another lovely week of discovering, creating and learning through play!

Outdoor play is an essential part of Grade 00, turning big concepts into joyful, whole-body learning experiences. While exploring the life cycle of a frog this week, our little learners took their discoveries outside - transforming from tiny swimming tadpoles into energetic, hopping frogs across the grass. Leaping, balancing, and ribbiting under the open sky not only builds crucial gross motor strength and coordination but it also sparks rich sensory curiosity, proving that the best lessons happen when young minds are free to move, imagine and explore in nature.

In Grade R, we focus on emergent literacy, building the important foundations children need before formal reading begins. Through stories, rhymes, songs and playful sound activities, our learners develop vocabulary, listening skills, comprehension, phonological awareness and importantly, a love of books and language.

This week, we saw this love of literacy come alive! Some learners created beautiful bookmarks for their special rhyming books, others brought favourite books from home to share and some even became authors and illustrators, creating and narrating stories of their own. These experiences remind our children that books are not only for learning - they are also a wonderful source of imagination, creativity and enjoyment.

At home, one of the simplest ways to support this development is through a bedtime story. Those few quiet minutes spent reading, talking, predicting what might happen next and simply enjoying a book together strengthen early literacy skills while creating precious opportunities for connection.

Of course, growing minds need strong bodies too! Our Grade R learners also enjoyed a fantastic ball-skills workout this week, building strength and endurance through Hyrox-inspired exercises, side jumps, lunges, tossing boxing bags and tennis-ball activities. After all, as our school song reminds us, we are growing minds, strengthening bodies and “building futures for us all.”

Our Edward Bears enjoyed a special visit from Mrs Ancia Vosloo, Principal of our Secondary Faculty, who chatted to them about reading and the wonderful adventures waiting to be discovered in books.

A little boy walked into the office looking very serious.

“I have bad news!”

Naturally, we were concerned. “What happened?”

“A bird pooped on my nose!”

Well… that is bad news! 😂 We tried to cheer him up by explaining that bird poop is sometimes said to bring good luck.

His response?

“Well, I think this is disgusting.”

Fair enough! 😂

Then another little visitor arrived:

“Good morning, Principal Riëtte! Good morning, Teacher Kim!”

He looked at Liezl.

“Uhm… what’s your name again?” 🤣

The same Liezl he had seen and spoken to in the office for the last couple of years.

Clearly, she has made quite the impression. 🤣

And finally, a little boy came running into the office with tremendous enthusiasm and announced at the top of his voice:

“I need a sticker because I’m awesome!”

We couldn’t argue with that.

Sticker awarded. Confidence level: 100%. 😂

We really do have the most wonderfully awesome little people at our school!

A little one dropping off the register in the morning had to share his exciting news: " I have a brand new sister; she is 4 years old!"

The Beauty of the “YES!” Moment

There is something truly special about giving children the time and space to problem-solve, explore and improve their own ideas, with gentle guidance from us along the way.

As adults, our instinct is often to step in-to fix it, make it easier or show them the “right” way. But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stand back, observe and allow them to sit with the problem.

Whether they are exploring structures, building a bridge and discovering how to make it stable, or working together to negotiate a solution, children need opportunities to try, fail, rethink, adapt and try again. Sometimes they find the answer; sometimes they simply discover a new direction.

And then comes that magical moment-the sparkle in their eyes followed by a very proud, “YES! I did it!”

That is where innovation begins.

As teachers, facilitators, collaborators and fellow innovators, we have the privilege of sharing these moments. We watch an idea that existed so clearly in a child’s imagination change, develop and become something even better through a few little tweaks along the way.

There is so much beauty and wonder in that process. The finished build is wonderful, but the thinking, perseverance and discovery that happened along the way are where the real learning lives. 

A heartfelt thank you to all our wonderful families for the amazing contributions we have received for our Grace Foundation Drive! 

We have received such a lovely collection of toys and clothing and we are so grateful for your generosity. We’re sure a few parents are also feeling a little lighter after their spring clean! 

We are especially happy to share that the goodies collected will be handed out next Saturday to children at a home for abused and foster children. The Grace Foundation is also preparing cupcakes and meals for the children, making the day extra special. 

Thank you for helping us teach our little ones the beautiful value of giving, sharing and caring for others. 

From our winter olympics donations and the Junior Preparatory cake sale money, we donated R6 000 to the Carel Du Toit Centre for children with hearing loss. They were delighted to receive the donation. Our Secondary Faculty former principal, Mrs Sylvia Steyn, delivered the cheque on our behalf with some learners from the Secondary Faculty who added to our donation. 

The Carel Du Toit Centre empowers children with hearing loss to learn to listen and speak. Their vision and mission is to teach children who are deaf to speak
so that they can function optimally in a hearing world. We believe that a child who is hearing impaired has the same capacity
to acquire functional spoken language as children who can hear.

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. 💛

The Museum of Illusions offers an exciting and immersive learning experience where children can explore a world of visual tricks, mind-bending puzzles and interactive exhibits. The museum features a variety of illusion-based rooms and installations designed to challenge perception, spark curiosity and encourage problem-solving. Learners will experience hands-on activities that demonstrate how the brain interprets images, depth, motion, and perspective - making it both an educational and entertaining outing.

The learners will travel to and from the Museum of Illusions on Springbok Atlas buses. Each class teacher, along with their classroom assistant, will accompany the children for the duration of the outing.

Departure from school: 08h15
Arrival at the Museum of Illusions: 09h00

Departure from Museum of Illusions: 11h15
Arrival back at school: 12h00 – 12h15

An amount of R280 will be billed to your account.

We the parents/guardian hereby indemnify, hold harmless and absolve the College, Directors, Principals, Teachers, Staff, Employees or Agents against all or any loss, damages (direct or indirect, consequential or otherwise) or injury, expenses (including medical expenses), costs (including legal costs) suffered and/or incurred by the Pupil in or on the premises of the College or in the course of any co-curricular and extra-mural activities of the College, including but not limited to games, sporting activities, educational tours and excursions or in consequence of any other act or omission of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising. 

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.

As we round off another busy week filled with learning, laughter and plenty of little adventures, we look forward to welcoming Spring with our SPCA Dress-Up Day on 1 September! 

A friendly reminder to our Grade R families about the upcoming Graduation photographs 📸🎓. Our Grade R's are also very excited for their first outing, although, let’s be honest, we think the BUS TRIP might be the highlight! 🚌

Wishing all our families a wonderful and restful weekend. 

And, of course… may the Bokke win! 🇿🇦🏉💚💛

Until next week!