Dear Parents,

In early learning, we see each child growing in their own way, showing their personality, interests, and strengths as they take part in everyday experiences. Through play and shared discovery, they build friendships, develop confidence, and make sense of the world around them in social, emotional, and thinking skills that grow step by step.

What a lovely start to our autumn quarter it has been. The children are settling into their routines, enjoying busy days filled with conversation, play, and new experiences. We warmly welcome the new families who have joined us and are glad to have you as part of our school. We look forward to getting to know each child and sharing in their learning journeys. 

We look forward to a busy, exciting and engaging autumn quarter!

Breakfast - At Home

Breakfast is crucial for young children as it provides the essential nutrients and energy needed to start their day. After a night of fasting, a nutritious breakfast helps replenish glucose levels, boosting concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function. It also supports physical growth and development, promotes a healthy metabolism, and helps establish good eating habits. By ensuring children have a balanced breakfast, we set the foundation for a productive day and a healthier future.

Snack and Lunchtime - Provided at School 

A healthy and well-balanced diet is provided each day, which includes a mid-morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. Please ensure that your little one has a wholesome breakfast before coming to school each morning, thus optimising their learning. Providing an additional snack is at the discretion of the parent. Please ensure containers are clearly marked and that the snack is nutritious and nut-free. 

Nut Allergies

We appeal to parents not to include items containing nuts or related products for cake sales or snacks, as any ingestion or contact with such products will trigger a severe allergic reaction if learners with allergies come into any form of contact with them.

Wet Wipes and Tissues

Please send a box of tissues and a packet of wet wipes to school with your child, at the beginning of each quarter.

Sunblock and Hats

Please apply sunblock on all exposed parts of your child’s body before they come to school in the morning. We will endeavour to re-apply sunblock throughout the morning using the bottles of sunblock provided by parents that will remain in the classroom. A clearly marked hat MUST REMAIN in their school bag, for daily use. The sun is extremely dangerous for young skin, so PLEASE help us to protect your children.

Immunisation Information

Please ensure that your child’s immunisations are up to date and provide a copy of your little one’s health card with their updated immunisations if you have not already done so.

Shoes & clothing

At this stage of your child’s development, they must wear shoes that fit correctly and allow for safe and free movement. Please ensure that your child wears shoes that allow for this development without compromising their safety (e.g. slip-slop beach shoes are dangerous, especially when running or climbing in the garden).

With the change of season, please pack in spare clothes for colder and warmer weather.

Lost Property

This is a reminder to all parents to please make sure all your child’s clothing, hats, shoes and water bottles are clearly labelled with their name and surname.

Please read through the Parent and Learner Directory, which includes important information about Parklands College and the Pre-Primary learners.

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

Safety and Gate Times

For the safety and comfort of all children, parents, and staff, we kindly ask that your dogs not be brought onto the school premises.

In our ongoing commitment to prioritising the safety and well-being of our little ones, the school gate access times are as follows:

• Morning drop-off: Gates open from 7:30 to 8:30.

• Half-day collection: Gates open from 12:45 to 14:00, as aftercare begins promptly at 14:00.

• Aftercare collection: Gates open from 16:00 to 16:45.
  Late Collection Reminder: Late collection can leave children feeling unsettled and also impacts our staff and their families. Please ensure that your child is picked up on time. A penalty fee will apply for late collection.

To help make the half-day collection time (12:45–14:00) more convenient, Grade 000 children will be waiting in the foyer for quick and easy collection, the Crackerjacks will be in the Tots 2 classroom, and the rest of the grades will be in their classrooms. 

World Book Day

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

Autumn Quarter Important Dates

AUTUMN QUARTER:

13 April: Extra Murals Commence

23 April: World Book Day - Dress Up as your favourite book character 

27 April: Public Holiday: Freedom Day

29 April: Bargain Books Book Sale 

1 May: Public Holiday: Workers Day  

4 May: Mother's Day gifts to be made 

4 May: Petting Zoo For Grade 0000 (1–2 years) and Grade R (5–6 years)

5 May: Petting Zoo Grade 000 and Grade 00 and Grade R

10 May: Mother’s Day

14 May: May Play Photographs - Grade 000 & 00

15 May: May Play Photographs - Grade R

22 May: Cake Sale: Grade 00 and Grade R (Kanga’s)

22 May: Grade 00 Occupational Dress-up Day 

29 May: Build your burger with Chef Kerry 

29 May: Slipper Day - Reach for a Dream Foundation

30 May: Open Day

1 June: International Children's Day- Movie & Pop Corn (Grade 000 - R) in the hall

Crackerjacks Music & Marshmallows in their classes

  Happy Birthday Kerry Kemp

2 June: Happy Birthday Chanay De Klerk

4 June: 09:00 - 10:00 May Play (Grade 000 - 00) 

10:30 - 11:30 May Play (Grade 000 - 00) 

5 June: 09:00 - 10:00 May Play (Grade R) 

10:30 - 11:30 May Play (Grade R)

11 June: Individual photographs for Grades 000 & R 

12 June: Individual photographs for Crackerjacks & 00         

15 June: Reports sent to parents 

16 June: Public Holiday: Youth Day 

17-23 June: Report Feedback Meetings Grade 0000 - R

18 June: Bee Keeper Show (Grade 00 - R)

19 June: Cake Sale: Grade 000, Crackerjacks and Grade R (Owl’s) Cake Sale 

21 June: Father’s Day

22 June: Cultural Assembly (Grade R ballerinas to attend)

24 June: Winter Olympics and R20 ‘entry’ 

24 June: Last day of the quarter  

29 June: Happy Birthday Litho Voxeka

Theme Discussions

We are passionate about a creative, rich, authentic, and layered approach to learning for our little ones. Theme-related learning allows 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 autumn quarter theme discussions in each grade:

Grade 0000 Theme Discussions 

Grade 000 Theme Discussions 

Grade 00 Theme Discussions 

Grade R Theme Discussions

Robotics, unplugged coding and STEAM

Each day brings discoveries and accomplishments, reflecting the incredible growth and development that is taking place. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to both the children, parents, and our dedicated teachers for making this transition such a positive and memorable experience. Your collective efforts have contributed to a week filled with laughter, curiosity, and shared milestones. Here's to many more weeks of continued success and joy.

In our curriculum, Grade R learners have the opportunity to participate in Robotics lessons, Grade 00 learners engage in STEAM Park activities, and the younger children enjoy creative Lego soft brick building and creating.

Grade 00 children were captivated by the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for their first lesson this week, and Grade R children were fascinated with the Robotics Lab. They eagerly look forward to attending their weekly lessons. Below is an overview of why STEM education is vital for pre-schoolers.

Understanding STEM in Preschool

STEM in preschool education fosters a love for learning and curiosity in young children. It's a holistic approach that encourages hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. STEM activities for preschoolers emphasise play, discovery, and imagination.

The Importance of STEM Education for Preschoolers: Building a Strong Foundation

Early exposure to STEM concepts lays a solid foundation for future learning. Preschoolers are naturally curious, and STEM activities harness that curiosity to help them build essential skills and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Developing Critical Thinking 

STEM activities promote critical thinking skills. Children learn to observe, predict, and experiment, which are valuable skills for solving problems and making decisions.

Encouraging Creativity

STEM encourages creativity and innovation. Preschoolers can explore and invent, making connections between different subjects and expressing their ideas in unique ways.

Hands-On Learning

Preschoolers learn best through hands-on experiences. STEM activities often involve building, experimenting, and exploring, which align perfectly with the natural way young children learn.

Ed-admin Multi Portal App

Parents are encouraged to download the Ed-admin Multi Portal App. This platform will be used to send important notifications and updates, and it will also provide access to children’s reports when they are released.

Thank You Cake Sale

A heartfelt thank you to all our parents for the wonderful cake sale contributions today, and to those who gave their time to help on the day. Your support helped us get the quarter off to a 'sweet' start, and we really appreciate it.

Conclusion

We are looking forward to the start of our extracurricular activities on Monday. These sessions will give children the chance to try new things, explore different interests, and enjoy learning in new ways.

Enjoy the weekend!