Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
25 October 2024
Dear Parents
At Christopher Robin Pre-Primary, we know that play is more than just fun—it's an essential part of a child’s growth and development. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing important skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. Through play, children explore the world, practice adult roles, and build confidence by overcoming challenges in a safe, imaginative space.
Unstructured, child-driven play gives children the chance to make decisions, discover their own interests, and fully engage in activities that spark their passions. It also helps them learn how to negotiate, share, and resolve conflicts, promoting self-advocacy and leadership skills.
While play is an integral part of developing strong, healthy bodies, it also has a significant impact on cognitive and emotional growth. Engaging with loving, consistent caregivers during play strengthens parent-child bonds and offers a unique window into a child’s world.
At school, play also plays a vital role in social-emotional learning, helping children adjust to the academic environment while enhancing their readiness to learn. It is a joyful and essential part of childhood, building the foundation for lifelong learning and development.
Let’s continue to celebrate and encourage the power of play in our little ones’ lives!
Pooh Bear's Table Mountain Creations
This week, our Pooh Bears explored the theme of Cape Town and had tons of fun sculpting their very own Table Mountain with clay!
Peter's Adventure Concert (Grade 000, 00 and R) Tickets
There is much excitement at school as we prepare for our concerts on Wednesday, November 6, and Thursday, November 7. Tickets are R60 and will be debited to your account.
- Wednesday, 6 November from 09h00 - 10h00 in the Junior Preparatory Amphitheatre
- Thursday, 7 November from 09h00 - 10h00 in the Junior Preparatory Amphitheatre
Please complete the following form to book your unreserved tickets:
Spring Quarter Outreach
Please drop donations in the Pre-Primary Reception for this worthwhile food drive.
A Library Adventure
This week we are celebrating another talented local author whose children’s books are making an impact. Bianca Flanders is a well-known actress and performer who is regularly seen on stage and screen. Her “Pumpkin” series for children is a delight and available in both English and Afrikaans. Currently, there are three books to choose from. She has won an award for Pumpkin Finds Her Kindness and is currently shortlisted for a Goodreads Award for Pumpkin Finds Her Beat. This wonderful story is about Pumpkin Pie waking up one morning with an irrepressible song on her mind and a beat that is impatient to be danced to. A song like that needs to be shared!
These books are perfect for sharing from a young age. Enjoy!
Elise Crouse - Librarian
Health
Potty Training Super Star
Important Dates - Spring Quarter
26 October: Happy Birthday Miseka Mqoto
6 November: Happy Birthday Cassandra Mönnig
6 November: Grade 000, 00 and R Concert 09h00 – 10h00 (Inclement weather, 8 November)
7 November: Grade 000, 00 and R Concert 09h00 – 10h00 (Inclement weather, 8 November)
7 November: Happy Birthday Erin Liggett
8 November: Provisional Grade 000, 00 and R Concert 09h00 - 10h00
8 November: Grade 00 Cake Sale
12 November: Making Chocolate Squares
12 November: Happy Birthday Khanyo Rafisa-Tabo
16 November: Happy Birthday Tali Maltz
21 November: Happy Birthday Brenda Dingile
22 November: Grade R Graduation 08:45 - 11:00
25 November: Class lists released
29 November: Bop Boppers (All grades)
29 November: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks Cake Sale
29 November: Reports sent to parents
2 December: Splash and Class Parties
4 December: Last day of the quarter - School closes at 11:00
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...
2025
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
2025 Grade R Information (Current Pooh Bear's and Roo's House)
The Grade R stationery kit for 2025 as detailed below is payable via Credit Card, Direct Deposit or EFT to Waltons, before Friday, 13 December 2024. The kit will be used daily to promote handwriting, literacy and numeracy in an informal and fun manner within the classroom. The paid stationery will be delivered to the school and issued to your child’s class teacher before the Summer Quarter 2025.
2025 Grade 1 Information
Message from Chantel Lamb:
Junior Preparatory Principal
Dear Parents
The Junior Preparatory Faculty cannot wait to welcome your little one to Grade 1 in 2025. I look forward to getting to know them and will soon visit their class to read a story and introduce myself.
Although the children will have a "pop in" during the school day to meet their teacher on 27 November, there will be a special Orientation for them to spend some time with their teachers on Wednesday 15 January from 13:00 - 14:00. Parents are welcome to stay and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee in the foyer with me, Chantel Lamb and Emma Oxley Simpson, our Junior Preparatory Associate Principal.
Please refer to the Welcome Letter, Frequently Asked Questions and Uniform and Sports requirements as well as the Device and Stationery Requirements. Every Grade One learner and all new learners joining the College are required to wear the striped blazer.
The Parent Information Meeting is on Thursday, 16 January 2025, from 15:00 - 16:00. This is an opportunity for parents/caregivers to meet their child’s class teacher and find out more about the daily activities in Grade One.
School starts on Monday 20 January 2025 and for the first week, the Grade 1 day will end at 12:00 to ensure an easier transition. From the following week, school ends every day at 14:00, and you may collect your children from their classrooms or their teachers will take them to aftercare.
Sport will start on Monday 27 January and is during the school day on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 13:00 and 14:00. On these days the learners may come to school dressed in their P.E Kit.
Our Grade 1-3 learners have a choice between Afrikaans First Additional Language (FAL) and isiXhosa First Additional Language (FAL). Please click on the link to complete the form: First Additional Language 2025
The information included in the documents below should provide a good overview and answer most questions. However, you are more than welcome to contact me should you have any further questions.
I look forward to meeting you at the Grade R Graduation and at the Grade 1 Orientation on 15 January 2025.
Chantel Lamb
Junior Preparatory Principal
Conclusion
We wish Miseka a very happy birthday for tomorrow.
We wish our families a Happy Diwali for 31 October.
Enjoy the weekend.
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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