Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
4 October 2024
Dear Parents
We would like to wish all our teachers a Happy World Teachers Day for tomorrow, Saturday 5 October. Pre-Primary education is unique because the child is our focus. Our teachers become familiar with the very heart of each child through their daily interactions, specific show-and-tell items, unique dress sense and little quirks and antics. Never again in education and life, is there so much attention paid to children and the healthy development of their personalities and self-esteem. As we are all well aware, it takes a big heart to help shape these little ones…and growing a school with heart is easy if you have the right people working there.
I want to acknowledge each teacher in Christopher Robin Pre-Primary for their amazing care and dedication. We certainly have the right teachers working with our most precious little people.
Jurassic Adventures
Our little palaeontologists had an amazing time! 🦖 The realistic dinosaur puppets that roared, blinked, and walked around made the experience unforgettable. From making their own fossils to uncovering a replica T-Rex skeleton, the children learned so much through hands-on activities. What an incredible way to step into the world of dinosaurs and explore history!
Monthly Cake Sale
Each grade has the opportunity to contribute to their grade cake sale, and there is much excitement as the children eagerly look forward to their little monthly treat.
We request that items such as cupcakes, popcorn, crisps, muffins, etc. be sent to the class on their allocated cake sale date. We also recommend that your child spend no more than R2 at the cake sale to save some appetite for lunch! You are welcome to send the term’s money in advance (i.e. 3 x R2 coins) or send in the R2 on cake sale days in a sealed envelope/packet. Please ensure that items donated for cake sales do not contain nuts and that no sweets are sent in. We love healthy goodies, especially popcorn!
Spring Quarter
11 October: Grade R
8 November: Grade 00
29 November: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks
Parents wanting to assist with their class/grade cake sale are welcome to notify their child’s teacher. Kindly arrive no earlier than 09h45 to help with setting up the items.
Spring Quarter Outreach
A Library Adventure
Who loves Bluey? Come on moms and dads, this is a safe space. Admit that you love Bluey as much as your children do. You will be in good company. This little blue dog and her family have taken the world by storm and their television series of seven-minute-long episodes has followers worldwide. Of course, our publishers love Bluey too, and new books are coming fast and furious. These are for the 0 - 3 age group, as well as the 3 - 6 age group.
As these stories often address the small issues of daily living, parents could find that the right book at the right time assists them in explaining things to their little ones. In September for example, Bluey went on a Road Trip, and this little book has solid advice for the little people on entertaining themselves in the car. In November you can look forward to Bluey and Bingo’s Book of Singy Things, featuring some familiar songs as well as other Bluey and Bingo favourites.
In the 3 - 6 group, we welcomed two books in August, Bad Mood and Trains, and in October you can look out for Bedroom, which is about sharing your room, with Fairytale due to arrive in November.
Happy watching and reading!
Elise Crouse - Librarian
Health
Immunisation is a vital step in protecting children from preventable diseases, ensuring their health and well-being as they grow.
Amy Dolle - Registered Nurse
Immunisation_schedule.pdfImmunisation_FAQs.pdfIs nap time important?
In my experience, once children get to around 3 or 4 years old, they no longer want to nap. Sometimes parents insist that they must nap and sometimes parents say that their child must not nap. Now you have two dilemmas, a child who is disruptive because they don’t want to nap and a child who is falling asleep while eating their lunch, who is not supposed to sleep.
According to research, sleep is not just beneficial for preschoolers, it is crucial. It highlighted how critical a simple midday nap is to boosting learning and memory retention. It's not just academic performance that improves during naps. Children who nap react better emotionally and not napping can make them more anxious and less likely to experience joy and excitement.
How long should nap time be? Some children may not nap at all, and others may fall asleep easily depending on how long they slept the night before. Nap time should be between one and two hours, depending on the age group. This gives them enough time to rest without waking up feeling groggy. The amount of sleep a child needs varies according to age. Toddlers need more sleep than 5yr olds.
Here are some helpful tips to help you get the most out of nap time:
1.Nap time should be at the same time every day, so the children know what to expect.
2.Make the room dark and quiet.
3.Make sure the children are comfortable on a mattress.
4.Go to the toilet before nap time.
5.A nice, soft, snuggly blanket helps to settle them.
6.Play calming music during nap time.
7.Avoid conversations with other staff members.
8.If a child can’t relax, have them lie on their back with their arms at their sides and take deep breaths. This helps them to relax.
9.Give them a soft toy to cuddle.
10.Speak in a soft, soothing voice.
11.Wake them up at the same time every day.
12.Give them a snack and a drink when they wake up.
13.Children who can’t sleep may look at a book or play quietly on their mattress after a rest time.
A good nap time routine, whether the child is a napper or not. Children who don’t nap will learn that they must be quiet for a time. Rest is important for their overall well-being and having time wind-down and recharge will ensure that everyone has a better afternoon.
Important Dates - Spring Quarter
11 October: Grade R Cake Sale
12 October: Open Day
23 October: Concert Photographs Grade 000 & 00
24 October: Concert Photographs Grade R
24 October: Happy Birthday Liezl Stander
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
WRO Nationals Results
20240929 WRO Nationals Results.pdfApple Distinguished School (2016 - 2027)
Parklands College has been designated an Apple Distinguished School (2016 - 2027)
Recognized for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence using technology.
September 1, 2024 — Parklands College is pleased to announce it has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for its fourth consecutive programme term, 2024–2027. Schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments.
Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
Parklands College is a Pre-K to 12, Top 20, private, independent, co-educational school proudly representing the diverse culture in South Africa.
Our shared vision is to foster a sense of purpose and ignite a passion for life-long learning within our Parklands family. We encourage learners to effectively communicate ideas, work collaboratively, identify and solve challenges using creative and critical thinking, all while taking action to positively impact our global community. This is our “Growing Minds” philosophy - the heartbeat to our expression of education.
Leveraging innovative educational technology and a modern connected environment, our educators utilise new approaches to extend the learning experience. We encourage our learners to find and practice their purpose through authentic, experiential project and challenge-based learning.
“Reaching Outwards, Growing Minds, Building Futures”, our mission statement, concisely describes the core of our purpose, our “What”, “How” and “Why”.
Parklands College ADS Video - https://youtu.be/QYw0ekIjf94?si=sZF1eKI6J8fCZ2Eg
Press Contact: Ellie Clews - eclews@parklands.co.za
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: 23 July – 02 Oct
Spring Quarter: 14 October – 05 December
Conclusion
We’ve had a lovely, warm start to the Spring Quarter, with the little ones settling in beautifully. Thank you for your ongoing support as we look forward to all the exciting adventures ahead this term. Wishing you and your families a wonderful 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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