Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
11 October 2024
Dear Parents
With the weather warming up and spring in full bloom, we are excited to see the children enjoying more outdoor activities. Our extra mural programs are now well underway, and we are pleased to announce that swimming will commence for Grades 000 - 00 on Tuesday, 29 October.
Grade R swimming lessons will be compulsory, starting on Tuesday, 29 October, for Kanga's and Owl's House, and on Wednesday, 30 October, for Rabbit's House.
Swimming is an essential life skill that promotes physical development, boosts confidence, and ensures water safety, making it an important part of every child's learning journey.
Clothing Requirements:
Towel, Lycra swimming cap, goggles, full piece costume for girls, no “baggies” for boys. Unisex all-in-one suits are for sale at School and Leisure but are optional in the Pre-Primary.
It’s a wonderful time of year, and we look forward to all the fun and learning ahead!
Monthly Cake Sale
A big thank you to all the parents who contributed and to those who came to support our cake sale today. Your involvement made the day a sweet success!
Spring Quarter
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.
Peter's Adventure Concert (Grade 000, 00 and R)
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
Russell Punter is a British children’s author who has written over a hundred much loved books for children of all ages. His Dinosaur Tales series keeps on growing. These stories are not only a lot of fun, but cleverly contain nuggets that can assist teachers and parents with getting important life lessons across.
This week’s choice is The Dinosaur Who Littered The Floor. It is a beautiful day and Jess decides to close up her cycle shop and rather enjoy a picnic in the forest. However, she carelessly leaves her litter behind for her friends to pick up, until she encounters a little animal suffering from the results of pollution. This prompts Jess to take action and design a machine to address the problem. A great read to initiate conversations on conservation and pollution!
Look out for more entertaining dinosaur tales from Usborne Publishers.
Elise Crouse - Librarian
Health
Learning Through Play.pdfLearn through play
The "Through Play We Learn" approach, recognises that play is a vital part of a child’s development. Through imaginative exploration and hands-on activities, children not only enjoy themselves but also build essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and social interaction. Play encourages creativity, boosts confidence, and fosters independence, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. By allowing children the freedom to explore their world through play, we create a joyful, engaging environment where learning happens naturally and meaningfully.
Amy Dolley - Registered Nurse
Potty Training Superstars
Important Dates - Spring Quarter
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
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
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 our Jewish families a meaningful Yom Kippur.
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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