Dear Parents

This past week, we celebrated Special Person’s Day across all our grades, and what a joyful time it was! Our classrooms were filled with laughter, smiles, and the wonderful presence of all the special people who came to share the day with us. It is always such a privilege to welcome families into our spaces and celebrate together with those who mean so much to our children.

With spring now in full bloom, we are enjoying the earlier sunrises, warmer days, and the excitement of the holiday just around the corner. Please remember that school will close on Tuesday, 23 September at 13:00, with no aftercare that afternoon. 

We wish all our families a happy and refreshing spring holiday and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, 14 October.

Thank You to Our Amazing Cake Sale Helpers and Contributors 

A big thank you to all the amazing parents who came to assist and sell at our cake sale today! Your support, smiles, and delectable treats made it a great success. We also sincerely thank the parents who contributed goodies towards the Crackerjacks and Grade 000 Cake Sale.

We appreciate your time and effort, we couldn’t have done it without you! 

A Peak Into Our Week 

Tiny Tots

This week, our Tiny Tots had an exciting journey through our Transport theme. The highlight was creating their very own rocket ships and working side by side, sharing materials, and helping one another. It was heartwarming to see new friendships blossoming as the children proudly showed off their rockets and imagined blasting into space together. Alongside this, they enjoyed reading in the playroom, balancing on the beam to build strength, and using mini Lego blocks to grow their fine motor skills. Outdoors, imaginative play in the garden gave them even more chances to bond and laugh together.

Our Tiny Tots are not only learning, they’re soaring in friendship and creativity!

Tots 1

This week, our little ones had an exciting adventure learning all about air transport! We explored the many ways people can travel through the sky, from speedy aeroplanes to soaring helicopters. But the highlight of our theme was discovering the magic of hot air balloons.

The children were fascinated to learn how hot air balloons rise gently into the sky. We talked about how the warm air inside the balloon makes it float. For art, we created our very own hot air balloons.

This fun and hands-on theme encouraged curiosity, creativity, and conversation while helping to build fine motor skills and colour recognition. What an uplifting way to learn about the world around us!

Grade 000

What a wonderful, whirlwind week it’s been in Grade 000! Our little learners have been busy bees, and their classrooms have been filled with laughter, creativity, and meaningful connections.

One of the biggest highlights of the week was our Special Persons’ Day, where the 000’s welcomed their most cherished people into their learning space. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other special loved ones joined us in the classroom for a morning of joy and togetherness. Beautiful picture frames were being made, sweet songs sung with pride, storybooks shared, garden adventures, and even a chance to create a delicious sweet treat together. Memories to be cherished for a long time!

Alongside all the excitement, the 000’s also began exploring an exciting new theme: People Who Help Us. From doctors and firefighters to teachers and traffic officers. Through stories, discussions, and playful exploration, the children started identifying different helpers and learning how they support us in our everyday lives.

At the art table, our little artists have been hard at work practising their cutting skills. They were preparing their own “zebra crossing” for some special traffic officers to police! It’s all part of bringing the theme to life in a way that’s meaningful and age-appropriate.

A fun activity this week was the matching game, where they paired up helpers with the tools they use. A doctor with a stethoscope, a builder with a toolbox, and more. It was an engaging way to make connections between the people who help us and their important work.

It’s been a week full of learning, laughter and love – the perfect combination for our curious Grade 000 learners!

Honey Bee's House

What a buzzing and beautiful week it was in our hive! The air was filled with a special kind of magic, and our little Honey Bees were hard at work, their tiny hearts fluttering with excitement for Special Person's Day.

The day began like a storybook, with our special guests arriving to share in the sweetest of adventures. Puzzles of our little Honey Bees began to take shape, piece by beautiful piece, just like the wonderful memories we were building. Then came the grand finale of yumminess: delicious cupcakes, baked by our busy bees and decorated with swirls of chocolate frosting and a rainbow of sprinkles. Laughter and delight filled every corner of our classroom as we watched art and sweetness come together!

Our little ones then filled the room with the most heartwarming melodies, their voices as bright as the sunshine they sang about. "You Are My Sunshine" and "Together We Stand" echoed through the room, a gentle reminder of the love that connects us all. It was a truly unforgettable moment.

And what better way to finish such a day than with a trip to the 100 Acre Woods? We chased joy and found laughter in every game, hand-in-hand with our special guests. It was a day of pure, unadulterated wonder.

To all of our amazing special people, thank you for making this day so extraordinary. Your presence, your smiles, and your love made our hive shine even brighter. It was truly a phenomenal day, and one we'll cherish forever.

Pooh Bear's House

This week at Christopher Robin Pre-Primary, we celebrated one of the highlights of our year – Special Persons Day! On Wednesday morning, the Pooh Bears were so excited to welcome their chosen special people into the classroom for a wonderful time together.

We started our morning by singing one of our favourite rhymes, Tiny Tim. Then it was time for a hands-on activity – decorating pots and planting Spekboom together! The children loved creating something meaningful that they could watch grow and hopefully flourish at home.

There were also plenty of giggles as we answered fun questions about one another – especially when the Pooh Bears tried to guess how old their special people are!

It was truly a joyful and memorable morning, filled with laughter, creativity, and love. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it so special.

Roo's House

What a wonderful and busy week we’ve had! The children practiced so hard for Special Person’s Day, and all that effort truly paid off. They sang their songs with such joy and pride, eager to share their music with the people who mean so much to them.

One of the highlights of the week was definitely making moon sand. While it left the classroom looking like a sandy beach explosion, the children absolutely loved it! They were so excited to scoop some into buckets and take it home — a messy but memorable adventure.

To top it all off, we’ve been diving into one of everyone’s favorite topics: dinosaurs. The children are buzzing with excitement as they learn fun facts, roar like T-Rexes, and share their own dino discoveries.

It’s been a week full of hard work, laughter, learning, and lots of happy mess - just the way we like it!

Kanga's House

What a wonderful week we had in Kanga’s house as we eagerly waited for Thursday, our much-anticipated Special Persons Day! The Kangas practised their special song all week with so much heart, and when the big day arrived, they truly blew their special guests away with their beautiful singing and well-rehearsed moves.

After the performance, the activities began, and our Kangas shone brightly as they confidently explained each task to their special person. One of our favourites was the hand-traced flower bouquet—their traced hands looked just like two hands holding a bunch of bright, happy flowers. It was beyond cute!

They also created beautiful clay flowers, so colourful, detailed, and made with lots of love and care. The room was filled with laughter, creativity, and joy. From moms and dads to grannies, grandpas, uncles and aunts, it was a day filled with love and unforgettable memories.

Thank you for sharing this special day with us. It’s one we will always treasure!

Owl's House

The Owls had a wonderful time using box construction to create their own robots. Before building, they spent time planning what their robots would look like and what parts they would need. It was amazing to see their creativity come to life as they solved problems and turned boxes and tubes into imaginative robot designs.

Rabbit's House

Rabbit’s house put their heart and soul into preparing for special person’s day on Thursday. 

We were so excited to present a repertoire of songs to our special guests, who included moms, dads, aunties, uncles and parent’s friends. Our learners’ imaginations were given free reign to create beautifully detailed depictions of their special people and memories they shared together, and they then decorated a unique picture frame, to surround their art, using ice cream sticks and an array of decorations. It was such an honour sharing this special time together. 

Outreach

Join us in our October/November Outreach Drive!

All donations will be shared with Grace Foundation to bring hope and support to those in need in our community.”

Lost Property 

Label & Lion | 105 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town

2025 | All rights reserved.

2025 Dates 

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

Winter Quarter Information

Important Dates - Winter Quarter

22 September:  Happy Birthday Lungi 

23 September: Gilly Southwood: SA Heritage Day Storytelling and dress-up

23 September Last day of the quarter 

24 September:  Public Holiday: Heritage Day  

Spring Quarter 2025 

Spring Quarter Important Dates 

SPRING QUARTER:

14 October: Learners return

Extra Murals Commence 

14 October: Grade R Graduation Photographs 

17 October: Grade R Cake Sale

20 October: International Chefs Day: colour in paper hat and decorate a Marie biscuit

21 October: Class Photographs All grades 

22 October: Concert Photographs Grade 000 & R

23 October: Concert Photographs Grade 00 

24 October: Happy Birthday Liezl Stander 

26 October: Happy Birthday Miseka Mqoto 

31 October: Grade 00 Cake Sale

7 November: Happy Birthday Erin Liggett 

5 November: Grade 000 - R Concert 09h00 – 10h00 (Inclement weather, 7 Nov)

6 November: Grade 000 - R Concert 09h00 – 10h00 (Inclement weather, 7 Nov)

6 November: Happy Birthday Cassandra Mönning

7 November: Provisional Grade 000, 00 and R Concert 09h00 - 10h00 

12 November: Happy Birthday Khanyo Rafisa-Tabo

16 November: Happy Birthday Tali Maltz

19 November: Grade R Graduation Rehearsal 

20 November: Grade R Graduation Rehearsal 

21 November: Happy Birthday Brenda Dingile 

21 November: Grade R Graduation 08:45 - 11:00

25 November: Grade R Outing: Wonderdal Edutainment Centre (All Grade Rs)

28 November: Interactive Circus Show in the JP Amphitheatre @09:30

28 November: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks Cake Sale 

1 December: Class lists released 

2 December: Disney Dress-up and Class Parties 

3 December: Reports sent to parents 

5 December: Last day of the quarter - School closes at 11:00 

Spring Quarter Theme Discussions

‼️Spring Quarter Extra Mural Sign Up Form‼️

Please use the link below to sign your child up for the Spring Quarter Extra Murals.

Sign-ups close on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. No late sign-ups will be allowed, as there are only 8 weeks available for the 8 guaranteed lessons.

Extra murals will start on the first day back next quarter, 14 October 2025.

Spring Quarter Extra Mural Sign Up Form 

Graduation Photographs 

The very special Grade R Graduation photographs will be taken on Tuesday, 14 October during the morning. A treasured keepsafe for many years to come! 

On the morning of Tuesday, 14 October, please send your little one to school dressed in the following: 

Girls:

• Pink full-length ballet tights (available from Belinda at Ballet Basics 021 558 9897 / 074 114 6661 or Dance.    
  Euphoria 021 557 6887)

• White underwear (with no pictures)

• Ballet shoes for those that have. (The school will supply the girls with ballet shoes if they do not have a pair).

• A graduation cape and dress will be supplied for the photographs.

Please tie your daughter’s hair into a neat pony, should it be long enough. Please ensure that every item is clearly marked with your child’s name and that a change of clothes is sent for the remainder of the day after the photographs. 

UNIFORM SUPPLIER: SCHOOL & LEISURE, N1 CITY

The friendly staff at School & Leisure are waiting to serve you!

Address: SCHOOL & LEISURE

N1 City Mall, Shop 84B

Louwtjie Rothman Street, Goodwood

Trading Hours:

Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 18:00

Saturday: 08:30 – 16:00

Sunday: 09:00 – 13:00

Contact No.: Tel 021 205 1951

Email: goodwood@schoolandleisure.co.za

Website: www.schoolandleisure.co.za

Store Manager: Ashley Schwartz

You may order online by visiting the website.

A Note on Safety and Collection

The safety of our children is always our top priority. Please remember to let both the office and your class teacher know if someone different will be collecting your child. This can easily be done by phone or email.

For aftercare families, we kindly ask that you sign your child out on the register each day. To keep everyone safe, children cannot be collected by older school-going siblings - collection must always be by a designated adult.

ROBOTICS 

Three Parklands College Teams Set to Represent South Africa After Stunning Performance at World Robot Olympiad Nationals

PRETORIA – Parklands College achieved unprecedented success at the World Robot Olympiad National Championships on September 13, claiming two category titles and securing three coveted spots at the international finals in Singapore. Of nine qualifying teams, three have now earned the right to represent South Africa on the global stage.

Championship Performances

The most remarkable achievements came from TechnoBlade and HTDR, who both mastered the "Mars Exploration" challenge and completed the surprise rule to earn an additional 30 points – separating the exceptional from the extraordinary.

An experienced TechnoBlade claimed the Junior category championship with a stunning 196 points in just 72 seconds, while HTDR, a first year team in this category, secured silver with an incredible full score of 196 points in 80 seconds. Both teams achieved full scores twice out of their three attempts for their Singapore qualification. 

"Completing the surprise rule is what separates good teams from championship teams," explained Robotics Lead Justine de Wet. "Both TechnoBlade and HTDR showed incredible adaptability under pressure – that extra 30 points represents the kind of innovative thinking that will serve them well on the world stage."

HyperTech 2.0 dominated the Elementary category with a perfect 155 points in 66 seconds during the "Satellites at Work" challenge.

Sweep Across Categories

Parklands College demonstrated remarkable depth across all divisions: HyperTech 2.0 dominated Elementary, all three Junior teams finished in the national top six (V0rtex 6th, HTDR silver, TechnoBlade champions), while Techtron earned bronze in the challenging Senior "Rocket Assembly" competition. Galactic Girls also captured silver in Future Innovators with their innovative Martian habitat solution.

Historic Achievement

This marks Parklands College's 11th consecutive year of WRO International representation – an unprecedented streak demonstrating sustained excellence in international robotics competition.

The three qualifying teams – HyperTech 2.0, HTDR, and TechnoBlade – will compete at the World Robot Olympiad International Final in Singapore from November 26-28, facing the world's brightest young roboticists from over 100 countries.

The coaching team, led by Richard Knaggs along with Robotics Lead Justine de Wet and coaches Austyn Delport and Cai Bridges, has created a culture of innovation and excellence that consistently propels learners to international success.

"These achievements show that South African learners can compete with anyone in the world when given the right opportunities and support," emphasized de Wet.

The World Robot Olympiad International Final takes place in Singapore from November 26-28, 2024, where teams from over 100 countries will compete for global supremacy in robotics and STEM innovation.

Things to do during the holidays 

Boschendal Tree House Holiday Programme

Welcome to The Tree House, where imagination and learning come alive! Their daily edutainment programme caters to children aged 3-12, offering a unique blend of fun and education. While their daily structure remains consistent, they introduce a new theme every month and a sub-theme each week, keeping things fresh and exciting. 

Tree House Holiday Programme
upcoming events  

Holiday Surf Club 

Holiday Surf Club has been running for over 10 years. It’s a fun and engaging initiative that gets kids outdoors, active, and excited while learning to surf or progressing their surfing skills. Welcome to ages from 5 upward. Please follow this link for more information: Holiday Surf Club 

Stoep Restaurant on Laborie Wine Estate 

We found a spot where the whole family can relax! At Stoep Restaurant on Laborie Wine Estate in Paarl you’ll find tasty seasonal food, epic mountain views, and plenty of space for the kids. The little ones will love to:

Splash in the little water stream

Explore the huge playground with swings, slides & a jungle gym

Enjoy the cute kiddies menu

Grown-ups will love it just as much! at Stoep at Laborie you can expect hearty meals + weekly specials (Business Lunch, Thursday Nights & Sunday Roasts!)

Good food for the grown-ups, big play for the little ones = everyone happy!

Taillefer Street, Laborie Estate, Paarl, 7646

Stoep restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. Operating Wednesday to Saturday from 7am to 9pm and on Sundays it’s open from 7am to 5pm.

Paradise Park 

Hidden gem Alert! Kids can play under the trees, fully shaded and surrounded by nature in this beautiful spot in the heart of Newlands. ✨

Paradise Park features play facilities all over the place. You can enter the park from different places and either end up on the first playground immediately or you make your way along the tree house, water stream and then you can spot the two play areas in the back. The little ones will find jungle gyms, swings, a see-saw, climbing features, sport equipment and lots of lawn to run around and have fun.

If you have dogs, this is also a fantastic treat for them. Take them with and they will probably enjoy the park as much as the kids. 🐕

There are also security guards patrolling the park 24/7 - so it’s a very safe place to go as a family or even on your own if you walk the dogs or go for a run.

We can 100% recommend this spot! ❤️

📍ERF50165 Paradise Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700

Video 

What Awaits You:

🎪 Live Circus Show with breathtaking human performers (ZERO animals)
🧚‍♀️ Mythical Creatures roaming the grounds
🎨 Creative Zone for budding artists
🤹‍♂️ Interactive Performers throughout the day
🎭 Roaming Puppet Shows bringing stories to life
🎯 Carnival Games and challenges
🧸 Soft Play Areas designed for little explorers
🎨 Face Painting transformations
🍿 Concession Stand with treats for everyone

⚠️ IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• Tickets are extremely limited for each session

• Both adults and children require tickets

• This is a family-centric experience designed for all ages

Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of imagination and wonder!

Playrock

Have you been to Playrock Adventure Park in Paarl yet? It certainly is the ultimate adventure spot for kids AND adults as it has something for everyone.

Indoor Play Park: Let the kids bounce off some energy in the multi-level play area! With slides, obstacles, and a dedicated trampoline zone, they’ll be entertained for hours, and safety is top-notch with grip socks and friendly supervisors keeping an eye out. You can either bring your own grip socks or purchase them at the door. 

Mini-Golf Course: Take on a space-themed mini-golf course that’s full of fun challenges the whole family can enjoy! This is a great way to share a laugh and enjoy some friendly competition. 

Outdoor Mini Soccer Pitch: For the sporty ones, Playrock’s mini soccer pitch is a hit! It’s perfect for a quick game and adds even more active fun to your visit.

Family Restaurant & Bar: Parents can sit back and relax in the on-site restaurant while the kids explore. The menu has options for all tastes, making it easy to unwind and recharge. Whether you’re craving pizzas, burgers, salads, platters and a cold beer or wine - the Eatery has it all. Of course, they also have dedicated kiddies options and yummy treats for those with a sweet tooth.

Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or just want a day out with the family, Playrock Adventure Park is the ideal spot! They’re open Tuesday through Sunday and also offer awesome party packages for birthdays or other celebrations.

What we loved most: the kids get unlimited play time while you enjoy good live music and relaxed vibes. Win win for everyone and it’s an outing the entire family will enjoy.

Claycafe

Clay Café Paarl is a hidden gem on Groot Parys Estate, offering a unique Pottery Café and kid-friendly restaurant in Paarl. Nestled among the vineyards near the award-winning Groot Parys Lifestyle Estate, it’s the perfect creative escape for families and friends. Relax and enjoy the stunning views of Paarl Rock and the Paarl Monument, while experiencing the warm hospitality that makes us a standout restaurant in Paarl.

https://claycafe.co.za/paarl/

paarl@claycafe.co.za

Pedal Boat Experience 

Explore the scenic canals of the V&A Waterfront from a fun pedal boat. Each boat takes from two to six people, so you can make it an outing for the whole family, or gather together a group of young friends for a buoyant adventure (they host birthday parties, too). In the evenings, there’s the option of a sunset pedal, with fairy lights on the boat and the option to order a picnic (or bring your own).

Opening times Daily, 9am – 5pm (weather dependent)
Good to know Afternoons get very busy, so come early for better availability
Cost R100 (30 minutes); kids under 4: R50
Sunset pedal: R200 (45 minutes)
Where to find it Battery Park, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Cape Town Science Centre

With over 250 exhibits, puzzles, experiments and interactive games that cover a wide range of disciplines including maths, technology and engineering, this play centre/museum is aimed at getting young minds engaged scientifically and showing how learning can be fun. There are many mind-bending exhibits that will astound not only the kids interacting with them but adults too, including a camera obscura, AstroTrek virtual reality (walk on Mars!) and Light Room of colours. Keep an eye out for the Mindball – where children move a ball around with the power of their brain waves – and the Human Gyroscope, where they can spin around and float as if in a low-gravity environment.

Good to know The iCafe coffee shop offers refreshments, light meals and free internet.

Opening times Monday – Saturday, 9am – 4.30pm

Public holidays, 10am – 4.30pm

Cost R95

R45 (pensioners)

R340 (family package for four people)

R85 per person (groups of 10 or more)

Contact 021 300 3200, info@ctsc.org.za

Where to find it 370B Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town

Happy Birthday 

We wish Amy Dean a very special birthday today, and to Lungi, who will be celebrating on Monday, 22 September. May your day be filled with joy and happiness!

Last day of School 

On the last day of school, we will be celebrating Heritage Day, a time to honour the rich cultures and traditions that make South Africa unique.

We are excited to welcome Gilly Southwood, a talented storyteller who captivates children with her stories and make stories come alive in a  magical way. Learners will also enjoy a boerewors roll and are invited to dress in something that celebrates their own heritage.

Rosh Hashanah 

We wish our Jewish families a Happy Rosh Hashanah next week.  

Conclusion

Wishing all our families a wonderful spring break filled with rest, laughter, and special moments. As we celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September, may it be a time to honour our traditions and enjoy time together. 

This is our last blog for the quarter, and we look forward to sharing our next one with you on Monday, 13 October, before we welcome everyone back for an exciting new term.