Pre-Primary Weekly Memo
21 November 2025

Dear Parents

GRADE R GRADUATION EXCELLENCE FOR 45 YEARS

This morning, we celebrated a very special milestone — the Grade R Graduation. It’s a moment filled with pride, joy, and a touch of disbelief at how quickly these little ones have grown. Their confidence on stage, their brave voices, and their excitement for what comes next reminded us why the early years are so important.

As Christopher Robin Pre-Primary marks 45 years of excellence, today carries added significance. Our graduates are part of a long, cherished history of young children taking their first steps into formal learning — steps that shape their curiosity, confidence, and love for discovery.

We were honoured to have Director, Mr Michael Paul Roth, address the audience. His presence made the morning even more meaningful, as he, too, once stood on stage as a Christopher Robin Pre-Primary learner back in 2001. His message — encouraging children to stay curious, stay kind, and keep taking brave steps — was a full-circle moment that resonated with families and staff alike.

Today wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a celebration of beginnings. Our young graduates now move forward into the next chapter of their schooling journey, carrying with them the wonder and enthusiasm that define these foundational years.

Here’s to each child stepping ahead with excitement — and to the next 45 years of little footsteps, big dreams, and the enduring spirit of Christopher Robin Pre-Primary.

Pre-Primary Principal's Address

Good morning, and a warm welcome to our Grade R Graduation.
Thank you for being here this morning.

I would like to extend a welcome to our Founder and Managing Director, Mrs Lorraine Roth, and to Director Michael Paul Roth, who will be delivering the Director’s Address shortly. We also appreciate the presence of our senior management team.

We would like to acknowledge Mrs Sylvia Steyn, Principal of the Secondary Faculty. This is her final Grade R Graduation with us, and we are grateful for her support over the years.

We have already enjoyed the children’s beautiful performances today, and there is still more to come. Thank you for the support you’ve shown throughout the year, and for taking the time to share this special morning with us.

To our teachers and support staff: thank you for your care, your steady guidance, and the heart you bring into the classroom each day. The children’s progress is a reflection of your commitment.

And to you, our parents: thank you for the trust you place in us. The confidence your children bring into school begins at home, and we truly value the partnership we share with you.

Each year, as part of her farewell to the matrics, Mrs Steyn shares a reflection from the closing paragraph of Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. I would like to offer a brief summary of that message today, because it speaks so beautifully to the journey of growth and learning.

Mr Mandela reflects on the idea of always moving forward — on the understanding that each achievement is not the end, but simply the next step in a larger journey. In that same spirit, we honour our young learners this morning. They are just beginning to discover who they are, and who they will become. May they walk into the future with courage, curiosity, and the confidence that each step they take opens new opportunities for growth and possibility.

Next year, the children will join Mrs Chantel Lamb, our Junior Preparatory Principal, and her team as they move into Grade 1. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow and flourish under her guidance.

Thank you once again for being here. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the programme as we celebrate this special milestone for your children.

Director's Address - Michael Paul Roth

Welcome to our 45th Graduation Ceremony.

This morning, we honour our Graduates and bid them a fond farewell as they progress to BIG school and the excitement of Grade 1.

We look forward to observing our futurepreners as they move through the College over the next 12 years and hopefully matriculate with us in 2037.

It is with confidence that we hand them over to Mrs Lamb and her team of specialists. Riette, we thank you and each member of your team for making our Pre-Primary the wonderful place that it is.

Robert Fulghum wrote the following, which aptly describes how we should live our lives and as parents, you may still recall some of these valuable lessons from your days in Pre-School.

Wisdom was not at the top of the Graduate Mountain, but there in the sandbox where we learned…

1. share everything

2. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your mess

3. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody

4. Wash your hands before you eat

5. Flush

6. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you

7. Live a balanced life

8. Learn some, think some, draw and paint and sing, dance and play and work some, every day

9. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together

10. Be aware of wonder

11. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup - the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all

like that

12. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup – they all die. So do we.

13. And then remember the book about Biff and Chip, and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK

14. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere

15. The Golden Rules: treat others as you would want to be treated; remember, love and basic sanitation; ecology, politics and sane living

16. Think of what a better world it would be if we all – the whole world – had cookies and milk at about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap.

17. Or if we had a basic policy in our nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes.

18. And it is still true; no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is better to hold hands and stick together.

The importance of sharing true values such as these with our children, ensures that we continue raising responsible, independent, thoughtful and kind young people.

Our love and best wishes accompany each and every graduate. We are hopeful they will continue to hold hands and stick together on the exciting journey that awaits them.

Our sincere appreciation to our Pre-Primary parent body, for entrusting us with your child's future. Remember, it is a journey we can all share.

Now finally, a message to our little learners, Pooh said the following to Piglet:

“You are braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem,

Smarter than you think, And loved more than you know”

On behalf of the family of the College, our Chair, Board, Principals and educators –

May the holiday Season bring you its treasures in abundance,

lasting friendships, family joys, health and prosperity

Michael Paul Roth

Junior Preparatory Principal Address - Chantel Lamb

My word - you all look so smart today!

My name is Mrs Lamb and I am very excited to be your Principal next year.

Some of us have seen each other around the school but just to make sure that I meet you all, I will be coming to read you a little story in the last week of school…and give you a little treat-yay!

For now all I want to say is well done on all your hard work. You certainly deserve the special medals and certificates you will be receiving.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Grade 1 next year.

Executive Prefect Address- Connor Niske

Today is such a special day, specifically for the graduates, parents, guardians and supporters, but also for me. To give some background… I joined Christopher Robin Pre-Primary in 2012, grade 000. I think back to when I joyfully graduated from Christopher Robin in 2014. That feels not that long ago, but somehow 11 years of my life have flown by, and here I am today. Delivering a speech to the 2025 Grade R Graduates, the matric class of 2037.

With that in mind, I say good morning! Good morning, Mrs Roth, our founder and managing director, principals, educators, proud parents and our very special graduates. My name is Connor Niske, and I am the 2026 Parklands College Secondary Faculty Head Prefect alongside Aisha Salie and our deputies, Naeha Naidu and Jarryd Hunt. They have also spent the majority of their schooling career at Parklands College.

Eleven years ago, I was sitting right where you are. Nervously waiting for my name to be called to walk onto the stage and to collect my scroll. I was scared, but I was ready to go to grade 1. I was so excited about wearing my fancy school uniform, about getting my own lunchbox every day and especially about getting proper homework for the first time. Turns out, homework was not as glamorous as I thought it would be.

My Grade R teacher in 2014 was Teacher Sam, who may be your Grade 1 teacher for some of you next year, Mrs Naidoo. Mrs Naidoo is such a special and amazing educator, and she left an incredible mark on my life. I will never forget the essential skills and lessons learnt in her class, and I will be forever grateful that I went to such a wonderful pre-primary school, which led me to where I am today.

Time moves quickly. It's amazing to look at all these talented students and know that, before you know it, one of the children sitting here could be standing where I am today, delivering a similar speech.

To our very special graduates: Well done! You made it. Today, you've finished your very first chapter of your schooling career. You have learned, grown and made friends along the way. You will continue that for the rest of your life. Next year, you will be stepping into “big school”, grade 1. With every year that will pass in your future, you'll discover more about yourself and what you can achieve. As I mentioned at the start of my speech… You will be finishing school in 2037. It sounds far away now, but trust me, it comes much quicker than you think.

To our parents and families: thank you for trusting Christopher Robin with your young minds, for cheering them every step of the way, and for being here to celebrate with us. Their transition into Parklands College will be nothing short of seamless, and I promise you that they are in the safest hands possible.

As you leave grade R, remember this: keep your kindness, play nicely, keep being curious, and always believe in yourself. The world is waiting for you, and we cannot wait to see the amazing things you will accomplish.

I thank you.

Riëtte Pieterse: Christopher Robin Pre-Primary Principal

Connor Niske: Executive Prefect

Chantel Lamb: Junior Preparatory Principal

Michael Paul Roth: Director

Graduation Photographs

For our Grade R families, individual graduation photographs have already been printed and will be included in a special keepsake folder with the graduation certificate, which will be handed out following the ceremony on Friday, 21 November. A graduation group photograph and additional individual photographs are also available for ordering at R60 each.

Please email Liezl Stander at lstander@parklands.co.za to place your order by Monday, 24 November.

The graduation photos will also be billed to your account.

Class Lists For 2026 (Grade 0000 - R 2025)

As we look ahead to a brand-new year, our class placement process is already underway. Our primary goal is to create a balanced environment where each little one can thrive. To do this, we carefully consider every child’s class placement with thought and intention.

Our team of teachers and management thoughtfully review each child’s emotional, social, and academic needs, as well as the social dynamics within the group, to ensure that every learner is placed in the best possible setting for the year ahead. This is a mammoth task, involving many hours of collaboration and careful discussion.

While we understand that some parents may have preferences, we ask that you trust in our teachers’ expertise and our commitment to placing each child where they will feel supported, confident, and happy. Every decision is made with great care to ensure the best fit for your child’s continued growth and development.

📋 Class lists will be displayed in the Pre-Primary reception on Monday, 1 December 2025.

Zoo to the Sea Concert Photographs

Parents are welcome to order concert photographs by completing the following form:

Zoo to the Sea Concert Photograph Order Form

R60 per photo will be billed to your account. The cut-off date for concert photo orders is Monday, 24 November.

Peek Into Our Week

Tiny Tots

Piglet's House

This week, the Piglet's House have loved diving into the theme of South Africa. We spent time learning about some of our country’s most meaningful national symbols, including our proudly South African flag and the fascinating Big 5. The children were especially excited about the flag, exploring its bold colours and unique design. They created their own versions of it using a range of materials, proudly expressing their creativity while deepening their understanding of what the flag represents.

Alongside our national symbols, we enjoyed plenty of hands-on sensory fun. The children enthusiastically explored different textures and materials, which naturally sparked imaginative play and problem-solving. One of the highlights of the week was designing and building bridges for our dinosaurs to walk across and building our own houses outside. These were activities that encouraged collaboration, innovation, and lots of laughter.

It has been a week filled with curiosity, creativity, and joyful learning. We are so proud of how the children embraced each activity with enthusiasm and a spirit of exploration. We look forward to discovering even more together in the weeks ahead!

Tigger's House

Innovation Corner - Exploring, Building, Imagining!

This week in Tigger's House, our little innovators took their creativity to new heights with magnetic blocks. These colourful shapes offer endless opportunities for early design thinking, problem-solving, and imaginative play — all essential foundations for innovation in the early years.

Magnetic construction encourages children to:

* Experiment with balance and structure

* Work together and share ideas

* Test possibilities and fix what doesn’t work

* Build confidence as young creators and thinkers

One of the highlights of the week was an incredible creation by Tau and Sivu, who worked together to build a very impressive structure complete with secret doors! Their teamwork, imagination, and excitement were a perfect example of how children naturally innovate when given the right tools and freedom to explore.

Innovation begins with curiosity — and in Grade 000, we’re nurturing that spark every day. 🌈🔧✨

WhatsApp Video 2025-11-19 at 10.54.47 (1).mp4

Honey Bee's House

What a wild week for the Honey Bees as we explored Animals from Around the World. This week, we zoomed in on animals native to different countries:

• We met the magnificent Red Kangaroo from Australia.

• We learned about the playful Giant Panda from China.

• And we discovered the fascinating Sloth, native to the rainforests of Central and South America.

Fun Fact Alert! Did you know that the sloth is the world's slowest mammal, moving so slowly that algae can actually grow on its fur? That's natural camouflage!

Our art project this week was dedicated to the charming Llama. The children had a blast coloring in, cutting, and pasting to create their own beautiful llama masterpieces. These activities aren't just fun; they're super beneficial.

• Cutting is a great workout for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which

are crucial for writing later on.

• Coloring and pasting help improve concentration and promote creativity and self-expression.

Imaginations absolutely ran wild with Teacher Nikki in the Robotics Lab at Steampark. The children were brilliant little engineers, using teamwork and critical thinking to bring their ideas to life. And of course, we made sure to go outside for lots of fun in the sun. Safety first, though, we were all thoroughly lathered in sunscreen and topped with protective sun hats to keep those rays at bay. It was an action-packed week of learning and discovery. We can't wait to see what adventures next week brings.

Pooh Bear's House

This week the Pooh Bears set off on a wonderful adventure as we explored Animals Around the World. From creatures great and small, to the weird and the wonderful, the children were completely captivated!

We discovered that baby kangaroos have the cutest names – Joeys! The children loved learning how Joeys stay safe and snug in their mommy’s pouch as they grow. This sparked so much excitement and curiosity as we imagined what life must be like hopping around Australia.

One of the highlights of our week was reading an incredible life-size animal book. The children were amazed to see just how big (or tiny!) animals can be in real life. We compared the smallest hummingbird to our hands, gasped at a creepy crawly that was the size of their feet, and marvelled at the gigantic eye of a squid – it was much bigger than expected! And of course, the giggles were endless when we discovered that a giraffe’s tongue is long enough to reach all the sweetest, highest leaves.

It was a week full of wonder, questions, and the joy of discovering the amazing animals that share our planet. What a truly wild learning adventure! 🐨🦑🦒🦋

Animals around the world.mp4

Kanga's House

This week in class was shear joy! We explored the world of farm shearing and discovered how real sheep get their woolly coats trimmed, cleaned, woven, and magically turned into the soft fabric that becomes our cozy jerseys, scarves, and beanies. We even made our own adorable sheep, rolling tiny woolly balls to practice our fine-motor skills. Our fingers worked as hard as real farmers! We also learned a brand-new digraph, sh, which fit perfectly with our sheep-themed adventure. They impressed me with their lovely sh pictures and their brave attempts to write the words all on their own, they truly surprised me! I am so proud of every Kanga for giving their best.

Grade R Outing to Wonderdal - Tuesday, 25 November

Wonderdal offers a unique and engaging experience for learners, featuring six interactive indoor stations - Story Caves, Health Kitchen, Wonder Garden, Play Time, Kora, and Tinker Workshop - where each station is guided by a facilitator known as "The Wonderpal." These stations cover topics such as different forms of energy, the five food groups, photosynthesis, and listening skills.

In addition to the indoor stations, there are two outdoor play areas, also supervised by a Wonderpal, which include a Rock-Climbing Wall, Obstacle Course, Forest Net Canopy, Balancing Sock, and games like Jenga and X’s & O’s.

The learners will be transported to and from the outing in Springbok Atlas buses. Each class teacher and their classroom assistant will accompany the children for this outing.

Departure time from school: 08h15 - Arrival at Wonderdal: 09h00

Departure time from Rosen Castle: 11h15 - Arrival at school: 12h00 - 12h15

The amount of R240 will be billed to your account.

Interactive Circus - 28 November (All Grades)

Learners will be treated to a 30-minute ground-based interactive circus show, a high-energy performance including juggling, slapstick comedy, a circus spinning pole act, acrobatics, rolling ball and balancing acts, and ending with a spectacular group human pyramid finale.

The amount of R45 will be billed to your account.

Cake Sales – A Monthly Treat!

Each grade has the opportunity to contribute to a cake sale, and the children eagerly look forward to their special treat. We ask that cupcakes, popcorn, crisps, muffins, etc., be sent to the class on the allocated cake sale date. Please ensure all items are nut-free and do not include sweets.

To keep appetites in check, we recommend that children spend no more than R2 at the cake sale. You may send R2 on the day in a sealed envelope/packet or prepay for the term (R6 per term, R24 for the year).

28 November: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks Cake Sale

We appreciate your support in making our Cake Sale a success! If you would like to contribute by sending in baked/bought goods or snacks, please complete this form.

Cake Sale Contributions

We have space for 8 parents to help sell treats on the day. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the form below.

Cake Sale Parent Volunteer Sign Up

Thank you for your support!

Congratulations Aiden

Aiden recently achieved an exciting milestone by earning his Level 1 Red Swimming Certificate through his external swimming programme. We are so proud of his hard work, confidence, and progress in the water! Well done, Aiden!

Library Adventure

In May this year, our Grade R classes had a memorable morning as they attended an author visit in the school hall. Roslynne Toerien is a wonderful author whose unique animal adventures bring our South African animal kingdom right into our homes and classrooms. We have enjoyed The Feathered Five, The Nocturnal Nine and The Forgotten Four. We can now share the good news that there are two new books to look forward to: The Together Two and The Scavenging Seven are expected in March next year. That seems like a great opportunity to invite the author to visit us again. How privileged our children are to grow up amongst such a wealth of fascinating creatures!

This week, we are taking a closer look at The Speedy Six Olympics.

The Animal Olympics is an event that draws a lot of creatures, whether participants or curious onlookers like ourselves. Who will be the fastest in the land? This remarkable race showcases the differences, uniqueness and special abilities each animal possesses. Wondering who the winners were? Read the story and be blown away by the speeds that some of these animals can achieve.

Also look out for the Wild Olympics 3-in-1 card game - a great stocking filler at this time of the year!

Elise Crouse - Librarian

Outreach

Join us in our October/November Outreach Drive! All donations will be shared with the Grace Foundation to bring hope and support to those in need in our community.

Please drop off all items at Reception.

Spring Quarter 2025

Spring Quarter Important Dates

SPRING QUARTER:

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

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

Labels

A friendly reminder to please label your children’s clothing — every hat, jersey, sock, and jacket! 🧦✨

Labelled clothes have a magical way of finding their way back to their rightful owners (and homes!) 🏡, while unlabelled ones often go on unexpected adventures in our lost-and-found box.

Let’s help those runaway jerseys make it home safely

2026 Grade R Information (Current Honey Bee's, Pooh Bear's and Roo's House)

The Grade R stationery kit for 2026 as detailed below is payable via Credit Card, Direct Deposit or EFT to Waltons, before Friday, 12 December 2025. 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 2026.

Grade R Stationery Letter

Grade 1 2026 Information

Dear Parents

The Junior Preparatory Faculty cannot wait to welcome your little one to Grade 1 in 2026. I look forward to getting to know them and will visit their class near the end of the year to read a story and introduce myself.

Although the children will have a "pop in" during the school day to meet their teacher on Wednesday 26 November, there will also be a special Orientation for them to spend some time with their teachers on Friday, 16 January 2026 from 8:30 - 9:30. During this time we invite parents to join us for a Parent Meeting which will outline important information about the daily activities and requirements in Grade One.

The Grade One school day begins promptly at 08:00 (school opens at 07:30 for drop-off) and ends at 14:00. However, to support our Grade Ones in adjusting to the change in routine, their school day will end at 12:00 from Tuesday, 20 January to Friday, 23 January. If your child is enrolled in aftercare, they will stay with their teachers until aftercare starts at 14:00. From the following week, school ends every day at 14:00, and you may collect your children from their classrooms or aftercare. Sport will start on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 and takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 13:00 to 14:00, during the school day. On these days, as well as PE days, the learners may come to school dressed in their PE Kit. Please note that the learners all swim in their classes during PE.

If your child is unable to swim, please enrol them in a reputable swim school. Class specific timetables will be shared by the teacher and the sporting and extramural programme on offer will be sent to parents in our Weekly Memo.

Please refer to the Welcome Letter, Frequently Asked Questions, Stationery and Textbook (Caxtons) letter and list as well as Uniform (sport clothes are worn at least twice a week) and iPad Requirements and Discount Voucher. Books DO NOT need to be covered as the children will make the covers in class and the teachers will cover the books with the slip-on plastic covers. In addition to this please ensure your child has a combination lock, an old T-shirt to use for art and a set of headphones compatible with their iPad. Books DO NOT need to be covered as the children will make the covers in class and the teachers will cover the books with the slip-on plastic covers. In addition to this please ensure your child has a combination lock, an old T-shirt to use for art and a set of headphones compatible with their iPad.

Welcome Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

Grade 1 - 6 Device Requirements

Device discount voucher

Uniform Requirements

Grade 1 Waltons List

Grade 1 Stationery Letter

We look forward to meeting you at the Orientation/Parent Meeting on Friday 16 January and welcoming our Grade One learners to the Junior Preparatory on Tuesday 20 January 2026.

Junior Prep Music

Grade 1 2026:

We invite parents of all current individual music learners, as well as those wishing to commence individual lessons in 2026, to please complete the following enrolment form:

Current Grade R learners: 2026 JP Music Form

A form for Ensembles, including Choir, and Orchestra, will be shared at the start of 2026.

Second-Hand Uniform Requirements

Please contact Tania Fourie if you would like to buy or sell good quality second-hand uniforms. She is also the supplier of Froggy School shoes.

Contact details: +27 83 631 7683 or tania@sportstudio.co.za

First Additional Language

Our Grade 1 - 3 learners have a choice between Afrikaans FAL and isiXhosa FAL. Please click on the link to complete the form: First Additional Language Choice 2026. If a selection has not been made, it will be assumed that the learner will attend Afrikaans as their First Additional Language.

Parent Business Directory

College parents are able to list their businesses in our Parent Business Directory for free – www.parklands.co.za/parent-business-directory/.

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...

Conclusion
As we approach the final stretch of 2025, we’re reminded once again what a remarkable year of growth this has been for our little ones. Each child has bloomed in their own way — gaining confidence, forming friendships, discovering new interests, and taking brave little steps forward every day.

👣 Childhood is a journey, not a race

Every child develops at their own pace. Some leap ahead socially, others blossom in language or problem-solving, and many make quiet but steady progress across many areas. All of these paths are normal and worth celebrating.

🎁 Every child opens their gifts in their own time

Milestones offer guidance, but they are not deadlines. What matters most is that your child feels safe, supported, and encouraged as they grow. We look at the whole child — their personality, confidence, curiosity, and joy.

🧸 Children learn what they live

The most meaningful learning happens during everyday moments: in play, in friendships, in routines, in conversations, and in those wonderful, unexpected bursts of creativity. These moments tell us far more about who they are than any checklist ever could.

How We Support Your Child’s Growth

Through play: their natural and most powerful way of learning
With a warm, nurturing environment, where they feel seen and valued
By meeting them where they are: each child has their own rhythm
In partnership with you: families are central to a child’s development
With a strengths-based lens: focusing on what makes your child shine

As we head towards the end of the year, we celebrate the small wins, the big leaps, and everything in between. Your children have demonstrated resilience, curiosity, kindness, and joy — and it has been a privilege to accompany them on this journey.

Here’s to the last few weeks of 2025 and all the wonder they still hold. 🌟

Happy Birthday Brenda

Today we celebrate Brenda and the joy she brings into our lives. We hope your day is filled with everything that makes you happiest. May the year ahead be full of blessings, laughter, and new adventures. Have the most amazing day!

💍 Engagement Announcement – Congratulations Abi & Connor! 💍

We are overjoyed to share the wonderful news that Abi and Connor got engaged this past weekend in beautiful Mossel Bay!

May this be the beginning of a lifetime filled with love, laughter, deep friendship, and endless adventures together. We wish them all the happiness in the world as they start planning their forever.

Page updated

Report abuse

Pre-Primary Weekly Memo21 November 2025