Dear Parents

We had such a lovely week with our little ones; the energy and excitement have been contagious!

Our Grade 000 - R learners have been practising extremely hard on their concert songs, and you can feel the buzz in the air as they get ready for their big performances next week. We can’t wait for you to see them on stage!

On Thursday, our Grade 00s had a delightful time with Chef Kerry, making their very own Bodoir Smartie Cars. It was a sweet and creative activity that had the children smiling from ear to ear, and maybe sneaking a Smartie or two! 😉

Our Grade 00 learners took part in their "What You Want to Be" Dress-Up Day and looked wonderful! From doctors, futurpreneurs, to superheroes and everything in between. It was such a joy to see their imaginations come to life.

Why Music Matters: More Than Just a Song

As we gear up for next week’s concert—an exciting celebration of music, movement, and joyful little voices—it's the perfect time to pause and reflect on why music holds such a special place in childhood.

Music is more than just a tune we hum or a beat we tap along to. It’s a powerful, enriching force that plays a vital role in a child’s development. From lullabies at bedtime to playful singing games in the classroom, music isn’t just entertainment. It’s education, connection, and heart.

To borrow the words of Friedrich Nietzsche:
"Without music, life would be a mistake."

Here’s why music deserves a daily spot in every child’s life, and how we, as parents and teachers, can help nurture this incredible gift:

🎵 1. Music Fuels Brain Development
Research continues to show how music activates and strengthens the areas of a child’s brain responsible for language, memory, reading, and even emotional development. Repetitive songs and musical routines help children sharpen memory, focus, and sequencing. Skills that will serve them in countless ways.

🗣️ 2. It Boosts Language and Communication
Songs are packed with rich vocabulary, rhythm, and rhyme. Singing helps children learn how words work; how they sound, how they flow, and what they mean. These aren’t just cute tunes; they’re building blocks for literacy and confident self-expression.

💛 3. It Supports Emotional Expression
Music gives children a safe, creative outlet for emotions. A lullaby can soothe, a cheerful song can uplift, and a slower melody might help them process feelings they can’t yet name. Through music, children learn to understand and express what’s going on inside, something even adults sometimes struggle with.

🎨 4. It Encourages Creativity and Confidence
Whether they’re making up their own lyrics, inventing a silly dance, or simply moving to the rhythm, music encourages children to take creative risks. These little moments spark imagination and help build a sense of self and confidence in their unique voice.

🤝 5. It Builds Social Bonds
Music brings people together. Singing in a group teaches children how to listen, take turns, cooperate, and belong. Whether it’s our classroom sing-alongs or next week’s stage performance, music reminds children (and us!) of the joy in unity.

🌍 6. It Teaches Cultural Appreciation
Through music, children explore a world of traditions, languages, and stories. It teaches them to celebrate both their own heritage and the rich diversity of others, an early lesson in empathy and global awareness.

🕺 7. It Supports Physical Development
Clapping, stomping, and dancing aren’t just fun; they’re helping to build coordination, motor skills, and body awareness. Even finger plays and action songs are laying the groundwork for handwriting, balance, and self-care.

To quote Hans Christian Andersen:
"Where words fail, music speaks."
And speak it does, right to the heart.

So as you watch your child step onto the stage next week, remember: what you’re seeing is more than a performance. It’s a celebration of learning, growth, creativity, and connection. Every note they sing and every movement they make is part of something deeply meaningful.

A Peek Into Our Week

Piglet's & Tigger's House

This week, our Grade 000s continued their exciting journey through the wild animal theme! The children have been choosing their favourite wild animals and learning just how lucky we are to live in a country that’s home to the mighty Big Five. One clear favourite is the majestic elephant, the largest land animal on earth, with its fascinating and wiggling trunk!

A highlight of the week was acting out the beloved story 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt', which had everyone moving, giggling, and imagining. During our daily morning rings and story times, the children continue to develop their all-important listening skills, expand their vocabulary and general knowledge, and grow in confidence, social interaction, and concentration.

We’re incredibly proud of our little Piglets and Tiggers, who have been practising with great enthusiasm for our upcoming concert next week. They’re bursting with excitement to perform for their moms and dads, and have already started counting the sleeps until the big day!

Owl's House

At the Owl's House, the children engaged in a fun and interactive Six Bricks activity, using their placemats to follow instructions carefully. They practised moving the bricks up and down as directed, helping to improve their listening skills, focus, and ability to follow sequential steps. Six Bricks activities like this support cognitive development, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness, all while keeping learning playful and engaging.

Pooh Bear's House

Art of the Week: Occupations – Firefighters

This week, our budding artists explored the exciting world of occupations with a focus on firefighters! We used watercolours to create vibrant borders, then brought the 'fire' to life using powder paint beneath cling film. A fun, textured technique that gave our 'flames' movement and depth. To complete the piece, we added five brave firefighters using handprints. 

The Jungle Adventure Concert (Grade 000 - R)

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Jungle Adventure Concert, where our little performers will take you on a wild and wonderful journey through the jungle! 

To manage the event smoothly and ensure everyone’s comfort, there will be 110 tickets available per show, and it’s strictly first come, first served.

To book your spot, please use the correct Google Form link that matches the date and time you plan to attend. All Grade 000 to R learners (not the Crackerjacks) will be performing in the same concert, which will take place twice a day on 29 and 30 May.

Each performance will be the same, repeated four times in total, and each show has its own booking form to help us manage unreserved seating accurately.

🎟️ Booking is essential – once the 110 tickets are booked for a show, the form will close automatically.

📅 Booking Links (please choose carefully based on the correct date and time):

29 May: 09:00 - 10:00 FULLY BOOKED 

29 May: 10:30 - 11:30 

30 May: 09:00 - 10:00 FULLY BOOKED

30 May: 10:30 - 11:30  FULLY BOOKED

Individual Photographs

Please take note that our Individual Photograph dates have changed.

We know how special these photos are for families, and we want to ensure each child has the best opportunity to smile and create a keepsake moment for years to come!

New Dates:

17 June: Individual photographs for Grades 000 & R
18 June: Individual photographs for Crackerjacks & 00

Health

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

Important Dates - Autumn Quarter 2025

28 May: Build your burger with Chef Kerry 

29 May: 09:00 - 10:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

29 May: 10:30 - 11:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

30 May: 09:00 - 10:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

30 May: 10:30 - 11:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R)
31 May: Open Day

1 June: International Children’s Day 

  Happy Birthday Kerry Kemp

2 June: Happy Birthday Chanay De Klerk

International Children's Day- Movie & Pop Corn (Grade 000 - R) in the hall
Crackerjacks Music & Marshmallow in their classes       

13 June: Reports sent to parents 

15 June: Father’s Day

16 June: Public Holiday: Youth Day 

17-20 June: Report Feedback Meetings Grade 0000 - R

17 June: Individual photographs for Grades 000 & R 

18 June: Individual photographs for Crackerjacks & 00

20 June: Grade 000 and Crackerjack's Cake Sale 

24 June: Winter Olympics and R20 ‘entry’ fee towards Grant Pienaar Foundation

25 June: Last day of the quarter  

29 June: Happy Birthday Litho Voxeka

Conclusion

Did you know? National Hamburger Day is celebrated around the world on 28 May, marking the delicious history of one of the most iconic foods ever made. While it originated in the United States, burgers have become a global favourite, and here in South Africa, we’ve certainly made it our own, with plenty of local flair and flavour! 

To join in the tasty fun, we’ll be treating the children to a build-your-own burger lunch at school. No need to send anything. We’ll supply all the ingredients so every child can enjoy a meal made just the way they like it.

Wishing all our families a sunny weekend ahead!