Senior Preparatory Weekly Memo
24 April 2026
24 April 2026
Dear Parents
Please take note of the following:
Reminder that school is closed on both the public holidays Monday, 27 April and Friday, 1 May. The full academic, sporting and cultural programme continues next week even though it is a short week - Tuesday, 28 April - Thursday, 30 April.
Our official switch to the Winter Uniform is scheduled for Monday, 4 May 4. However, in light of the recent drop in temperature, learners are welcome to begin wearing their winter attire immediately, should they wish to do so. Please find the specific winter uniform requirements detailed below.
A joyful celebration of books was enjoyed by all as we experienced a variety of book events this week.
Hooked On Books entertained their audiences with song, dance and vibrant excerpts from children’s books. The learners loved seeing some of their friends on stage as well and this was a memorable event that they will talk about for a long time.
We are indebted to the staff of Bargain Books in Table Bay Mall who go to great lengths to acquire a wonderful selection of books from a wide price range to give our learners a great book shopping experience. The learners were amazed at the variety of books on display and spent happy times browsing and discussing their choices with their friends. Thank you to all the parents who came to chat and support our shop. The school gets a percentage of the sales which translates into books for our libraries.
The festivities culminated on World Book Day when our school buildings were invaded by colourful book characters and the stories came alive. It was lovely to see some of the children going straight into role play and acting out their stories.
World Book Day Dress Up
Hooked on Books
Uniform Requirements (link)
School and Leisure offers free delivery to school. To take advantage of this when ordering please insert school name and address in the address block and add discount code before check-out.
Junior Preparatory - 91 Raats Drive, Parklands 7441
Senior Preparatory - 50 Wood Drive, Parklands 7441
Secondary Faculty - 1 College Avenue, Sandown 7441
Discount Code : PKLSCHOOL (both upper and lowercase works)
Please ensure that the uniform is the correct size for your child, in particular the blazer
Second hand school uniforms
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
Girls Winter Uniform
Parklands College striped blazer with braiding
Parklands College tunic
Black opaque tights
Black school shoes
Hair accessories: white, black or navy only
Parklands College school cap (wide brim or peak cap)
Parklands College jersey or cardigan (optional)
Parklands College navy blue scarf (optional)
Boys Winter Uniform
Parklands College striped blazer with braiding
White long sleeved shirt with top button
Parklands College tie
Grey long trousers
Parklands College long grey striped socks
Black school shoes
Hair accessories: white, black or navy only
Parklands College school cap (wide brim or peak cap)
Parklands College jersey or cardigan (optional)
Parklands College navy blue scarf (optional)
Note that if a scarf is worn, only the official Parklands College navy blue scaff is permitted.
We are excited to announce that Parklands College Secondary Faculty will be hosting a Space Educators Conference during World Space Week in October.
Our Quarter 2 academic programme is in full swing and our teachers have prepared a structured and engaging curriculum, ensuring that each lesson builds meaningfully on the last. New concepts are introduced daily, and informal assessments are conducted regularly to monitor progress and support each learner’s development.
School Attendance
We wish to remind parents and learners that regular school attendance is crucial. Long-term absentees and extended vacations can result in learners missing these key learning opportunities. Please assist us by ensuring your child attends school regularly and punctually.
Please see our Learner Attendance Policy for further details.
Please note that a doctor's certificate is required if a learner is absent for a formal assessment. Please contact the Principal (pmayers@parklands.co.za) or Head of Academics (ldrawbridge@parklands.co.za) to ask for permission for your child to be absent for any other reason.
Informal Assessments
Our learners are in the process of completing various informal assessments, which are integrated into the daily class activities throughout the quarter. All informal assessments are completed at school and no studying is required.
Formal Assessments
A reminder to click on the specific grade assessment calendars on the academic tab to see your child's formal assessment schedule and study details. The study details are posted at least two weeks before the assessment. Please check calendars regularly to stay updated.
Leading the Way: Introducing Our 2026 Learner Leaders
Leadership is not a title; it is an action and an example. This week, we celebrated a significant milestone as we officially announced our 2026 Monitors and House Captains. Our Grade 6 learners have spent the past quarter diving deep into what it means to be a "Responsible Citizen." Through dedicated lessons and personal reflection, they have explored the values of integrity, service and empathy.
Class & Service Monitors
These learners ensure our daily school life runs smoothly and our community outreach remains strong:
Liam, Elise, Lara, Lukhanyo, Telo, Junior.
Service & Outreach: Ariana & Harvey (Assisting Ms. Pietersen with our community initiatives).
"The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly." — Jim Rohn
House Captains
These individuals carry the mantle of sportsmanship and house pride:
Harvard: Khloé & Adem
Oxford: Olu & Nicholas
Cambridge: Rachel & Takunda
Yale: Khwezi & Olivia
Culture Monitors: Jakeem & Ardni
Library Monitors:
Cooper, Cian, Sinako & Kahlia
In Afrikaans our learners have been dreaming up their very own winkels (shops). This week the "grand openings" finally arrived! The classroom transformed into a bustling marketplace as learners presented their finished products with incredible pride.
This project was about so much more than just arts and crafts; it was a fantastic practical application of their language skills. We focused heavily on:
Building Vocabulary: Using specific nouns and adjectives to describe their unique produkte.
Perfecting Pronunciation: Practising the tricky sounds of a new language to ensure their sales pitches were clear and professional.
Real-World Application: Using the vocabulary they’ve learned in context as they "sold" items to their peers.
It was wonderful to hear the classroom filled with confident Afrikaans chatter. From handmade treasures to clever gadgets, the creativity on display was truly "uitstekend!" We are so proud of the hard work and imagination that went into making Ons eie Winkel such a massive success.
Science: 🌍 Our Earth Day Pledges
In celebration of Earth Day, our learners came together to reflect on how they can help protect our planet. Through meaningful discussions and creative activities, each learner made a personal pledge to care for the environment and become a responsible global citizen.
From reducing plastic use and saving water, to planting trees and keeping our school clean, these pledges show that even small actions can make a big difference. Our classroom was filled with excitement as learners shared their ideas and committed to positive change.
Our Grade 6 explorers have officially returned from the ultimate Discovery Adventure! For the past few weeks, our classrooms turned into a bustling travel agency as students planned epic expeditions to far-off continents.
This wasn't just any trip, our young travel agents handled it all. They hunted for the best flight paths and choosing the coolest airlines, booking dream hotels, some with pretty amazing views! They were able to map out must-see tourist attractions and hidden gems.
From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the peaks of the Andes, the learners wowed us with fascinating facts and incredible presentations. It was a whirlwind lesson around the world, and we had the most fun "traveling" together.
Grade 5 Teachers... the three blind mice!
It has been another action-packed week for our Grade Fives. In Maths we cracked open the colourful world of fractions, getting wonderfully hands-on in our tinker room where learners built bright, creative visual representations that made those tricky concepts click.
English had us supercharging our sentences as we discovered how powerful adverbs can be. We gave a beloved memory-and-matching game a brilliant twist, challenging learners to snap together different types of adverbs in a lively and competitive way.
Science: 🌍 Spreading Awareness Through Creative GIFs
This Earth Day, our Grade 5 learners explored a fun and meaningful way to spread environmental awareness by creating their own digital GIFs! Using creativity and technology, learners designed short, eye-catching animations to highlight important environmental issues such as pollution, saving water, recycling and protecting wildlife.
Matter and Materials
The Grade 5 learners recently took a deep dive into the fascinating world of materials in Science, exploring how and why different substances behave the way they do. Through hands-on investigation and observation, we unpacked key concepts like magnetism, electrical conduction, malleability, brittleness, and density all while comparing metals and non-metals.
In Afrikaans, Q2 kicked off with a bang as we launched our exciting new spelling tests to grow our ever-expanding vocabulary, and explored what makes a sharp, well-crafted email truly stand out.
In History we embarked on a captivating journey through time, tracing how resourceful hunter-gatherers gradually evolved into skilled herders and we simply cannot wait to uncover the incredible story of Africa's very first farmers next.
Geography took us deep underground as we explored South Africa's world-famous mines and unpacked the important difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.
To round off a thoroughly rewarding week, PSW sparked some thoughtful and heartfelt conversations about children's rights, the vital role they play in keeping young people safe, and the meaningful responsibilities that go along with them.
Our Grade 4 learners have been hard at work this quarter, embracing every opportunity to learn, grow and have fun along the way!
In Afrikaans, we’ve introduced an exciting “Word of the Day” activity to help build and strengthen learners’ vocabulary. Each day brings a new word to explore and learners are encouraged to use it in sentences and discussions.
in isiXhosa our learners have been taking pictures of the beautiful plants on our campus and connecting them with the different seasons of the years known as amaxesha onyaka.
In Geography, we have been learning about compass directions. Learners have enjoyed discovering how to navigate using north, south, east, and west, and have taken part in engaging activities that allow them to apply these skills in practical ways.
Our History lessons have focused on the remarkable life of Nelson Mandela. Through stories, discussions and reflections, learners have gained insight into his journey and the values he stood for. These lessons have encouraged thoughtful conversations about leadership, perseverance and making a positive difference in society.
In Maths, learners have been building strong number skills by working with multiples of 10 and 100. They have then applied this knowledge to column method multiplication, developing both accuracy and confidence. To end the week on a high note, we played some fun and interactive money games!
In Science, our Grade 4 "Green Guardians" have been on a mission to save the world! To celebrate Earth Day, our classrooms turned into a creative hub of environmental activism.
With passion in their hearts and markers in their hands, the learners launched outstanding campaigns to protect our beautiful planet. From vibrant, eye-catching posters to dynamic, high-energy videos, they proved that you’re never too small to make a massive difference!
It was an electrifying day filled with teamwork, laughter, and a shared love for Mother Earth. Way to go, Grade 4,the future looks bright and green with you in charge!
The future requires people who are innovative, humanity-centered, relationship-oriented, compassion-focused, values-driven, globally-conscious, and planet-sensitive, in order to guarantee that this generation will become REAL agents of change. The values necessary to sustain life on earth, as humans and environmentalists, are incorporated in five global competencies across our curriculum under our “Growing Minds” banner: Critical Thinkers, Effective Communicators, Purposeful Collaborators, Creative Agents and Responsible Citizens.
In assembly this week, we awarded Tumisho the Creative Agent Shield.
Tumisho's solo performance within the Secondary Faculty Chamber Choir was a masterclass in talent and tenacity. It takes immense courage to step into the spotlight, and she did so with breathtaking grace. From the heart of our Secondary Assembly to the grand, historic stage of the Cape Town City Hall, Tumisho filled the air with something truly special. Mr. Ernstzen shares this heartfelt praise: "I am extremely proud of you, Tumisho. You were brave, focused, and you have done a truly sterling job. You have left your mark on one of Cape Town’s most famous venues and on all of us who had the privilege to listen. Be incredibly proud of yourself—you have earned it!"
Tumisho
Creative Agent
Quarter 2 and 3 Co-curricular Sign-up Form
MUSIC:
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: 2026 SP Music Form
DANCE:
Please read through the
JP/SP Dance 2026 Enrolment Form information and contact Sylvia Stander sstander@parklands.co.za
if you have any queries.
In Q2 the design society is unleashing their creativity and learning how to do “Foil embossing”, a very technical and fun activity. We will be creating a bold pencil box and a Beautiful card with embossed details. I’m excited to see the learners bring their artworks to life.
We congratulate both Olivia and Lela who have been cast in the Drama Lab of Annie Jr that will be running in May 2026. Please see details if you would like to support them and book tickets. Olivia will be performing in the “Maybe” cast and Lela in the “Tomorrow” Cast.
Enrichment course or preparation for the DELF CERTIFCATE A1
French is the international language of the theatre, visual arts, dance, architecture, haute cuisine and fashion. Knowing some French also gives you direct access to the great literature and songs of the French and francophone culture, especially in Africa.
Here at Parklands College Preparatory Faculty the French enrichment course is not just about learning French grammar and vocabulary, but also getting acquainted with the culture and traditions of the French and our Francophone countries in Africa.The learners will be exposed to an interesting cultural component to make their French lessons motivational
and meaningful. Our learners will learn how to connect with French speakers by greeting, asking a few questions, counting and they will be able to even sing and entertain their families in French!
Lessons are presented by Mme Bailly at 7h00 every Friday in room 13. These lessons are at no additional costs and all learners are welcome.
It was a "full house" for Senior Prep this week! With Rugby, Netball, and Hockey all in action, the campus was a hive of activity, competition, and school pride. Seeing our athletes compete across three different sporting codes on the same match day was a fantastic testament to the depth of our sports program.
Rugby: Victories on the Field
Our rugby boys showed incredible grit and tactical awareness this week, securing two very impressive wins.
U11: Won 10-0. A disciplined defensive effort kept the opposition at bay.
Player of the Match (POTM): Junior
U13: Won 31-21. A high-scoring thriller that showcased great attacking flair.
Player of the Match (POTM): Nick
Netball: A Week of Highs and Lessons
It was a tale of two age groups this week, with our U11s achieving a clean sweep and our U12s facing some very tough opposition.
Netball: A Week of Highs and Lessons
Our netball teams experienced a week of both celebration and growth on the courts, with the U11s achieving a stellar clean sweep.
U11 C: Won 8-0. A clinical performance from start to finish. Apple (POTM)
U11 B: Won 7-3. Great teamwork and court flow. Ayo (POTM)
U11 A: Won 7-6. A nail-biting finish that showed true grit. Unako (POTM)
U12 C: Lost 0-5. A tough defensive battle against a strong side.
U12 B: Lost 2-4. The girls fought hard until the final whistle.
U12 A: Lost 0-20. A difficult game against very tough opposition.
Netball matches continue as per the league schedule but there are no scheduled matches for the other sporting codes. Details will be communicated via email.
Practice days will continue as per the normal schedule. There are no Hockey matches scheduled for Thursday afternoon 30th April.
To our U11 Netballers and Rugby teams: Congratulations on the fantastic results! Use this momentum to fuel your next practice. Success is built on consistency.
To our U12 Netballers: A scoreboard never tells the whole story. Some of the greatest athletes in the world learned more from their hardest losses than their easiest wins.
Keep Your Head Up: Perseverance is not about never failing; it’s about never giving up when things get difficult. Every tough match is a chance to identify what needs work. Use next week’s practice sessions to "level up" and come back stronger. We are proud of your effort and your sportsmanship!
Go Teams!
Our U12 Netball girls have arrived in Knysna and already played their first games! We wish you all the best for the rest of the tour.
They had 4 fixtures today, 3 tomorrow and 2 on Sunday before returning home. We know you are going to make us proud!
It is time to meet the players!
Graduation from Christopher Robin Pre-Primary with Mrs Chantel Lamb
Laura Wolvaardt, captain of the Proteas Women, produced her fastest century in the third T20 International against India at the Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday, 22 April. (Photo: Cricket South Africa)
Chess
On 17 April 2026, our chess team travelled to participate in our first league match. The players were full of excitement, with a touch of nervous energy as they arrived by bus. However, they settled quickly and showed great focus and sportsmanship throughout the afternoon. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, with learners engaging thoughtfully in their games and representing the school with pride. Overall, it was a lovely afternoon of chess and camaraderie.
Friday Hockey Sports Hour
Please note, all Hockey learners will be transported to the Secondary Faculty for Hockey training on astro at 13h15 - 14h30. All learners will be transported back to Parklands College Senior Prep - no learner will be permitted to be picked up from the Secondary campus.
Please find a link to the form to notify the College of a learner's external achievements at Area/Regional/Provincial level. We request that you upload an image to the form where possible. Any queries to our Head of Sport, Coach Jared - jmargetts@parklands.co.za
This week, eight of our incredible Secondary learners pack their bags and head to Houston, Texas, to compete at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship - and we couldn't be prouder.
The HyperionBots have poured countless hours into their robot, their engineering portfolio, and every aspect of this competition, and they've more than earned their place on that world stage. Go show Houston what Parklands is made of - we're cheering you on from Cape Town!
Please ensure that learners arrive on time for the start of the academic day. Parents are welcome to drop their children off between 07:30 and 07:45 and are requested to use the Drop and Go Zone on the SP Campus in Wood Drive.
Parents may pull into the yellow zone for learners to get out and walk into school on their own. Please do not park or leave your car in the Drop and Go Zone.
All learners must be clocked in and ready for the day before this 07:45. Learners who attend early morning activities must clock-in before attending their session in order to avoid being recorded as 'Late Arrival' on the biometric system.
Aftercare is a combined group of Grade 4-6 learners. Parents, please inform the College via email should you wish to make use of our aftercare facility. Learners may wear their Parklands College sports uniform. Learners attending Aftercare will be escorted to the venue. Parents who wish to make use of our aftercare facilities must please inform us via e-mail.
School is LOCKED promptly at 16h45 daily. Please assist us by ensuring that your child is collected on time allowing our dedicated staff to return home to their own families. A late collection fee of R250 per half-hour (or part thereof) will apply for children collected from aftercare after 17h00.
For safety reasons no learners are permitted to wait outside the College gates at any time.
Parents entering our campus are required to have a car identification sticker, which can be collected from reception. By displaying the sticker on your car, you will gain easy access to the College premises. Vehicles that do not have a sticker will be scanned. ‘At the Gate’ Access Solution is used by the College and involves drivers' and car license discs being scanned. This information is stored on a secure database off-site for future reference should the need arise. Pedestrians are also required to produce identification.
We request, for the safety of our learners, that parents and visitors who are on our campus during academic time also sign in at reception and receive a visitors badge. The badge must be returned to reception before leaving campus.
PARKLANDS COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH KLIKD FOR A DIGITAL SAFETY SOLUTION
Parenting in the digital age presents unique challenges. Balancing your child’s need for online interaction with the responsibility of keeping them safe can feel overwhelming. Excluding your child from the digital world might seem isolating, yet providing them with unrestricted access to smart devices without guidance can pose serious risks.
It is vital to equip our children with the skills they need to navigate the digital world confidently, responsibly, and safely. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Klikd, South Africa’s leading digital safety and citizenship company. We will be rolling out Klikd’s Digital Citizenship Programme for Schools for Grades 4-6.
About Klikd
Klikd was founded by clinical psychologist Pam Tudin and social media lawyer Sarah Hoffman, combining their expertise to offer an innovative approach to cyber safety and digital citizenship education.
In today’s world, knowing how to handle challenges such as cyberbullying, gaming addiction, inappropriate content, online predators, managing one’s digital footprint and Artificial Intelligence - is no longer optional -it's essential. These aren’t skills that can be taught in a single school talk but require continuous conversations and guidance, reinforced at school and at home.
The Klikd Digital Citizenship Programme for Schools
Through our partnership with Klikd, we will offer a carefully curated programme that provides learners with the tools they need to thrive in the online world. Importantly, it also empowers you, as parents, with weekly practical resources and strategies to support your child on this journey.
Klikd Parent Information Session Recording
If you missed the Klikd Parent Information Session last week you can find the link to a recording here
Klikd in your Pocket: Parent Update Whatsapp Group
Join KLIKD in Your Pocket - a weekly bite-sized update on what’s trending in your child’s online world.
This WhatsApp broadcast group delivers practical, no-fluff insights on topics like:
🎮 Managing devices during playdates and sleepovers
👀 Accidental pornography pop-ups
🎰 Live gambling features on Roblox (yes, really!)
Each week, you’ll also get 4–5 conversation starters to use at dinner, in the car, or while shopping for that “perfect” hoodie — helping you stay connected and informed.
🟢 No group chat, no noise — just super helpful info.
📸 Scan the QR code or tap the link to join:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/H6zTS0hHpaIIHF2G5PigPq?mode=gi_t
Please help us by checking that all the items that your child brings home actually belong to them. If they come home with someone else's item (such as an extra shoe, hat, etc) please send it to reception the next day so that we can return labelled items to the owner.
It is important that all items are labelled clearly so that lost items can be returned. Parents are welcome to come in to reception to view lost property items. Items not labelled will be in lost property and donated to the second hand shop at the end of each quarter.
Should your child have a medical condition/ allergy /require prescribed medication to be administered, please e-mail Meagan Kotze on mkotze@parklands.co.za.
Please ensure that your child’s immunisations are up to date and forward a copy of the updated immunisation record to the secretary once your child has received the vaccine.
Please bookmark the following calendars and add them to your personal calendar by using the + at the bottom of each calendar. They can also be accessed through the EdAdmin App (more information under the general tab)
Our Parent Learner Directory contains all the information you will need. You can find this important document under the General Tab
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...
Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 24 June
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 4 December
Proposed 2027 Parklands College Dates
Summer Quarter: 19 Jan 2027 - 18 March 2027
Autumn Quarter: 7 April 2027 - 23 June 2027
Winter Quarter: 21 July 2027 - 22 Sept 2027
Spring Quarter: 6 Oct 2027 - 3 Dec 2027
Friday 24 April:
U12 Knysna Netball Tour
Saturday 25 April:
U12 Knysna Netball Tour
Happy Birthday Liam Maharage
Sunday 26 April:
U12 Knysna Netball Tour Returns
Monday 27 April:
Public Holiday - Freedom Day
Tuesday 28 April:
Normal School Day, including Sport and Co-Curriculars
Wednesday 29 April:
Normal School Day, including Sport and Co-Curriculars
Thursday 30 April:
Normal School Day, including Sport and Co-Curriculars
Friday 1 May:
Public Holiday - Workers Day
Monday 4 May:
Star Wars Day
Friday 8 May:
Happy Birthday Samantha April
Saturday 9 May:
SP Choir Rehearsal for ATKV 9-12
Sunday 10 May:
Mothers Day
Monday 11 May:
Junior Tour de Maths @ Milnerton Primary School 17:45
Wednesday 13 May:
Happy Birthday Coach Jared
Saturday 16 May:
SP Choir Rehearsal for ATKV 9-12
Wednesday 20 May:
Happy Birthday Serena Domingo
Thursday 21 May:
ATKV APPLOUS CHOIR competition @ Gene Louw Primary
Friday 29 May:
Reach for a Dream Slipper Day (bring shoes for sports hour)
Saturday 30 May:
Open Day
Monday 1 June:
Happy Birthday Chef Kerry
Wednesday 3 June:
Happy Birthday Chantel Lamb
Thursday 4 June:
Happy Birthday Elise Crouse
Friday 12 June:
SP Choir Performance (TBC)
Monday 15 June:
Special School Holiday
Tuesday 16 June:
Public Holiday: Youth Day
Happy birthday Thurloe Ernstzen
Wednesday 17 June:
Grade 5 outing (Planetarium)
Thursday 18 June:
SP Music Concert 18:00
Friday 19 June:
SP Reports released to Parents
SP Parent Report Feedback Meetings
Sunday 21 June:
Fathers Day
Monday 22 June:
SP Parent Report Feedback Meetings
Tuesday 23 June:
SP Parent Report Feedback Meetings
Wednesday 24 June:
School Closes at 13:00, no aftercare
Monday 6 July:
Happy Birthday Gary Gilder
Wednesday 15 July:
Happy Birthday Trisha Govender
We wish Coach Liam a happy birthday for tomorrow and Mrs Steynberg a happy birthday for Monday, 27 April.
Have a wonderful long weekend and see you back on Tuesday for a short week.
Paul Mayers
Senior Preparatory Principal
Follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParklandsCollege/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParklandsTweet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parklandscollege
Links to other faculty memos:
Pre-Primary Faculty: https://ppblog.parklands.co.za
Junior Preparatory Faculty: https://jpblog.parklands.co.za
Secondary Faculty: https://secblog.parklands.co.za