Senior Preparatory Weekly Memo
12 September 2025
Embedded Files
Dear Parents
Please take note of the following:
OPEN DAY - Saturday 13 September
Report Feedback Meetings
Reports will be shared with parents on Thursday, 18 September 2025. Report feedback meetings will take place on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Monday 22nd September. If you would like to book a meeting with your child's teacher please use the Google Calendar link shared via email by your child's class teacher.
SPCA Dress-up - 19 September
Come dressed up as your favourite animal.
SP on the Run - 23 September
Learners come dressed in their PE kit and house t-shirt for SP on the run from 11:00-12:00.
Last day of the quarter - 23 September
Tuesday 23rd is our last day of the quarter and we close at 13:00. Note that there is no aftercare on the last day. School reopens on Tuesday 14 October.
Principal Paul Memo Q3W8.MOV
10 weeks of Growing Minds Digital Citizenship
10 weeks of Growing Minds Digital Citizenship
The following slides have been developed collaboratively using AI and our ICT Acceptable User and AI policies.
Please use these slides each week as conversation starters with your child on responsible digital citizenship.
ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS
Academic Information
In Grade 4 – 6, formal and informal assessments for Quarter 1, Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 are added together and weighted according to the revised CAPS requirements for 2025 as stipulated by the Department of Basic Education. The combined mark is displayed as a percentage and code under the heading called Winter Quarter on the report.
In order for learners to progress to the next grade, they need to meet the following minimum requirements at the end of the academic year for Grade 4, 5 and 6:
50% in English HL
40% in Afrikaans FAL / isiXhosa FAL
40% in Mathematics
40% in all other subjects
Report Feedback Meetings
Reports will be shared with parents on Thursday, 18 September 2025. Report feedback meetings will take place on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Monday 22nd September.
If you would like to meet with your child’s class or subject teacher, please arrange a meeting via the Google Calendar link which was shared by the teachers earlier this week.
Appointments are usually 15 mins long. We greatly value our parents’ and teachers’ time and urge parents to be on time in order to ensure that other parents are not kept waiting.
Please contact your child’s class teacher directly should you be unavailable to meet on the specific days and times scheduled.
NEWS
NEWS
Bok Friday...
GRADE 6
GRADE 6
Afrikaans Fun with Self-Expression 📘
This week in Afrikaans, our Grade 6 learners combined creativity with language as they designed their very own “Maak ’n plakkaat oor jouself” (Make a poster about yourself). This activity gave them the chance to practise their writing and vocabulary while also showing off their individuality and talents.
The learners had so much fun sharing their favourite things, from delicious recipes to special family stories. It was wonderful to see their personalities shining through in Afrikaans, while also building confidence in expressing themselves in the language. 🎨📚
Maths: Diving into Decimals ➗
In Mathematics, our Grade 6 learners explored the world of decimal numbers and decimal fractions. They learned how to simplify decimal fractions into their simplest form, for example: 🔢 50/100 → 5/10 → 1/2
Learners also practised comparing decimal numbers and fractions, sharpening their number sense and accuracy. A big focus was on understanding that decimals and fractions are just two different ways of representing the same value.
⭐ Top Tip: Always look at the place value! For example, 0.5 is the same as 1/2, while 0.05 is much smaller (equal to 5/100).
Remember: the more digits after the decimal, the smaller the parts become. With these skills, our Grade 6s are building a strong foundation that will help them as they tackle more complex fraction and decimal problems in the weeks to come.
Science and Technology
In Science and Technology, we designed and built model planes using recyclable materials. Learners explored concepts of angles, symmetry, and elastic potential energy while applying creativity and problem-solving skills. The activity not only encouraged innovation and teamwork but also highlighted the importance of sustainability by repurposing everyday materials.
Responsible Citizen: Caring for Our Environment 🌍
This week in our Responsible Citizen lesson, our Grade 6 learners explored the theme of Responsibility to the Environment. The objective was simple but powerful: to understand how even the smallest actions can help protect our planet. The lesson began with a lively discussion around what it truly means to care for the Earth.
Learners brainstormed classroom and school practices that either help or harm the environment; from switching off lights to reduce energy use, to the impact of litter on our school grounds.
The highlight of the lesson was our Eco Challenge Planning Activity. Working in small groups, learners brainstormed simple but meaningful projects, such as:
♻️ Designing posters about littering
♻️ Creating a class recycling bin system
♻️ Starting a “Lights Off” monitor schedule
Each group then presented their eco-friendly plan in a short presentation, showing not only creativity but also a genuine sense of responsibility.
To end the lesson, learners reflected on the changes they can make, both individually and as a class, to become more eco-conscious. Their ideas showed that even small steps can lead to a big impact when we work together. 🌱✨
GRADE 5
GRADE 5
Summer is on the horizon, and our Grade 5 students have been soaking up the sunshine while continuing their learning!
This week in Afrikaans, our young advertisers put on their creative hats and wrote catchy radio adverts to spread the word about our Open Day this weekend.
In English, confidence took centre stage as learners presented their final orals to wrap up our Q3 projects.
Maths got hands-on (and a little gluey!) as we tested our knowledge of shapes by building our very own 3D creations.
We also came together for a very special Heritage Assembly, celebrating the diverse heritage that makes our school community so unique. This tied in beautifully with our new Quarter 4 theme of Heritage. We’re looking forward to an exciting project ahead - exploring cultures through class recipe books, family picnics, and more!
🦒 Adventure Alert! 18 September
The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre awaits! Complete the Google Form – this will be unforgettable!
GRADE 4
GRADE 4
Our Grade classrooms have been bursting with colour, laughter, and imagination as the learners dived into group work with energy and excitement. From exploring different cultures to rolling up their sleeves for some wet and wild measuring fun there’s been no shortage of learning and fun!
Cultural Cubes with a Creative Twist!
Each group explored a unique culture and brought their learning to life through beautifully designed 3D and 2D art pieces. The highlight? Their very own Culture Cubes! Each side of these creative cubes tells a story, from traditional clothing and food to dance and music. It’s been such a joy watching the learners confidently present what each side represents, using their voices, drawings, and BIG ideas!
Water + Maths = FUN!
In Maths, we’ve been diving (literally!) into the world of volume and capacity. Using real water and containers of all shapes and sizes, learners have been estimating, measuring, pouring, and even getting a bit splashed, all in the name of understanding litres and millilitres.
our microgreens are growing...
Mathletics Diamond Tropies and Certificates
Mathletics Diamond Tropies and Certificates
Tour De Maths
Tour De Maths
Monday, 8 September 2025, marked the grand finale of Tour De Maths (TDM). Round 5 brought an end to eight months of gruelling and intense mathematics competition against four other schools.
We are thrilled to share that Parklands College emerged as the overall winners of the event!
A special congratulations goes to all 31 learners who took part from January through to September. Although not everyone competed in the final round, every single participant contributed to our school’s success. Mrs Wells and Dr Randewijk were very proud to bring home the trophy, a symbol of the hard work, teamwork, and determination shown by every Parklands College mathematician.
Growing Minds Shields
Growing Minds Shields
The future requires people who are innovative, humanity-centred, 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 the following learner a Growing Minds shield.
Congratulations and well done on being nominated for this award.
Amanda
Amanda
Responsible Citizen Trophy
Culture
Culture
Prestige Music Concert
Thank you to all of our learners who performed at the Prestige Music Concert on Wednesday. It was a wonderful evening of solo, duo and ensemble performances. It takes such courage to get up and perform on the big stage. We are so proud of you. Keep up the many hours of practice!
Science Club
Science Club
In Science Club, we dived into the fascinating science of bubbles. Learners discovered why bubbles pop so easily, investigated how light reflects and creates beautiful rainbow colors on their surfaces, and explored the scientific structure that makes every bubble perfectly round. We then put our learning into practice by experimenting with solutions to make bubbles that don’t pop, and the highlight of the session was creating giant bubbles that floated gracefully through the air. The activity combined scientific inquiry, creativity, and lots of fun, leaving learners curious and inspired about the science behind everyday wonders.
Robotics
Robotics
This weekend, our robotics teams are heading to Pretoria to take part in the WRO 2025 National Competition – and we couldn’t be more excited! 🎉
After weeks of hard work, problem-solving, late afternoons in the lab, and plenty of teamwork, our learners are ready to showcase their creativity, engineering skills, and determination on the national stage.
We are incredibly proud of the dedication and passion these young innovators have shown in preparing for this moment. From building and coding their robots to strategizing for challenges, they’ve poured their hearts into this journey.
As they head off to represent our school, we want them to know that the whole community is behind them. We are holding thumbs tightly and cheering them on every step of the way. 💪✨
Good luck, teams – go out there, shine brightly, and enjoy every moment of this amazing experience. Whether it’s solving a tricky surprise rule, seeing your robot complete that perfect run, or simply celebrating the spirit of robotics, we know you’ll make us proud!
All the best for WRO Nationals 2025 – you’ve got this! 🌟
Outreach - Be the Change
Outreach - Be the Change
A heart felt thank you to each of you for your contribution to our Ria Abel care packs. We have exceeded our target and are now packing the packs to deliver next week.
If you have any extra Woolies cloth bags that you can donate to assist with our delivery please drop off on Monday with your child.
Extra care packages go to part of our Santa Shoe box drive next quarter.
We are excited to host a fun-filled SPCA Dress Up Day in support of our local SPCA. Learners may come dressed as their favourite animal, and R10 will be billed to your account if your child participates. The SPCA works tirelessly to care for and protect animals in need, and this is a wonderful way for our learners to show their support while having fun.
SPORT
SPORT
Senior Prep Sports Update
Senior Prep Sports Update
As we step into the last full week of sport at the Senior Preparatory, there is a real sense of pride in how far our learners have come this quarter. From those early practice sessions back in June to the matches and festivals that followed, the progress across Rugby, Netball and Hockey has been remarkable.
Now, all eyes turn to one of the most anticipated highlights of the calendar:
North vs South – Friday, 20 September at Golden Grove Primary
This derby is about more than results - it’s about Parkie pride, camaraderie, and spirit. Learners will represent Parklands Prep competing in Rugby, Netball and Chess. The energy and excitement around this day are already building, and we know our learners will give their very best.
⚠️ Please note: Thursday and Friday sport is cancelled this week due to parent meetings.
Looking ahead, we’re already gearing up for the summer season: cricket, tennis, softball, swimming and water polo.
💙 Thank you to all parents, guardians, and supporters for your unwavering encouragement. We can’t wait to see you in your Parkie colours at North vs South!
Parklands College: Cricket Clinic
Parklands College: Cricket Clinic
Summer is here! In preparation for our jammed packed Quarter 4 we are doing a Cricket Clinic.
Mark your calendars, we are hosting a Parklands College Cricket Clinic for our Grade 4s, Grade 5s and Grade 6s.
Date: 13 October (Monday)
Time: 12h00-14h00
Sign-up Deadline: Monday 21 September 205
West Coast Cricket Academy
West Coast Cricket Academy
If you need even more cricket, we have you covered. The West Coast Cricket Academy is hosting an October holiday cricket clinic at Parklands Colege Junior Preparatory. Bring along your friends and sign up for three days of fun before the cricket season starts.
This is open to everyone in the community from Grade 1 right through to Grade 6.
Senior Prep Week that was:
Senior Prep Week that was:
It was another busy week of sport at Parklands Prep, with our learners showing grit and determination across the fields and courts – despite some challenging weather conditions!
🏉 Rugby
🏉 Rugby
U11 vs Rallim – Won 50–5 | POTM: Jose
A commanding performance from our U11s, with Jose leading by example in both attack and defense.
🏐 Netball
🏐 Netball
Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, all Netball fixtures scheduled for this week had to be cancelled. Training will continue as we prepare for the weeks ahead.
⚽ Soccer vs Elkanah
⚽ Soccer vs Elkanah
U11A – Lost 0–5 | POTM: Aiden Janse van Rensburg
U11B – Lost 2–5 | POTM: Khwezi
U12A – Lost | POTM: Matt
U12B – Lost | POTM: Mukundi
Despite the results, our soccer players gained valuable experience against tough opposition, showing resilience and commitment throughout.
👏 Well done to all our learners for their continued effort and spirit – we are proud of the progress you’re making each week!
External Achievements in Sport
External Achievements in Sport
Please find a link to the notification letter informing the College of a learner's external achievements at Area/Regional/Provincial level.
Congratulations to Lara, Zimi, Giovanni and Christiano who competed in the action netball final, securing a proud second place for their team.
Sport Quick Links
Sport Quick Links
LIBRARY
LIBRARY
Our Readathon Week is planned annually around two important days - Roald Dahl Day, which falls on 13 September, is the birthday of an iconic children’s author, who has made a significant contribution to children’s books with his memorable stories and quirky characters. He also invented 393 new words which are marvellous to say, like scrumdiddlyumptious; crodsquinkled; trogglehumper; gobblefunk and snozzcumber. If you are not sure what they mean, it is reassuring to know that many of these great words can be found in the Oxford dictionary.
Our second celebratory day is International Dot Day, based on a little book by Peter H. Reynolds, titled The Dot, which packs a punch! This year marks the fifteenth Dot Day, a global celebration that takes place worldwide, as schools recognize the values of creativity, kindness, perseverance, and collaboration, which this story promotes. Our library monitors have been practising and painting to deliver a memorable Dot Day message on Monday, to start our week.
Our Readathon Week features three inter-house Lit Quiz events, in which every learner competes as part of a team that answers questions in a range of categories - all book-related, of course. Ultimately we are looking for the winning house, but there are also individual and team prizes up for grabs.
Cultural Tour for Juniors to Paris in September 2026 - UPDATE
Cultural Tour for Juniors to Paris in September 2026 - UPDATE
Parklands College is planning a Cultural Tour to Paris in September 2026 for our current Grade 5, 6 & 7 learners.
Should you be interested in your child participating in the tour, or require further information, please email Mme A Bailly at abailly@parklands.co.za. A truly memorable cultural experience awaits!
Please see proposed itinerary and estimated costs below:
PARIS 2026 DETAILS .docx.pdfQuick Links
Quick Links
CALENDAR AND EVENTS
CALENDAR AND EVENTS
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)
Dates for 2025
Dates for 2025
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 05 December
Dates for 2026 Dates (subject to change)
Dates for 2026 Dates (subject to change)
Summer Quarter: 20 Jan - 26 March
Autumn Quarter: 8 April - 25 June
Winter Quarter: 22 July - 23 September
Spring Quarter: 14 October - 4 December
College blazers
Please be reminded that all learners need to wear the new striped blazer from the start of 2026. To ensure timely delivery, we advise you to place your order with our uniform supplier, School and Leisure, early.
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
PARENT LEARNER DIRECTORY
PARENT LEARNER DIRECTORY
Our Parent Learner Directory contains all the information you will need. You can find this important document under the General Tab
The Parent and Learner Directory has been amended. Please click on the links in the directory to view the updated sections:
👉Learner Code of Conduct (#22) and
👉Learner Attendance Policy (#1)
👉Link to Information Directory
20250807 SENIOR PREP P&L Information Directory.pdf
Update emergency contact details on the Edana Multi-portal App
PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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...
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Here are some important dates for this quarter:
Winter Quarter Dates
Friday 12 September:
WRO Nationals in Jhb
Saturday 13 September:
Open Day
Roald Dahl Day
WRO Nationals in Jhb
Monday 15 September:
International Dot Day
Happy Birthday Daniella Mizrachi
Thursday 18 September:
Grade 5 Outing to Giraffe House - Google Form
Reports Released
Report Feedback Meetings
Friday 19 September:
SPCA Dress up day
Report Feedback Meetings
Happy Birthday Amy Dean
Saturday 20 September:
Happy Birthday Efraim Cupido
North vs South Prep Derby
Monday 22 September:
Report Feedback Meetings
Tuesday 23 September:
Last day of the quarter
Wednesday 24 September:
Public Holiday-Heritage Day
Thursday 2 October:
Rosh Hashanah
Happy Birthday Simoné Prinsloo
Sunday 5 October:
World Teachers Day
Tuesday 7 October:
Happy Birthday Roché Buckle
Sprint Quarter Dates
Tuesday 14 October:
Start of Spring quarter
Saturday 18 October:
FLL Regionals - Protea Heights
Monday 20 October:
SP West Coast Song Festival (VRS)
Diwali
Tuesday 27 October:
Happy Birthday Nadine Marais-Swart
Tuesday 21 November:
Funky Socks Day - Home of Hope
Monday 24 November:
Grade 5 Camp
Tuesday 25 November:
Grade 5 Camp
Wednesday 26 November:
Grade 5 Camp
Friday 28 November:
Grade 3-5 Domino Day 09:00
Grade 6 Fashion Show @ 11:00
Grade 6 Farewell @ 18:00
Tuesday 2 December:
Happy Birthday Candice Holder
Sport, Culture and Technology Prizegiving 13:00-14:30
Wednesday 3 December:
SP Growing Minds Celebration 08:30-10:00
Thursday 4 December:
Takeover day
Friday 5 December:
Last day of quarter
Reports Released to Parents
FLL Nationals
Sunday 14 December:
Happy Birthday Mrs Oxley-Simpson
Tuesday 17 December:
Happy Birthday Louise Wells
Have a wonderful weekend,
Paul Mayers
Senior Preparatory Principal
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Links to other faculty blogs:
Pre-Primary Faculty: https://ppblog.parklands.co.za
Junior Preparatory Faculty: https://jpblog.parklands.co.za
Secondary Faculty: https://secblog.parklands.co.za
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