Preparation For Formal Assessments

The Grade 4 - 6 formal assessment period for the fourth quarter will take place from 6 November to 14 November 2025.  

Teachers have carefully planned the next few weeks to include regular revision in class, focusing on key concepts and skills.

To further assist your child in preparation for assessments at home, teachers have shared a suggested revision timetable, consolidation activities and sample assessment-style questions and memorandums.

Please see the formal assessment schedule for each grade below.

Absenteeism During Exams and Formal Assessments

Kindly note that the only valid reasons endorsed by the Education Department are as follows:

Learners may only miss an assessment (examination) supported by documentary evidence, for the following reasons:

1. Illness (a valid medical doctor’s certificate required)

2. Family bereavement (letter required)

3.Representing the country or province in a sporting or cultural event (official letter required)

Should a learner miss a formal assessment due to illness, please share the doctor's certificate with the class teacher.  The learner will write the assessment when he/she returns to school, as arranged with the teacher.

Should a learner need to miss a formal assessment for any other reason, please send an email to the Head of Academics, Miss Drawbridge requesting permission.

Weightings on Reports

The percentages that appear on the Grade 4 – 6 reports under the Summer, Autumn and Winter columns are derived from the assessments conducted in the first three quarters of the year and the average percentage is calculated each quarter.  Therefore, the percentage displayed for each subject under the Winter column is an average of the percentages from Quarter 1, 2 and 3 and carries a weighting of 80% of the final progression mark.

The percentage that appears under the Spring column for each subject is derived from the assessments conducted in Quarter 4 only and carries a weighting of 20% of the final progression mark. 

The final progression mark, which determines if a learner proceeds to the next grade, appears under the Final column on the report. For a learner to progress to the next grade they must obtain a minimum of 50% for English and a minimum of 40% for all other subjects.

Here is a reminder of a few tips to support your child at home in preparation for the formal assessments:

• Set up a quiet, organised study space – ensure your child has a calm, well-lit area free from distractions such as television or phones to revise or complete work.

• Set a routine – encourage your child to revise each day in short, focused sessions (about 30 minutes) with short breaks in between.

• Review work regularly – go over previously learnt notes and key concepts a little each day.

• Stay positive and motivated – praise efforts and remind them that every bit of revision helps build confidence.

Assembly Message - Bystander or Upstander

In assembly this week we spoke about the difference between a bystander and an upstander

Bystanders are individuals who witness bullying and cyberbullying in action, who stand by and watch, sometimes even videotape it and make it viral, and who do and say nothing. Often bystanders don’t know what to do and sometimes are afraid that their own group of friends will exclude them for helping an outsider. 

When you’re a bystander it’s important to know that by doing nothing you are sending a message to the bully that their behaviour is acceptable - It isn’t!

Upstanders:

• Don't laugh 

• Don’t call names 

• Don't encourage the bully in any way

• Don't participate

• Don’t become an "audience" for the bully

• Reach out in friendship

• Help the victim in any way they can

• Support the victim in private

• If you notice someone being isolated from others, invite them to join you (Don’t exclude anyone)

• Include the victim in some of your activities

• Most importantly, Tell an adult

Becoming an Upstander looks like this: 

• Taking personal responsibility

• Taking action by telling the bully to stop

• Taking action by getting others to stand up to the bully with them

• Taking action by helping the victim.

• Taking action by shifting the focus and redirecting the bully away from the victim

• Taking action by telling an adult who can help

Our learners were reminded that who the adults are that can help:

• Class Teacher

• Enrichment Teacher

• Grade Head

• Teacher on Break Duty - there are always four of them!

• Sports coach or manager

• Parent

• Associate Principal or Principal

*Information adapted from https://www.stompoutbullying.org/bullying-bystanders-become-upstanders 

NEWS

English: The Wonderful World of Poetry

This week in English, we explored the wonderful world of poetry! We analysed two poems, looking at their figures of speech, rhyme schemes and meanings. Then we became poets ourselves, using objects found in nature 🌿like leaves, stones and feathers for inspiration. It was amazing to see how nature sparked our creativity and helped us write our own unique poems! ✍️

Technology: Mission to Mars - Grade 6 Learners Take on the Year 2050! 🚀

In this week’s Grade 6 Technology lesson, our learners embarked on an exciting journey to the year 2050, where they are part of a daring mission to Mars! Working in teams, they are tackling real-world challenges faced by astronauts and engineers - from writing an application to the Mars Mission Selection Committee, to carefully calculating the weight of their payload to stay under the 20,000kg limit. Learners have been debating their non-negotiable essentials, deciding what personal and practical items to pack and even designing a logo and constitution for their new Martian colony. The creativity, collaboration and critical thinking on display have been truly out of this world! 🌌

Next week, our young innovators will continue developing their colony as they begin to inhabit Mars - we can’t wait to see what their future on the Red Planet looks like!

Grade 4

Our Grade 4 learners have had a wonderfully creative and lively week! 

In Art, they have been working on stunning bird artworks, each one showcasing their attention to detail and love for colour. 

Science Club

This week, our Grade 6 Science Club delved into the fascinating world of acids and bases! Learners conducted hands-on experiments to test everyday household substances using natural indicators like red cabbage juice. Excitement filled the room as colours changed before their eyes - revealing whether each substance was an acid, a base, or neutral. Through observation, teamwork, and discussion, our budding scientists discovered how chemistry connects to the world around them. It was a fun, engaging, and educational session filled with curiosity and colour!

Save the Dates

Diarise our two awards events at the end of the year. Parents of children receiving awards at the Sport, Culture and Technology awards will be notified in November. Every Senior Preparatory child will receive a certificate at our Growing Minds Celebration on 3 December at 08h30. Parents are welcome to take their child home after these events. 

SPORT 

WE ARE IN THE FINALS!

Our ladies have done it - South Africa is in the World Cup Finals! 🇿🇦  A special mention to Laura Wolvaardt (Past Head Girl), who delivered an incredible 169 in the semi-finals, turning the tables on England after their earlier win against us at the start of the tournament.

Don’t miss our superwomen in action this Sunday, 2 November at 11h30 - let’s rally behind them and show our support! 💚💛

Senior Prep Sports Weekly Update

PE AND SWIMMING

We're back in the Pool!

From next week, please remember to pack your Parklands swimming costume, Parklands swimming cap, towel and if you need, goggles and come dressed in your PE attire.!

Please take note that although coaches guide and support learners during swimming in Physical Education lessons, we are not a Learn to Swim School and for their own safety it is critical that learners are water safe and able to swim.  Please liaise with the coaches if you need contact details for LEARN TO SWIM schools for your child to attend.

Week that was

It’s been another exciting week of summer sport at Parklands Prep!

🎾 Tennis
Our Tennis team continues their unbeaten streak, securing a dominant 6–0 victory! The team played with composure and class, showing great improvement across all matches. Player of the Match: Sophia for her precision and consistency throughout the day.

🏏 Cricket
Our cricketers faced tough competition this week:

• U11 lost by 7 wickets, with Heath putting on an outstanding batting performance, scoring 43 runs and leading from the front.

• U12 also went down by 7 wickets, but Ross impressed with both bat and ball, displaying strong all-round ability and determination.

Well done to all our players for their commitment, effort, and sportsmanship on and off the field. The hard work continues as we head into the final stretch of an exciting summer season!

Sport Quick Links

Quick Links

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Here are some important dates for this quarter:

We wish Ms Tayla Blewitt a wonderful birthday for Sunday, 2 November. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Paul Mayers

Senior Preparatory Principal

pmayers@parklands.co.za 

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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