Senior Preparatory Weekly Memo

Last day of school

A reminder that school will close on Wednesday, 4 December at 11:00, and there will be no Aftercare. Please make arrangements to collect your child by 11:00.

2025 Requirements

Please refer to the 2025 requirements tab for important information. 2025 Grade 7 learners will find information about their camp in the first quarter. 

Class Placements

It is impossible for the school to accommodate all class requests, approximately 50 different requests in each grade, and it would be unfair to allow some parents to make requests and not others. An example of these requests would be:

Johnny's mom has asked for him to be with his best friend Mark, however, Mark's mom has asked that they are not placed together. Mark's mom would like him with Peter and Paul, however, Paul's mom would like him to be with Johnny and not Mark. Peter wrote on his friendship slip he would like to be with Johnny, however, Peter's mother does not want him with Johnny or Mark. All with an added request that we don’t tell the other parents.

Should a parent make a request for placement as shown in the above example, we will need to share the request with the other parent in order to avoid unfair parent conflict with the teacher. Unfortunately, parents can sometimes be aggressive and rude to teachers when their requests are not met even though this could be due to many conflicting requests.

With this in mind, we ask that you trust the teachers’ ability to place your child in the most suitable class. Class placements are a mammoth task and many hours are spent deliberating over the most suitable combinations for the learners.

We trust that you will support our decision, as it is based on our professional evaluation of each learner within their learning environment. We promise to do our very best to ensure each child is placed in a class in which they will thrive.

Extra Mural 

A BIG Thank you to Chef Kerry and the Senior Prep Chefs for inviting me to join them in decorating a Gingerbread House. I loved the chat, the artistic designs and the laughs in trying to keep our houses upright!  Mrs Steynberg

Grade 5 Camp: High Africa

The Grade 5 learners had an unforgettable experience at High Africa camp. They embraced adventure with activities like kayaking, rock climbing, and ziplining, each testing their courage and skill. They participated in exciting and challenging team-building exercises that strengthened their collaboration and problem-solving abilities. A highlight of the camp was their own potjiekos competition, where they showcased their creativity and teamwork in preparing delicious meals. The days ended on a high note with lots of dancing and laughter, creating memories they’ll treasure for years to come.

SP Individual Music sign up 

We invite parents of all current individual music learners as well as those wishing to commence individual lessons in 2025 to please complete the following enrollment form: SP Individual Music 

We require a new form to be completed annually. A form for Ensembles, including Marimba, Choir, and Orchestra, will be shared at the start of 2025.

We will endeavour to ensure that your child is placed with the same teacher as in 2024, but we can only finalise a time slot at the start of 2025.

Sports News

2024 Sports Wrap-Up: A Year of Growth and Achievement

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the incredible journey that has been Parklands College Prep Sport in 2024. What a year it’s been! We’ve packed away our cricket bats and softball mitts, hung up our swim caps, and set aside the tennis balls – now, it’s time to embrace the holiday season with sandals packed and deck chairs ready!

This year has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by increased participation and outstanding achievements. Our learners embraced the spirit of sport, taking part in 24 festivals across the year. From experiencing the thrill of derby day rivalries to testing their mettle in provincial competitions, our athletes have truly embodied resilience, determination, and sportsmanship.

Highlights and Achievements

• Record Participation: More learners than ever participated in various sports, showcasing a commitment to growth and holistic development.

• Provincial and National Recognition:

  • 5 learners earned SA colours for their respective sports.

  • 1 learner represented Zimbabwe.

  • 6 learners donned the Western Province jersey.

  • 3 learners achieved SA regional swimming representation.

  • A total of 15 learners excelled beyond College sport, making us incredibly proud.

Team Highlights

• Unbeaten Teams:

  • U10 Cricket went unbeaten in Q4.

  • U13 Mixed Tennis also ended the year undefeated.

• Netball Success:

  • U11 Netball reached the district finals.

  • U12 Netball had a fantastic tour to Knysna.

• Rugby Growth: Teams showed remarkable progress throughout the year.

• Hockey Milestone: A first for our Hockey Boys, who experienced competitive game days in Q4.

• Chess Achievements:

  • U13 Mixed Chess qualified for district playoffs in Q1 and delivered strong results.

• Junior Prep Progress:

  • U8s gained valuable exposure at two festivals: the Bridgehouse Mini Cricket Festival and our very own Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival.

  • U9 Cricket enjoyed an unbeaten Q1 and faced tougher competition in Q4.

• Somerset Derby Inclusions: Rugby, Chess, Hockey, and Netball saw increased representation at this celebrated event.

• Swimmers: Took giant strides, competing against some of the district’s best.

• Softball: Our girls showed tremendous growth and resilience.

Reflections from the Team

• Courtney Janeiro: "It’s been wonderful working with the learners since Q1 and seeing their enthusiasm for sport grow throughout the year."

• Nadine Marais-Swart: "A standout year! Participation has soared, and seeing learners become more competitive and resilient has been rewarding."

• Liam Maharage: "Watching our Junior Prep programme face greater competition and develop their foundational skills has been a delight – a great sign for the future of Parklands College Prep Sport."

The Parklands College Prep Sport Team

Firsts and New Traditions

• North vs South Derby: Competing against Golden Grove Primary, learners shone in Netball, Rugby, Football, and Chess.

• Expanded Festival Participation: A doubling of our festival schedule, showcasing the team’s dedication to learner exposure.

This year has been about positive reinforcement, creating opportunities, and embracing holistic growth. Every learner, team, and individual has grown tremendously, with each match, practice, and festival contributing to their journey.

As we close the year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents, coaches, staff, and supporters who have made this success possible. Here’s to an even greater 2025 – filled with growth, resilience, and achievement.

Wishing you a restful and joyful holiday season!

Library News

Staff news

Learner News

Visit from the Chinese Department of Education