Preparation For Formal Assessments

We have started the Grade 4 - 6 formal assessment period for the fourth quarter and will continue until 14 November 2025.  

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 during 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.

NEWS

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 learners growing minds shields. Congratulations to each of you and well done on being nominated for this award.  

In class, our Grade 6 learners have been working diligently to prepare for their final Senior Prep assessments. We kicked off the week with Geography and Mathematics, where learners demonstrated focus, perseverance and determination, setting a wonderful tone for the week ahead.

We also reminded our learners that preparing for assessments isn’t just about studying hard, it’s about studying smart! 

Here are a few helpful tips we shared:

Review a little each day instead of leaving everything for the night before.
Use your time wisely and start with the topics you find tricky.
Stay calm and confident - take deep breaths before and during each test.
Eat well and rest - a healthy mind needs energy and sleep to focus.
Read each question carefully and double-check your answers before moving on. ✏️

During PSW, we turned our attention to something truly important: Basic First Aid. Learners explored what it means to be a first aider, discussing what to do when a friend gets hurt or if someone is choking. 

We also shared some helpful tips:
Stay calm 🩹 - Take a deep breath before helping.
Call for help 🩺- Always alert a teacher or adult right away.
Don’t panic - If someone is bleeding, press gently on the wound with a clean cloth.
For choking - Encourage the person to cough; if it’s serious, get help fast.
Be kind and reassuring ✨ - Your calmness can help others feel safe.

It was a week that highlighted responsibility, compassion and teamwork, the perfect way to move closer to the end of an amazing year in Senior Prep! 🌼

Grade 5

What a busy and exciting week we've had in Grade 5!

In Mathematics, we've been on a real measurement adventure! After driving around the perimeter and surfing across the area of various shapes, we are now taking the plunge and diving deep into volume. It's wonderful to see the class exploring 3D space. 

Our English setwork, The White Giraffe, is getting thrilling! In our latest adventure, Martine sneaks off into the reserve, where she unfortunately encounters poachers. We were on the edge of our seats as she had to make a plan to save both herself and the White Giraffe. We are loving this novel, especially as it’s based right here in South Africa. The students are making so many wonderful connections between the story and our History topic, the 'Trail Around South African History'.

Summer is here, and so is swimming!  We are absolutely loving our Physical Education lessons in the pool. They are the perfect way to cool down, have fun, and take a much-needed active break from classroom learning.

MATHLETICS CERTIFICATES

ROBOTICS

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 

Senior Prep Sports Weekly Update

Can you believe it - we’re already in November and deep in the heart of summer sport! ☀️

Good luck to all our U10–U12 swimmers representing Parklands College at the Edgemead Gala today! We’re so proud of your hard work and dedication in the pool.

This Saturday, 8 November, we look forward to hosting our Annual Parklands College Mini Cricket Festival at the Secondary Faculty. Pop down and show your support - we’ll have food and coffee vendors, great energy, and loads of mini cricket action throughout the morning!

Our learners have been putting in the hard yards across the softball diamond, cricket fields, and swimming lanes, showing fantastic commitment and team spirit.

Next week, we’ll be taking a short break from matches to accommodate Assessment Week, but practices will still continue according to the schedule. Let’s finish the quarter strong and keep that Parklands spirit shining! 

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

What an exciting week of summer sport at Parklands College!

Our Softball teams put on thrilling performances against Reddam Durbanville.

• U10s fought hard in a narrow 4–5 loss, with standout plays from Milka and Tianna.

• U11/12s claimed a fantastic 5–4 win, led by Nia and Elise, who showed great teamwork and determination.

On the Cricket front, our teams continued to impress:

• The U11s went down by just 13 runs against VRS, with Heath earning Player of the Match for his steady performance.

• The U12s pulled off a nail-biting 1-wicket victory, with Santino guiding the team home in style — a clutch performance under pressure!

Our Tennis teams remain unbeaten vs Table View Primary

• Parklands winning 5-1 POTM shared Sophia and Nina

In the pool, our swimmers at the Parklands Gala gave their absolute best, showing courage, technique, and commitment. Congratulations to all swimmers for swimming your hearts out! 🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️

A big well done to all our players for their effort and spirit on the field, court, and in the pool!

ATTENTION: Cricket Lovers
Keep your eyes peeled for an email. We are going to the SA20 on 16 January 2026 at Newlands. Grades 4-6 are invited to watch the mighty MI Cape Town next year! 

Sport Quick Links

Quick Links

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Here are some important dates for this quarter:

Have a wonderful weekend,

Paul Mayers

Senior Preparatory Principal

pmayers@parklands.co.za 

Follow us on:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParklandsTweet

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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