Dear Parents and Learners

Please invite family and friends to our Open Day tomorrow.

This has been a big week for us, voting for our 2026 Learner Leaders.  We look forward to the Induction Ceremony on Monday, 22 September 2025.  A link to follow the ceremony online will be provided in next week's blog.

In the meantime, we have also started pre-season training for our Summer Sport Season and would like to invite you to the Gary Kirsten T20 tournament on 20 September.

We have several award ceremonies coming up. Please assist in ensuring that all learners are perfectly dressed and groomed for all of these.

LOOKING AHEAD

Upcoming Events

Kindly note:    Attendance of the Sport Awards is by invitation only.

All our Events are live-streamed to ensure our families and extended families can join from home.  Please find below, links to the live-streaming:

Sport Awards 2025

https://youtube.com/live/IH80m6f_qxY?feature=share

Leadership Induction Ceremony 2025

https://youtube.com/live/5lM2e8qUdqo?feature=share

Call for book donations

We like to reward our Top Achievers in each grade with a book prize and call for donations from parents.  You may either purchase a book or give us permission to bill your account.  We need one donation for the Top Matric Achiever in October, and then for each of the other grades in January 2026.

Getting Ready for the Matric Dance!

The Class of 2025 is stepping gracefully into their Matric Dance with a Waltz lesson.

Grade 9 Market Day

ACADEMICS

Academic Links

Note the section at the top dedicated specifically to academic links.  Click on the links below to find: 

🎓 Winter Quarter Timetables,  🎓Assessment Calendars, the  🎓 Tutorial Schedule, the  🎓 Subject Change Deadlines, the   🎓Promotion Requirements and   🎓 Absence during Assessments or Exams and 🎓 Exam Dates 

Assessment Calendars

Grade 12 Academic Timeline, Exam Timetables and Important Dates

Please find below a link to the academic timeline, preliminary examination timetable, final NSC timetable, and other important dates for the Class of 2025.  We would like to highlight that there are very few teaching days remaining for our matric students.  These remaining weeks include several critical DBE SBA submission and moderation dates.  We urge all parents to ensure that full attendance and a strong commitment to meeting deadlines remain a top priority during this crucial period.

Grade 12 2025 Academic Timeline and Exam Timetables

NSC 2025 Timetable

Grade 12 Prelim Study Guidelines

Final Grade 12 Dramatic Arts Practical Exam

Final Grade 12 isiXhosa Oral Moderation with WCED

Art & Design

Junior Tour de Maths Victory

On Monday 6 September, the final round of the Junior Tour De Maths was held at our beautiful Sandown Campus. 72 grade 6 and 7 learners from Parklands College, Elkanah House, Sunningdale, and Milnerton Primary School, as well as the Green School in Paarl, competed in teams of four to see who could get the highest score on the night. Our Parklands College learners did exceptionally well and also secured the top three positions:

Saadhil Rampath and Lucas de Carvalho Smee along with two Elkanah learners in third place

Elizabeth Campey, Sofia Joubert and Lea Botha along with a learner from the Green school in second place

Joshua Salter and Benjamin Fourie, along with two learners from Milnerton Primary in first place

Not only did Parklands College win round 5, we also secured the trophy for the 2025 Tour De Maths for the best performance over all 5 rounds. We would like to thank all our participants and their parents for their efforts and support this year and we hope to do so again next year. 

We couldn't be prouder of our young Mathematicians. 

Grade 7 Science: Acid-base titration

From the English Department:  Digital Bookshelf

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! 

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Exploring Passions, Finding Purpose – Clubs & Societies in Quarter 3

We believe learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings. Some of the most meaningful growth happens outside the classroom through conversations, collaboration, creativity, and curiosity. That’s why we’re so excited about our Clubs and Societies programme.

If you take a walk around the campus during utility or after school, you’ll feel the energy.  Whether it’s learners deep in strategy during a gaming tournament, sharing ideas in an Interact Club meeting, or debugging code in App Development, there’s a real sense of purpose and passion. These clubs are more than just activities; they're safe spaces for learners to explore who they are and what they love.

In Quarter 3, we have made slight changes to the Clubs and Societies Timetable, which is attached below. From wellness and creative arts to innovation and outreach, there’s something for everyone.

We look forward to seeing even more learners get involved this Quarter. It’s not about adding another item to a to-do list, but it’s about belonging, leading, and growing.

Let the exploring continue.

Link to timetable

SERVICE

To be the “i” in KiND is fun!

The Interact Club visited the Junior Preparatory to host an inspiring Kindness Workshop. Through fun games and lively skits, the grade 1s were encouraged to see kindness in action.

The messages were clear and meaningful: be kind to one another, share generously, include everyone, and care for the environment.

Our Grade 1s embraced the activities with enthusiasm and open hearts, showing just how ready they are to make kindness part of their everyday lives.

LEARNER AFFAIRS

Caffeinated carbonated drinks

We strive to provide nutritious meals and drinks to our learners at the College. We strongly prohibit the consumption of caffeinated canned drinks on our campus.

1. Health Concerns: Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other additives that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of children. 

2. Impact on Learning: High stimulant content may negatively affect a learner's concentration and ability to focus in class, hindering their academic progress. 

3. Behavioural Changes: Reports from schools indicate that energy drinks may alter children's behaviour, leading to concerns from many experts.

Lockers

Our learners have been advised on the following:-

1. A learner can not use a locker that has not been allocated to him/her.

2. A locker that has been allocated to a learner needs to have a lock. This should be locked at all times. Lockers can be purchased at reception.

3. We can not be held liable for missing items if a learner is using a locker not allocated to him/her or a locker without a lock.

Learners driving to school

Every year, we receive requests from learners driving themselves to school to park their vehicles on the school grounds.  We will not allow that for the following very important and well-considered reasons:

1. Safety:  Hundreds of younger learners are dropped and picked up in the parking lot daily and the danger of allowing an additional approximate 100 inexperienced drivers (by the second half of the year) onto campus, is a risk too big to take.

2. Insurance:  The school has public liability insurance for injuries due to school-related events.  Driving a car is not a school-related event and will therefore not be covered by our insurance.

3. Necessity:  There is close enough access to public transport (MyCiTi) for there to be no need for learners to drive themselves to school if their parents are unable to do so.

4. Unlicensed driving:  Some parents allow their children to illegally drive vehicles to school.  As learners arrive and leave during peak times, it is impossible for the security guards to check licences without causing massive congestion.

There are parking embayments in College Avenue for learners to park their vehicles and when that is full, there is ample parking space available at Checkers.  The parking area on the East side of the gate is also available for parking.  This can be accessed from Sandown Road.

Learners missing school

The College prioritises academic/ tuition time.  Failure to comply will ultimately compromise a learner's academic performance.

We ask for your cooperation in not arranging activities and appointments during school hours.  Should disruption of the school day be beyond your control, e.g., appointments with a specialist, we ask that you inform the grade head timeously in order for us to make the necessary academic arrangements.  There is no such thing as a "free" lesson.  In the event of an educator being absent, a substitute educator is provided and work is set for that lesson.

Learners should be at school every day until at least the end of the academic day, including until after assembly on a Friday.  

You are reminded to email ssteyn@parklands.co.za directly to obtain permission to miss assembly on a Friday.

Please note that the Learner Attendance Policy has been updated in the Parent & Learner Directory.

College blazers

Please be reminded that all learners need to wear the new striped blazer from the start of 2026, with the obvious exception of those who wear Honours Blazers.  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

Emergency Contact Details

We would like to remind you that it is imperative for us to be able to contact you or a member of your family or a close friend in the case of an emergency. Kindly visit the Edana App and check the contact details in the fields provided. To ensure that the information is complete and correct, it is vital that the contact numbers are accessible at all times by the College.  

This is a very important request, and we are asking you to comply immediately as a safety precaution.  

Please select your profile, then "Contact Information"  update, and "Emergency Contacts" and update accordingly. Please click on the link for step by step guidance.

Communication & Information

Please use secondary@parklands.co.za if you are unsure about who to contact.  Your mail will be directed to the correct person.

Please click on the tabs at the top of the Memo to access useful information:  Calendars, Academic info and Assessment Calendars, Uniform requirements and Operational Information (including Parent&Learner Directory, EDANA app instructions and KARRI app guidelines for use at Kauai)

We have updated the Parent & Learner Directory on 7 August 2025 with a revised Learner Attendance Policy.

We will be sharing snippets from our Directory with learners in the daily notes, and those same snippets will be included in the weekly memo to parents under Operational Info.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Two opportunities for international travel in 2026

To travel and explore different countries and cultures with your friends is an experience you carry with you for the rest of your life.

Cultural Tour for Juniors to Paris in September 2026

Parklands College is planning a Cultural Tour to Paris in September 2026 for our current Grade 5, 6 & 7 learners.  (Grade 7 and 8 learners from the Secondary Faculty).  

Should you be interested in your child participating in the tour, please se the updated information and tour costs below. Feel free to mail Mme A Bailly at abailly@parklands.co.za with any further queries.  A truly memorable cultural experience awaits!

Cultural tour for Seniors to Budapest and Vienna in March 2026

Mr Baker (lbaker@parklands.co.za) is the tour leader for this tour.

Kindly scan the QR code to reply if you are interested.  We have 15 learners signed up, but would love more learners to join.

• This tour is for Parklands College learners only and they will be accompanied by our own staff members in addition to the tour guide.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

FROM THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT

The summer sport season is now well underway, and although it’s a short stint before our end-of-quarter break, there’s already been plenty of action and excitement.

A quick reminder for all learners: your Quarter 4 team sport remains the same team sport as the one you signed up for in Quarter 1. This is because we enter teams into leagues that run for the whole year (January to December), based on the sign-ups we receive at the start of the year. 

Staying committed ensures that our teams remain strong and consistent throughout the season. Learners will have the chance to make changes to their chosen sport when the new year begins (i.e January 2026).

Fixtures to look forward to:

• Our U19A Cricket team takes on SACS U19B/A XI at home tomorrow, Saturday 13 September. It promises to be a great contest and an excellent showcase of talent.

• On Wednesday, our U13s face Elkanah at home, setting the stage for a busy week.

• Then, on Saturday 20 September, we host the Gary Kirsten T20 Tournament – now in its sixth year. This popular quadrangular event always delivers thrilling cricket and tough competition from visiting schools and academies.

 We’re very excited about our annual Sports Awards Evening on Friday, 19 September – an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of our learners. Please remember that this is an invitation-only event. Parents who have received invitations are kindly reminded to RSVP by Monday, 15 September.

SECONDARY SPORTS CALENDAR

Please remember to subscribe to the Secondary sports calendar for upcoming fixtures.

DH

Feedback

Table View High School Spring Festival

On Saturday, 6 September, our U19 and U16 7's rugby teams competed in the Table View High Spring Festival. The U19s produced a surprise run to the Bowl Final, which they won in style to close out their season. The U16s impressed with a 20-0 walkover against Groote Schuur High School, a 24–10 win over Table View A, followed by a 33–10 victory against Table View B, before falling just short in a 19–21 Cup semifinal thriller against Parow High.

Grace, determination, and genuine promise define this group.

Learner Achievements

Padel

Finlay Ferguson (Grade 9) has quickly distinguished himself in the sport of padel through consistent participation and success. Earlier this year, he competed in Johannesburg at the inaugural International Padel Federation junior event, marking his first international experience and earning him a world ranking (top 235, Junior Male U16). Currently ranked 5th in South Africa, Finlay is working hard to climb even higher – and in October, he’ll be aiming to train at a leading Padel academy in Spain before competing internationally.

We wish you every success at your next padel event, Finlay!

Water Polo 

Congratulations to Leigh Pijoos on being selected as a non-travelling reserve for the Western Province U16 Water Polo team.

Water polo is an incredibly competitive sport and Leigh performed exceptionally well to earn this recognition. It’s not easy to stand out, and she should be extremely proud of her achievement; we definitely are. All the best with your upcoming season Leigh!

Upcoming Event

🏆 ATA SINGLES TOURNAMENT

📅 Date: 24 September (Heritage Day)

 📍 Venues:

• Section 1: Atlantic Beach

• Section 2: Van Riebeeckstrand Primary

• Sections 3–5: Table View Tennis Club

🎯 SECTIONS & AGES

• Section 1 (Red Ball): 6–8/9 yrs

• Section 2 (Orange Ball): 8/9–10 yrs

• Section 3 (Green Ball): 11–13 yrs

• Section 4 & 5 (Hard Ball): 13–17 yrs

(Note: Sections may vary depending on experience—ask your coach if unsure.)

👉 Register by 22 September: SMS or email your name + section to Jason.

📞 Contact: Jason – 083 488 5897

Sports department coordinators

For general enquiries about specific winter sports, contact:

• Athletics, Softball and First Aid mviljoen@parklands.co.za

• Cricket and tennis dviljoen@parklands.co.za

• Aquatics (swimming and water polo) sbloem@parklands.co.za

• Head of Cricket ggilder@parklands.co.za

• Head of Sport dhunt@parklands.co.za 

2025 Sports Prefects

• Erin Langenhoven

• Nicole Apsey

• Nic Farquhar

Summer sports managers (educators)

Sport                           Contact email

• Athletics

Coach (sprint) cwessels@parklands.co.za

Coach (middle distance) dduffield@parklands.co.za

      erandewijk@parklands.co.za

• Cricket

U13 fhuman@parklands.co.za

U14 arossouw@parklands.co.za

U15 lmakhohlisa@parklands.co.za

2nd XI rhorsley@parklands.co.za

1st XI cfortuin@parklands.co.za

• Softball

U13 ahayward@parklands.co.za

U15A/B pbates@parklands.co.za

2nd cawessels@parklands.co.za

1st rpillay@parklands.co.za

• Swimming

GET&FET rismail@parklands.co.za

GET&FET kgoliath@parklands.co.za

• Tennis

1st Girls and/or Boys lbaker@parklands.co.za

2nd Girls sdube@parklands.co.za

2nd Boys rnieuwenhoudt@parklands.co.za

• Water polo

U13 & u14 Boys cgoldstone@parklands.co.za

U13 & u14 Girls kfalake@parklands.co.za

U16 Boys     rviljoen@parklands.co.za

U16 Girls pbara@parklands.co.za

U19 Boys csteinmann@parklands.co.za

U19 Girls cconradie@parklands.co.za

Summer sports captains 

Summer Sport Programme (Q3: 8 September - 19th September)

Summer Sport Programme (Q4: 14th October - 7 November)

Please remember to subscribe to our Secondary sports calendar using this link:  Secondary sports calendar 

Please click on the link:  https://sites.google.com/parklands.co.za/parklandscollegedance/home

ISTD Jazz Exams

Our incredible Grade 12 dancers have achieved Gold Medals in their ISTD Jazz exams in their final year — a true testament to 

their hard work, passion, and dedication. We are so proud of them!

CPO Outing FET Music Learners

LEARNER SUPPORT 

Mrs Scott (C block):  sjscott@parklands.co.za

Mrs Kistan (Resource Centre):  skistan@parklands.co.za

Thinking of Studying in the USA - ISAM360

We invite you to join our LIVE online session on Wednesday, 17 September at 18:00 and discover how South African students like you are landing scholarships to study in the United States! 

What’s in store during the session?

• Learn how scholarships for U.S. universities work

• Understand the full overseas study process

• Find out if this is the right path for YOU

• Hear from SA students currently on the program

Discover how YOU can become eligible for a bursary worth over R160,000!

Get inspired now — check out real stories here:  https://youtube.com/@isam360scholarships?feature=shared

Seats are limited — Secure yours now!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:  https://event.webinarjam.com/register/337/yg0nwfnq

Bonus: Attend with a parent or guardian and you’ll automatically qualify to apply for an internal bursary valued at R160,000+ — applications open LIVE during the session!

Plus, head over to our Instagram and explore the journeys of SA students already on the program — chances are you’ll recognize a few familiar faces. We’ve already reached 250+ schools across South Africa!

Financial Aid Opportunities - Bursaries 

TERTIARY STUDIES 

Open Days and Application Dates 2025 for Universities and Colleges 

Please note

Important reminders for parents

College Crest and Logos

The College Crest and logos are registered trademarks and may not be used without permission from the Head of Marketing: cdevos@parklands.co.za 

Access to Campus

Please note that for security reasons, no parents or visitors are allowed past the Admin building during the week without reporting to reception.  We have instructed our learners and staff to ask anyone without a Visitor's Badge to report to reception.

No Dogs Allowed

Please note that the College does not allow animals, especially dogs, on campus, except in the following cases:

• Officially registered guide or support dogs (with the necessary harness).

• Pets owned by personnel residing on campus for security purposes.

Lost Cellphones

Almost on a daily basis we are asked to assist with finding lost cellphones.  It has become an impossible task and we simply cannot expect staff to actively look for misplaced cellphones.  We provide adequate facilities for the learners to lock their devices away.

If a learner misplaces or loses their cellphone, parents are required to report the missing device to the local police station.

Learners need to complete a report about the missing device at reception of the ICT desk in the event that it is handed in.

AirPods

We do not look for missing AirPods.  Learners have been told that they should rather not bring AirPods to school, as they get lost easily.

CONCLUSION