10 April 2026

FROM THE OFFICE

It is truly heartwarming to have our school alive again with the return of our learners - the corridors once more filled with energy, laughter, and a vibrant sense of purpose. There is something special about the way a school comes to life when our young people are back, reconnecting with one another and with their learning. As we ease into the new term, this blog will predominantly reflect on the highlights and experiences of the recent holiday period.

While this is a shorter academic term, it remains an important one as we work towards the examination period. In the weeks ahead, there will be many meaningful moments and highlights along the way. We encourage our learners to be fully present, to embrace each opportunity with enthusiasm, and to make every day count. Our school is a place rich with opportunities to explore, to try something new, and to nurture innovative thinking.

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Carl Sagan

This coming week, our focus turns to Science and Space, reminding us of the vastness of discovery and the excitement of learning beyond the classroom. In general, greater participation in the life of the school is encouraged, as we value the development of well-rounded individuals.

SECONDARY CALENDAR

SPORT CALENDAR

GENERAL

WORLD INDIVIDUAL DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

Good Luck at WIDPSC 2026!

We are incredibly proud to announce that Liat Demissew and Connor Crighton have headed to Bristol to represent both our College and the South African delegation at the World Individual Public Speaking and Debating Championships.

Competing on a global stage is a massive achievement. Liat and Connor will be testing their skills against the world’s best across four demanding categories:

After Dinner Speaking

Debating

Interpretive Reading

Impromptu Speaking

To our two speakers: the entire college community is behind you. We have watched the hours of preparation you’ve put in, and we know you will represent us with the same excellence and poise you’ve shown all year.

Enjoy the experience, soak up the atmosphere in Bristol, and give it your all.

SPACE & SCIENCE WEEK

With the NASA Artemis II crew having successfully completed their high-speed “slingshot” around the far side of the Moon, and as we begin our own Science Week celebrations at school, we are reminded that we are living in an exciting era of deep-space exploration - an inspiring reflection of what curiosity, innovation, and determination can achieve.

SPACE EDUCATION

We are excited to announce that Parklands College Secondary Faculty will be hosting a Space Educators Conference during World Space Week in October.

TOP SCHOOL IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Just in time for our Science Week celebrations, we are delighted to share additional recognition from the WCED that our Science Department has been ranked the top school in the Metro-North region for Physical Sciences. This builds on earlier acknowledgements shared at the beginning of the year, when other subject areas were also recognised for their outstanding performance.

Dr Rossouw receiving our certificate

FEATURING THE STAR PROGRAMME AT PARKLANDS COLLEGE...

FEEDBACK

LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

We recently hosted the annual Leadership Engagement on 25 March 2026, where learner leaders from different secondary schools shared experiences and strategized to improve learner leadership. Learner leaders from various high schools, including Table View High, Milnerton High, Sunridge Circle, Bloubergrandt High, and Elkanah, attended the event.

The Executive Prefects managed the planning and coordination of the event together with the wider Prefect body. There was a leadership seminar hosted by Mr. Bates, ice-breaker sessions, entrepreneurship sessions, and decision-making scenarios. The event was a massive success. Congratulations to the Prefect body of 2026.

BEACH CLEAN UP

Nineteen learners gathered at Melkbos Beach for a beach clean-up, where they collected a significant number of plastic bottle tops. This serves as an important reminder to be mindful of what we throw away and the impact it has on our environment.

TYGERBERG CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Leela Trimalley and Osisipho Mazimela participated in an international tour as part of a collaborative production with Mosaic Community Developments NPC during the school holidays. We are proud of their involvement and look forward to them sharing their experiences with us.

AJ SPORT TOUR SEND-OFF

There was a great sense of excitement at the end of last quarter as the school gathered for a special send-off assembly for our rugby, hockey, and netball players who departed on sports tour. The energy and support in the hall reflected the pride we have in our teams and the spirit of school sport at Parklands.

There will be tour feedback in next week's sports section.

EAST EUROPE

From 24 March to 2 April, I, along with a group of learners, had the incredible opportunity to see and explore a beautiful section of Eastern Europe. During our visit there, we visited Budapest in Hungary and saw some of Europe's outstanding architecture. Our tour guide, Lujza, showed us such lovely places, let us experience different foods and dishes, and- a personal highlight- took us on a lovely cycle tour around Budapest. This gave us the opportunity to see the capital city of Hungary in such a special light. Along with this, we also traveled to Bratislava in Slovakia, where we experienced an entirely different side of Eastern Europe with entirely different foods and architecture. Finally, we had the opportunity to take a train to see Vienna for the day with a tour guide. It was such an amazing experience to see all of the buildings and cathedrals, despite the extremely cold weather!

Overall, our trip to Eastern Europe was truly a life changing adventure where many friendships were formed as well as long time memories.

Caitlin Smith

MARSHMALLOW EGG DONATIONS

Thank you to all the families who contributed to the marshmallow egg collection. Your generosity is truly appreciated. We were able to deliver the donations to Sam’s Educare and Home of Hope at the end of last quarter, and they were received with great gratitude.

NATURE+ YOUTH CONFERENCE

We were invited by The Green School to attend the Nature+ Conference on 24 and 25 March 2026. Nature+ is a gathering where learners, educators and school leaders imagine the future they want to be part of, are inspired by practical, working examples of nature-positive solutions, and co-create new ideas to share with the world.

" I took part in the debate and political science stream as a delegate for Panama, where we engaged in negotiations and debates around a global “Nature Accord” focusing on climate vulnerability and accountability. It was a very rewarding and informative two days." (Lily Howe)

"The Nature+ Conference was an amazing experience. I took part in the Art Stream, where we worked closely with both Phila Dlozi, a vocal artist and Briana Evigan, a Hollywood actress and dancer. We also helped with an art project where we used old coffee pods to make a map of the Green School. Briana choreographed a dance to the artist’s song, which we learned as a group. At the same time, we learned to play the same song on the marimbas. At the closing ceremony, we performed both the dance and the marimba piece, and during the marimba performance, Phila sang live with us, which made the experience even more special. It was very interesting to see how the school worked, with its focus on sustainability, creative projects, and even its own farm. Even though the school is vegetarian, the food was still delicious." (Clara-Mari Vosloo)

"I had the pleasure of being a part of the Storytelling Stream. We discussed different approaches to storytelling and how to express ourselves. We walked around and filmed the various streams and age groups and used what we discussed to create short videos. I learned so much from this experience from other young aspiring filmmakers and got to network with great people." (Sesona Mbovane)

JENNIFER ZHOU - MATHEMATICS

Jennifer was selected to attend the April camp in Stellenbosch, which brings together the top 20 students in the region. The camp is part of a highly competitive selection process aimed at identifying learners who may go on to represent South Africa at the PAMO (Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad) and the IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad). While selection into these teams is extremely challenging and highly competitive, Jennifer’s participation in this camp is a significant achievement in itself and reflects her strong ability and commitment in this field.

SOUTH AFRICAN SPACE DESIGN COMPETITION

Five of our learners from the Secondary Faculty took part in Africa’s first-ever Space Design Competition, held at UCT on 30–31 March. The team, Ares Industrial, consisted of Isabella Ankiah, Caitlin Hunt, Aden Van Rhyn, Levi Scott-Hayward and Nicole Kemp. Two of our teachers, Ms Carike Cass and Mr Hanco Haydenrych accompanied our learners.

As national finalists in the South African Space Design Competition (ZASDC), they collaborated on designing futuristic space settlements, showcasing innovation, teamwork, and creative problem-solving under pressure. The ZASDC In-Person National Final is an immersive two-day industry simulation where learners form fictional companies to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a fictional space organisation, The Foundation Society. Over two action-packed days, teams develop concepts for structures, life-support systems, automation, human factors, and business strategy.

Isabella Ankiah was selected as the president of the team consisting of learners from various schools, called Kepler Automation and Caitlin Hunt was selected as Head of Operations. A special congratulations to Caitlin Hunt, who received the Viadexone Best Technology Award for her outstanding technological thinking!

Yesterday we received further exciting news that Isabella Ankiah was selected as part of a Team South Africa to represent South Africa on the world stage at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA - the historic home of human spaceflight for over 50 years. Aden van Rhyn has been named a reserve for Team South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICAN YOUNG PHYSICISTS' TOURNAMENT

Congratulations to Kaylee-Jade Mestre on reaching the third and final round of the South African Young Physicists’ Tournament (SAYPT)!

After progressing through two highly demanding rounds, including a 10-minute video submission showcasing her theoretical and experimental research on a fluid dynamics phenomenon (a self-starting siphon), followed by a rigorous interview with professional physicists and engineers, Kaylee-Jade has secured her place among the top finalists.

She will now compete alongside other finalists in a full-format IYPT Physics Fight in April.

We are incredibly proud of this outstanding achievement and wish her all the very best for the final round!

SERVING THROUGH UNDERSTANDING: THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE

Design learners recently attended a powerful virtual speaker series titled “Serving Through Understanding: The Power of Perspective,” bringing together students from three California high schools as well as learners from Parklands College, Secondary Faculty.

The session featured renowned photographer Asa Mathat and Red Cross leader Michele Averill, who shared a vital message: before you can help a community, you must first understand it.

Through storytelling and real-world experiences, learners were reminded that meaningful design begins with empathy. Whether capturing human stories or responding to community needs, both speakers emphasized listening, observing, and engaging before taking action.

The series challenged learners to rethink their role as designers - not just as problem-solvers, but as empathetic thinkers who design with people, not just for them.

INFORMATION

DATES AND HIGHLIGHTS

We encourage parents and learners to refer to the school calendar shared at the beginning of the blog. However, as our Grade 12 and Grade 11 learners enter an important and exciting period, we would like to highlight a few key dates.

22-24 June Grade 11 Leadership Camp - all grade 11s

23-25 July High School Musical

31 July Leadership Voting

7 August Grade 12 40 Day Breakfast

15 August Derby Day

18 August Leadership Induction Ceremony

18 September Sport Awards tbc

19 September Matric Dance

22 September STCL & Honors & Leadership Awards

23 September Valedictory & Locking the Legacy

13 October Grade 12 NSC Exam Start

SCHOOL & LEISURE - FREE DELIVERY

A reminder that our Uniform Shop, School & Leisure, offers free delivery on all online orders, making it easier than ever to get what you need.

For free delivery to school, in the address block, please insert school name and address and add discount code before check out

Junior Preparatory - 91 Raats Drive, Parklands 7441
Secondary Preparatory - 50 Wood Drive, Parklands 7441
Secondary Faculty - 1 College Avenue, Sandown 7441

Discount Code : PKLSCHOOL (both upper and lowercase works)

DROP-OFF AND COLLECTION TIMES

During drop-off and collection times, we ask that parents please respect the traffic flow and avoid stopping in drive-through areas. Rather, we encourage making use of designated parking to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic for all. Safety and security of our learners, remains a priority at all times.

WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR LEARNERS SAFE

Parents should be aware of a concerning trend currently being reported across parts of Cape Town where groups of school-aged learners are gathering in public spaces such as mall parking areas and basements to watch or participate in organised fights and bullying incidents. These gatherings are often coordinated through social media, with learners sharing information about when and where incidents will take place. Many of these situations are then recorded on cell phones and circulated online.

We encourage parents to have open conversations with their children about the risks, consequences, and seriousness of participating in or encouraging such behaviour. By working together as families and a school community, we can help guide our learners to make responsible choices and ensure their safety.

Please note that any similar behaviour at school would constitute a Category 3 offence under our Learner Code of Conduct and may result in serious disciplinary action, including possible expulsion. This is behaviour that we simply cannot tolerate within our Parklands community.

We encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media use, discuss safe ways to resolve conflicts, and remind them to seek help from adults if they ever feel unsafe or pressured to participate in harmful behaviour.

EXAMINATION QUARTER

This quarter marks our examination period, an important time in the academic calendar. We kindly ask that parents avoid making travel arrangements during this time. Learners are required to fully participate in their exams and make the most of their preparations.

Your support in maintaining a smooth, focused exam schedule is greatly appreciated.

ABSENTEEISM FORMAL SBA ASSESSMENTS & EXAMINATIONS

A complete assessment portfolio (SBA - school-based assessment), including all November examinations, is required for promotion into the next grade.

A learner can not be permitted to write the final exam if the SBA component is incomplete.

Should a learner be absent for the final examination without a valid reason, the learner will not be promoted to the next grade. A valid reason in this context includes the following:

a) illness, supported by a valid medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner;

b) humanitarian reasons, which include the death of an immediate family member, supported by a death certificate;

c) the learner appearing in a court hearing, which must be supported by written evidence; or

d) any other reason as may be accepted as valid by the Head of the assessment body.

Note that extended holiday breaks and travel do not constitute a valid reason.

SUBJECT CHANGES

Please note the following important WCED dates for subject changes:

Grade 10 Subject Changes

The last date for subject changes is Monday, 27 July 2026.

* Note that some of the subject groups have reached full capacity and changes to these subjects will not be possible.

* Any subject change requests received after Friday, 8 May, will only be processed/considered for implementation next quarter.

Grade 11 & 12 Subject Changes

There are no more changes permitted for Grade 12.

13 April 2026 is the final date for Grade 11 subject changes. Requests to do additional subjects must also be submitted before this date as there will be no opportunity to register extra subjects when the candidate is in Grade 12.

Note that all subject changes are subject to space availability and the educators' agreement.

In order to initiate a subject change, please submit the subject change request form to Mrs Tromp. Forms are available from Reception.

AFRIKAANS EXAM PREPARATION WORKSHOPS

Please find information regarding available exam preparation workshops. Learners who are interested in attending are invited to email Mrs Bailly directly at abailly@parklands.co.za with the date and session they would like to sign up for.

WORKSHOP AFRIKAANS FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE workshops (1)

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

📅 Assessment Calendars:

Use these calendars to plan ahead for tests, tasks, and exams.

Grade 7 Assessment Calendar, Grade 8 Assessment Calendar, Grade 9 Assessment Calendar, Grade 10 Assessment Calendar, Grade 11 Assessment Calendar, Grade 12 Assessment Calendar

🎯 Tutorial Schedule

Tutorials are available to support learning throughout the term: 2026 Autumn Tutorial Schedule

🕒 Class Timetables

Find your class times, days, and subject allocations for Quarter 2:. 2026 Quarter 2 Timetables, Times and Day Allocation

📝 Exam Timetables

Please use the examination timetables below to prepare effectively for your upcoming assessments. Ensure that you are aware of your exam dates, times, and any specific requirements.

JUNE EXAM TT 2026

📑 Exam Study Guidelines

Grade 12 Grade 11 Grade 10 Grade 9 Grade 8 Grade 7

Summer Quarter Academic Achievers

GRADE 7

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 7

Naledi Ademoye, Kassidy Chavik, Nina Davies, Brynn Eichbauer, Ewan Eichbauer, Zihe Fan, Benjamin Fourie, Ava Ingram, Sofia Joubert, Tshegofatso Le Roux, Sivangaye Mdebuka, Rethabile Molefe, Shiko Molokwane, Nia Morule, Elle Pieterse, Ruben Roux, Matthew Taylor, Sofia Tramontano, Logan van Deventer, Alyssa Veerasamy, Gia Williams-Brown

Top Achievers

3rd Position in Grade 7: Ben Coelho, Joshua Salter
2nd Position in Grade 7: Lea Botha, Sophia de Carvalho Smee

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 7

1st Position in Grade 7: Elizabeth Campey

GRADE 8

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 8

Roch Angel, Matthew Beukes, Liam Brierton, Matthew Evans, Fabio Florentino, Anna Herbert, Levi Le Grange, Karena Li, Thoshita Nagendrakumar, Luka Reyneke, Olivia Salvador, Kaiden Segal, HuiQuan Sun, Lexi Torlutter, Mea van der Merwe

Top Achievers

3rd Position in Grade 8: Lucas de Carvalho Smee, Hayden Naidoo
2nd Position in Grade 8: Yihan Dai, Ella Nel

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 8

1st Position in Grade 8: Saadhil Rampath

GRADE 9

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 9

Adaeze Aka, Kayla Apalata, Milla Arnaudova, Leo Davies, Keilana Dayaram, Jordan Donnelly, Malaika Gasigwa, Henry Hansen, Zaariya Ismail, Natasha Jayakody, Grace Kairinos, Nokukhanya Khumalo, Gia Huy Kieu, Lunje Mlaza, Manjulika Moodley, Bohlale-Ba-Moréna Mtimkulu, Ethan Pieterse, Jaime Sieberhagen, Trista Steininger, Bella Thomas, Taylor Watson

Top Achievers

3rd Position in Grade 9: Isabella Ankiah, Carsten Dijkhuizen

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 9

2nd Position in Grade 9: Skye Arendse-Martin, Emma Strümpher, Barry John van der Merwe, Sethu Kunana

1st Position in Grade 9: Caitlin Hunt

GRADE 10

Achieving 75% and above in Grade 10

Shyla Kurien, Njabulo Maswana, Lufuno Thovhogi, Finlay Ferguson, Piper Hamilton-Brister, Viggo Thetard, Azraa Hendricks, Hodavia Kianda Kaboza, Joel Ronaldson, Chamel Targwirie, Meredith Chirnside, Zara Gilder, Nataniel Manuel, ZhenXuan Yan

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 10

Israa Adam, Matthew Ankiah, Keagan Beaumont, Taziané Botha, James Chavik, Aidan Chow, Luke Cloete, Zelda Deiner, Heike du Toit, Noah Fick, Matthew Francke, Liam Oveshan Govender, Lola Henning, Holly Hickman, Jorja Hoppé, Lily Howe, Jesse Loxton, Isabela Manickum, Wanganae Masindi, Ronia Minkoulou, Viraya Pillay, Jaime Ramalheiro, Edilson Santos, Mosa Sebapadi, Caitlin Smith, Phoenix Srdic, Madison Viljoen

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 10

Keira Chirnside

Top Achievers

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 10

3rd Position in Grade 10: Yaseen Salie, Carl Scheffler, Clara-Mari Vosloo

2nd Position in Grade 10: Luan Odendaal, Ethan Wüst

1st Position in Grade 10: Veer Atwaru

GRADE 11

Achieving 75% and above in Grade 11

Ryan Arnaudov, Ithra Brenner, Levi Cass, Sophia De Sousa, Emma Lilienfeld, Khanya Mdebuka, Sesona Mbovane, Keren Mulamba-Kiasso, Nikae Persotham, Chiara Saunders, Ramabele Sello, Darshan Sooful, Cuan Swartz, Yufeng Zhu

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 11

Jason Bannon, Luka Rose Begg, Madison Benjamin, Denise Borges, Aaron Bouwers, Michelle Chifamba, Madison Coleman, Joshua Crosson, Logan De Araujo, Kylah Fenwick, Caterina Frazzitta, Bryce Gilder, Puxin Hong, Shihan Huang, Katrina Katiah, Ammiel Kianda Mukalay, Luke Le Grange, Elijah Le Grange, Teballo Makuzeni, Kaylee-Jade Mestre, Kaylee Moodley, Scarlett Papakostadinou, Lesa Pokwana, Zayn Redelinghuys, Alexa-Rose Schreuder, Levi Scott-Hayward, Alecea Vieira, Leslie van Eck

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 11

Tyler Archery, Liat Demissew, Ella Frielinghaus, Puneet Nagendrakumar, Joshua Kalapac, Jenna Simpson, Aden van Rhyn, Zacchary Rawat

Top Achievers

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 11

3rd Position in Grade 11: Steffan Hillebrand

2nd Position in Grade 11: Arabella Fox

1st Position in Grade 11: Gerhard Vosloo

GRADE 12

Achieving 75% and above in Grade 12

Mia Bezer, Amelia Anne Bishop, Nika Coetzee, Odirile Gaetsewe, Aeron Gore, Liam Hills, Ka Wai Hou, Nikhiel Moodley, Matias Munsamy, Afia Mwini, Nicholas Rossouw, Hannah Taylor

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 12

Connor Crighton, Mischan Francis, Jai Gounden, Emily Hoffman, Jarryd Hunt, Rebecca Large, Shakti Manga, Maxim McLaughlin, Salizwa Mkwananzi, Meera Moodley, Wihan Prinsloo, Dharshana Raja, Jack Sutherland, Fabianna Vermeulen

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 12

Naeha Naidu, Aisha Salie, Dominique Yuill, Diederik Van Der Merwe

Top Achievers

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 12

3rd Position in Grade 12: WanRu Zhou

2nd Position in Grade 12: Kate Stopforth, Hannah Van Zyl

1st Position in Grade 12: Rayah Moodley

SOUTH AFRICAN MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

Congratulations to the following learners who qualified for SAMO Round 2:

GRADE 8

Diyana Manga, Yihan Dai, Levi Le Grange, Saadhil Rampath, Maimillian Stolz, Thoshita Nagendrakumar, Luka Reyneke, Lucas De Carvalho Smee, Mea van der Merwe, Karena Li, Luke Sly, Hayden Naidoo

GRADE 9

Barry-John van der Merwe, Jordan Donnely, Nokukhanya Khumalo, Sethu Kunana, Bbobhlala-Ba-Morena Mtimkulu, Leo Davies

GRADE 10

Enoch Onyems, Yaseen Salie, Mosa Sebapadi, Ethan Wüst, Njabula Maswana, Keagan Beaumont, Zhen Yan

GRADE 11

Sesona Mbovane, Elijah le Grange, Joshua Kalapac, Tyler Archery, Steffan Hillebrand, Gerhard Vosloo, Aden van Rhyn, Puneet Nagendrakumar

GRADE 12

Rayah Moodley, Shakti Manga, Aeron Gore, Wanru Zhou, Jarryd Hunt, Naeha Naidu, Aisha Salie

Learners are still welcome to join most of our clubs and societies on offer at the College. Please email the educator in charge of the respective Club or Society, speak to Teneale or Isaiah, our Clubs and Society prefects or email Mr Steinmann.

SCHEDULE

2026 Schedule - 2026 Time table

Important information:

Some clubs and societies require a fee.
A consent form must be collected and signed by a parent.
The full fee structure is available in the Parent Directory.

Drama Club

Drama Club begins next week.

Please note that this is a paid utility taking place on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Closing date for sign-ups is Monday, 13 April 2026.

LINK TO SIGN UP

MUSIC LESSONS

Congratulations to our Musicians on the Trinity College London achievement!

Upcoming Quarter 2 Events & Opportunities

We strongly encourage all our musicians to take part in the following:

1. Western Cape Virtual Eisteddfod (WCVE)
An inclusive and accessible platform for all musicians, whether you are just starting out or more experienced. Learners receive valuable feedback and certification for their performances.

Entries close: 8 May (Entry Form Link: https://forms.gle/LGnT2QRTURw2qi5a7 )
Video submissions due: 9 June
👉 We encourage every learner to participate in this opportunity.

2. Cape Town Eisteddfod (Live Performance at Parklands College)
Taking place in Quarter 3 (20–21 August), this is a wonderful opportunity to perform live and grow in confidence and stage presence.

Entries close: 22 May
Please refer to the Entry Form link for entry details: https://forms.gle/GuuUhWt7ZvxptFAq6

Further Development

We also encourage learners to:

Register for Trinity examinations, which form part of the criteria for Colours and Half Colours
Participate in ensembles such as Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Euphonics Vocal Ensemble

Why step beyond the practice room? These experiences offer far more than just musical technicality; they are a masterclass in the skills that define a person. By committing to an ensemble or an exam, you are cultivating the discipline to persevere, the collaboration to listen, and the unshakeable confidence that comes from finding your unique voice.

Music is not just something you play; it is the way you learn to show up in the world.

Embrace these opportunities to turn your practice into your purpose.

More Details to Follow

Join us by completing this link: https://forms.gle/jPSsQZBjjvLPw2jq7 by Monday 20 April 2026.

Enrollment Form: https://forms.gle/gRidchZx8Q5nubVi6

📚 For timetables, teacher details, and all Music Department info, please visit our Music Department Learner Website.
💌 For any other questions, contact Mrs Alexis Matsimela.

https://sites.google.com/parklands.co.za/sec-music-department/home

Those still interested in getting started, we have space in the vocal, cello, drums, saxophone, trumpet, & piano departments. All relevant details, including lesson offerings, durations, and costs, can be found in the Music Tuition

Google Form link: https://forms.gle/uV4j9ChV4TDG8tuU9

Get ready to make some music! 🎹🎷🎤

Dance

Please find the link below to enrol for Secondary Dance 2026.

Dance Enrollment Link

Inside the link, you’ll find the full timetable and all the details you need. Whether you’re passionate about dance or keen to try something new, we would love to have you join us.

Don’t miss out! Sign up and be part of the energy!

Neurodiversity & Autism Awareness Month

April invites us to pause and reflect on the many different ways people think, learn, and experience the world. Neurodiversity; including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences, is not something to be “fixed,” but something to be understood, supported, and valued.

For many young people, and adults, navigating school, work, and everyday spaces can feel overwhelming when systems are not designed with diverse ways of thinking in mind. This month reminds us of the importance of creating environments where people feel safe to be themselves—where difference is not just accepted, but respected and included. Small shifts in understanding, patience, and language can make a meaningful difference in someone’s daily experience.

For those who identify as neurodivergent, at any age, your perspective matters. The way you see, process, and engage with the world brings depth, creativity, and insight that enriches our community. You belong exactly as you are.

As we move through April, we also approach Freedom Day, a moment in South Africa’s history that reminds us of the ongoing journey toward dignity, equality, and human rights for all. True freedom includes the ability to exist authentically, without pressure to conform to a single way of being.

So we reflect: What does it mean to create a space where every mind, young and old, feels seen, valued, and free?

Because inclusion is not just something we speak about, it is something we choose, every day, in how we show up for one another.

Results from the last few House events:

Inter-house Athletics Results Big Brag Bake Off

1. Oxford 1. Harvard 1. Oxford

2. Yale 2. Oxford/Yale 2. Cambridge

3. Cambridge 3. Cambridge 3. Yale

4. Harvard 4. Harvard

Updated Total Points

Please contact the counsellors for any learner support queries or information:

Samantha Scott: sjscott@parklands.co.za

Lara Rust: lrust@parklands.co.za (Counselling support Mondays and Thursdays 09:00-11:00)

MAY/JUNE EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS -

Please note this is only for Approved accommodations for READERS/SCRIBES/PROMPTER/PLANNER or SEPARATE VENUE

Google form to confirm accommodations (link)

Please note that Readers and Scribes for exams must be organised directly by the parents and an external qualified Reader and Scribe. The College is not responsible for sourcing Readers and Scribes nor any financial arrangements. Please contact Michelle Holdsworth: 0827209970 if you are looking for a certified Reader/Scribe for the upcoming exams. Please ensure that all Readers and Scribes have the correct certification and please forward that certification to the College (sjscott@parklands.co.za) before exams start.

Please contact Samantha Scott if you'd like to discuss the exam portal option (Reader and Scribe done digitally in a computer lab).

TERTIARY STUDIES

Public tertiary institution application dates for the class of 2026

OnlineCareerGuidance_TertiaryApplicationsClassOf2026.pdf

On-campus Open Day: Saturday 18 April 2026

On our annual SU Open Day, we welcome Grade 11 and 12 learners, their parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to our Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses. Come view our exhibitions, attend demonstrations and information sessions, and engage with our faculty staff, all while experiencing our vibrant campuses and student communities and exploring the available housing options.

Time: 08:00 - 15:00
Place: SU's Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses
Ticket Bookings: Open to all, free of charge, but remember to book your tickets for information sessions on Quicket (available from 18 March 2026, from 09:00)

This is a chance not to be missed!

For more information, contact us:
WhatsApp "Hi" to 061 729 8858
Call us on 021 808 9111
Email info@sun.ac.za

90 Bursaries available in Shoprite's 2026 bursary programme - now open for application

Applications for the Shoprite Group’s 2026 bursary programme are officially open.

Application details and requirements

In order to be eligible, applicants must be South African citizens under 27 years old, and are registered for undergraduate or post-graduate degree study at an accredited university.

Further qualifying criteria is specific to each bursary - for more information or to apply, visit the Shoprite bursary programme page here.

Applications close on 31 May 2026.

https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/90-bursaries-available-in-shoprite-2026-bursary-programme-now-open-for-application-062755a

Global Education May Study Abroad Expo.pdf

Global Education - Study Abroad Expo

Global Education will be hosting their Study Abroad Expo in South Africa from 11 to 16 May. International universities from Australia, UK, US, Europe and many more regions will be in attendance and we would like to invite you and your students to meet with our university partners.

Our events are open to the public and entrance is FREE.

Cape Town - Vineyard Hotel | Monday 11 May | 16:00 - 19:30
Pretoria - St Mary's DSG | Tuesday 12 May | 15:00 - 18:00
White River - Uplands College | Wednesday 13 May | 15:00 - 17:30
Johannesburg - St Andrew's School for Girls | Friday 15 May | 15:00 - 18:00
Johannesburg - The Maslow Hotel | Saturday 16 May | 10:00 - 14:00

Attached are the flyers for WhatsApp and social media plus the link for students and parents to reserve their spots. Please share with your Grade 10, 11 and 12 students as well as their parents, so that we can ensure as many students as possible benefit from this fantastic opportunity.

We celebrated International day of Happiness on 20 March.

Thank you to everyone who was kind, caring and giving on this day. The 2026 motto was caring & sharing.

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Setting the Tone for the Winter Season

Quarter 2 is well underway, with a packed sporting calendar keeping learners active and engaged across all codes.

Today we host boys’ hockey fixtures against DF Academy and Curro Brackenfell, followed by home rugby fixtures this Saturday against Fairbairn College.

Next week we welcome touring visitors from the United Kingdom, with Radnor House Sevenoaks competing in netball and hockey fixtures against combined U14 and U15 teams. International fixtures always provide a valuable challenge, exposing our learners to different styles, intensity and standards of play.

The following Saturday (18 April) sees a full programme of rugby, netball, and hockey at home against Camps Bay High School, rounding off a strong block of home fixtures and promising a bumper weekend of sport across the College.

Sport policy guidelines

The guidelines outlined in our sport policy are clear, accessible and purposeful. They ensure that everyone involved in our programme, both adults and learners, understands the standards we are working towards and the role they play in building a positive sporting culture.

Central to this is behaviour. We are extremely proud of the learners who attended the recent tour, and the positive feedback received from vendors and opposing teams speaks volumes about the culture we are building.

The expectation is simple: learners represent the College with pride, and their conduct, on and off the field, must reflect this. Respect for teammates, opponents, officials and staff is non-negotiable. Poor behaviour, particularly in competitive environments, will be addressed directly and consistently.

Equally important is the role of our coaching team. Coaches and managers set the tone, maintain structure at practices and fixtures, and ensure that learner welfare remains the priority at all times. Clear communication, consistency and alignment with policy are essential in delivering a programme we can all stand behind.

We value feedback and welcome it when it is constructive and solution-focused. However, the standards we uphold and the direction of the programme are not open to compromise.

Participation in sport is about more than results. It is about growth, accountability and learning to function within a team environment. We expect our learners to embrace this fully, understanding that respect, responsibility and integrity are fundamental, not optional.

We are excited for what lies ahead and trust that learners and parents are looking forward to a vibrant winter sport season. Thank you for your continued support.

AJ Sportweek Tour

On 27 March, 82 learners travelled to Mossel Bay to take part in the AJ Sportweek Festival. Our rugby players competed in three matches, while both the boys’ and girls’ hockey teams each played six fixtures. The U17 netball side played seven games, with the U19 team completing eight matches across the week.

It was a valuable and enjoyable experience for all involved, and a strong early-season test against quality opposition. The tour gave our learners an important opportunity to measure progress, build combinations, and set the tone for the season ahead.

A more detailed reflection and feedback piece will follow in next week’s blog.

Learner Achievements

We always love to hear of our learners' external sports achievements. Please email a short blurb along with 3 high-quality photographs (1 Mb minimum) to External Sport News.

Cricket

Joshua Neil’s (Grade 11) cricketing ability continues to shine, with his selection to attend the upcoming Cricket South Africa U17 Regional Camp, taking place on 17 and 18 April 2026.

This invitation is a clear recognition of his growing potential and consistent performances. A fantastic opportunity at regional level and an important step in his development pathway.

Hockey

Amy Muller (Grade 10) delivered an outstanding performance as goalkeeper for the U19 girls’ hockey team during the recent AJ Sportweek Tour.

Competing in a strong Pool A, Parklands College benefited from Amy’s composure, sharp reflexes and consistent decision-making under pressure. Her impact between the posts did not go unnoticed, as she earned Goalkeeper of the Tournament (Pool A).

To top it off, Amy was also recognised as the Most Promising Goalkeeper of the tournament, a significant accolade that speaks to both her current ability and future potential.

Well done Amy!

Lifesaving

Lexi Torlutter (Grade 8) proudly represented the Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club at the SA National Lifesaving Championships in Gqeberha during the April school holidays.

Competing against top athletes from across the country, Lexi delivered a standout performance. She showed both resilience and determination in a highly competitive field, ultimately claiming a gold medal in the Long Run event.

It’s a superb achievement and a clear reflection of the commitment and work she continues to put into her sport.

Sailing

Benjamin Fourie (Grade 7) competed in the Western Cape Dinghy Championships in Saldanha from 3 to 6 April 2026, sailing in the Optimist A fleet.

After completing three races on day one and missing day two, Benjamin returned strongly, placing 3rd in Race 7 and 4th in Races 9 and 10.

He finished 9th overall. While missing a full day impacted his points, his performances showed real resilience and steady progress in a competitive field.

Swimming

Madison Coleman (Grade 11) competed at the South African Junior National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha from 21–25 March 2026.

Despite falling ill during the competition and being forced to withdraw from several events, she still delivered a highly commendable performance. Madison recorded two personal best times and qualified for two finals, showcasing both her talent and mental toughness.

She placed 6th in South Africa in her age group in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke events, a remarkable achievement given the circumstances.

This is a clear example of resilience in action. An outstanding effort that deserves real recognition, well done Madison.

Winter Sport Sign Up

Learners are required to sign up for one summer and one winter sport code.

Please sign your child up for a Quarter 2 and 3 winter sport if you have not yet done so.

Link: 2026 Q2 and 3 winter sport sign up form

If your child is unable to take part in College sport due to College dance commitments, College robotics competitions, a medical reason that prevents participation, or participation in non-College sport at Provincial or National level through an accredited sporting body where training clashes with school sport, we kindly ask that you complete the form below and attach the relevant supporting documentation.

Please note that involvement in the school play does not exempt learners from participation in sport. However, consideration has been made with regard to training sessions.

Link: 2026 Excused Learner Form

Winter Sport Timetable 2026

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

Sport Uniform

Sports Department

Girls' hockey and netball: Rebecca Walker (rwalker@parklands.co.za)

Chess, cross country, golf and boys soccer: Marc Viljoen (mviljoen@parklands.co.za)

Rugby and girls soccer: Darin Viljoen (dviljoen@parklands.co.za)

Head of Cricket and Boys' hockey: Gary Gilder (ggilder@parklands.co.za)

Head of Sport: Darryn Hunt (dhunt@parklands.co.za)

Sport Results

SWIMMING:

Interschools B-League Finals Combined Swimming Gala hosted at Herzlia High School on the 5th of March.

Boys:

Fish Hoek High School, 191 points
DSK, 171 points
Parklands College, 169 points
Herzlia, 138 points
Pinelands High School, 128 points
Elkanah House, 121 points
DF Akademie, 106 points
Milnerton B, 104 points
Jan van Riebeeck, 89 points
Reddam Durbanville, 89 points

Girls:

DSK, 204 points
Milnerton A, 196 points
Pinelands high School, 149 points
Parklands College, 133 points
Herzlia, 117 points
Elkanah House, 111 points
Milnerton B, 106 points
Jan van Riebeeck, 99 points
Df Akademie, 77 points
Reddam Durbanville, 35 points

Overall:

Milnerton A / Fish Hoek High School – 387 points
DSK – 375 points
Parklands College – 302 points
Pinelands High School – 277 points
Herzlia – 255 points
Elkanah House – 232 points
Milnerton B – 210 points
Jan van Riebeeck – 188 points
DF Akademie – 183 points
Reddam Durbanville – 124 points

Milnerton A (girls) and Fish Hoek High School (boys) competed together as one combined team, earning the highest overall score of the gala.

Klikd is working on something NEW, but they can’t build it without asking first. What do YOU need? What does your family actually need? How can we help you get this right?

Take 5 minutes and tell us honestly, specifically and in your own words. Your perspective is the whole point.

As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a R500 Sorbet Voucher and a 1-hour Family Screen Consultation with Pam.

Take the Klikd survey

General

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...

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.