FROM THE OFFICE

We were so proud to showcase our school on Open Day last Saturday - thank you to all our learners and educators for making it a place we can truly be proud of. 

There was a noticeably different atmosphere on campus this week as learners settled fully into the academic rhythm of the term and completed their first formal assessments. Classrooms were focused and purposeful, reminding us of the importance of establishing solid routines and maintaining a healthy, balanced approach to academic demands.  Adequate sleep, regular exercise, and consistent academic habits remain essential, and our educators are always available to support learners who may be finding it difficult to settle or manage the pace.

A particular highlight was welcoming visiting schools to our campus for Tour de Maths, where enthusiasm and healthy competition filled the day. 

We also extend our very best wishes to our FTC team as they head into their Nationals weekend - we are incredibly proud of you and look forward to celebrating your achievements.

CALENDAR

STAFFING

FEEDBACK

Chinese New Year Celebration - Kaitlyn & Karena

Kaitlyn de Beer & Karena Li took part in a live broadcast on SABC-3 and performed a Chinese song called “Rolling Bead Curtain” to celebrate the Chinese New Year. 

ENGINEERING IMPACT: Collaboration & Global Citizenship in FTC Robotics

We believe that Robotics is about far more than just what happens on the game field. In the last couple of weeks, our Secondary learners have been demonstrating that being a "Roboticist" involves being a marketer, a fundraiser, a communicator, and a global collaborator.

The Business of Robotics: 

Our First Tech Challenge (FTC) teams have been hard at work proving that innovation requires a holistic approach. Beyond the build and the code, our learners are exercising Creative Agency by managing their teams like startups. This week, the focus was on:

• Strategic Marketing: Crafting a team identity and promoting their technical journey.

• Entrepreneurial Fundraising: Taking initiative to secure resources, ensuring their projects are sustainable and professional.

In the spirit of Responsible Citizenship, our teams aren't working in isolation. They have been actively connecting with FTC teams around the world. By sharing strategies and troubleshooting together, our learners are practicing Collaboration on a global scale -understanding that the best solutions often come from a diversity of perspectives.

We wish our team all the best as they compete in the National Competition this weekend!

DEVICES

Parents are reminded that cellphones are not a substitute for a MacBook or iPad.  Where a device is required for academic purposes, learners must bring the appropriate device to school as specified.

English Department

Last year, the English Department held a Creative Writing competition, where learners from various Grades submitted their written stories to us.

We have so many talented writers at the College, and we are immensely proud of their efforts. 

This year, we will continue with our creative writing competition. Learners must submit an original piece of writing they have written in class or at home. This will be open to both juniors and seniors.

Congratulations to the following girls who won last year's competition: 

Writing Practice

Our Grade 10s worked hard during the heat on Monday by getting outside and working on their transactional writing. 

Their task was to observe each other and write a dialogue based on what they thought another group would be talking about.

Life Science Practical

Grade 11 & Grade 12 Design Learners Inspired at Zeitz MOCCA

On Tuesday 17 February, our Grade 11 and 12 Design learners visited the Zeitz MOCAA, Africa’s leading museum of contemporary art. The outing allowed learners to experience innovative design and creativity in a real-world setting. They explored a variety of artworks and installations, observing how artists use space, materials, and storytelling to communicate ideas and provoke thought.  

The museum visit served as a source of inspiration for the learners’ upcoming Design in Business task. For this project, each learner must choose a design deliverable to develop and market. Options include creating a product or service concept, designing marketing or branding materials, or producing a design prototype. The task encourages learners to combine creativity with practical business thinking, considering how design can communicate ideas, attract attention, and solve real-world problems.  Educators emphasized the importance of observation, research, and experimentation. By connecting their museum experience to applied design, learners are challenged to think critically and innovatively.  The Zeitz MOCAA outing demonstrated how art and design can inspire solutions that are both visually engaging and commercially viable.

Overall, the visit was more than just an educational trip. It provided learners with a unique opportunity to witness creativity in action and to bring that inspiration into their own design projects. We look forward to seeing how they translate these experiences into imaginative, professional quality work.

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!

More Than Just Words: A Festival of Voices

If today was any indication, the energy at Parklands was at an all-time high. We celebrated International Mother Tongue Day ahead of the curve, and the vibes were, in a word, tangible!

Break time was a whole mood. The lawns transformed into a "Festival of Words" where there was a spot for everyone:

• Karaoke in every language (vocals hitting, as usual). 🎤

• Silent Book Club on the grass for the quiet readers. 📚

• Crosswords & Wordsearches for the puzzle-obsessed.

• Games & Songs with isiXhosa lyrics and Afrikaans instructions.

Of course, no Parklands event is complete without a Photobooth to capture the friendships. 

The tone was set with a duet that gave everyone chills: Leela Trimalley and Osisipho Mazimela performing Amanda Black’s Power in a stunning blend of English and isiXhosa in Assembly. From there, the energy didn't stop. We had Grade 7s taking the stage for an Afrikaans skit, a deep-dive into "Click and Nguni Languages 101," and wrapped it all up with our annual English Department Quiz.

Well done to all who had a hand in making today so extra special!

CLE 2026

On Wednesday afternoon, our 24-person Council for Learner Equity held a training session! The energy was great, and we believe that, together with our prefects, Liya de Allende and Mia Bezer, this year will be full of growth, meaningful conversations, and exciting initiatives that celebrate diversity and foster inclusion.

NBT Survivial guide and Webinar- from Advantage Learn

Actuarial Science Career 

We are contacting you on behalf of SANCAS at Sanlam Life Insurance.

We would like to extend an invitation to your high school learners doing Mathematics and Science to an Actuarial Science Information Session. This is a session held annually by the SANCAS team from Sanlam. For teachers registering on behalf of students in their class, we request that you limit the number of students to 5.

*Note that this Information Session invites grade 11 and 12 students who would be interested in the Actuarial career path.

This session aims to inform learners of the broad and fruitful career path of Actuarial Science.

The session will comprise of a variety of speakers from qualified actuaries to university students doing Actuarial Science, with panel discussions where learners can ask any questions about becoming an actuary.

For those attending virtually, a phone or laptop and internet connection will be needed to join.

The date and time of the session are as follows:

•  Date: 26 March 2026

•  Time: 12h00 for 12h30-16h00

Attached is the invitation (Act Sci Info Session 2026) with a link to register and RSVP for the session where learners can indicate if they will be joining us virtually or in person.

Kindly RSVP by 13 March 2026.

Please distribute the invite to all who will benefit from the session.

Sanlam also offers bursaries to learners wanting to pursue Actuarial Science, the bursary applications are still open and close on the 30 June 2026.
For more information, please click on Bursary Application

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Sanlam SANCAS Committee

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.

Read more: bursary, Shoprite Group, bursary programme, bursary applications, Shoprite Group bursaries programme

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

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.  

Winter Sport Sign Up

Please sign your child up for a Quarter 1 and 4 summer sport if you have not yet done so.

Link: 2026 Q1 and 2 winter sport sign up form 

KINDLY COMPLETE THE SIGN UP BY WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY.

Summer Sport Timetable 2026

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

Meet your Sport Prefects 

Sports Department 

Aquatics (swimming and water polo)

Rebecca Walker (rwalker@parklands.co.za)

Athletics and softball

Marc Viljoen (mviljoen@parklands.co.za)

Cricket and tennis

Darin Viljoen (dviljoen@parklands.co.za)

Head of Sport 

Darryn Hunt (dhunt@parklands.co.za)

Head of Cricket

Gary Gilder (ggilder@parklands.co.za)

Home and Away...

U/19 Cricket vs Milnerton

U/19A CRICKET

PARKLANDS COLLEGE 1st XI vs MILNERTON HIGH SCHOOL 1st XI 

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2026

MATCH REPORT

PARKLANDS won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Batting first, MILNERTON scored 125/10 in 38.1 overs. 

Batting second, PARKLANDS scored 109/10 in 30.5 overs.

MILNERTON WON BY 16 RUNS

Fielding catches:  Mackenzie Newman, Blaine Fisher, Ethan Randall (2)

Man of the match (Parklands):  Blaine Fisher

After winning the toss, the Vikings made early inroads with the ball. They would have been very satisfied and optimistic for another win when they had the visitors 61/6, but the seventh wicket partnership added 52 runs to get the visitors to a more respectable 113/7.  Among the Vikings bowling attack, Blaine Fisher was outstanding, claiming 4/12 in eight overs at a superb economy of 1.50, consistently troubling the Milnerton top and lower order. He was well supported by Carl Scheffler (2/23) and Bryce Gilder (2/28), as they wrapped up the innings in 38.1 overs. 

In their previous encounter against Milnerton in October last year, the Vikings managed to score 152 in 20 overs and, based on that statistic, would have considered the target of 126 to be quite manageable.  However, the Vikings struggled to build lasting partnerships and ultimately fell 16 runs short in their chase, finishing on 109 all out in reply to 125. Liam Russell top-scored with a patient 21, while Adam Muller injected momentum with a brisk 19 off 13 balls, striking four boundaries at an impressive strike rate of 146. However, regular wickets stalled the chase, and despite fighting contributions through the middle order, the Vikings were bowled out in 30.5 overs.

Thank you to all of the parents who came to support the boys.  This weekend, we have a match on Friday afternoon against the UK touring team from Sidcup & Chislehurst Grammar School (30 overs), followed by a 50-overs match against Pinelands High School (away) on Saturday.  

Milnerton Hockey Club Junior Team

For junior players in Grades 7 to 9 who are interested in playing hockey at club level, Milnerton Junior Hockey Team will be hosting trials.

Please note that once our College hockey programme begins, school training sessions and matches take priority over any club commitments. We ask parents and players to plan accordingly to ensure that participation in club sport does not conflict with school obligations.

ICT ACCEPTABLEE USE POLICY

Every month we will look at our ICT Acceptable use policy and highlight an area. For February we will look at Social Media:

Navigating the Digital World: A Shared Responsibility

At Parklands College, we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of technology. From our Innovation Centre to our dual status as an Apple Distinguished and Google Reference School, our learners are constantly pushing boundaries. However, with great digital power comes the need for great digital responsibility.

Social media is more than just a place for "likes", it’s where our learners build their first professional reputations. We believe that digital citizenship isn’t just a school subject; it’s a partnership. While our educators provide the technical and ethical foundations, our parents provide the real-world wisdom.

The following checklist is intended as a conversation starter. For learners, it’s a guide to navigating these platforms safely and respectfully. For parents, it’s a reminder of the boundaries that protect our community's privacy and your child's future.

📱 Social Media Checklist: A Guide for Learners, A Reminder for Parents

1. The "Public Forever" Rule

• Learners: Before you hit post, ask: "Would I be okay with this appearing on the Innovation Centre's main TV for everyone to see?"

• Parents: Remind your children that "Private" settings are never 100% secure. Screenshots can live forever.

2. The Power of the Disclaimer

• Learners: If your bio mentions you attend Parklands College, you should include a disclaimer: "I attend Parklands College. Everything here, however, is my personal opinion."

• Parents: Help your child understand that even personal accounts reflect back on their school community and their own future professional brand.

3. Respect the Privacy of Others

• Learners: Never post photos or videos of others, especially in school uniform or on campus, without express written permission from all parties and a Director.

• Parents: Reinforce that data privacy is a legal and ethical boundary. Proprietary info about learners or staff is strictly off-limits.

4. Constructive vs. Antagonistic

• Learners: Disagreements happen. Stay polite. If a conversation turns "toxic," step away and ask an educator for advice rather than becoming defensive.

• Parents: Encourage your child to "think before they type" and to represent themselves as a respectful member of our digital community.

5. Protect Your Personal Brand (and IP)

• Learners: Don't use the College logo on personal sites without permission. Keep your home address, phone number, and personal email private to stay safe from identity thieves.

• Parents: Audit your child’s profiles occasionally to ensure they aren't over-sharing personal data that could compromise their safety

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.

2026 DATES

Summer Quarter:  20 Jan - 26 March

Autumn Quarter:  8 April - 24 June

Winter Quarter:  22 July - 23 September

Spring Quarter:  14 October - 4 December

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Please follow us on social media

Parklands College & CRPP on Facebook

Parklands College & CRPP on Twitter

www.instagram.com/parklandscollege/?hl=en

MEMOS FROM OTHER FACULTIES

PP: https://ppblog.parklands.co.za

JP: https://jpblog.parklands.co.za

SP: https://spblog.parklands.co.za

CONCLUSION

We wish all our families a restful and joyful weekend! Take some time to pause, reflect on the week, and celebrate the positive moments shared with your children. As you plan for the week ahead together, remember that your support makes a real difference - every conversation, shared plan, and word of encouragement helps them grow and thrive.

Ancia Vosloo

Principal: Secondary Faculty

avosloo@parklands.co.za