FROM THE OFFICE

There could not have been a more fitting way to begin the Winter Quarter. After the quieter weeks of the holiday, our campus has once again come alive with energy, enthusiasm and the familiar buzz of school life. It was a pleasure to welcome everyone back at our opening assembly and to see our learners and staff reconnect. 

The week concluded on a high with the opening performance of High School Musical 2, which was spectacular in every sense. Congratulations to our talented cast, dedicated crew, staff and everyone who worked hard to bring the production to life. If you have not yet bought your tickets, there are still three performances remaining, one this evening and two tomorrow. It promises to be an unforgettable show.

As you will see throughout this week's blog, the quarter has begun with excitement and a wonderful sense of momentum. We look forward to sharing some of the many highlights with you.  Being back at school remind me what a privilege it is to lead a school filled with remarkable young people and to witness, and share in, the lifelong memories they create.

CALENDARS

Important Dates & Highlights

(subject to change)

23-25 July High School Musical

3 August Astronaut at Parklands College

7 August 40 Day Breakfast

15 August Derby Day

18 August Leadership Induction Ceremony

19 August Prelim Block Day

20 August Prelim Examination commence

21-23 August Prefect Camp

27 August Gr9 Subject Choice Evening

1 September Unicorn Awards

12 September Open Day

18 September Sport Awards

19 September Matric Dance

22 September STCL Awards and Honours & Leadership Awards

23 September Valedictory & Locking the Legacy

13 October Grade 12 NSC Exam Start

Parent Educator Meetings

Our educators will be available for parent meetings on Monday, 27 July, Tuesday, 28 July and Wednesday, 29 July.  In some cases, educators have made different dates available.  Should you wish to meet with them, kindly use the link to view and book an available online:  

Parent Educator Meeting Slots 2026 (Parent Booking Guide)

FEEDBACK

LEADERSHIP CAMP

The Grade 11 Leadership Camp provided learners with an opportunity to reflect, connect and prepare for the important role they will play as the senior learners of the College in 2027. Hosted at the beautiful Waterval Country Lodge, the camp focused on developing leadership skills, character and a strong sense of responsibility within the Parklands College community.

The camp began with a series of team-building activities facilitated by KGW, encouraging learners to think beyond individual success and consider how they contribute to a team's effectiveness.

Throughout the camp, learners participated in seminars and group discussion activities focused on leadership with integrity, ethical decision-making, responsible communication, wellness, the Parklands Way and their upcoming matric journey. The second day further encouraged self-awareness and personal growth through DISC personality profiling, leadership reflections and a walk to the waterfall, providing an opportunity to connect with one another while appreciating the natural surroundings. Together, these experiences challenged learners to reflect on the type of leaders they aspire to become and the legacy they hope to leave behind.

A highlight of the camp was the creation of a grade motto and war cry that reflected the learners' shared values and vision for the future. The chosen motto, "Sohlukile Simunye" – We are different, we are one, captured the spirit of unity, belonging and mutual respect that developed throughout the camp. Evenings around the bonfire provided a chance for learners to relax, share stories, strengthen friendships and create memories that will last well beyond their school years.

The camp concluded with a Matric Agreement session, marking the beginning of the learners' transition into their final year of school. The Grade 11 group returned with stronger relationships, greater maturity and a renewed sense of purpose as they continue their journey towards becoming the young adults and leaders of tomorrow.

INSPIRING GUEST SPEAKER NOSISA NQAYI

"The question is not what you want to do with your life; it's what problems you want to solve."

Our learners were inspired by an engaging STEM talk from Mrs Nqayi, a former Mrs South Africa semi-finalist, and a Professional Engineering Technologist in the water sector.

Drawing on her unique journey, Ms Nqayi encouraged learners to look beyond careers and focus instead on the impact they can make. Her powerful message challenged them to think about the world's greatest problems and how their talents, curiosity and education can become part of the solution.

Her passion for STEM education was evident throughout her presentation, reminding our learners that innovation begins with asking meaningful questions and having the courage to make a difference.

Thank you, Mrs Nqayi, for inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers and changemakers.

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Last quarter the Grade 9 Food Technology learners completed a very successful 'FIFA World Cup  fusion fan food' project! Each learner randomly selected one country from FIFA's top twenty contenders. They had to create a presentation introducing their country and its customs. They needed to research how the following impacts on the food eaten:

• Geography, climate, agriculture (crops, farmed animals, fishing, etc)

• Staple food

• Customs, tradition and culture

In addition to this we researched food from around the world and made some examples of possible international fan food! For the final practical exam, the learners had to create a fusion hamburger (USA host country - burger bun + filling from selected country)!

All the burgers were a great success!! 

Now we wait in anticipation to find out which country will take the final trophy!!

MATRIC DANCE INVITATIONS

It was with great excitement and anticipation that our matric learners received their Matric Dance invitations from the Grade 7 learners. This marks the beginning of the countdown to one of the most memorable milestones of their final school year, creating a special connection between our youngest and oldest learners.

ASTRONAUT AT PARKLANDS COLLEGE

GRADE 8

Achieving 80% and above in Grade 8

Saadhil Rampath, Yihan Dai, Thoshita Nagendrakumar, Lucas de Carvalho Smee, Hayden Naidoo, Ella Nel, Kaiden Segal, HuiQuan Sun, Levi Le Grange, Karena Li, Mea van der Merwe, Liam Brierton, Matthew Evans, Lexi Torlutter, Roch Angel, Fabio Florentino, Anna Herbert, Luka Reyneke, Matthew Beukes, Hope Diango, Lukhangela Mehlomakhulu, Luke Sly, Diyana Manga, Gabriella Fredericks, Nathan Bazin

Top Achievers

Achieving 90% and above in Grade 11

3rd Position in Grade 11: Steffan Hillebrand, Liat Demissew, Puneet Nagendrakumar

2nd Position in Grade 11: Arabella Fox, Ella Frielinghaus

1st Position in Grade 11: Gerhard Vosloo

ASSESSMENT CALENDARS

Please see the Academic Links to view the Assessment Calendars.

TIMETABLE

Please see the Academic Links to view the Assessment Calendars.

GRADE 12 FINAL NSC EXAMINATIONS 2026

Access the Official Timetable

Learners and parents can download the official DBE 2026 NSC Final Examination Timetable using the link below:

2026 DBE NSC Final Examination Timetable

The timetable has been published by the Department of Basic Education and contains all examination dates, session times and subjects for the October/November 2026 examination period.

Grade 12 Timeline

In addition to the official DBE timetable, all Grade 12 learners have been provided with a Grade 12 Timeline for the remainder of the academic year. This document highlights key dates and milestones, including examination-related deadlines, revision opportunities, practical assessments, matric events and other important school commitments.

Learners are encouraged to keep both the DBE timetable and the Grade 12 Timeline readily accessible and to use them when planning their academic, personal and extracurricular commitments for the remainder of the year.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS WORKSHOP - GRADE 7 AND GRADE 8

MUSIC 

DANCE

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

Dance Enrolment 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!

DANCE WEBSITE

Parklands College Dance Website

Compassion in Action: Our MANDELA DAY IMPACT

At the end of last quarter, our school community came together to honour Nelson Mandela Day, and the impact has been inspiring.

To every learner who participated, every family who donated, and every person who gave their time, creativity, and generosity — thank you. 

Your willingness to serve reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness has the power to change someone's day, and sometimes even their life. Together, we donated approximately 100 Jars of Hope to Feed Me SA. More than just jars filled with ingredients, each one represents compassion, dignity, and the reassurance that someone cares.

Our community also used around 80 loaves of bread to prepare hundreds of sandwiches, which were distributed to Sam's eduCare in Parklands and members of the Dunoon community. Every sandwich was a simple yet meaningful reminder that no act of service is ever too small.

The generosity hasn't stopped there. Learners are still knitting warm hats, and we encourage everyone to continue bringing them to school as they are completed. Every hat will be delivered to those who need them most during the winter months.

Our beautiful Origami Peace Doves have also taken flight beyond our classrooms. Created with heartfelt messages of hope and unity, they will form part of the upcoming World Peace Day celebrations, carrying our learners' voices and aspirations into the wider community.

For many, one of the most memorable moments of Mandela Day was watching the Madiba documentary. It served as a powerful reminder that Nelson Mandela's legacy was never built on one extraordinary act, but on countless ordinary people choosing compassion, courage, justice, and service every single day.

Help Us Complete the Final Chapter

While our Mandela Day projects have already made a significant difference, there is one final opportunity to extend that impact.

We have enough ingredients to prepare many more Jars of Hope, but we are running low on the glass containers needed to package them. Our goal is to raise R600 by the end of the month to purchase additional jars.

If you have empty glass coffee jars at home, please consider donating them to the school. Alternatively, if you intended to contribute via SnapScan before the holidays but didn't get the opportunity, there is still time to help us reach our goal.

Every donated jar means another meal for someone in our surrounding communities.

As Nelson Mandela so beautifully reminded us:

"There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return."

Thank you for continuing to show what compassion in action looks like. Together, we are proving that service is not just something we do for one day each year, it is part of who we are.

TERTIARY STUDIES

Public tertiary institution application dates for the class of 2026

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.  

Provincial / National achievements

Kindly complete this document if your child has achieved provincial or national representation in any sport (College and/or non-College) this year.

Sport Achiever - Provincial / National 2026 

We have communicated with parents who have notified us via the External Sport News email address to submit information, but would also love to hear of learners who have achieved in other areas / sport codes.

Rugby

Our U15A rugby captain, Jared Jacobs (Grade 9), had the privilege of representing the Western Cape Education Sporting Club at the National School Sports Championships held in East London, Eastern Cape, from 9 – 14 July 2026, where he competed in the inaugural Winter Rugby Games. This tournament was an incredible milestone in Jared's rugby journey. 

As a Number 8, he embraced every challenge with determination, courage, and a positive attitude. Although naturally a little nervous at the start, he stepped onto the field with confidence, giving his best in every match while working alongside teammates he had only recently met. Throughout the week, Jared formed strong friendships, learned valuable game strategies, and experienced the importance of teamwork, discipline, and unity. The team shared one common goal - to play for one another, keep their team spirit alive, and proudly represent the Western Cape. 

Their hard work paid off as the team remained undefeated throughout the tournament, winning every match and proudly bringing home the National School Sports Championships Gold Medal and Gold Trophy. 

Beyond the victories, the tour gave Jared the opportunity to experience cultural diversity, learn from players and coaches from different backgrounds, and grow both as a rugby player and as a young leader. This unforgettable experience has strengthened his passion for the sport and inspired him to continue striving for excellence. 

A heartfelt thank you goes to his school coaches, teammates, peers, and the dedicated Western Cape Education coaches for their guidance, encouragement, and commitment in helping Jared achieve this remarkable accomplishment. Their support played a significant role in his success and made this journey one he will cherish for years to come.

Swimming

Congratulations to Shihan Huang (Grade 11) on an outstanding performance at the Western Cape Aquatic Short Course Championships, held at Generation School in Somerset West from 16 to 19 July 2026.

Competing in the highly competitive 16 & Over age group, Shihan took part in six individual events and one relay event, delivering an impressive series of performances throughout the championships.

Her achievements included:

• Achieving three personal best times

• Qualifying for eight finals

• Earning a silver medal as part of the Mixed 16 & Over 100m Freestyle Relay team

Well done, Shihan, on representing yourself and the Parklands community with such dedication and determination. 

Duathlon

Steffan Hillebrand (Grade 11) competed at the South African Duathlon Championships in Wilderness, Western Cape, on 11 July 2026, where he produced an outstanding performance to win the Boys' 16/17 age category and finish second overall in the U19 Junior race.

Following his outstanding performances, Steffan has now been officially selected to represent South Africa as a member of the Triathlon South Africa Junior Duathlon Team at the 2026 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Abu Dhabi, taking place from 13 to 22 November 2026.

Representing your country on the world stage is an incredible honour and a testament to the dedication, discipline, and hard work Steffan has invested in his sport.

Congratulations, Steffan, on this remarkable achievement. The entire Parklands community is incredibly proud of you and wishes you every success as you prepare to wear the green and gold in Abu Dhabi.

Home and Away...

Our awesome cross-country squad were ready to go on their first day back this Quarter as they competed in their sixth league race at Jan Kriel. Well done! Your commitment is incredible.

Sports Department 

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

Girls' netball: Jolene Tadema (jtadema@parklands.co.za)

Chess, cross country, 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)

Winter Sport Timetable 2026

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

Common Sense Media for Parents: https://www.commonsense.org/?lid=1e2e3bq5qp2f

The Parent Edit

By Jill Murphy, Common Sense Media 

Edition #20 | July 10, 2026

Should We Skip to the Good Part?

Observe a kid watching a video or listening to a song lately, and you may notice they are not exactly settling in for the full experience—they are looking for the part.

That blissful find can be a few different things: a dramatic scene, a jump scare, a plot twist, or a line everyone quoted. Even the 15 seconds of a song that's familiar because it's been trending on TikTok for three weeks.

Now it's tempting to file this under a short attention span and move on. But it might be something a little more specific: a discomfort with the buildup before the emotional high point.

Anticipation can feel strange in the body. There's a little pit in your stomach, a kind of excited anxiety that makes you want to know what happens right now. Adults have had more practice sitting in that feeling, but kids still have to learn that waiting is part of the experience (especially when every button on the screen offers a way around the discomfort).

Story structure exists for a reason. A joke needs the setup. A twist needs the parts that lead up to it. A song usually has more to offer than the clip that made it famous. When kids skip straight to the emotional peak over and over, they may be unintentionally learning that the middle is optional.

It's worth asking yourself: What are we all rushing toward? Kids didn't invent this either. Of course, adults do it too. We skip intros, skim articles, and watch only highlights. Kids just have better tools and fewer years of practice sitting through the slow part.

What this can look like at home:

• A kid says a full movie is "too long" but will watch the same clips of the movie's climax on repeat.

• TikToks or podcasts are played with double speed as the default.

• Music is discovered entirely through 15-second clips, never the full song.

What to say: 

I would skip the lecture about attention span. Try asking what they like about getting to the good part faster. It's often less about being bored and more about wanting to feel something without risking the boring part not paying off.

Tonight's to-do:
Pick something short to watch together. Then agree to watch it at regular playback speed with no skipping. Afterward, ask what part they would have skipped and whether anything surprised them.

Worth exploring:
→ What is the attention economy?

How Stressed Is Your Kid, Really?

If summer has drifted somewhere you didn't plan for—later nights, more scrolling, a kid who seems glued to their phone in a way that's starting to feel a little off—now is a good time to recalibrate before the back-to-school rush makes everything harder.

The Digital Stress Test from Aura Parents and Common Sense Media is a great place to start. Take the quiz yourself, then ask your kid to complete the kids' version.

If you took it back in June, try it again—you might be surprised by what's shifted. The results are a conversation starter, not a verdict, and mid-July is exactly the right moment to have it.

My Fail Is Your Lesson

Here's mine from this week: I keep letting my kid's screen time limit slide.

But it's not because I changed my mind. I set the limit, and I really do mean it. Things change if I'm on a work call or trying to finish something with a deadline looming. Someone asks for 15 more minutes, and the truth is that saying no costs me something too.

So I say yes, and afterward I forget to go back and change it. Now I've tried to make this into a noble parenting lesson for myself, but the honest answer is pretty boring: I give in because it's easier at the moment. Holding the line takes energy I don't always have.

The thing that has helped is taking my memory out of the equation. On iPhone, Screen Time can repeat App Limits and Downtime automatically, so the reset does not depend on me remembering to be the boundary every night.

I am also trying to say the exception out loud: "Fifteen more minutes today because I need it, not because the rule changed."

(That sentence is mostly for my kid and a little bit for me.)

One More Thing

Next time the fast-forward button looks tempting, for you or your kid, just take a moment to notice the impulse. Sometimes it tells you just as much about why one thing feels too slow to sit through as why the next part feels so urgent.

— Jill

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 the 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

Proposed 2027 Dates for Learners

Summer Quarter: 19 Jan 2027 -  18 March 2027

Autumn Quarter: 7 April 2027 -  23 June 2027

Winter Quarter: 21 July 2027 - 22 Sept 2027

Spring Quarter: 6 Oct 2027 - 3 Dec 2027

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 could not be prouder of our school community. Thank you to every learner, staff member and parent who contributes to making Parklands College such an exceptional place to learn, grow and belong.

Ancia Vosloo

Principal: Secondary Faculty

avosloo@parklands.co.za