5 June 2026

FROM THE OFFICE

While this edition of the blog has a quieter feel as our learners are in the midst of writing examinations, it is also an important and exciting one for our school community. We are delighted to officially launch ticket sales for our production of High School Musical 2.

Our talented cast, crew, musicians, and staff have invested countless hours into bringing this production to life, and we would love your support. We encourage families, friends, alumni, and members of the wider community to secure their tickets early and join us for what promises to be a memorable and entertaining show.

Parklands College proudly presents Disney's

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2!

School’s out, and the Wildcats are ready for the summer of a lifetime at the luxurious Lava Springs Country Club. As Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and the rest of the Wildcats navigate friendship, romance, ambition and rivalry, they soon discover that staying true to yourself is more important than fitting in.

Packed with energetic dance numbers, iconic songs, humour and heart, this exciting production promises fun for the whole family. Don’t miss the chance to see our talented cast bring this much-loved Disney musical to life on stage!

Click here for tickets:

www.quicket.co.za/events/377695-disneys-high-school-musical-2/?ref=events-list#/

SECONDARY CALENDAR

SPORT CALENDAR

STAFFING

At the end of this quarter, we bid farewell to two valued staff members, Mr Carel Steinmann and Ms Amy Kistan. We wish them both every success and happiness as they embark on exciting new opportunities abroad.

Mr Steinmann

Ms Kistan

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Individual photographs are being sent home with learners today. If you do not wish to purchase the photograph, please return it to Reception before the end of term. Photographs that are not returned by this date will be billed to your account.

FEEDBACK

DRAMA PRACTICAL - Who says exams are boring?

Our Drama learners recently demonstrated that assessments can be creative, engaging, and entertaining as they took to the stage for their practical examinations.

SUPPORTING WELL-BEING DURING EXAMS

Examinations can be a demanding time for learners, making it important to prioritise both academic success and personal well-being. Our Grade 7 and 8 learners had the option of joining an Exam Wellness Workshop, where they were given the opportunity to relax, recharge, and explore practical strategies for managing stress during the examination period. Here are some of the resources that were made available too them during the session. A key message from the workshop was:

"You are more than your marks"

The Power of Positive Affirmations

The Power of Positive Affirmation

Why Rest Is Part of Studying

Why rest is part of Studying

RESOURCE CENTRE

Our Resource Centre is featuring an exciting collection of new titles. Whether you enjoy adventure, mystery, fantasy, non-fiction, or contemporary fiction, there is something for everyone to discover. Visit the space and find their next great read...

Resource Centre

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO...

ASTRONAUT AT PARKLANDS COLLEGE

www.quicket.co.za/events/374813-astronaut-dorothy-metcalf-lindenburger-at-parklands-college-3-august-2026/?ref=invite&?utm_source=invite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invite_system#/

2026 Metcalf-Lindenburger_Parklands_PressRelease

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE CHAOS TO CALM WORKSHOP

LEARNER LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR GRADE 11 - CLASS OF 2027

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams.

Investing in leadership development is a key priority at our school, as we believe every learner has the potential to lead with purpose and integrity. Leadership is not limited to formal roles, but is developed across the entire grade, empowering all learners to contribute meaningfully in their final school year and beyond.

Communication has been shared with parents regarding the Grade 11 leadership camp - an opportunity for the entire grade to develop key skills such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Traditionally, it is also a camp where we see the group come together as a unified entity, while enjoying an important experience of bonding and shared growth.

Parents are requested to return the indemnity forms as soon as possible.

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 2

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)

FORMATIVE EXAMINATIONS

As our GET learners (Grades 7 to 9) prepare for their upcoming examinations, we would like to remind parents and learners that a number of assessments will be completed digitally using the Formative platform.

If a learner is scheduled to write a digital Formative examination, it is essential that they arrive at school with:

A fully charged device
Their charger (where possible)
Their login details readily available

Having a charged and functional device ensures that learners are able to access the Formative platform without unnecessary delays and are able to complete the assessment in the best possible conditions.

We encourage learners to check their devices the evening before each examination and to ensure that all required updates, connectivity settings, and applications are working correctly.

Thank you to our parents for your ongoing support as our learners prepare for the examination period.

EXAM INFORMATION

📝 Exam Timetables

Please see the examination timetables below. Grades 10 - 12 have also received their timetables in a PDF format.

JUNE EXAM TT 2026

📑 Exam Study Guidelines

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

Study Timetables

Grade 7 Study Timetable Grade 8 Study Timetable Grade 9 Study Timetable

MUSIC

Big Band Fest

A group of learners enjoyed our annual Music Outing to the Schools' Big Band Festival last Saturday evening. This year, we chose to attend the Alumni Band performance, a favourite for many years due to its reputation for delivering an inspiring, energetic and highly entertaining show. As expected, they did not disappoint!

The outing also served as a timely reminder of the importance of balance during a busy examination period. While academic preparation remains important, it is equally important to make space for activities that inspire, energise and recharge us. Music has a remarkable ability to stimulate creativity, reduce stress and refresh the mind, often helping us return to our work with renewed focus and perspective.

For our learners, the evening provided an opportunity to experience exceptional live music, witness outstanding musicianship and be inspired by performers who share the same passion for their craft. There were memorable solos, moments of musical brilliance and plenty of conversations about music on the journey home.

Thank you to all who joined us for an evening filled with inspiration, community and a wonderful reminder of the role the arts play in supporting our overall wellbeing.

📚 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! 🎹🎷🎤

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

Happy Pride Month

Throughout June, Pride Month is celebrated around the world as an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, while continuing to foster spaces where people feel seen, respected and that they belong.

Observed in June in honour of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, Pride Month reminds us that progress is often driven by ordinary people who have the courage to stand up for themselves and others. It is a celebration of authenticity, community and the freedom to be who you are.

For young people, perhaps now more than ever, a sense of belonging matters. We all want to feel accepted, valued and connected to the communities we are part of. Pride Month offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can contribute to creating environments where kindness, respect and understanding are more than ideals, they are daily practices.

This month, we celebrate the diversity of experiences, identities and stories that make our communities richer. We also celebrate the simple but powerful idea that everyone deserves to feel that they belong.

🌈 Be yourself. Be kind. Help others belong.

MORE ON MANDELA DAY SERVICE INITIATIVE

🌟 NELSON MANDELA DAY 2026 🌟

67 Minutes Can Change a Life

On 24 June, the Parklands College community will come together to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day through a series of meaningful 67-minute service activities, reminding us that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference.

In preparation for our Mandela Day initiatives, we invite learners, parents and staff to contribute towards our community outreach projects by donating any of the following items between now and Friday, 19 June:

🥜 Spreads

Peanut Butter
Flora Margarine
Jam

🥣 Soup & Pantry Ingredients

Rice
Red and/or Brown Lentils
Barley
Split Peas
Dry Soup Powder (Creamy Chicken, Mushroom, Vegetable, Beef & Onion, etc.)

☕ Additional Items

Empty Coffee Jars

💛 Prefer to make a financial contribution?
You are welcome to donate R50–R100 via SnapScan at Reception, and we will purchase the required items on your behalf.

Together, we will be preparing sandwiches, assembling Jars of Hope, and participating in service activities that embody Madiba's spirit of compassion, generosity and community.

Be part of the change. Share your 67 minutes. Make a difference.

Donations close: Friday, 19 June. | Drop Off: IC Reception

Dear Future learner leaders; incl. all Grade 11s (particularly those intending to run for leadership), current Class Representatives and to those intending to run for Class Rep in Q3, CLEs and anyone interested ....

We encourage you to register and be part of this meaningful and future-focused experience.

This year’s Indaba embraces the idea that inclusion is not simply about representation, but about connection, psychological safety, authentic dialogue, and creating spaces where every individual feels seen, heard and valued.

The Indaba aims to empower you to become a thoughtful changemaker who is equipped to navigate differences with curiosity, compassion and confidence, both within our school and beyond.

“Lead with empathy. Listen with intention. Build belonging.”

We are proud to collaborate with organisations equally committed to youth empowerment and social justice, including The LEAH Foundation, The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, and Rotary Club South Africa.

ENROLMENT FORM LINK: https://forms.gle/GnBJ5vHyHSzqAFxr9

(RSVP by Monday 22 June 2026)

Upcoming Youth Day Celebrations

As we approach Youth Day on 16 June, we take time to reflect on the courage and determination of the young people who played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa's history. This important day commemorates the events of 1976 and serves as a reminder of the powerful role that young people continue to play in building a better future.

Youth Day is not only an opportunity to remember the past, but also to celebrate the energy, creativity and potential of today's youth. For today's learners, Youth Day is both a moment of reflection and an invitation to consider how you can contribute positively to your community and the future of our country.

May we continue to encourage our young people to lead with curiosity, compassion and courage as they write the next chapter of South Africa's story.

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

Samantha Scott: sjscott@parklands.co.za

Exam Support

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive world, learners are under immense pressure to achieve top results. With university placements becoming increasingly competitive and success often measured by marks and percentages, many young people place enormous pressure on themselves. Some of this pressure comes from external expectations, while much of it is internal, driven by fear of failure or not feeling “good enough.”

Unfortunately, this often leads learners to focus more on the outcome than the process, causing stress, anxiety, and in many cases, underperformance. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to celebrate and praise their effort rather than only the result. Effort builds resilience, perseverance, discipline, and character.

These qualities matter far beyond the academic years. In the long run, a mark on a piece of paper will not define a person’s future nearly as much as their ability to work hard, show grit, and keep going even when things are difficult. These are the qualities that truly shape success in life.

TERTIARY STUDIES

Public tertiary institution application dates for the class of 2026

OnlineCareerGuidance_TertiaryApplicationsClassOf2026.pdf

Thuthuka Bursary

The applications for the Thuthuka bursary for 2027 are open!

The link to access the application portal is www.thuthukabursaryfund.co.za. Applications close on 31 August 2026. Applicants should remember to access the portal using Google Chrome.

The bursary is for BAcc students only.

Prospective students must apply for 3 programmes and residence at Stellenbosch University. How to apply:
https://www.su.ac.za/en/apply/undergrad/apply-0/how-apply

Any queries can be directed to the bursary fund email: tbf@saica.co.za

Sable International Sports Recruitment Evening - 17 June

Students can register for the event here - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sableinternational/2199812

The session is aimed at student-athletes who are considering combining their sporting ambitions with international higher education opportunities.

Date: Tuesday, 17 June 2026
Time: 18:30 – 20:00
Venue: Hamilton Rugby Club

During the evening, students and parents will learn about:

• Sports scholarship opportunities at international universities
• The student-athlete recruitment process
• Academic and sporting pathways abroad
• Eligibility requirements and key timelines
• Practical guidance for families exploring overseas opportunities

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and engage directly with our Sports Recruitment team.

Please support these worthwhile causes.

The funds raised through Miles with Meaning will go towards purchasing sports equipment for a school with limited resources.

Staying Active Through Exam Season

Thank you to those learners who have remained committed to training on the days offered.

Just a friendly reminder that we have created a schedule that allows for one one-hour practice session per week, per sporting code. Our external coaches have made themselves available during this time, and we ask that learners involved in sport commit to this schedule (see below).

Hockey Fixtures – Home Matches

Please see the fixture list below.

2026 FIFA World Cup

The tournament gets underway on Thursday evening at 9pm (local time) when South Africa face hosts Mexico in Mexico City in a Group A opening fixture.

Bafana Bafana step straight into the deep end against the hosts in what promises to be a high-intensity opener under the lights. All eyes will be on the curtain-raiser as the 2026 edition begins its journey across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Exam training schedule

Home and Away...

U19A hockey girls v Table View High School (A)

U19A rugby v Bergvliet (A)

Video made courtesy of Mr Craig Fortuin (U19 rugby manager)

U16 & U19A hockey boys v Stellenberg (H)

Images courtesy of Mrs Enslin

U16A hockey girls v Table View High School (A)

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.

Padel

Well done to Saadhil Rampath (Grade 8) on winning two consecutive Defend the Court Padel Tournaments against some of Cape Town’s top junior players. A passionate and determined competitor, Saadhil chases down every ball with outstanding spirit, teamwork, and enthusiasm on court. Saadhil is currently ranked tied 65th out of 160 U14 players on the African circuit and has already accumulated 88 points after just two tournaments on the FIP Promises 2026 Tour. Not bad for someone only getting warmed up. We wish him everything of the best as he prepares for the upcoming International Padel Federation Promises Tournament in Durban this June.

Cricket

At the recently held sport awards for the Western Province Cricket Club, Adam Muller (Grade 11) was awarded the Best Batsman in the U16 age group after an outstanding season with the bat. His highlight performance came in a T20 match against an English touring side, where he finished unbeaten on a 88 not-out innings.

Sports Department

Girls' hockey and netball: Rebecca Walker (rwalker@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)

Sport Results

CHESS

1st vs Melkbosstrand High School Drew 3 - 3 POM: Callum Herbert

BOYS HOCKEY

U14A vs Stellenberg u14A Lost 0 - 12 POM: Imange Quma

U14B vs Stellenberg u14B Lost 0 - 3 POM: Matthew Evan & Lucas Lui

U16A vs Stellenberg u16B Lost 0 - 2 POM: Lunje Mlaza

U19A vs Stellenberg u19C Won 4 - 1 POM: Whole Team

GIRLS HOCKEY

U14A vs Table View High School Won 3 - 0 POM: Olivia Salvador

U16A vs Table View High School Lost 0 - 4 POM: Caitlin Hunt

U19A vs Table View High School Drew 1 - 1 POM: Dominique Yuill

RUGBY

U14A vs Bergvliet High School Won 24 - 12 POM: Marang Mamatshele

U15A vs Bergvliet High School Lost 17 - 20 POM: Christian de Vos & Iyanda Mkwananzi

U16A vs Bergvliet High School Lost 24 - 41 POM: Luan Odendaal

U19A vs Bergvliet High School Lost 7 - 23 POM: Jack Sutherland

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.