From the Office

This will be the last blog for the quarter.  Thank you to our learners, parents and staff for the part you played in making this another wonderful Summer Quarter.  We are immensely proud of our many achievements and the way in which our learners keep flying our flag high.  The blog on 7 April will have information about how to book Parent Educator meetings to discuss your children's results.

Please note that next week is a normal week with lessons continuing until the last day.  On Friday, 28 March, the school day will end at 13:00.

We wish our touring sides all the best as they depart on their respective sports tours. Our cricket team will depart for Sri Lanka tomorrow and our netball and hockey players will depart on the Garden Route tour on Monday.

ACADEMIC REPORTS

Please note that academic reports will be published during the first week of the holiday.  You may access it conveniently through the Ed-admin Multi-Portal App, where you can view and download the report. A document with detailed steps to assist you can be seen below.

Communication & Information

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

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

We have updated the Parent & Learner Directory on 28 February with information regarding the security of electronic devices (iPads and Laptops.)  

Human Rights Day

As has become tradition at the College, we celebrate Human Rights Day with our very special Freedom Bell ceremony.  We started off with an address by Janet Jobson from the Tutu Foundation, reminding us that to be neutral means to side with the oppressor.

We then invited our learners and staff to pledge their commitment to non-discrimination and ring the Freedom Bell in honour of their commitment.

Farewell

At the end of the Summer Quarter we bid farewell to two educators who will leave an indelible mark on our school, because of their passion for the College, the learners and their colleagues.   Mrs Esterhuizen has worked in the Afrikaans Department since 2015 and Mrs Haldane joined us for the first time in 2019.  They have both been Grade Heads and played a constructive role in the co-curricular programme of the school.  We wish them well as they embark on new, exciting endeavours.

Welcome

We welcome two new educators to the College. Ms Tromp joins us in the Commerce Department and Ms Delport in the English Department.

Article for you to read

ACADEMICS

Academic Links

Note the section at the top dedicated specifically to academic links.  In this section you will find: 

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

NSC Results

We are happy to report that after the remark results, we have four additional subject A’s and one additional subject B to celebrate.  Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Final week of the Summer Quarter

It is imperative that learners attend school until the last day of the quarter.  Due to the number of public holidays and the mid-term break next quarter, we have limited time to finish the syllabus before the mid-year examinations and learners cannot afford to miss lessons. 

Special arrangements have been made with learners leaving on sports tour.

Break Times - Happy Times

Parent Educator Meetings

There will be an opportunity to meet with the educators on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - 9 to 11 April,  The details for booking meetings will be shared in the first blog of next term.

Promotion Requirements

Promotion requirements must be met at the end of the academic year.  Parents / learners concerned about promotion status can contact the academic team for clarification.

GET Phase (Gr7-9)

    50% in English Home Language

    40% in Afrikaans / isiXhosa First Additional Language

    40% in Mathematics

    30% in three other subjects

FET Phase (Gr11-12)

Bachelor Degree Pass (allowing candidate to apply for entry into degree studies): 

4 subjects at 50% (excluding Life Orientation), English HL must be at 40% (not more than one subject below 30%)

Diploma Pass (allowing candidate to apply for entry into diploma studies): 

4 subjects at 40% (excluding Life Orientation), English HL must be at 40% (not more than one subject below 30%)

Higher Certificate Pass: 

4 subjects at 40% and 3 subjects at 30%

Additional support in 2025: Mathematics

Learners from Grade 7 – 12 have the opportunity to receive additional support in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy on campus, should they feel the need for one-on-one or small group support.  Our Mathematics Department will continue to offer tutorials as per the tutorial schedule and these tutorials are covered by the tuition fees.

Mrs Priscilla Brijlal is an educator with over 40 years experience in teaching Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy at various schools.  Her patient and caring nature, her commitment to her calling and her willingness to go above and beyond what is expected, especially with struggling learners, make her a very valuable Independent Contractor to support our team.

Support sessions will work as follows:

1. Remedial/extra sessions may be scheduled before school or during the utility session.  Evidence shows that morning sessions are more conducive for such sessions.

2. Learners who fall behind may be withdrawn from some Mathematics sessions during the academic day to assist them with catching up.

3. Individual sessions cost R250.

Should you be interested in signing up for this or need more information, kindly mail  secondary@parklands.co.za

Additional support in 2025: English for Second Language Speakers

Mrs Angel will be assisting Foreign Language learners who need extension classes in English as an Independent Contractor. She is well-known to many of our existing learners who got to know her as a member of the Preparatory Faculty. She is knowledgeable about teaching the foundation of language acquisition, she is kind and she is patient.

Remedial/extra sessions will be scheduled during the utility slot on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or in the mornings before school and will cost R250 per session.

Kindly mail secondary@parklands.co.za if you would like to sign up for lessons.

LEARNER AFFAIRS

Prefect Engagement

Our prefects joined Learner Leaders from various surrounding schools for a workshop on Leadership this week.  They enjoyed exchanging ideas and connecting with their peers from other schools.

Digital Bookshelf

A Call for Prize Donations

The English Department has launched its first internal Creative Writing Competition and Book Bingo Competition.  We are looking for book vouchers to be donated for the top 3 winners for both FET and GET, as well as 3 additional prizes for the Annual Book Bingo. If you would like some more information about the competitions, please click HERE. 

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Mrs J Biermann (jbiermann@parklands.co.za)

ROBOTICS

Robotics in Action: FRC Team Explores Engineering in the Real World! 

Our FRC team had an incredible opportunity to visit Molenaar Engineering, a company that designs and builds massive food processing machinery used locally and internationally. 

The team toured the plant, engaged in discussions with expert engineering teams, and received valuable guidance on their robot’s design and mechanics. To top it off, they were treated to wors rolls and fresh fruit cups—produced using Molenaar’s very own machines! 

A huge thank you to Molenaar Engineering for sharing their expertise and giving our team real-world insights into engineering and innovation!

#FRC #STEMEducation #RealWorldEngineering #RoboticsInAction

SERVICE

The first Beach Cleanup was a huge success!

From our sports department

"Individuals win games, but teams win championships." – Michael Jordan

Team Selection

By the end of next week, our coaches and managers will have a clearer understanding of where our players stand at the start of the season in terms of A, B, and, where applicable, C team placement. Coaches are responsible for designing training sessions that develop players’ knowledge and skills while meeting the physical demands of the sport. This ensures that your child can effectively demonstrate their understanding of the game and work towards their goals.

Naturally, players with more experience in a sport often demonstrate these attributes at a higher level. Some gifted athletes may excel across multiple sports, but progress takes time. At the highest (elite) level, success is influenced by many factors—including, at times, a bit of luck.

Our Sports Department’s primary goal is to create opportunities. Engagement and enjoyment come next, with results being a natural outcome of getting the process right.

Throughout, the key elements of knowledge, skills, and understanding remain central to your child’s sporting success and development. This can only be achieved with the right steps, guidance and support.

Practice & Match Playing Kit

Please refer to the tab below for details on the correct match-day uniform. Learners must also wear the appropriate practice kit, except in cases where practices take place on consecutive days. In such instances, they may wear their PE top on the second day (e.g., U19 Girls' Soccer).

We have noticed that some learners are not arriving in the correct attire for practices. To avoid this, we suggest packing kit the night before, as some of the reasons for not wearing the correct gear are not acceptable.

Winter Junior Cricket Training

All U13 cricket players are invited to attend winter cricket training, held on Thursday afternoons. This programme aims to help Mr Gilder develop the skills of our junior cricketers while aligning them with the broader Parklands College cricket vision.

Learners must sign up in advance to attend. Please contact Mr Gilder at ggilder@parklands.co.za for more information.

Sports Tours

Our Sri Lanka and Garden Route sports tours promise to be incredible experiences for the learners attending, and we wish them every success!

DH

Feedback

Garden Route Sports Tour (24 March to 1 April)

On Monday, 35 of our learners will depart for the Point High School Sports Festival in Mossel Bay. Our netball and hockey teams will begin their tour with matches against Knysna High School on 26 March. They will then travel to Mossel Bay for the Opening Ceremony on 28 March, followed by matches on 29 March, 31 March, and 1 April.

Over the course of the festival:

• The netball team will play seven matches.

• The girls' hockey team will play seven matches.

• The boys' hockey team will play eight matches.

The teams will be led by our tour captains:

• Nicole Apsey (Netball)

• Julia Ligthelm (Girls' Hockey)

• Trent McCulloch (Boys' Hockey)

Accompanying them on tour are:

• Mrs Tania Matthee (Netball Coach)

• Mrs Samantha Scott (Girls' Hockey Coach)

• Mr Stuart Muchuweti (Boys' Hockey Coach)

• Mr Darryn Hunt (Tour Manager)

We wish our teams all the best for a successful and memorable tour and festival!

Parklands Cricket Team is off to Sri Lanka 

On Thursday, 13 March, the cricket players touring Sri Lanka received their playing kit during an evening ceremony at the Pavilion. We wish the players, Coach Gilder, and Manager Mr Fortuin a safe and successful trip. 

The Sri Lanka tour runs from 21 March to 2 April, and we look forward to following their progress and hearing about their experiences upon their return.

Get all the updates on instagram by following : parklands_college_vikings 

A few of our official photos of the Sri Lanka kit presentation.

Sports video of the week

Learner achievements 

WP High School Athletics

Steffan Hillebrand ran another sub 9 minute 3000m personal best at Western Cape Athletics Championship where he finished 4th. Stef is hugely encouraged by his recent progress considering he will be competing in the same age group next year!

Parklands College winter sporting programme 2025

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

Secondary sports calendar 

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

LEARNER SUPPORT 

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

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

TERTIARY STUDIES 

Open Days and Applications Dates 2025 for Universities and Colleges 

MARCH: Human Rights Awareness Month. 

In South Africa and across the world, Human Rights Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the fundamental freedoms and dignity that every person deserves. It serves as a reminder of the struggles people have faced throughout history in the fight against oppression, inequality, and discrimination. 

In South Africa, we celebrate this month to acknowledge the importance of protecting the rights of all individuals, ensuring that no one is denied their freedom, safety, or identity. It is a time to educate ourselves and others about the value of human rights and to recognise that these rights must be upheld in our daily lives, schools, communities, and beyond. On the 20th of March, we will be having our annual Freedom Bell Ceremony, where we commemorate the rights that we have and to become conscious of those who still have to fight for their rights. 

CONCLUSION

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.

Air pods

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

Have a great break!

Kind regards

Sylvia Steyn

ssteyn@parklands.co.za

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