Secondary Faculty Weekly Memo

8 November 2024

FROM THE OFFICE

Dear Parents and Learners

All academic lessons for the year have been concluded and learners are giving account of their year's work in the final examinations.  We trust that all preparations are going well and that they will find the question papers fair.

Such a beautiful sight when we arrive in the morning ...

Thank you to the Class of 2024

Our matrics donated two benches which we have placed overlooking the cricket oval.

Call for book donations

It has become tradition to award our Top Achievers in each grade a book prize.  We are still short of books for the Academic Awards.

Parents who are willing to sponsor a book for Grade 7 - 11 Top Achievers, to be awarded in January at the Academic Awards,  are invited to email Gillian Oppenshaw goppenshaw@parklands.co.za.  

You may either donate a book or give us permission to bill your account for a book from Exclusive Books.

Please note uniform requirements for 2025

All Grade 7s and all new learners are required to wear the new blazer in 2025.

The check trousers are for exclusive use as part of the Hospitality uniform.

Appeal for consideration at drop-off and collection times

Please follow the rules of the road and do not enter the roundabouts from the wrong side.

Please do not block the traffic by stopping at the entrance of the gate.

Please do not park anywhere that can interfere with the flow of traffic.

Please be polite to our security guards when they request that you move along.

Mandarin Chinese in 2025

The Chinese government in collaboration with UCT contacted us with an opportunity for learners to learn Mandarin Chinese as a co-curricular activity.  

We are excited to report that we have already enough interest to open a class for beginners.  The lessons will take place during the utility session on a Wednesday, starting on 29 January 2025.

If you are still interested in signing up your child, please mail ssteyn@parklands.co.za The cost will be R1000 per quarter.  

ACADEMICS

Academic Links


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


🎓 Spring Quarter Timetables,  🎓Assessment Calendars, the  🎓 Tutorial Schedule 


🎓 Exam Timetables, the  🎓Exam Study Guidelines, the 🎓Exam Study Timetables.


🎓 Report Weightings,  🎓 Promotion Requirements 🎓 Regulation Absenteeism 


Textbooks and stationery for 2025

Kindly read the letter with all the information about placing orders.

2025 Letter to Parents.pdf

Textbooks for 2025

2025 All Grades Textbook Lists.docx.pdf

Stationery for 2025

Parklands College Stationery Grade 7.pdf

Grade 7

Parklands College Stationery Grade 8.pdf

Grade 8

Parklands College Stationery Grade 9.pdf

Grade 9

Parklands College Stationery Grade 10.pdf

Grade 10

Parklands College Stationery Grade 11.pdf

Grade 11

Parklands College Stationery Grade 12.pdf

Grade 12

Device requirements for 2025

Please see the information below in order to plan for 2025.

2025 Parklands College Gr10-12 Device Requirements.pdf
2025 Parklands College Gr7-9 Device Requirements.pdf

External Tutoring Services

Please note that the school is not affiliated with any specific external tutoring services. If you receive advertising that includes the school's name or related photographs, kindly consult with our educators first.

Grade 12 National Senior Certificate


Gr12 NSC Timetable

GET Study Timetables


The school counsellors have kindly prepared proposed study timetables for all our GET learners. We encourage everyone to start early to reduce exam pressure.


Grade 7 Study Timetable Sample

Grade 8 Study Timetable Sample

Grade 9 Study Timetable Sample

Gr7-Gr11 Examinations

November Examination Timetable.  

Study Guidelines

Grade 11 Study Guidelines

Grade 10 Study Guidelines

Grade 9 Study Guidelines

Grade 8 Study Guidelines

Grade 7 Study Guidelines

Absenteeism during Exams and Assessments

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 should the SBA component be 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.


From the English Department

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”

This quarter’s book lineup is a rollercoaster ride – packed with mysteries, romances, and everything in between! With the cold weather upon us, there is no better excuse to curl up with a hot beverage and a good book.

Your bookworm-in-training should have devoured two personal picks by now, with another two to go, in order to submit enough book reports for the year. We're crossing our fingers these recommendations spark some curiosity to explore beyond your comfort zone.

Get cozy and dive in! Happy Reading!

Digital bookshelf LINK

Q3 EHL Digital Book Shelf 2024

Ed-Admin Multi-Portal Installation

YOU WILL NEED THIS APP IN ORDER TO ACCESS REPORTS IN THE FUTURE.

We are pleased to inform you that the new Ed-admin Multi Portal App (Ed-admin MP) is now available on the Google and Apple App stores. The features include access to your child’s reports, calendar activities and daily attendance records to mention a few.


To install the App please follow the below instructions:


1.) Download the Ed-Admin Multi Portal App by using the relevant link below:


●  Apple App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ed-admin-multi-portal/id6469108569

OR


●  Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edana.edadmin&hl=en&gl= US

2.) Enter 230034 (Parklands College Code) and your email address to log in. For your convenience, please refer to the image below:
 

3.) The next step will require you to enter the login code sent to you via email. For your convenience, please refer to the image below:


Please ensure that you keep this App updated otherwise you will be logged out and will have to repeat the above process to regain access.

GRADE HEADS 2025

Grade 7

Mr Chris Dicks

Ms Allison O'Toole

Mr Marc Viljoen (Assistant)

Grade 8

Mrs Lisa Haldane: lhaldane@parklands.co.za

Mr Clive Wessels:  cwessels@parklands.co.za

Grade 9

Ms Carine Le Roux:  cleroux@parklands.co.za

Mr Luke Baker:  lbaker@parklands.co.za

Grade 10

Mr Craig Fortuin:  cfortuin@parklands.co.za

Dr Elmarie Randewijk:  erandewijk@parklands.co.za

Grade 11

Mr Carel Steinmann:  csteinmann@parklands.co.za

Mrs Jessica Biermann:  jbiermann@parklands.co.za

Grade 12

Mr Joshua Wyngaard:  jwyngaard@parklands.co.za

Mrs Alexis Matismela:  amatsimela@parklands.co.za

Mr Darin Viljoen (Assistant) dviljoen@parklands.co.za

SPORT

external_sports_news@parklands.co.za


Head of Sport: tpillay@parklands.co.za

Rugby and Girls Soccer Coordinator: dviljoen@parklands.co.za

Chess, Boys Soccer & Cross Country Coordinator: mviljoen@parklands.co.za

Netball and Hockey Coordinator: sbloem@parklands.co.za

Message from the Secondary Head of Sport

Looking Ahead

Moving forward, we will continue with our successful examination sport sessions which will start on Monday 11 November.  Please use the google form to select the days that you can attend.  Although these sessions are not compulsory, please ensure that if you sign up you need to honour your commitment. 

Sessions on offer:

Monday - 12:00 - 13:00 - GET and FET Netball

Netball Sign Up Form

Tuesday - 12:00 - 13:00 - GET and FET Rugby

Rugby Sign Up Form

Wednesday - 12:00 - 13:00 - GET and FET Water Polo

Water Polo Sign Up

Thursday - 12:00 - 13:00 - GET and FET Hockey

Hockey Sign Up Form


First Team Cricket

On Saturday 2 November, our Cricket First Team played a 50-overs match against Bellville.  Parklands won the toss and chose to bowl first.  Although Bellville lost two early wickets, at 44/2 it looked like our bowlers would be able to restrict the visitors but a number of good partnerships enabled them to get to a total of 303/10, with the last man out on LBW (off the last ball of the innings!) to ensure that Blaine Fisher was able to collect a ‘fifer’ to have his name etched on the Honours board with 43/5 next to his name.  By the end of the 40th over, the score was 197/7 at which point Bellville decided to put pedal to the metal and hammered the bowlers for 107 runs in the last ten overs, for a total of 303 runs all out. 


After lunch, Ethan Randall and Darshan Kistan opened the Parklands innings, losing Darshan in the fourth over with the score on eight runs.  Parklands’ hopes of winning the match were not delusional as Ethan Randall and Kyle Warrender built a great second-wicket partnership of 94 runs from 127 balls.  Both players managed to score fifties in their innings, before Ethan was stumped on 53.   Kyle was sent back to the dressing room after attempting to strike a third six in a row, caught by the long-on fielder running in to take the catch.  Similarly to the previous week’s match against Fairmont, the middle order batsmen failed to establish themselves and it was up to the tail-enders to add some respectability to the scoreboard. Connor Russell added nine runs off ten balls (not out), and Aaron Peet added 21 runs off 24 balls.


The second wicket partnership by Ethan and Kyle set a good platform for the innings but in the end, the total was too big and the visitors were able to walk away with a well-deserved win.  Parklands scored 177/10 in 44.2 overs, and Bellville therefore won the match by 126 runs.  There were great catches taken by Darshan Kistan, Kyle Warrender, Ethan Randall, Blaine Fisher, Aaron Peet and the man-of-the-match was Blaine Fisher.


Although the season’s results did not all go as we had hoped for, the two wins against Pinelands and Fairmont, as well as the season-best 177 against Bellville gave some indication of this young team’s potential.  I’m sure that we will all be looking forward to some great cricket when the season resumes after the summer holidays.


Craig Fortuin - Manager

Blaine Fisher

Congratulations on taking 5 wickets!

U19B final match of season 

Weekly Sport Results

Summer Weekly Programme

Sport Uniform

PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATING

Congratulations to Aisha Salie



WIDPSC

Congratulations to Aisha Salie who has been selected for the team to represent South Africa at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

Aisha has always excelled in both Debating and Public Speaking at the College and we are most proud of her.

DRAMA

DRAMA CLUB

The Drama Club performed their version of 'SHREK' to end off an exciting year.

LEARNER ACHIEVEMENTS



Tyler Fredericks

Congratulations to Tyler Fredericks on his incredible achievement in dance. 

This past weekend, he was selected to compete in the WC Nationals, where he faced competitors from Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KZN, and North West. 

Tyler competed in the Under-15 Male Solo Division, winning 1st place, and also participated in the battle category, where he earned 2nd place. Additionally, he was chosen to be part of the All-Star team that will represent South Africa in both Serbia and Spain in 2025. 

Well done Tyler!

MUSIC

LESSON SCHEDULING

Lessons continue throughout the exam session next quarter. Learners are requested to please ensure that they book their lessons as soon as possible. Lesson are booked on a first come, first served basis.

Are you ready to try something new? 

The Parklands College Music Department offers expert tuition on a variety of instruments, taught by industry specialists. 

Whether you're looking to start your musical journey or try out a new instrument, we've got you covered!

Not sure which instrument suits you best? No problem! 

Email Mrs. Matsimela at amatsimela@parklands.co.za to book a try-out session.

2025 Enrolment Form: https://forms.gle/QhYkKxrBxFLt7ipNA

🎵 Note: If you're already part of the extra-mural music programme, no need to sign up again for 2025—you’re automatically enrolled!

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! 🎹🎸🥁

Want to learn an instrument? Let's Go!!!!!

Should you be interested in starting an instrument.  Please complete this form: https://forms.gle/MMYD7bH2Ak2iVXgL7

Music Department Educator Contact Details

LEARNER SUPPORT 


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

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


Psychometric Assessments 


The learner support department offers psychometric assessments at the school for subject choice and career counselling. This process includes an initial interview with the learner, aptitude, personality and interest assessments, as well as a feedback session with an assessment report that is a useful guidance tool for informed decision making and clarity in one’s career or subject choice process. The assessments are done at school and during school time. 


Please contact Samantha Scott sjscott@parklands.co.za for more information or to make a booking. There are limited assessment slots each quarter so please enquire early in 2025 to avoid disappointment. (Please note assessments are a billable service). 

Yale International Relations Global Essay Competition

We are excited to share an exceptional opportunity for students in Grades 8 to 12 who are passionate about international relations and essay writing—the Yale International Relations Global Essay Competition. Developed in collaboration with YaleUndergraduate Mentors, this prestigious competition offers a unique platform for you to showcase your analytical and writing skills on a global stage.

It offers participants a chance to delve into complex global issues, guided by the expertise of Yale students. Participants will enhance their critical thinking and research abilities while connecting with a global network of peers and mentors dedicated to understanding and solving the world's pressing challenges.

Why This Essay Competition?

Program Overview

Over the course of the competition, you will explore various international relations topics, gain insights from Yale mentors, and have the chance to present your work to a global audience. This experience will not only sharpen your skills but also provide you with invaluable exposure to the world of diplomacy and global studies.

Apply Now: https://t.ly/jA9Sr 

Key Details

January 11, 2025: Understanding Important Global Issues and Perspectives
January 18, 2025: Crafting a Competitive Essay
January 25, 2025: Tackling Global Issues
February 1, 2025: Top Tips for Editing Essays

For more details, visit the Yale International Relations Global Essay Competition website: https://ivycomp.com/ 

TERTIARY STUDIES

Exciting News: The Western Cape Issue of SA Career Guide is Now Live!

Discover your future with the latest issue of SA Career Guide! Packed with valuable insights, expert advice, and career opportunities tailored for you, this digital magazine is your free resource for making informed decisions about your next steps. Don’t miss out—open it today and start planning your path to success!

 

Open Magazine: https://www.sacareerguide.co.za/archive/2024/wc/index.html


ACT OPEN DAY 23 NOV

23 November 2024 Open Day

Time: 10am-12pm/2pm-4pm


Address: Act Cape Town, First Floor, Sunrise House, 55 Morningside Street, Ndabeni, Pinelands


Ticket price: R50 

Available to purchase through the following links: 

https://qkt.io/SBMeQo

PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Parklands College and Christopher Robin Pre-Primary parents who are in business are able to list their businesses in our Parent Business Directorywww.parklands.co.za/parent-business-directory/

LISTINGS ARE FREE and include contact information as well as the opportunity to include a business logo or advert.  Listings are available 24/7 on the College website and will be updated each quarter.

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...

CONCLUSION