FROM THE OFFICE

Dear Parents and Learners

This will be the last blog for the quarter.  It has been a busy, extraordinary and exciting quarter. We are going into the upcoming school holiday tired, yet satisfied.  Well done to our staff and learners for keeping the momentum going throughout and thank you to our parents for your support.  May everyone have a good break and return refreshed for the final quarter.

A dream come true ...

Uniforms

At the start of next quarter we will host all our Awards Events and our learners will be on show.

Please ensure that learners' blazers are in good quality and looking pristine or replace it with the new blazer.  When a learner represents the College, it is most embarrassing if the colour has faded or the blazer does not fit properly.

Please also note that the blue checked trousers have been replaced by grey trousers.  At the end of the winter season (the start of the Spring Quarter), girls may only wear the dress or grey trousers.  The checked trousers may only be worn by the chefs in the Hospitality kitchen.

Our beautiful campus ...

What a stunning photograph taken by Joshua Jackson-Smith

ACADEMICS

Academic Links

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

🎓 Winter Quarter Timetables,  🎓Assessment Calendars, the  🎓 Tutorial Schedule, the  🎓 Grade 12 Prelim Exam Timetable, the  🎓Grade 12 Prelim Study Guidelines and the  🎓Grade 12 NSC Timetable.

Winter Quarter Reports & Parent Educator Meetings

Academic report cards will be released at the end of term.  We will inform parents via email once the reports have been published and are ready for viewing.  Ensure to follow the instruction down below about the installation of the multi-portal Ed-Admin app, the platform on which reports will be published.

There will be parent educator meeting slots on Wednesday 2 October, Thursday, 3 October and Friday, 4 October.  The details of the meetings will be published in the first blog of next term.

Grade 11 Physics Workshop - Saturday Science!

Matrics Exams

This week the Matrics wrote their Final Life Orientation paper. 

One of their class mates, Isabella de Sousa, shared the most beautiful Parklands inspired biscuits to wish them good luck! After the examination they were treated by Eduvos with hot chocolate.

Junior Afrikaans Olimpiade

A number of our GET learners took part in an online Afrikaans olympiad on Wednesday.  "Ons wens hul sterkte toe vir goeie resultate!"

Exploring the concept of circumference in Grade 8 Maths

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

The final leg of the Tour de Maths 2024 took place last night at Bishops, and we are proud to announce the remarkable achievements of our learners!

Our learners demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, achieving the following results for Leg 5:

• 1st place: Gerhard Vosloo and Aden van Rhyn, showcasing excellent problem-solving and collaboration

• 3rd place: Puneet Nagendrakumar and Steffan Hillebrand

• 4th place: Ella Frielinghaus and Jenna Simpson

In addition, Parklands College had an outstanding showing among the top individual scorers for the entire competition:

• 1st place overall: Aden van Rhyn, whose consistent excellence earned him the top spot

• 2nd place overall: Gerhard Vosloo, whose determination and focus were evident throughout

• 3rd place overall: Puneet Nagendrakumar

• 7th place overall: Steffan Hillebrand

• 8th place overall: Ella Frielinghaus

Parklands College finished third overall, just 60 points behind Bishops in a tightly contested competition. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all our participants, who have truly excelled and represented our school with distinction.

Congratulations to all the participants—you have made us incredibly proud.

Food Technology

The Grade 8 Food Technology learners completed their biscuit project with a Jelly Tot cookies practical complete with their own label designs. The project included research on packaging, a trip to Checkers to do some research on pricing and then some taste testing of course! 

The Grade 9 Food Technology learners created their own Olympic ‘fan food’ baguettes this week. Throughout this quarter they have been following the ethos of the Paris 2024 Olympics with regards to the food for both the athletes and the spectators. After each presenting one of the 206 NOC’s to the class, they created a fusion style baguette with the filling representing their country. They all looked delicious! 

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.

FEEDBACK

Inter-House Spelling Bee

The learners had fun in the Minor Hall on Tuesday, testing their spelling skills.  The audience enjoyed watching them and waiting for the sound effects to indicate whether they got it wrong or right.  

Results from The Interhouse Spelling Bee 2024

CAMBRIDGE           1st      29 points

YALE                        2nd     25 points

OXFORD                 3rd      17 points

HARVARD                4th     14 points

Congratulations to our individual winners: 

Grade 9 Market Day

We are thrilled to announce the success of our Grade 9 Market Day! A big thank you to everyone who supported this event, from the enthusiastic shoppers to the dedicated cleaning staff who helped with the setup and packing away. Congratulations to our Grade 9 learners on their fantastic business ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. We are also proud to share that we raised just over R3000, as part of the CSi initivative, which will benefit SPCA, Fallen Angels and Sam's Educare, furthering our commitment to giving back to the community. Well done, everyone!

Exploring the Future of Art and Design: A Showcase of Grade 10 and 11 Talent

Art and design have always been reflections of society, offering a glimpse into the world through the eyes of creative minds. This year’s exhibition, featuring the work of Grade 10 and 11 learners, was nothing short of inspiring, as young artists and designers took centre stage to display their unique perspectives and budding talents.

The exhibition was a vibrant mix of mediums, styles, and concepts. From traditional painting and drawing to digital design and 3D printing, the diversity in the work on display was a testament to the learners' willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of their creativity. 

This exhibition was not just a display of student work, it was a celebration of the future of art and design. These Grade 10 and 11 learners have shown that they are not only capable of producing high-quality work but are also unafraid to tackle important issues and express their individuality through their art.

For many of these young artists and designers, this exhibition was an opportunity to see their work in a professional setting for the first time. The experience of preparing, curating, and presenting their pieces provided invaluable lessons in both art and life, teaching them the importance of perseverance, attention to detail, and the power of creative expression.

The props and design made by learners for the wonderful Wizard of Oz production was also on display.

As the exhibition came to a close, it was clear that the future of art and design is in good hands. The talent, creativity, and passion displayed by these Grade 10 and 11 learners suggest that we can expect great things from this next generation of artists and designers. Whether they pursue careers in the arts or apply their creative skills to other fields, their work at this exhibition has shown that they have the potential to make a significant impact on the world.

For those who attended, the exhibition was a reminder of the importance of nurturing young talent and providing platforms for creative expression. It was an inspiring glimpse into the future, filled with hope, innovation, and a deep commitment to using art and design to explore and address the world around us.

Carike Cass

Unicorn Awards

Top Ten films showcased were:

1. The Walk - By Pocharapon Kongthong, Keshan Kistan & Michael Steynberg

2. How to Teenager by Shakti Manga, Aisha Salie, Emily Hoffman & Darshana Raja

3. Hairitage by Zoë Onochie & Tyra Gaetsewe

4. Start by Connor Niske & Liya De Allende

5. No Matter What by Oliver Nocker, Liam Hills, Nikhiel Moodley & Aaron Gore

6. In the Shadow of Success by Naeha Naidu, Kate Stopforth, Dristhi Ramkelawan & Sujata Naidoo

7. A Bond Beyond Words by Mia-Grace Viljoen & Marysia Sabada

8. Through Different Eyes By Hannah van Zyl, Rebecca Large, Dominique Yuill & Hannah Taylor

9. Suppression By Julius Schwager, Cameron Makuzeni, Maxim McLaughlin & Chaihin Naidoo

10. Becoming By Jordan Sing, Aaron Peet, Kuhle Mapumulo & Jai Gounden

Final Awards:

Best Actor: Cameron Makuzeni from Suppression

Best Actress (x2): Naeha Naidu from In the Shadow of Success and Emily Hoffman from How to Teenager  

Best Director/Producer: Kuhle Mapumulo from Becoming

Best Cinematography: Suppression

Best Editing: A Bond Beyond Words

Best Original Soundtrack: Naeha Naidu from In the Shadow of Success

Best Original Script: Hannah van Zyl and Dominique Yuill from Through Different Eyes

Favourite Character(s): (x 3 individuals) Oliver Nocker from No Matter What / Kate Stopforth from In the Shadow of Success / Michael Steynberg from The Walk.

Best Message: Start

Best Expressive Voice: Connor Niske from Start

Most Wholesome Moment: The Mother-Daughter scene from Hairitage

Artsy/Nouveau Moment: Playing soccer in the mist from A Bond Beyond Words

Unicorn Awards for Best Movie Overall:

In 3rd Place: Suppression by Julius Schwager, Cameron Makuzeni, Maxim McLaughlin & Chaihin Naidoo

In second place 2nd Place: In the Shadow of Success by Naeha Naidu, Kate Stopforth, Dristhi Ramkelawan & Sujata Naidoo

In first 1st  place: A Bond Beyond Words by Mia-Grace Viljoen & Marysia Sabada

Mathematics Competitions - Certificate Celebration!

PAST LEARNER NEWS

Laura Wolvaardt

We are so very proud of Laura, who walked away with FIVE awards at last night's Cricket South Africa Awards - Female Cricketer of the Year; International T20 Player of the Year;  ODI Cricketer of the Year; Player’s Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year.

COMING UP

Message from the Secondary Head of Sport

Last week, marked a significant milestone with the official opening of our Astro fields.  The ceremonial event was graced by esteemed guests, including Mr. Roth (Founding Director), Erin Christie (SA Hockey Captain), Kayla de Waal (scorer of SA's first goal at the Paris Olympics), and Mrs. Steyn, our Principal.  Although the ceremony was brief, it drew a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators.  

Edgemead High School provided strong opposition for our learners on the new Astro, and I am incredibly proud of how quickly our learners have adapted to the surface. While we recognise that there is a challenging road ahead, we remain committed to elevating our game and competing at higher levels.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who came out to witness this momentous occasion. Special thanks to Mr. Grant Smee from Only Realty for sponsoring the U19 Girls Hockey kit, and to Mr. Jack Thomissen from Princess Hockey for generously providing the Player of the Match gifts.

This week, we’ve begun our summer preseason. Though the preseason is short, we expect all learners to attend practices to ensure we’re well-prepared for the upcoming matches next quarter.

Astro Opening Video

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow our U16 and U19 Rugby Boys will participate in the Tableview Sevens tournament held at Theo Marais Park.  Matches start from 08:00 with the last match taking place at 20:00 

Physical Education

This quarter was buzzing with excitement thanks to our winter sports programme that we implemented into out PE programme. Learners had the opportunity to explore a range of sports new to them, learning the rules and engaging in enjoyable activities. They also took part in fitness routines designed to keep them in good health.

Our PE programme plays a crucial role in promoting both physical and emotional well being. By encouraging regular physical activity and exposing students to diverse sporting codes, we help them develop healthy habits and resilience. This holistic approach not only enhances their physical fitness but also fosters teamwork, reduces stress and boosts overall self esteem. 

Learner Sporting Achievements

Erin Langenhoven

Swimming

Erin was sponsored to take part in the Simon's Town Ladies Mile on Saturday 31 August.  It was a beautiful morning for a fun swim.  An amazing event for women in aid of donations of sanitary pads for underprivileged schools which ensures that female learners can be present throughout the month.

Erin swam skins and placed 3rd.  Well Done Erin

Jake Hutton

Lifesaving

Jake Hutton represented South Africa at the worlds lifesaving.  Jake achieved incredible results which included:

Lifesaving World Champion 

Gold - Youth Men’s Youth flags

Silver - Men's Youth sprints

Pool - team relay - 1st B final for obstacle relay

Team relay - 2nd B final for medley relay

Well Done Jake, these are truly amazing individual and team results

Steffan Hillebrand

Biathle & Triathle

Steffan competed in the UIPM Biathle & Triathle SA Champs in East London in August.  He came fifth in both competitions, and has subsequently been chosen for the SA Team to compete at the World Championship in Egypt in October this year. 

Well Done Steffan.  Good luck for the world championships.

Luca van Tonder

Karate

Congratulations on your selection to represent the South African Goju Kai Karate team at the 8th Goju Kai Karate Do Global Championships to be held in Chiba, Japan in 2025.

DANCE

Congratulations to Sabrina Davids who is our first Dance Captain.

MUSIC

Approaching Quarter 4:

• Learners are reminded that should their Sport Timetable have changed, they need to please communicate this with their Music Educator this quarter.

• 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 serve basis.

• Lessons recommence on Monday 7 October

SERVICE

TERTIARY STUDIES

CONCLUSION

Wishing everyone a wonderful break.

Kind regards

Sylvia Steyn

ssteyn@parklands.co.za

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