General Information
Parents are encouraged to make contact with the Principal of their faculty at any time regarding the development and progress of a learner. Liaison between the teachers and parents is regarded as a top priority. This positive flow of communication ensures the happiness and well being of each learner. At the commencement of the Academic year each class teacher meets with the parent body to provide information regarding important Academic, Sporting and Cultural developments within the College together with expectations, discipline, classroom management, evaluation and homework.
Individual progress meetings by appointment are held at the end of each Academic Quarter, thus providing parents with the opportunity to discuss their child’s overall development and progress. The class teacher’s email address is provided to parents to extend our lines of communication.
Parklands College operates as a private company with a Board of Directors, Audit Committee, Remuneration and Scholarship Committees. Various management committees, senior and junior, operate in conjunction with the board to manage and administer the academics and daily running of the College. The Board of directors subscribes to the values of good corporate governance, espoused in the King II report. In so doing, the directors recognise the need to conduct the College with integrity and in accordance with generally acceptable corporate practises.
The College operates much like a Company, with a Board of Directors and Executive Committees. Our success depends on the success of our ability to provide a superior product, together with positive management structures.
The Principals and teachers work in close liaison and are able to provide you with information regarding any aspect of the College, Cultural Sporting or Academic. We actively encourage parents join and to participate in one of the varied portfolios, thus enhancing the learning environment for each and every learner.
- Community Outreach
- To support and provide assistance with outreach projects and selected community projects that are trustworthy. Much of this effort can be directed through Interact.
- Media Centre
- Enhancing our resources, assisting our librarian, promoting the book, reading with learners, assisting with projects and exhibitions
- Sport and Recreation
- Coaching, promoting the further development of our playing fields, accompanying learners on camps and outings
- Festivals and Functions
- College Balls, Cultural Festivals, Parent Gatherings, Golf Day, Fashion Shows and a limited amount of fundraising for specific requirements.
- Culture
- Promoting the growth of Music, Drama, and Art. Assisting with productions and performances. Finishing courses: modelling, grooming and etiquette. Accompanying learners to cultural functions and events.
- Stage Door
- Set design and costume manufacture
- Professional Consultant
- You may prefer to offer your time as a professional consultant in one of the following fields; Advertising, Marketing or on the Legal front
To participate in a portfolio, kindly contact the college secretary.
We have a great deal of faith in research and believe that information must be used to guide the College otherwise “dormant knowledge is useless”.
To ensure total objectivity these surveys are undertaken by an independent market research consultancy. Once a year the learners and educators in the Pre-Primary, Preparatory and Secondary faculties, assess the school on a variety of attributes. Every two years a survey amongst parents is commissioned to obtain feedback from their perspective.
This valuable information enables the College to pinpoint any possible problem areas and to address these promptly. It also provides us with a benchmark against which to monitor our strengths and improve our areas of underachievement.
The information booklet is issued to each learner and their parents at the start of the New Year. It clearly defines the code of conduct and general rules pertaining to disciplinary procedures and rules of the College.
The College diary is published annually and is provided to each learner at the start of the Academic Year. It contains the Student Code of Conduct, a Timetable, Schedules for sport & co-curricular activities, and Quarterly Planners. The structure for the Award of the Honours Blazer and College Colours is also included.
Our team of educators consists of dedicated educators, who are appropriately qualified, specialists in their field and are selected because they share our passion for education.
The language of instruction is English. All learning material is provided in English, unless specifically for another Language study. Afrikaans, Xhosa and French are offered as core subjects. The mode of instruction is direct contact.
Parklands College provides all round education at the highest level. The approach to education is modern and in line with DoE requirements in Foundation, Intermediate, GET and FET phases. The College follows the IEB Curriculum within an environment that is innovating and enlightening.
We are naturally anxious to make the choice of subjects as wide as possible, providing for the needs of each learner. It is this breadth and variety along with an opportunity to pursue subjects of choice, advanced levels, which encourage learners to become, “life-long” learners, seeing knowledge as intrinsically worthwhile. We have based our approach to curriculum around a group of core life-skills such as literacy, numeracy, coping with the world of work, adaptability, skills and leadership.
Information Technology is introduced from 4 years of age. Our approach to learning is innovative, enriched and flexible, with emphasis on success.
Achievement, in all areas of learning, is recognised and rewarded with merits. Learning, however, is not just about gaining certificates – sit is preparation for life.
Musicality is nurtured and promoted within the College from a very early age. Learners are screened on a regular basis to establish musicality and special talents. Private tuition as well as group work is offered in Violin, Cello, Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Recorder and Voice. Dance is extremely popular and learners are able to join Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Irish dancing classes. Wherever possible, learners are encouraged to participate in an International Examination. The College has an Orchestra, a Junior and Senior Choir and Vocal Ensemble. We regularly participate in Eisteddfods and festivals, providing our artists with an opportunity to perform in public. Parents delight in our regular recitals and concerts that are well attended.
The College has recently experienced outstanding growth in the Drama department, where speech and drama is also offered as a Matriculation subject.
The syllabus is flexible and aims to foster national pride and tolerance of differences. Fostering an appreciation of South African arts and crafts, including exposure to a variety of visual art forms, forms part of our programme. Art is incorporated throughout our curriculum and is seen as a vital form of free expression. Our Art rooms are fully equipped with the latest technology and an innovative approach to teaching this subject is applied. Art produced by our talented learners is selected annually, adding to our gallery of pictures. Art tours and outings are regularly arranged in order to bring learners into contact with the work of professional artists.
- Pre-Primary
- Screenings are continuous and varied throughout the Grade 0
year. A selection of these are in our learner portfolio’s and reflect the progression that the child has shown in specific areas i.e. literacy.
Detailed reports are written on each child in the Summer, Winter and Spring Quarters and a full readiness screening (MSSST, Social, Emotional Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Perceptual, and Language) is completed in the Autumn quarter. We meet with the parents at the end of each quarter to discuss their child’s report/progress. This meeting and the details there of are recorded in our learner database under comments. These are read through regularly by the teacher and decisions that have been made are followed up and monitored.
- Preparatory
- Foundation Phase progress reports are issued at the end of the 2nd and 4th Quarters. Intermediate Phase are issued with Interim Reports at the end of the 1st and 3rd Quarters. Progress Reports are issued at the end of the 2nd and 4th Quarters (following appraisals). Personal interviews are afforded to parents for report feedback. Parent-teacher meetings are carried out each Quarter in order to keep parents fully informed of overall process.
- Secondary
- Official feedback to the parent is given twice per quarter by means of a mid-quarter report and an end of quarter report: these are documents outlining the learner’s overall progress in all areas. Parents are encouraged to attend feed back meetings with staff to discuss progress and concerns throughout the quarter or during official feedback meetings at the end of the quarter.
Educators e-mail parents when a learner is falling behind or not performing to his/her potential. At the end of each quarter a Parent-Teacher evening is arranged when the learner’s results can be discussed. Recommendations are made to parents for remediation of problem areas. Copies of the reports are filed with the learner’s Tutor.
Teachers design homework activities to fulfil a range of learning objectives such as consideration, skill mastery, further research and extension. Educational research supports the importance of these independent, out of classroom activities and illustrates that student success co-relates closely with commitment to homework. Adherence to the College’s homework guidelines is expected. Supervised homework classes are available from Grade 4 – 12.
Life Skills Programmes focus on development of the self through the experiences of others, inter-personal relationships, preparation for challenges faced outside the safe environment of school and home, career guidance and suitably linked subject choices.
An educational psychologist is invited to the College to address the learners and parents on an annual basis. Accredited Higher Education Providers are invited to present subjects and qualifications offered by their specific facility to the learners, this is also done on an annual basis. Visiting Career day displays at local universities is encouraged by the College.
Tutor System Attention to the needs of the individual is one of the College’s key principles. On joining Grade 8 each learner is allocated to a Tutor, who is there for guidance. These groups are small, enabling the Tutor to get to know the “tutees” well and provide security, continuity and opportunities for leadership. Meetings are held regularly to advise parents of overall progress and direction.
All learners are encouraged to actively engage in research. This can be achieved by making use of the Parklands College twenty-four hour access to the internet facility. The College IT labs are open during breaks and after school to enhance their learning environment.
- Pre-Primary and Preparatory
- At Parklands College, we make every attempt to include and accommodate all learners with their individual needs. Our learning programmes are continually adapted to incorporate and assist learners with barriers to learning. Parklands College employs two qualified full-time academic support teachers. These teachers assess learners with barriers to learning and compile work schedules for each learner or group of learners to be implemented during class or during individual or group support lessons.
They also advise parents on how to assist their children in the home environment and liaise with class teachers and outside therapists to ensure the best learning environment for the learner.
To deal with difficulties in the area of language and communication, there is a Speech Therapist who takes learners individually or in groups according to their needs.
- Secondary
- When necessary, learners may be referred for extra lessons and support. Parents are welcome to approach class teachers in this regard. The College is privileged in being able to provide learners with professional support from our resident Remedial Teacher and Speech Therapist. There is an additional cost for this facility.
Extra Mathematics classes are held on Saturday morning for learners in Gr 10, 11 and 12. Secondary faculty educators are available during the week to provide academic support.
In an endeavour to offer transparent and democratic practice, a learner appeals process is in place. This affords the learner the opportunity to appeal against an academic decision made. This appeal must be endorsed by the learner’s parents/guardian. Information regarding the Learner Appeals process is included in the Procedures and Guideline information booklet provided to learners each year.
The College recognises outstanding effort and achievement through the award of merits to acknowledge the peaks in a learner’s attainments during the course of their education at Parklands College. Honours Ceremony and annual Prize Giving provides the College with an opportunity to recognise and reward overall achievement.
Leadership opportunities are promoted throughout the College. Class Representatives, House Captains, Sport Captains and Prefects are elected annually. Leaders are elected democratically by learners and educators.
Scope for leadership development abounds in a smaller school. From the most junior level up, leadership is fostered and elected members from the student body have designated leadership roles, in partnership with the Staff, in the overall organisation of student activities. Council meetings are held on a regular basis with the Deputy Principal. Learners from Grade 8 – 12 are elected to represent their Grades in different portfolio groups which also meet regularly.
lubs & Societies Other enriching activities include membership of societies, Rotary International’s Interact, Debating, Computer, Chess, Hip-Hop and the College Student Publication “Higher Learning”.
Team sport is introduced from Pre-Primary as we consider sport to be an integral part of school life. Sport develops a sense of healthy competition, camaraderie, commitment to training, the development of individual skills, self discipline and social contact with other schools are all seen as important elements in the education programme between learners who work together towards a common goal. Sport provides situations in which learners learn to depend on one another, creating opportunities to help someone else, by being supported by someone else and of having to work within a common discipline. It is compulsory for learners in the Preparatory Faculty to participate in at least one sport offered by the College, per quarter, unless excused for a valid reason. In the Secondary Faculty, at least one sport or cultural activity offered by the College is required, per quarter.
We provide a variety of outdoor education thus enriching a learner’s experience of life. Outings or camps are planned for each grade during the course of the year. Learners are encouraged to participate in these extra-curricular activities.
The monthly newsletter is filled with information and photographs of past, current and future events and is a wonderful record of College days.
We have a library in the Pre-Primary and one in the College. Both libraries are well stocked with a full range of reading material. Our librarian assists learners with projects and assignments, promoting the book and technology to enhance their work. The library offers a variety of books to assist with research in addition to recreational literature.
Books, videos, CDs and DVDs are also available. Learners are encouraged to make use of the library and are permitted to borrow books.
Pre-Primary Faculty
Mid-morning, mid-afternoon snacks and lunch are provided. The menu is on display in the Pre-Primary. Meals and refreshments are healthy, and wherever possible, preservatives are avoided.
The tuck shop is outsourced and the proprietor operates on a low mark-up system in order to make the merchandise accessible to all learners. A quarterly menu and price list is provided to parents. Hot lunches may be pre-ordered using coupons which are available from the tuck shop.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit salads, yoghurts, soup and juices are available together with the usual sweets and crisps. Learners in Grades 1-3 are encouraged to eat their snacks (from home) in their classrooms under the supervision of the class teacher. The tuck shop operates during break times and sporting activities.
Each learner is required to wear the full College uniform, summer and winter from Grade 1, (Pre-Primary pupils may wear the school track suit and sport attire). Personal presentation is an aspect of excellence. Learners are readily identifiable by their uniform and parents must support the school by ensuring that the uniform is worn with care and pride at all times. More information regarding the uniforms is available in the Procedures and Guidelines Booklet, which is provided to learners each year.
New and used school uniforms are available from ARC SPORTSWEAR, 8 Clark Road, Unit 2, Killarney Gardens.
The Pre-Primary and College follow a Four Quarter year and precise dates are published in the College Diary and Procedures and Guideline Booklet, which is provided to learners each year.
The House system provides opportunities for each learner to develop friendships across all levels within the College, and at the same time it also provides occasions for a healthy spirit of competition in internal sports, cultural and general activities. Each learner is assigned to a house upon enrolment. These Houses are known as Oxford (yellow), Yale (red) and Harvard (green). Other activities held on a house basis include debating, general knowledge quizzes and at least one Inter-house drama competition.
Parklands is a non-denominational, multi-cultural place of learning which promotes an environment with open interaction and acceptance of learners from all cultural backgrounds.
Parklands College has a list of reliable aftercare and school holiday facilities, to which parents who require this service may be referred.
Parklands College welcomes overseas learners and values the contribution that international enrolments make to the life of the school.
Parents of current learners who are experiencing temporary financial hardship may apply for financial assistance in the form of a bursary. Once allocated, a bursary holders financial circumstances are reviewed on a six-monthly basis. Applicants are required to complete the detailed application form, which is available from the Admission Secretary. All applications are subject to comprehensive financial scrutiny.
New learners applying to enter the Secondary Faculty are required to write an entrance assessment, which will assess the learners ability in English and Mathematics. Scholarships may be awarded to students on merit.
The third child will qualify for a 5% discount on the basic fee.
- CompTIA Training
- Lotus Academic Partner (LAP)
- Microsoft Authorised Academic Training Partner (AATP)
- International Computer Driving License (ICDL)
- Training and Testing Centre
Parklands College introduces Information Technology from Pre-Primary and has a sophisticated knowledge network. A modern, pervasive and wireless information network enhances learning. The computer facilities include internet access, e-mail from grade 1, printing, file sharing and storage, dial-up access, laptop enabled learning environment, computer programming, an internally developed Intranet for curriculum delivery and digitised workflow business processes.
Parklands College provides internationally accredited and NQF aligned Information Technology certifications. All certifications are endorsed by the South African Computer Association, the ICDL is also endorsed by the WCED. These certifications are integrated within the curriculum.
Parklands College continues to explore new and emerging technologies, in order to keep abreast of world trends in education.
Our technology department is available to all our learners and offers:
- Laptop classroom Learning
- Wireless connectivity to our network
- International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL) certification from Grade 7
- International A+ Technician certification from Grade 10
- The Inet+ CompTIA certification
- Additional International Information Technology certifications from Grade 10
- Computer Studies HG/SG
- 24 hour Internet access
- Local and global e-mail through personal mailboxes
- Educational / Multimedia applications
- Calendaring and Scheduling
- Word-processing and Spread-sheeting
- Computer Graphics and Design
- Colour and B/W laser printing
- Remote access / Dial-up access
- Programming Languages (JAVA)
The Secondary Faculty boasts 3 classes per grade from Gr 7-12 providing a total of sixty learning areas across the existing and new Campus, dedicated science and biology laboratories, design technology, dark room, art, music and drama , 2 new IT venues, a computer in every classroom, a wireless environment enabling anytime, anywhere laptop use and direct access to the internet with email facilities for each learner.
The Design Technology Department has been provided with lego robotics, this has also been introduced in the Preparatory Faculty from Grades 4-6.
Parklands College is the first school in the Western Cape to install Smartboards in the Preparatory and Secondary Faculties adding a new dimension to our teaching methodology in step with 21st century education.