Quarter 4 Newsletter DECEMBER 2019

2 think carefully about how to make 2020 a memorable year. “Extraordinary paths may create extraordinary people, but extraordinary people definitely create extraordinary paths!” - Mehmet Murat I would like to pay special tribute to Associate Principals, Mrs Vosloo and Mr Mayers and the Senior Management Team – Mr Pillay, Ms Dodders, Mr Fortuin, Mrs Strauss, Mrs Smïd and Mr Flanagan – for their contribution to smooth operations at the College. Collectively we have a record of over 130 years of experience at the College. What a team! Thank you to our maintenance and ground staff for providing us with the pristine environment in which we work and learn every day. Thank you to Mr Andrew Taylor for the care that goes into our gardens. It is such a joy, walking around our campus. Finally, grateful thanks to the Board of Directors, especially to Mrs Roth for your hands-on care, involvement and support. May the Season bring you peaceful rest and joy. Love to you all till next year! Sylvia Steyn ssteyn@parklands.co.za WITH GRATITUDE We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Mrs Karin Parker and her company (Identitec Retail Solutions Pty Ltd. “Don’t lose it tag it”) for sponsoring our state of the art new electronic scoreboard. Thank you also for securing a R10 000 donation from William and Amelia Steward from Scoop Distribution Pty Ltd. It has been used extensively throughout the quarter, from cricket to waterpolo to watching WorldCupRugby to introducing theHouse themes for 2020. We used the RWC match between the Springboks and Italy for the “cutting of the ribbon” and invited Mrs Parker to assembly for a formal thank you. LEARNER NEWS We would like to congratulate the Learner Leaders for 2020. PREFECTS Head Prefects Storm Elliott & Darian Naidoo Deputy Head Prefects Courtney van Wyk & Mwenda Phiri Prefects: Academics Zarah Linssen & Keagan Strydom Prefects: Clubs & Societies Bianca Botha & Athena Papaioannou Prefects: Culture Libo Mavuma, Likhona Mbovane, Jordan Farquhar Prefects: Equity and Diversity Bathandwa May & Amber Taylor Prefects: Houses Unam Gida & Justin Watling Prefects: Learner Affairs Ana Silva Nunes & Georgia Bowles Prefects: Service Cayley Hefer & Kaylee Musikanth Prefects: Sport Liezle Myburgh & Brogan Barrett Prefects: Technology Matthew Mizrachi & Gianpiero Etzebeth HOUSES Oxford Captains: Chiara Fruet & Darushen Pillay Vice-captains: Cassidy Wilson & Luan van Heerden Yale Captains: Jana Grobbelaar & Mujaahid Salie Vice-captains: Imani Tshiamala & Raquel de Castro Harvard Captains: Milena Fieggen & Omar Abousheer Vice-captains: Anika van der Walt & Jose Kalombo Mwape Cambridge Captains: Tayla van Wyk & Christine Greig Vice-captains: Claudio Clementi & Thor Humbly-Nuss SECONDARY FACULTY GRADES 7 - 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From the Principal’s Office Sylvia Steyn The year 2020 has such a special ring to it. The Grade 11s coined this phrase at their Leadership Camp this year: “Twenty-twenty, we’re ready, twenty-twenty, we’re ready.” We are indeed looking forward to all the exciting changes next year, but for now, let us reflect on the year we have had. “Be tha nkfu l for what you have; you’ ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough .” - Oprah Winfrey Throughout the year we have celebrated our success in the academics, sport, culture and technology, informed you of the learners’ contributions to serving the community and shared stories of participation in all kinds of activities. What a privilege it is to be part of such a vibrant community, all consistently striving for excellence. “No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.” - Robert Southey We bid farewell to our Grade 12s, some who have spent their entire school career with us, others who joined at various points along the journey; however, all united in the knowledge that they have been well prepared for what lies ahead. We look forward to the announcement of the Class of 2019’s results on 8 January 2019 and will share this on our various media platforms. Our very best wishes accompany them. We thank Mr Erasmus and Mrs van der Westhuizen for their services to the College as educators over the past few years and Mrs Duma for playing a significant role in the Science Department as our Laboratory Technician. “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, a nd it feels even better to come ba ck.” - Wendy Wunder As everyone says goodbye to your educational home for the Festive Season, may it be true that you will rest and revitalise and be happy to return in January. Thank you to all staff for your dedication, to all parents for you belief and trust and to all learners for the honour of being part of your growth and development. Hopefully you have all achieved the goals you set for yourself this year and will