Quarter 4 Newsletter 2022

3 The research conducted by young scientists this year will provide insight into what interests the youth today, what is important to them, and their approach to solving problems. The research areas include issues that affect their daily lives, such as sport; their communities, improving the lives of people; issues that affect their schooling such as improving learning and memory; broader societal issues involving human interactions; and research addressing some of the crises we face nationally and globally. These 270 bright young minds have earned a spot at the Eskom Expo ISF after beating the competition at a series of regional finals, and they will be poised to showcase their innovative projects to a panel of judges and industry experts in the hope of bagging one of the top prizes. Inter-house final challenge To celebrate the end of the year, our learners participated in a variety of fun activities on Monday, 5 December. The morning started with “Running the Bounds”, after which houses competed against each other in “jukskei”, tug-of- war, egg and spoon races and three legged races. SECONDARY FACULTY GRADES 7 - 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From the Principal’s Office Sylvia Steyn We end this year with grateful hearts because we can look back on many highlights in the academic, sport, cultural and technological spheres at the College. It has not been an easy year; we started the year still having to wear masks to school and in the second quarter our beloved Mrs Smïd passed away. We are hopeful that our matric results will put the final positive stamp on 2022. There is much excitement about the construction of our astroturf commencing in January 2023. It will add another special touch to our already superior sporting facilities and add another dimension to the first Derby Day we will host since the outbreak of the pandemic. We can’t wait to welcome Somerset College and Bridgehouse to our campus on 18 & 19 August 2023. We sadly say goodbye to two long standing members of our staff at the end of this year. Ms Trudy Clayden has been Personal Assistant to the Principal for 13 years and Ms Catherine Dodders has been our drama educator and Head of Culture for 16 years. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and thank them for their immense contribution to the College. Thank you to our learners for your commitment and dedication to all your activities this year. Thank you to our parents for your support and a very special thank you to our Board of Directors, in particular our Managing Director, Lorraine Roth, for providing us with these excellent facilities in which to work and learn. May every member of the Parklands family enjoy a peaceful and joyous Festive Season, find the time to rest and return fully rejuvenated for 2023. LATEST NEWS You have been kept up to date with everything happening in the Secondary Faculty in our weekly blog, but more happened since the last one for the year was published. Class of 2012 reunion It was wonderful to welcome back the first group of matrics to graduate from the Sandown campus. Thank you to 2012 Head Boy, Dr Timothy de Wet, for coordinating the reunion. It was great that some past learners could also join online. The Class of 2012 enjoyed a tour of the Innovation Centre and was in awe of all the developments since they graduated. International Science Fair A total of 253 young scientists from 35 regions in South Africa will compete alongside 17 international learners from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Turkey and Zimbabwe from 7 to 9 December at the Birchwood Hotel’s OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. Among them are two Parklands learners, Maya Mtwana and Nicole Simpson. We are so very proud of them. Trudy Clayden Cathy Dodders Maya Mthwana Nicola Simpson Sue Smid