SACRED HEART COLLEGE Tel: 011 081 2203 Reception: 011 081 2200 Fax: 011 648 5204 Website: www.sacredheart.co.za
PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER DATE: 23 November 2016
Dear Pre-Primary and Primary School Parents
GENERAL: FOR ALL PARENTS Staff News: The new Head of Department Foundation Phase is Mrs Carol Thomas. Mrs Thomas is currently the Directress of Grade 2 at St Stithians College. She will join us in May 2017 as a Grade 2 teacher. Ms Newbery, who is moving careers, has agreed to stay on for the first term of 2017 and will take Ms Thomas’ class. She will be assisted by the intern, Mrs Robyn Correia, who is to be Ms Thomas’ teacher assistant, while she completes her Foundation Phase qualification. This arrangement will provide continuity, and therefore security for the children. Christmas Carols in the Orchard – 02 December 2016 This event will be subject to the weather on the day. A sms will be sent out on the day if we need to cancel because of bad weather. Hospice candles will be on sale and there is a charge of R15 for a small candle and programme.
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Grade 9 Raffle On Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November, the Grade 9s will be selling raffle tickets at R5.00 each. The prize is a huge jar of sweets. The raffle is being held to raise funds for the party they organize annually for the senior citizens of the Joseph Gerard Home in Alexandra. Children will need to bring a R5 coin on either of these days should they wish to enter the raffle. Care & Share Traditionally, at this time of the year, we support Care and Share with its logo, “Splitting our gifts in two, half for me and food for you.� The money raised, or non-perishable food collected, is distributed by the Knights of da Gama to the destitute families they support in Alexandra. Please see the letter inserted in the newsletter for further information. Support for Three2Six
The next packing of foodstuffs will take place tomorrow, Thursday 24 November. There is also a Collect-a-Can drive for the month of November and the Three2Six PA moms are requesting that parents only send tins of pilchards and baked beans. Anyone able to assist with packing food for the project is asked to contact Shereen on 082 498 9862 and Vandana on 083 761 2296. Assembly for the Support Staff at 07:40 on Monday 05 December At the Primary School assembly, we shall pay tribute to the support staff, who work tirelessly to make sure that the school is clean, the fields prepared and the buildings in good repair. We will also say thank you to the drivers who drive the children so ably, and to the tuck shop ladies and Memory who prepare the food and drinks we enjoy. Parents wishing to attend are most welcome. The assembly will be held in the Chapel. Holiday Programme Please book your place with Leah if you wish to make use of this facility. More information regarding this will be sent out shortly.
PRIMARY SCHOOL Class Allocation Process The teachers use numerous criteria when deciding on the classes for the following year. In addition, the teachers get the learners to write down the names of two friends they want to be with. The HODs, as well as Mrs Pam Paton-Mills, Ms Smith and Ms Grobler review the class lists critically to ensure the mix is correct. The teachers are best placed to decide where a child should be placed and we ask parents to trust their judgement. No 2
changes will be entertained and where they happen, it is because of a late application, sudden relocation or exclusion because of fees. Ballet The results from the recent exams were very satisfactory as shown by the following results: 17 Distinctions 13 Merits 4 Passes 30 pupils are eligible to take part in the Dance Encore performance which is held in March of every year. They receive medals for this performance. Three Grade 2 (primary ballet) girls were awarded a trophy for the Best Junior Group at the Gauteng awards held at the Roodepoort Civic Theatre. Well done to everybody! Condolences Our sincere condolences to Kayleigh Hendricks and her family on the death of her grandfather. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Aryan Gokul on the passing of his grandmother. We ask you to keep these families in your prayers.
PRE – PRIMARY SCHOOL Playgroup Concert The playgroup concert will take place on Friday 25 November. Please make sure you are seated by 09:15 so that we can start promptly. Library This is the last week of library for the year.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK Inter-House Gala for Foundation Phase The Foundation Phase Inter-House Gala will take place on Friday 25 November from 14:00 to 16:30. It is compulsory for all the Grade 1, 2 and 3 children to attend. Please ensure that children have the correct house colour swimming cap. Parents are most welcome and encouraged to attend. There is also a fun Parents and Teachers Race. Please check all the details in the programme that was sent home. Parents are reminded to bring the programme to the event, as we will not be printing more in the 3
interests of our planet. The gala will only be cancelled if there is lightning or heavy rain and an SMS will be sent to all parents in the event this happens. Children must be present for the duration of the gala and may not be taken home early. The school awards a trophy for House Spirit which means that children are required to support their house to the end of the gala. Prize giving is also an important part of the afternoon as we celebrate the talents of our swimmers. All children will receive a medal from their class teacher at the end of the gala when they go back to class to collect their bags. Parents please note that no sugar drinks and sweets will be allowed in the swimming pool area because of the bees. Programme: 13:30 Line-up and March Past 13:45 Welcome and Prayer 13:50 War Cries 14:00 Races 16:15 Awards 16:30 Gala Ends & Medal Collection from Classrooms Private Swimming Lessons It is of utmost importance that all children that are still swimming in the shallow end go for extra private swimming lessons as it is a life skill and for their own safety, especially over the holiday period. Inter-House Tennis Inter-House Tennis will start on Monday, 28 November. It will be during normal cocurricular time. Children need to sign up with Mr Lambert if they would like to participate. Co-Curricular Activities There will be normal co-curricular activities until Tuesday, 6 December. However, it is not compulsory and children can be collected after the academic day.
UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday 23 November Friday 25 November Wednesday 30 November Friday 02 December Saturday 03 December Tuesday 06 December Wednesday 07 December
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Grade 6 Retreat FP Inter-House Gala, Playgroup Concert Grade R Nativity Play Christmas Carols in the Orchard Orientation 2017 for all parents, Grade 6 Farewell Christmas Mass, Pre-Primary School Christmas Party Award Ceremonies, Reports Issued, School Closes 11:00 4