WATERKLOOF PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 22 – 2013
26 August 2013
From the Headmaster’s Desk Homework – a few tips to support parents Doing homework is essential in revising what has been taught by the teacher. Take a few minutes to ask your child what he/she has learnt at school each day. Please check daily if your child has been given homework. Should you find that there are problem areas regarding academics, sport or culture, communicate your concerns with the child’s teachers. Help your child with time management by setting time aside each day for homework. Spend time with your child while doing homework. Be a role model for learning and encourage your children to read selectively from newspapers and magazines, and watch the news on TV. Encourage, motivate and inspire your child to be positive about learning. Pay attention to your child’s needs and frustrations regarding homework. Check your child’s books every couple of weeks and praise when needed.
What can a parent do to assist a child If your child is battling with his/her homework, consider the following options. Feel welcome to liaise with teachers concerning the support you give your child. Write a letter in the Homework Diary alerting the teacher of your concerns. You can only consider the note having been read by the teacher if the teacher has signed the diary. Set up an appointment with the teacher to address your concerns. Consider starting up a voluntary homework group with other children to support one another. Get assistance from older siblings. Encourage your child to read a story to you and allow them to retell the story in their own words. Teach your child to read for fun. Encourage a love of languages. Spend time reading aloud with your children – they can read to you, and you to them.
Quiz
Mrs J. Shee
The annual Inter House Quiz will take place in the school hall on Thursday 29 August 2013 at 18:30. Tickets are R10 per person. All welcome!
Read-a-thon
Mrs J. Shee
This year’s read-a-thon has a ‘Royal Theme’. It will take place in the week of 2 – 6 September 2013. The Travelling Bookshop will be selling books in the hall on 2 and 3 September and the week will end with a ‘Hooked on Books’ production and our yearly dress up, picnic and read-a-thon. See Read-a-thon letter.
SPCA Collection A reminder that we are supporting the SPCA this term. We are collecting cat and dog food, dog blankets and change for the collection tins. Thank you for all your support so far!
Parking at the School
Ms R. Lee Fon
Due to the limited number of parking bays in Rose Avenue, parents are kindly requested to regard it as a ‘drop off zone’ only, rather than a ‘park and stay’ area. Please park in the parking area, walk your child to the gate and if at all possible, move your car asap to allow for the next child to be dropped off. We thank you for your co-operation.
From the Sportsdesk
Mrs J. de Beer
Athletics - Most of the athletes are working hard and attending practices. We will be competing in our Inter-Schools’ B League Athletics Meeting on 4 September 2013 at LC de Villiers Stadium. Events should start at 08:00.
Tennis - Both the Boys and Girls League Tennis teams have won all their matches played this term so far.
Congratulations to Logan Repko, Murray Hudson-Lamb, Brendan Els, Aren Repko, Daniel Williams , Georgia Keneally, Barbara Alusala, Noa Anthony, Kerryn Egan and Afreen Ayob on their superb performances and we wish them luck with their remaining matches.
Gymnastics - Charlotte Smit has been selected as a member of the Gauteng North Gymnastics team to compete at the Gauteng Qualifying Competition. Well done Charlotte!
Jacaranda Children’s Choir - Congratulations! Tegan van Jaarsveld in Grade 5 has successfully
passed the first round of auditions for the Jacaranda Children’s Choir. Because of her excellent audition, she did not have to do a second audition. Congratulations also go to Litha Dlambewu (Gr 4) who was also chosen to join the Jacaranda Children’s Choir. Well done girls!
Karate - Phakamile Nyakale in Grade 7 has been selected to represent South Africa as a member
of the JSKA South Africa National Development Team. Well done and good luck at the championship!
Fixtures for this Week Monday
26 August
Girls Tennis League match vs Laerskool Elarduspark at WPS Boys Tennis League match vs Irene Middel School at Irene Country Club
Wednesday
28 August
Athletics meeting at Sunnyside Primary for Hurdles, Middle Distance, Sprints and Relays. The bus will leave school at 13:30 and return at approximately 17:00.