WATERKLOOF PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 5 – 2015
17 February 2015
From the Headmaster’s Desk Official hours of operation at Waterkloof Primary School for 2015 Please take note of the opening and closing times at Waterkloof Primary School as from Wednesday 12 January 2015 to the close of school on Wednesday 9 December 2015. Official opening time: 07:00
Official closing time: 14:30
Gate Times: Five gates are used to gain entrance to the premises. Four of these gates are manned either by security guards or safety officers, all trained in safety awareness. GATE 1 (Main gate)
: Open from 06:00 - 14:30 and under the supervision of a security officer and a CCTV camera.
GATE 2 (at Tunnel)
: Open from 07:00 - 07:30 and 13:30 - 14:15
GATE 3 (Crown Ave.)
: Open from 07:00 - 07:30 and 13:30 - 14:15
GATE 4 (at Tennis courts) : Open from 07:00 - 07:30 and 13:30 - 18:00 and under the supervision of a security officer and a CCTV camera. GATE 5 (Rose Ave.) : Open from 07:00 - 07:30 and 13:30 – 14:15 Our main challenge regarding the afternoon operations remain the fact that a number of parents use the school premises as a free waiting facility for their children. This certainly does not include parents who might be a few minutes late in collecting their children on occasion. The School Governing Body and the School Management Team have implemented several strategies in assisting, monitoring and managing this problem, with very little success, and to the detriment of the normal functioning of the school. It has cost the school money to employ a person to “look after” these waiting children, as the majority of parents failed to pay for this service. All arguments have been considered - i.e. some parents work late and can’t afford aftercare fees. However, the onus remains on the parents to see that their children are safe and secure after school hours, and to be collected by the school’s official closing time - 14:30.
Aftercare Centres The reasons why Waterkloof Primary School does not facilitate an aftercare centre on its premises. We are surrounded by numerous Pre Schools that facilitate aftercare centres. The fees for an aftercare centre, on our premises, will be the same as all these other centre and, therefore, these parents will still not enrol their children in such a centre. WPS does not have the space on our premises to facilitate such a facility. I once again request parents who are facing this challenge of having their children cared for in the afternoons to adhere to our request of not using the school as a facility for their children to loiter unsupervised. They are not safe!
Trolley Bags The school has revised the policy of the use of trolley bags, and will now permit the use of these bags. We do, however, request that parents be realistic about the size of the bag they send to school as space in the classroom is already at a premium. The schoolbags over the past two years have become very heavy, due to the number of text books the children have to bring to school. While trolley bags are allowed in certain circumstances and particularly for medical reasons, we request that parents do limit the use of these. From the school’s perspective the trolley bags: are a huge noise factor on the corridors; occupy too much space in our classrooms; and crack the tiles on our staircases
Please note that if your child does use a trolley bag they will still have to carry them up and down the staircases as the staircase tiles just won’t last.
Outing to the Tutankhamun Exhibition
Mrs R. Lee Fon
We are excited to inform you of an outing for the Grade 4 to 7 learners this term. We will be visiting the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Krugersdorp. Dates are as follows: Grade 4 - 2 March 2015 Grade 5 - 6 March 2015 Grade 6 - 4 March 2015 Grade 7 - 5 March 2015 Time: Depart at 07:30 Return at 13:30 Please remember to return the Reply Slip to the register teacher. Your child will not be able to go on this outing if their reply slip has not been returned.
SPCA Collection
Mrs A. Stobbart
For the duration of Term 1, SPCA collection tins will be placed in the classrooms and learners can bring their small change and place their contributions in the tins. Any amount is appreciated as the SPCA desperately needs our help. Your generous contribution to this worthy cause will be highly appreciated.
Charity
Mrs J. Shee
We will be collecting toiletries for children in places of safety and care this term. If you are willing to donate items please send any of the following to Mrs Shee’s classroom, room 19 by 2 March 2015. Body soap Body wash Bubble bath Body cream Toilet paper Deodorant
Toothbrush Toothpaste Shampoo Conditioner Face cloth Nail brush
I thank you in advance for your support of this charity drive. Your contri-bution will make a huge difference in the life of a child. Being clean and groomed adds dignity to our self-image - let us help where we can!
Teddy Bears’ Picnic - Grades R - 3:
Mrs I. Pereira
Parents please diarise the Foundation Phase Teddy Bears' Picnic on Saturday 21 February 2015; 10:00-12:00.
From the Sportsdesk
Mrs J. de Beer
Swimming - Kaitlyn Albertyn has been selected to the NTS team for SA Open Water Nationals to be held in Grabouw, Cape Town on 7/8 March 2015. massive achievement for Kaitlyn as she is competing in qualifying time sanctioned by Swimming SA twice and Kaitlyn also swam a 21:01 time at the Midmar Mile held done Kaitlyn!
Cricket
This is a senior provincial team and a the 3km event. She has had to swim a we are very proud of her achievement. in the first week of February 2015. Well
Mr M.B. Law
The Open Bs played against Brooklyn Primary School on 10 February 2015. Brooklyn won the toss and elected to bat, but were all out in just 7 overs for 11 runs! Waterkloof lost just 1 wicket to beat them by 9 wickets. Congratulations to the whole team for playing good attacking cricket and to the bowlers who took advantage of the humidity to display good in-swinging. A special mention to Gabriel de Jong for his maiden “five-for� by taking 6 for 3.
La Musique Est La Vie
Mrs J. de Beer
Please take note of our French Tea - see details below. Limited tickets are available from Mrs de Beer, at R80.00 per person. We need volunteers to follow their wildest imaginations and dreams of Paris and all it entails, to host a French-themed table at this prestigious, musical celebration. Please contact Mrs de Beer, 012 460 1321, if you are interested.
La Musique Est La Vie Saturday 28 February 2015 10:00 - 12:00 Performing will be Koeksisterzzz Senior Choir R80 per person