The privilege of parenthood brings with it the responsibility of planning for the future of our children. Difficult decisions must often be made, with the only guideline being the fact that whatever choices we make, our children deserve only the best. At home, we ensure that the values we instil equip them for the future. It is, however, the time they spend with others - educators and friends that concern us most, for they are beyond our control.
This is why the choice of a place or learning is possibly the most important decision any parent can make, as this decision will ultimately affect a Iearner's ability to succeed in life. At Parklands College, we offer complete peace of mind, not only preparing the child academically but also emotionally, socially, morally and physically, in preparation for life's challenges.
"Reaching Outwards, Growing Minds, Building Futures"
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN PRE-PRIMARY AND CRACKERJACKS
Grades 0000 - R (12 months - 6 years)
Christopher Robin Pre-Primary School was established in 1980 as a progressive and dynamic place of learning. It offers a nurturing, positive environment where children have a sense of belonging. Our pre-primary provides a safe and emotionally secure setting that encourages the development of the whole child: emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually. With lots of time for uninterrupted, child-directed play, this is an opportunity for them to interact socially and engage with their friends. Exploration of a wide variety of equipment available for the children promotes healthy, physical bodies, developing flexibility, endurance, and strength. Playtime is also an important opportunity for children to become independent, develop confidence, and demonstrate creativity. We know that children begin to learn as soon as they are born, and that in the early years the foundation is laid for a child's future development and success. Building a child's physical, language, and social skills prepares him or her for the academic, cultural, and sporting opportunities offered in primary school. At Christopher Robin Pre-Primary we approach these goals with passion, care and commitment.
PREPARATORY
Grades 1-6
We believe that effective teaching involves passion, knowledge, skill, discipline, motivation and care. Our educators foster high expectations of the learners and rigorously continue to promote the culture of excellence that pervades the very essence of our school. Our vision is one in which the holistic education of the individual goes beyond academic excellence. A healthy balance exists between the different spheres in our school whereby emphasis is placed on achievement on an individual and a collective level. This is achieved by the growth of self-esteem and the realisation of each individual's potential. We believe that innovative approaches and pioneering methods along with the acquisition of certain fundamental skills are necessary for the success of a school thereby ensuring that Parklands College continues to remain a forerunner in educational innovation.
SECONDARY
Grades 7-12
The Secondary Faculty provides a distinctive academic experience for our learners. The academic programme gives each learner a firm grasp of fundamental skills, the ability to think critically, innovatively, and independently, and fosters a love of learning. Educators create learning activities that are motivational, technology-rich, and aligned to the needs of 21st century learners. Our educators offer a challenging and stimulating education in an achievement-focused culture. They are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and have high expectations of their learners. Each individual learner is valued, and student progress is closely monitored. The educators provide exceptional academic support, within the regular instructional programme and through additional tutorials that provide personalised learning support.
The Secondary Faculty follows the national curriculum, with a wide spectrum of courses leading to the National Senior Certificate. We endeavour to ensure that the choice of subjects offered is as wide as possible, providing for the needs of each learner. It is this breadth and variety, along with an opportunity to pursue subjects of choice, which encourages our children to become life-long learners, seeing knowledge as intrinsically worthwhile. In addition to the required subjects, a number of enrichment subjects are offered, providing learners with a varied educational experience that satisfies individual interests.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Parklands College has been recognised by Apple as an Apple Distinguished School (ADS) for its innovation, leadership and educational excellence. As an Apple Distinguished and Google Apps for Education school, we use both platforms to provide a unique teaching and learning experience. Learners are introduced to iPads in Grade R, progressing to the Apple 1:1 environment beginning in Grade 1 and continuing through to Grade 12. Each child's device becomes a personalised learning platform where its integration into learning and life becomes second nature. Throughout the College, learners engage in a variety of technology enriched activities through which they learn new concepts, practise and consolidate existing skills, create unique products, explore new ideas and pursue curiosities, engage in remediation and participate in enrichment.
At Parklands College, educational technology and a high-tech collaborative environment has allowed our teachers to extend their lessons in innovative ways and encourage learners to develop global competencies by solving real world problems. Our teaching staff includes Apple and Google certified educators who share their expertise with colleagues, as well as teachers at other schools both locally and abroad.
Programming is an essential digital literacy of the future, and design an essential skill. For this reason Robotics and Programming is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to 8. This subject fosters an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and develops higher order thinking skills such as creativity and problem solving in our learners, through the building and programming of robots. Our Grade 9 learners all receive computer programming and computer design training, enabling those wishing to take Information Technology to make an informed subject choice in Grade 10.
We promote invention through the use of AutoCAD and 3D printers in Drawing Technology, Engineering and Graphics Design, and Design where our learner make their thinking visible by creating 3D printed products.
Film, Animation, Sound Engineering and Mobile Application Development extension courses are on offer during the school day in our state-of-the-art media studios and coding incubator. Our learners have released a digital album called "Origin" on iTunes as well as two free educational applications, "Simple Learning Time" and "Simple Learning Afrikaans", available on the Apple App Store.
Our internationally recognised offerings include CompTIA certifications, AUTOCAD, Adobe Photoshop Visual Communication certification (ACA) and the ICDL WebEditing certification.
Parklands College continues to explore new and emerging technologies in order to keep abreast of world trends in education.