General News – applies to all three phases
Breakfast Benefits
A reminder to all parents to ensure that children and students eat a wholesome and nutritious breakfast before coming to school. Concentration, attention, focus and academic performance are largely influenced by diet and a healthy breakfast has been proven to enhance school performance.
Car Safety Awareness
Please be aware that children under the age of 13 years are not permitted to sit in the front passenger seat of any vehicle. Drivers of vehicles are also legally responsible to ensure that all children and passengers are wearing seatbelts in the front and the back of cars. Babies and young children of 3 years and younger are supposed to be seated in booster car seats and securely strapped in. Young children should not be allowed to sit on an adult’s lap or stand in a moving vehicle. Parents are encouraged to ensure that their assigned drivers are also fully aware of these safety rules and procedures.
Term Dates for 2018
Term 3 16 July – 14 September 2018
Term 4 1 October – 7 December 2018
Moonstone Masquerade Stage Production for children in Grades 000 – Grade 6 shall be staged at the Atterbury Theatre on the evenings of Friday 7th and Saturday 8th December 2018. A reminder that full day stage rehearsals take place on 5th and 6th December 2018.
Term Dates for 2019
Term 1 16 January – 12 April 2019
Term 2 7 May – 28 June 2019
Term 3 23 July – 20 September 2019
Term 4 7 October – 11 December 2019
Courtney Kids News – applies to children in Tiny Tots, Grades 000 and 00
Monte Bird Garden Visit
Everything went according to plan and the children enjoyed their visit to the Bird Garden. Thank you to the teachers and assistant staff for taking care of the children but also to Elliot and Thomas for driving the children to and from Monte Casino.
Moonstone Masquerade Rehearsals
Children who are participating in the stage production in December, have started rehearsing. The children are transported, in the school bus, to and from the primary school campus, where rehearsals take place. These rehearsals are at varying times of the day on different days.
Hats and Water Bottles
Please ensure that your children bring hats and water bottles to school every day.
Tuck Shop
Tuck shop will take place every Friday until the end of the year. Proceeds will go towards the stage production. Thank you for your support.
Courtney House News – applies to children in Reception Year to Year 6
Poetry Festival Awards
Thank you to the many parents who were able to attend the poetry festival and watch their child’s poetry recitals. There was a tremendous attendance by parents, of which we are appreciative. All the children did extremely well and we are proud of their achievements.
Congratulations to the following children who received outstanding awards:
Gold ++
Gold +
Gold
Children who received Silver+ and Silver awards also did very well and made us proud. Thank you to the English teachers who selected the poems and helped prepare the children. A special word of thanks is extended to Teacher Deirdré, who has prepared children exceptionally well during Drama classes. A kind thank you to the following three adjudicators for their patience and excellent feedback: Gillian Hearn; Patricia van der Valk and Jeannie Rodger. The adjudicator reports and certificates shall be handed out to parents soon.
Grade 6 Visit to Courtney College
Thank you to Teacher Cara and her wonderful team of teachers at Courtney College for making the Grade 6 students feel welcome as they had a visit to the college campus to view their Cambridge International Examination venue and become acquainted with the campus. Special thanks to Teachers Cyd, Linda, Mary, Patrick, Raphael and CJ.
Ballet Stage Production and Rehearsals
The ballet students shall perform in a ballet stage production on Saturday 8 September. There are two performances, at 14:30 and again at 18:30. Janet has provided parents with letters containing all the information needed for this production. She has requested that parents take note of the details and that children do not miss the extra rehearsals which have been scheduled.
An important stage rehearsal has been scheduled for Friday 7th September. The ballet students will be transported to and from the theatre in the Courtney House buses. These rehearsals are during the afternoon until approximately 15:30. It is highly essential that students attend this rehearsal. Parents may not go directly to the theatre or fetch children from the theatre so as to ensure safety and security. Children are to wear their Courtney House school uniform to this rehearsal.
Sad Farewell
We bid a sad farewell to Teacher Claire on 14th September, who has had to make a decision to relocate back to the UK with her husband as a result of medical treatment purposes. We wish Teacher Claire a successful relocation and thank her for her wonderful effort as a Grade 1 teacher but shall keep her and her husband in our thoughts and prayers for the journey ahead.
We welcome Eugenie Raymond to our team. Eugenie will start on Monday 3rd September, so as to have sufficient overlap time and get to work with the children while Teacher Claire is still around.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
A reminder for parents that children arrive at school neatly dressed in the correct dress code and uniform but also that children are clean and clothing is clean and neat. Hair is also to be clean, neat and tied back, out of the face, if long. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that children leave the house for school looking smart and clean.
Hats and Water Bottles
Please ensure that your children bring hats and water bottles to school every day. Rehearsals for the stage production have started. These rehearsals are conducted outside and children will need water bottles as well as hats.
Student of the Week
Each week, a child from each class is identified as “Student of the Week” for showing excellence or great progress in various areas. The children are awarded badges at line-up. Congratulations to the children who received badges for “Top Achiever in Science”. This week, the award is for “Top Achiever in English”.
Spring Celebration
In the celebration of the dawning of Spring, children may wear civvies (ordinary clothes of their choice) on Friday 31 August. We look forward to seeing some bright summer colours.
Tuck Shop and Ice Cream Sales
As of Friday, 31 August, ice cream shall once again go on sale at the weekly tuck shop. Proceeds to benefit the stage production. Thank you for your support.
Cycle Tests and Mock Examinations in September
The Grade 3 – 5 children shall write cycle tests in all their subjects from 10 – 14 September.
The Grade 6 students shall write Cambridge Primary Mock Examinations in their core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) between 3 and 7 September.
Test and Exam Schedules have already been handed out. We wish all our children much success at these tests and examinations.
Swimming Season
Swimming resumes during the first week of October. Parents are reminded to purchase plain, navy-blue lycra swimwear from local retail stores such as: Woolworths, Edgars, Mr Price Sport and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Girls are to wear a one-piece, full swimming costume. Boys are to wear swim shorts. Swim caps are essential.
New Uniform Suppliers
The new uniform supplier shall have an introductory display and sale of all the summer uniform items on Monday 1 October 2018 at the primary school campus. Payment options include cash and credit/debit card. The suppliers also have a retail shop in Villeria, which parents can visit after the 1st October. Sample stock shall be kept at school for trying-on purposes before purchases are made. Parents are advised that only official Courtney House uniform items shall be permitted as of January 2019. Leggings shall also not be allowed. Items shall be more affordable and correct sizing and quality is guaranteed. The new supplier will also be in a position to custom-make certain items and do alterations, where necessary.
Old Uniform Stock – Further Reduced
Some limited items such as sleeveless jerseys, fleece jackets, summer tracksuits, boys’ formal shorts and girls’ skirts are still available for purchase from the school office at even more reduced prices. All items now selling at R100 each on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cash only.
Moonstone Masquerade
A reminder to parents that the stage production fee, of R 400 per child, is also payable before 17 October 2018. Please consult the information form for more details.
Important Dates to Remember
Courtney College News – applies to students in Year 7 to A/AS-Level
School Return
All students return to school as normal. We have important teaching time ahead as teachers will use the next few weeks to look at the test papers which were written and assist the students with regard to improved understanding and application of the content as well as the required skills as displayed in their tests.
Test and Exam Feedback
Parents will receive a mark schedule of their child’s results on Friday 13th September, via e-mail.
Spring Celebration
Courtney College will be celebrating Spring on the last day of this school term, which is 14th September. Arrangements will be communicated closer to the time.
