[1] brackenhurst primary school
TRANSCRIPT
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Brackenhurst Primary School
Newsletter 6/2020 24 February 2020
Dear Parents,
Quote for the week:
TRAVELLING BOOKSHOP
27 & 28 FEBRUARY 2020
The Travelling Bookshop will be visiting our school again this week. See the advertisement at the end
of this newsletter.
SCHOLAR PATROL
Parents please be more cautious when dropping off
and picking up learners. Scholar Patrol teams of learners are there to help you and your children. Be
considerate and mindful of them.
Please follow road rules carefully for the safety of
our children. Parents who disobey these rules or disrupt scholar patrol activities will be named on
DOJO for their inconsiderateness.
CONDUCT OF LEARNERS AND INFORMATION
FOR PARENTS
A compulsory parent meeting was held on 18 January 2020 for all parents. At this meeting,
information regarding all parents need to
know for the school year was given out. Teachers’ expectations for your child and you
as parents were explained. The discipline code was also given.
Parents were requested to provide their contact details and to sign for this
information.
PLEASE PARENTS, read and follow the information given. This is of vital importance
for your child to have a hassle free enjoyable
education for this year. Use some time to go through this information yourself and with
your children so that everyone is on board
with ensuring your child’s best interests for a quality education.
DISCIPLINE MATTERS
1. We are experiencing issues with regards to cell
phones ringing in class and being used during
contact time. Please read and understand the cell phone policy and note the amendments
(policy can be found on the website and D6 communicator). Confiscated cell phones can be
collected from the office by the parents after 5 working days.
2. Bullying is also an ongoing discipline issue. If any such happens on school premises, teachers
will investigate the matter and respond to
parents as soon as possible. Please note that once the matter is brought to our attention it
takes at least 2 days to get all the information to deal with the allegations properly. Please
bear with us in this regard. If any bullying happens outside of school (like
cyber bullying) it is not possible for the school
to deal with this. Parents must try to handle these issues themselves. They can message
teachers for some ways to deal with this but must work through the matter themselves.
ALSO NOTE THAT ALL INCIDENTS WILL BE REPORTED PROMPTLY TO THE DISTRICT
OFFICE.
SCHOOL TIMES:
Grade 1 – 2: 07:40 – 13:30 every day
Grade 3 – 7: 07:40 – 14:15 every day
GRADE 1 & 2 PARENTS ONLY
Dear Parents, please note the formal school day for
Grades 1 and 2 only ends at 13:30 (this includes
getting to the stands for pick-up in the afternoon). Only enter the school grounds after 13:30 when
learners are seated on the stands and the teachers indicate for the gate to be opened to parents and
transport. This is for the safety of your children. Please ensure you relay this information to your
transport drivers, if you make use of transport.
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OFFICE HOURS: The office will be open from 7:30 am to 2:15 pm
daily for parents.
SCHOOL TERMS 2020
Term 1: 15 January – 20 March Term 2: 31 March – 12 June
Term 3: 7 July – 18 September
Term 4: 29 September – 2 December
School/Public Holidays: 21 March – Human Rights Day
10 April – Good Friday
13 April – Family Day 27 April – Freedom Day
1 May – Workers’ Day 16 June – Youth Day
9 August – National Women’s Day 10 August – Public Holiday
24 September – Heritage Day
16 December – Day of Reconciliation 25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Day of Goodwill
GR 7 HIGH SCHOOL INFO AFTERNOON
To all our Grade 7 Parents and children, Please note that on the 4th of March there will be a
High School Information Afternoon at Brackenhurst
Primary. More information will follow.
NEWSLETTER
Please note: Should you wish to receive a hard copy of the newsletter, please forward a note to
your child’s register teacher. Hard copies will only be made for parents who have requested them.
SCHOOL FEES
Please make sure all final balances for 2019 school fees are paid up as 2020 fees are now due.
School fees 2020 = R14 300,00
School fees are payable as follows:
OPTION A: R12 155,00 (payable by 31 March 2020 – (15% discount)
OPTION B: (Debit Order) 11 equal monthly payments – R1 300,00 per month, 1 February
– 1 December 2020
OPTION C: Electronic transfer. Copy of proof of any payment by electronic transfer must
be submitted to the bursar, Mrs Linda
Joubert.
SCHOOL FEE EXEMPTIONS – 2020
Applications for school fee Exemptions for 2020 are NOW open. Please note application forms may be
collected and signed for by one of the parents or official guardians at the Reception. (Application
forms will not be handed to the children).
Please read information and instructions attached
to the application very carefully. Exemption applications will not be considered without ALL
requested documentation. The onus is on the applicant to ensure all required information is
submitted.
Please continue to make regular monthly payments
towards school fees pending a decision on your Exemption application, as you may not qualify for
100% and will be liable for payment of the
remaining fees.
Closing date for applications will be the end of April 2020. Should you have any queries, please
contact Mrs L Joubert on (011) 900 1000.
E-LEARNING LICENCING FEE
At the Annual General Meeting held on 12
November 2019, a resolution was passed regarding the E-Learning Licencing Fee. The fees for 2020
are as follows:
E-Learning Licencing Fee for Grades 4 – 7 is
R350,00. Please try to pay this fee as soon as possible so that learners can be allocated and be
able to load necessary software.
An annual licence fees of R250,00 per child for
learners Grade 1 – 3 should be paid AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This will cover the cost of the trolley
solution with tablets we have purchased for our Foundation Phase learners.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: IF YOU PAY THE R350,00 (INTERSEN
PHASE) OR R250,00 (FOUNDATION PHASE)
VIA EFT, REFERENCE TO BE USED IS YOUR CHILD’S NAME AND SURNAME AND E-LEVY.
DO NOT PAY THIS AMOUNT WITH YOUR
SCHOOL FEES. IT MUST BE A SEPARATE PAYMENT. IF YOU
PUT THE PAYMENT THROUGH WITH SCHOOL FEES IT WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO E-
LEVY.
INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD FEE
A fee of R100,00 per child per year is payable for the maintenance of interactive whiteboards
during the course of 2020.
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Please send the money as soon as possible in a
clearly marked envelope “WHITEBOARD FEE” and your child’s name and hand it in to your child’s
register teacher.
PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT DO AN EFT FOR THE
WHITEBOARD FEE. EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS REQUESTS PARENTS ARE STILL PAYING THE
WHITEBOARD FEE INTO THE BANK ACCOUNT.
PLEASE MAKE USE OF THE SCHOOL
COMMUNICATOR
This software programme App will ensure reliable and up to date communication with you, the
parent/guardian. This is a very simple and easy to
use programme and can be installed on your home and/or work computer/s. This will allow us to keep
up to date on a daily basis as to what is happening at school. This will include the newsletter, photos,
sporting fixtures, contact details, etc. The
Communicator updates itself via your internet connection.
To download, you can make use of one of the
following options: 1. Download the software directly from the
Website using the following URL
www.schoolcommunicator.com/downloads OR
2. Download the App D6 Communicator and follow the instructions.
3. The address is:
http://mobi.d6communicator.com Should you have any queries, please contact Mr
Fabel or Mrs Roets on (011) 900 1000.
ACADEMIC
CYCLE DAYS –TERM 1
DAY DATE
6 Monday, 24 February
7 Tuesday, 25 February
1 Wednesday, 26 February
2 Thursday, 27 February
3 Friday, 28 February
0 Monday, 2 March
4 Tuesday, 3 March
5 Wednesday, 4 March
6 Thursday, 5 March
7 Friday, 6 March
CYCLE TESTS
Date Subject
Monday 24/02 Gr 4 – 7 Mathematics
Tuesday 25/02 Gr 7 EMS
Wednesday 26/02 G4 4 – 7 Geography
Thursday 27/02 Gr 7 Technology
Friday 28/02 Gr 4 – 7 History
CULTURAL
Brackenhurst Academy of Music
If your child would like to play an instrument, please
visit the music room (M4) or contact Mrs. M.
Lawrenz on [email protected].
SPORTS
Athletics training
Sprints:
Monday and Wednesday: U/9 – U/13 2:30 – 3:30
Sport Practice Schedule
Sport Mon Tue Wed Thu
Netball U/7-8 (13:30 – 14:30)
U/9-13 (14:30 – 15:30)
U/7 U/8
U/9
U/12
U/7
U/11
U/9
U/10 U/12
U/8
U/10 U/11
Soccer U/7-8 (13:30 – 14:30) U/9-13 (14:30 – 15:30)
U/9 U/12
U/13
U/7
U/8 U/10
U/11
U/9 U/12
U/13
U/7
U/8 U/10
U/11
No practice for U/13 Netball this week due
to cycle tests. Practice will resume after
tests.
Karate
Karate has started again.
Contact details: Sensei Laurent 082 494 2704
Chess
Practice times:
Gr 3 – 7: Mondays @ 2:30 – 3:30 in the Multipurpose Room
Gr 1 – 2: Tuesdays @ 1:45 – 2:30 in G17
PE Uniform
Brackenhurst Primary PE Uniforms are on sale at the Sports Office every Monday and Wednesday
morning from 07:00 – 07:30. Learners may also buy the uniform any day during their breaks.
House Shirts
Please note the house shirts will only be used for this term and term 4 of 2020. They will not be used
from 2021. Please consult the information brochure with regards to the wearing of this house shirt.
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PLEASE NOTE: Only the house T-shirt with the
school PE short/skort may be worn on Fridays. NO OTHER SHIRTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
The division for the houses is according to the
month in which you were born:
MARS (Red): January, February, March, April JUPITER (Yellow): May, June, July, August
VENUS (Blue): September, October, November, December
There are two suppliers for the house shirts.
Details as follows:
1) Mrs. Moyo – Cell: 061 469-4094 Costs per shirt is R120 children’s sizes and R150
adult sizes. 2) Alice Lombard – Cell: 083 397 5705
Costs per shirt is R75 children’s sizes and R90
Adult sizes.
FUNDRAISING FOR TERM 1 2020
Kaskar Derby – 18 March 2020
Letters have been sent out. A draw will be done
every cycle for each phase for the learners that have brought back a full form of R250,00.
Learners who bring back more than one full form will be entered into a draw to win R500, 00.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Check the Dojo school story regularly for community news and opportunities.
Are your soccer boots too
small for you but still usable?
Do you have a pair of
trainers/tekkies that could be
used again?
Brackenhurst Primary School is collecting soccer
boots and tekkies/trainers that are still in a good
condition for the aspiring young soccer and netball
stars in the Jackson’s Drift Squatter Camp.
We will collect these during Term 1 and Term 2
Juniors – drop off by Mrs Downs (G41)
Seniors – drop off by the Sports Office
Be a star and share your sole
Collections Term 1 & 2 – Easter Eggs and
Chocolates, Toiletries, Babies Behind Bars
SPCA Please send pet food and blankets to Mrs Robinson.
The SPCA are no longer collecting newspapers,
these can still be brought for Ronnie Recycling.
Please show your class teacher and place in the
Ronnie bin.
Coins Please collect lots in your class daily and send on
Fridays to:
Seniors – Miss Palm and Juniors – Miss Tambellini
This donation is for:
Term 1 – TLC Term 2 – Council of the Blind
Term 3 – TEARS Foundation
Term 4 – St. Mary’s Orphanage
Care Packages – Civvies Day – 13 March We are putting together items for BPS pupils in
need:
Grade 1 – Soap Grade 2 & 3 – Bath sponges / face cloths
Grade 4 – Toothpaste Grade 5 – Toothbrushes
Grade 6 – Girls’ deodorant Grade 7 – Boys’ deodorant
Please hand to your class teacher.
Children can dress up as their favourite book character on this day.
Bread Tags and Bottle Tops
Please take these to Mrs Robinson for wheelchairs.
We have already collected for and donated 17 wheelchairs!
Hidden Treasures
All second-hand items: Clothes, appliances, shoes,
stationery, bedding, toys, etc. All sold to support 270 orphans. Shop: 15 Voortrekker Rd, Alberton
Please send to Mrs Premdutt.
Thank you for your continued kindness, generosity and compassion.
GENERAL
‘HELP-U’ ADVERTISER
The ‘Help-U’ advertiser is published once a month
at the beginning of the month. The cost of a business card size ad is R50,00 monthly. No pictures – just wording. The cost of an A5 colour ad with pictures is R100,00 monthly. If you
would like to advertise in the ‘Help-U’ Advertiser, please pay cash at the front office and forward your
ad to Colette Kruger [email protected].
Tuck Shop
Attached to the newsletter is the full Tuckshop
Menu.
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PARENTS’ CORNER
WHY PARENTS DON’T RESPECT TEACHERS
By Richard Worzel
PART 2
Some children are ornaments for their parents egos. Children are sometimes seen as another
possession, like the flash car, or the glitzy vacation, or the upgrade cellphone, and you certainly
wouldn’t allow someone to trash your car or your cellphone. How much worse then that a teacher
would dare to diss your child, who is after all a
manifestation of your very being and a showcase for the superiority of your genes? In many ways,
we feel sorry for the children of such parents who have to behave like good little ornaments. Or
rather, we would feel bad for them if they weren’t
typically such pains-in-the-neck, because the same lack of time and ego manifestation also causes
parents to fail in their duty to discipline their children.
Another issue is the fact that the parents are often
spoiled children themselves, used to having their
own way and not understanding why the world won’t just organise itself for their convenience.
These people are rude, demanding, hostile to service people, and unfortunately, they view
teachers as servants whose primary responsibility is
to act as a nanny, and, oh yes, also teach something along the way. These parents will often blame
teachers for the children’s lack of manners or discipline, completely ignoring the fact that this is
their responsibility, not the teacher’s. The result, of
course, is that the children of such parents wind up being the spoiled children of spoiled children – a
bad combination.
The system works against teachers. Two generations ago, discipline could mean some form
of humiliation (“Go and stand in the corner”), a
smack on the hand with a ruler, or even being sent to the principal for punishment. Today, all of these
are considered Dark Age remedies, and teachers are almost powerless in matters of discipline.
Worse, they often fear repercussions of even a mild
rebuke. Since such repercussions can be anything from a verbal confrontation with an irate parent, to
physical assault from the parent, threats of a lawsuit or charges of assault, the risks are high and
the payoff is minimal. This means that the motivation for teachers to discipline at all
approaches zero, and, perversely, the lack or desire
to discipline counts against teachers, for they are perceicved as being weak, irresolute and shirking
their jobs.
How will all of this play out in the future? Not well.
First, as successive generations start families later and later, the ability of women in their 30s or even
40s to get pregnant for the first time will decline. The result will be fewer and fewer chidren, who will
be seen as even more precious, and will develop the kind of “Little Emperor” syndrome regarding the
lonely-only children in China. This will exacerbate
all of the problems above.
Next, as competition increases for jobs and economic survival, and education is seen as a
requirement and not an achievement, the value
placed on education will decline in the eyes of the public, particularly below the college or university
level. We do not expect people, in this more competitive environment, to become more patient
and spend more time understanding issues at school. Tomorrow’s parents are more likely to have
less patience, be more frazzled, and less interested
in their child’s issues – making them even worse as parents.
Schools and teachers should become proactive in
describing the responsibilities of all parties,
including, especially the parents. They should have a clear set of guidelines about what constitutes
acceptable behaviour, what are the disciplinary consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
Remember, the work that teachers do is critical to the success of society, whether or not parents
understand or acknowledge it. Teachers should enjoy as much satisfaction as they can from the
accomplishments of the learners they do reach because it is highly unlikely that a society or a given
set of parents will ever take the time to show
appreciation.
So, on behalf of all the ill-mannered parents who don’t know any better or don’t bother to take the
time to say what they should, but probably won’t:
Thank you, for all you do..” Teachers make their living by teaching, but their profession is humanity.
And finally
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Regards,
MRS C SING PRINCIPAL
FUNDRAISING FOR TERM 1 2020
5) All of you stand in a straight circle
6) I have two daughter both are girls.
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