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126 Campground Road, Rondebosch, 7700 021 6857295(T) office@gsps.co.za www.grooteschuurprimary.co.za

Newsletter 3/2021 9 February 2021

Dear Parents Parent involvement Thank you to all the parents who have attended, and who will attend, meetings this week. A reminder that the following meetings take place this week: Grade R group 2 meeting takes place today at 17:30 Grade 1 meeting Wednesday 10 February and Thursday 11 February at 17:30 Grade 3 meeting (zoom) Thursday 11 February at 09:00 Grade 4 meeting (zoom) Wednesday 10 February at 12:00 Grade 5 meeting (zoom) Wednesday 10 February at 12:00 Grade 6 meeting (zoom) Thursday 11 February at 12:00 The Grade 7 meeting (zoom) took place yesterday. Applications 2022

Application to WCED schools open on 26 February 2021 and close on 26 March 2021

Gr R: If your child was born in 2016 and would like to enroll him/her in Grade R at Groote Schuur Primary School in 2022.

Gr 1-7: Spaces in these grades only become available when someone leaves our school.

Please visit the school’s website for all the information.

Dismissal times

Grade R pupils will dismiss at 12.00 Grade 1 pupils will dismiss at 12.30; Grade 2 pupils will dismiss at 13.00 Grade 3 pupils will dismiss at 13.30 and their teachers will accompany them to the netball courts.

Grade 4 to 7 will dismiss at 14:00.

Please collected your children at the stipulated times to ease traffic congestion and to ensure social distancing.

Please take note of dismissal times on a Friday:

Grade R pupils will dismiss at 12.00 Grade 1 pupils will dismiss at 12.30; Grade 2 pupils will dismiss at 12:30 Grade 3 pupils will dismiss at 13:00 and their teachers will accompany them to the netball courts.

Grade 4 to 7 will dismiss at 13:00.

School Uniform Full summer school uniform is to be worn when pupils return back to school on 15 and 16 February 2021. If you have school uniform that is too small, please send it to the office as we can use it in our 2nd hand shop.

NEWSLETTER

Enter to learn: Leave to Serve

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Drop-off and Collection points Please study the attached maps and familiarize yourself with the driving routine when dropping and collecting your children at school. Parents are requested to please remain in the vehicles while dropping and collecting your children. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. 2021 School Calendar A revised school calendar is attached. There is a possibility that this calendar could change again. From the Social Worker’s office Our Social Worker wrote an article “HOW TO SUPORT YOUR CHILD GOING BACK TO SCHOOL”. It is attached to this Newsletter Music Lessons At Groote Schuur Primary School we offer individual private lessons to our learners. Music instruments are listed below. Music lessons will be starting in the 2nd week of the term, 22 February 2021 with an introduction meet & greet and timetabling session. Kindly return your completed application form (attached) to Mrs L Barnard by Tuesday 16 February 2021. Reply slips can also be emailed to Mrs Barnard on lauren@gsps.co.za Please note that spaces are limited and application does not guarantee placement. Instruments offered are: Grade 1-3 Grade 4-7

∙ Piano ∙ Piano ∙ Guitar ∙ Guitar ∙ Recorder ∙ Recorder ∙ Drumkit ∙ Drumkit ∙ Clarinet ∙ Saxophone ∙ Flute

Please note that learners must have daily access to the instrument of their choice for practicing. If you do not have an instrument, please speak to the music teacher, Mrs Barnard ( lauren@gsps.co.za ), to assist in sourcing an instrument or if you have any other queries. Tuckshop A reminder to parents that our Tuckshop will operate from Monday 15th February via Karri or on a prepaid basis via EFT. The full list of items is available on Karri. Email queries to tuckshop@gsps.co.za Yours sincerely

VALENTINE NEFDT PRINCIPAL

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From the Social Worker’s Office How to support your child going back to school

A warm hello and welcome from the social worker’s office. As the school’s new social worker my job is to provide psychosocial support and therapeutic services to all learners. Children go through multiple developmental stages and changes; each presenting their own unique set of challenges; and sometimes children and parents need additional support in navigating these changes. As a trained social worker and child therapist I can assist you and your child in developing key skills to facilitate greater balance and wellbeing.

In anticipation of our learners returning to school, I have compiled a list of tips on how parents can support our children transitioning back to school for the 2021 academic year. Whether we are sending our little ones to school for the first time or they are seasoned learners, mitigating the stress through communication and preparation during this transition can help us to create a sense of ease.

1. Understand your own emotions around school as a parent. Honouring your own feelings as a parent about sending your child to school is an important first step. We may not realise that our anxiety might stem from our own beliefs, fears and doubts; and that we may unintentionally create anxiety for our children.

2. Talk to your child about how they are feeling about going back to school. Don’t assume they feel the same way you do. Ask them about their negative AND positive feelings about going back to school. No matter how your child feels, let them know that it is completely normal to feel a mixture of emotions and that everyone will be in the same boat.

3. Provide your child with as much information about their new routine and school day as you can. Talking to our children about what to expect, even from the youngest of ages, helps them process life and feel a sense of belonging – creating a more positive relationship with changes and experiences.

4. Reassure your child. Talk with your child about ways they can stay safe at school and reassure them that the school are putting measures in place to keep them safe.

5. Re-establish a routine to help ease into school life. To help them get ready for school, try to gradually get them back into their usual morning and bedtime routines as they get closer to their return date.

6. Don’t put pressure on yourself. The transition back into school is likely to take some time. Children will experience ups and downs; try your best to support, reassure and comfort them.

7. Seek support if you need it. Transitioning back to school after being in lockdown is no easy task. You may find that your child struggles to get back into school or experiences difficulties while they’re at school. Should you find that your child is experiencing anxiety or difficulties adapting, do not hesitate to reach out to your school social worker for extra support.

The Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down, and coping with these changes and challenges can be difficult for parents and children alike. In response, we have decided to extend my support services to the parents of learners. Should you feel that you or your child might need support, counselling, or guidance, do not hesitate to make an appointment via email on e.hugo@gsps.co.za

I wish everyone a happy and safe return to school. Esté-Mari Hugo

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REVISED SCHOOL CALENDAR

2021

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MUSIC LESSONS

At Groote Schuur Primary School we offer individual private lessons to our learners. Music

instruments are listed below. Music lessons will be starting in the week of the 2nd of February

2021 with an introduction meet & greet and timetabling session. Kindly return your

completed application form to Mrs L Barnard before 12th February 2021. (Please note that

spaces are limited and application does not guarantee placement.)

Instruments offered are:

Grade 1-3 Grade 4-7

∙ Piano ∙ Piano ∙ Clarinet

∙ Guitar ∙ Guitar ∙ Saxophone

∙ Recorder ∙ Recorder ∙ Flute

∙ Drumkit ∙ Drumkit

Please note that learners must have daily access to the instrument of their choice for

practicing. If you do not have an instrument, please speak to the music teacher, Mrs

Barnard (lauren@gsps.co.za), to assist in sourcing an instrument or if you have any other

queries.

Music Fees is R6176.00 per annum, fees are payable per term up front and is R1544.00 per

term. Payment Options are EFT & Debit Order. *Please note that due to Covid-19 we will be

running on a 10 day cycle and fees will be adjusted accordingly*

This includes a specialist lesson (on their instrument) – to be scheduled/timetabled

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COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE OFFICE IF YOUR CHILD WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR MUSIC

LESSONS

Name and Surname of Learner: ___________________________ Grade: _____________

Instrument of Choice: __________________________________________________________

Music Experience (Years if any): ________________________________________________

Parent Name/Surname: _______________________________Cell No.________________

Signature of Parent: ___________________________________________________________

Person responsible for payment:

Name: __________________ Contact Number __________ Signature: _____________