1. family and parenting
2. children

Lighthouse News
Crawford Pre-Primary School La Lucia | Issue: 05/2015 |
30 March 2015
A Note from Sue’s Desk...
Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of our first term, and our children have all settled nicely into their
routines. Friendships have been formed and group activities are working well, with much sharing of ideas. We are
delighted with the confidence and independence the children have developed, and it is wonderful to listen to the
happy, constructive “busy-ness” of each day.
Thank you to our all our parents for taking the time to meet with your child’s teacher.
Parent interviews play a vital role in building our parent – school relationships. Parents, as the teacher in the
home, have the opportunity to give insight into the holistic understanding of a child. The teacher, as the Professional
in education, will offer feedback into how your child is interpreting and applying his/her knowledge in the learning
environment while discussing both positive attributes and areas we may need to monitor. This forum for open
communication will ensure the focus is always in each individual child’s best interests. The first seven or eight years
provide a learning window with critical periods in brain development involving the acquisition of specific skills, with
language being one of these. While skills can still be learned after a window of opportunity has closed it does take
greater time and effort. Therefore it is imperative that we create opportunities for our children to develop their skills
through learning experiences both at home and at school.
As we move into the cooler months, PLAYBALL will be replacing swimming. In discussion with Julia Louter, our
Swimming Coach, she has been most impressed with how the children have progressed in their swimming skills. It
is of concern that some parents did not ensure their child brought their costume for the class swimming day and
allowed the child to miss out on a lesson. It is crucial that each child develops a positive approach to all activities in
the daily programme and that overcoming any hesitance to participate is most empowering for a child. This is not
only an important life skill, but the positive impact on learning with the brain-body connection is evident as our
children develop. Swimming will commence again in the fourth term as an intra-mural activity.
Please could I ask parents NOT to park on the verge/pavement. Unfortunately the cars cannot fit and protrude
into the road making it difficult for traffic to flow. The arrows indicate one way in and out of the car park to facilitate
this flow and I urge all parents to enter turning to the left, moving around the car park in a clockwise
direction.
Our Grade 0 children have attended both hearing and visual screenings this term. This is completed to ensure
our children do not present with a physical difficulty as they develop their skills for formal learning. A child with a
hearing or sight deficiency struggles to read, write and spell, and early detection is crucial to give children the best
foundation.
Wishing you all a wonderful Easter celebration, Pesach celebration and a relaxing, happy
holiday with your children. We look forward to your safe return for another exciting term
at Crawford Pre-Primary!
Sue Pilkington-Williams
PRINCIPAL
PARENT TIP
Exposure to mud and dirt is essential for healthy child development.
PARENT
TIP!
Much of our learning includes active outdoor play. Our children are encouraged to
become involved in outdoor play and a little dirt is actually healthy as some exposure
to various micro-organisms leads to improved immune resistance.
Doug Cole, Chairman of UK based International Play Association has stated that a
parent’s paranoia about their children getting dirty contributes to what has been coined as play
malnourishment. The importance of unstructured play where a child can get messy is crucial for the
sensory exploration of their environment. As play is the young child’s language of learning, they will
naturally use their five senses to learn and delight in hands on exploration. Unless a child has a sensory
disorder, they will gravitate towards messy play. Bringing up a fearful child, a child who is scared to
involve themselves for fear of dirt is denying your child a basic right, the right to immerse themselves
A child with a dirty ring around the bath has had a good
fully in their world as they learn through play.
day!
LOST PROPERTY
PLEASE CHECK OUR LOST PROPERTY BOX !
CLEARLY
MARK
ALL ITEMS
ALL UNCLAIMED/UNMARKED ITEMS WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY AFTER TERM END.
PLEASE ALSO CHECK YOUR CHILD’S CLOTHING AT HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS TO MAKE SURE YOU
DO NOT HAVE ITEMS THAT BELONG TO ANOTHER CHILD!
MY SCHOOL CARD
March Funds Raised = R1,224.19
THANK YOU PARENTS FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS TERM!
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SWIPE...SWIPE...SWIPE!
Issue: 05/2015
Page 2
Little People’s Page
Ariyaan Prithipal (Grade 00C)
celebrated his 5th birthday on the
11th of February at Universal Studios
Singapore with his parents and
brother, Kayur (Grade 000A).
Joshua Kooijman (Grade 0R) was
selected as a finalist in this years uShaka
Mr Kids World competition. The semi finals
were held on Saturday.
The finals are held at a gala event on
18th April 2015.
Well done Josh!
Happy Easter to our
Christian families!
Happy Pesach to our
Jewish families!
Happy Holidays to
everyone!
Issue: 05/2015
Page 3
DATES TO DIARISE
WEDNESDAY, 01 APRIL 2015
•
BREAK UP DAY—SCHOOL CLOSES AT 10H00
DON'T
FORGET!
FRIDAY, 3 APRIL 2015
•
GOOD FRIDAY
3 APRIL 2015—11 APRIL 2015
•
PESACH
MONDAY, 6 APRIL 2015
•
FAMILY DAY
TUESDAY, 14 APRIL 2015
•
SCHOOL RE-OPENS (2ND TERM BEGINS)
SATURDAY, 18 APRIL 2015
•
BIKE RALLY
MONDAY, 20 APRIL 2015
•
EXTRA MURAL ACTIVITIES BEGIN
PAMPHLET DISTRIBUTION
240 flyers required - preferably in piles of 20
hand in to reception,
together with cash payment:
CRAWFORD FAMILIES:
NON-CRAWFORD FAMILIES:
R50.00
R150.00
EDUFORM operating times
during school holidays
02 APRIL: 06 APRIL - CLOSED
07 APRIL: 10 APRIL – 11AM – 3PM
11 APRIL: 9AM – 12PM
Eduform: 031 5630843
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES:
Has your child done something special,
funny, cute - done something fun or different
during the holidays … got a new baby
brother/sister, new pet, etc. … please send
us a photo with a short written note telling
us about it and we will publish it in our
newsletter!
Or email to Ashleigh on:
[email protected]
Issue: 05/2015
Crawford Pre-Primary
School La Lucia
P O BOX 186
UMHLANGA
4320
Tel:
031-562 0057
Fax:
031-562 0059
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.crawfordschools.co.za
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