Dear Parent
On behalf of the School Governing Body and all staff, we wish to thank those parents who continued to support us during this term. We have had numerous challenges which included many disciplinary meetings / hearings with parents due to learners being in possession of illegal substances such as vape cigarettes on the school premises. Learners fail to understand the dangers associated with the use of these devices as well as the negative effect it has on their young mind and developing body. I urge parents to be extra vigilant.
Once again there has been a massive increase in vandalism at school. This is particularly worrisome as it is our learners who are defacing bathroom walls. We strive to ensure that our ablution facilities are clean and sanitary, only to have it destroyed by our learners. This is unacceptable and if it continues we will have to lock the bathrooms during contact time. A key will be made available and a toilet log will be kept. Hopefully this will help us identify the responsible learners and reduce the abuse of our facilities. We appeal to parents to speak to their children about proper behaviour at school and when using the bathrooms.
The absence of social interaction through play and appropriate physical contact during Covid has affected the healthy development of children and adolescents in many ways – cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. The impact has been felt at York Road Primary with a noticeable rise in unacceptable behaviour amongst our learners. Learners no longer seem to know how to act or socialize with one another. Parents are encouraged to monitor their child, check their cell phones to prevent the WhatsApp groups from being created as it inevitable leads to cyber-bullying. Please speak to your children about the videos they post in TikTok or on social media. We live in an age where our learners can so easily find themselves in a situation they are not equipped to handle. Technology, used properly is a tool we depend on but it can be dangerous especially for our children.
Parents I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that when you enrolled your child at York Road Primary you undertook to uphold the values and ethos of the school. You signed for the Code of Conduct which governs all the learners at this institution without exception, yet we are faced with learners especially boys who have been willfully ignoring the rules regarding inappropriate hairstyles. I would like to remind you that when you joined the York Road family you did so agreeing to follow the Code of Conduct as set out by our parent body the SGB.
TERM THREE HIGHLIGHTS
Once again, we wish to share our memorable moments with you:
- Successful implementation of extra-murals: Mediators, Netball, Soccer, Chess, IMAD, Book Club, Arts and Crafts, Reading Programme, Science Club, Ball skills and Catrobat kidz,
- Our Netball girls and Soccer boys played exceptionally well against teams from other schools. We are proud of each learner who represented the school this term.
- IMAD concert for learners – learners showcased their talents.
- Grade 7 Entrepreneur Week – the Grade 7s enjoyed every moment.
- World Book Day – learners dressed as their favourite book character.
- Grade R Excursion to the Aquarium
- Visit from Childline to address Bullying
- Learner & Staff Netball and Soccer matches
FUNDRAISING
We thank all parents who have supported our fundraising initiatives during Term 3, especially the “Raffle”. These fundraising initiatives are essential in assisting us to provide the necessary resources needed to ensure we maintain quality education at York Road Primary.
We encourage those parents who have not yet returned the Raffle lists to do so as soon as possible.
TERM 4
We return on the 11th October 2022 for the final term of 2022.
Grade 3 and Grade 6 learners will be writing Systemic Tests on the 13 October 2022. Learners are to continue revising during the holiday.
UNIFORM
During Term 4 it is compulsory for all learners to wear the summer uniform as stipulated in the School’s Code of Conduct.
Extract from Code of Conduct
| LEARNERS’ UNIFORMS | |
| Summer uniforms during the 1st and 4th terms of school. | |
| The appearance of learners in uniform must promote a good public image of the school. | |
| It is expected that all pupils of York Road Primary School wear his or her school uniform to and from school. | |
| 1. BOYS: summer | GIRLS: summer |
Grey shorts or grey long flannels with a belt White shirt School tie Bottle green jersey and bottle-green blazer with badge Grey socks Brown lace up shoes | School dress with a belt Bottle green jersey and bottle green blazer with badge Brown school shoes White ankle sock |
DISMISSAL TIMES
Dismissal times for the 4th Term.
| GRADE | MONDAY – THURSDAY | FRIDAY |
| R | 08h00 – 13h00 | 08h00 – 12h00 |
| 1 | 08h00 – 13h40 | 08h00 – 12h05 |
| 2 | 08h00 – 13h45 | 08h00 – 12h10 |
| 3 | 08h00 – 14h15 | 08h00 – 12h10 |
| 4 | 08h00 – 14h20 | 08h00 – 12h15 |
| 5 | 08h00 – 14h25 | 08h00 – 12h15 |
| 6 | 08h00 – 14h30 | 08h00 – 12h20 |
| 7 | 08h00 – 14h35 | 08h00 – 12h20 |
It is disappointing to note that many learners are still arriving late for school, some as late as 08h40. This is in contravention of WCED Policy. Many learners are also collected well after dismissal times.
Please be punctual when dropping and fetching your children as they will not be supervised after school. Collecting children after dismissal times places your child at risk.
Once again thank you to all parents who have paid their child/children’s school fees. We appeal to parents to pay School Fees as the funds are required to create a clean and safe environment as well as to provide quality education.
Please deposit school fees directly into the School’s Bank Account.
| ACCOUNT NAME: | York Road Primary School |
| BANK: | First National Bank |
| BRANCH: | Lansdowne |
| BRANCH CODE: | 203 209 |
| ACCOUNT NUMBER: | 5488 163 0403 |
| REFERENCE: | Name Surname and Grade of learner |
Please send proof of payment to the Bursar by email: bursar@yorkroadprimary.co.za
STAFFING
During this term we bid farewell to Ms T. Petersen, Grade 4 educator and Mr. L. Sikundla in the maintenance department. We also wish to thank Ms A Henniker for her service to our school. We wish them well as they follow new career paths. We have welcomed Ms S. Tuider, Grade 4 educator, to our staff. We would also like to congratulate Mr. K. Swain and Mrs. T. Lambert on officially being appointed to the positions of Departmental Heads in the Inter-sen and Foundation Phase respectively. Truly well deserved.
A special thank you to the parents who have sent inspirational words of encouragement to staff members in the form of praise and thanks for the often difficult work they do on a daily basis. It is truly appreciated.
I urge everyone to practise safety when interacting with others especially during this holiday period.
Please take care and let the learners have a restful break. Learners who have not been academically successful need to utilize their holidays for revision.
A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open.
To the staff of York Road Primary School I would like to say THANK YOU for everything you continue to do on a daily basis to enrich the lives of those we entrust in your care. The difference you make in the lives and indeed the future cannot be quantified.
Yours in Education
M.C. JOHNSON
(Principal)