Circular 08/2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

On behalf of our York Road Primary School staff members and School Governing Body, we wish to extend our appreciation to parents who steadfastly supported us during this eventful and extremely hectic term. Parents, guardians and interested members of the community who have worked beside us to ensure the best interest of our learners.  Those whom have prioritized regular school fee payments, vital to the running of our institution and have supported our learners and staff with an abundance of donations, time, effort and patience.  A special note of appreciation to all who have sent inspirational words of encouragement to staff members in the form of praise and acknowledgement for their often disregarded, daily efforts.

We have also experienced a lack of support, from parents and learners, with numerous challenges encountered throughout the term:  constantly summoning parents to disciplinary meetings/hearings for children’s excessive misdemeanors, use of illegal substances on our school premises (vapes, cigarettes).  Many learners and parents fail to comprehend the effects these adverse actions render on young minds and developing bodies.

Parents are encouraged to set clear, healthy boundaries and support staff in eradicating these poor choices and inappropriate behaviour, which not only cause harm to their children, but places other lives at risk.  Possessions of any such devices or materials contravenes the South African Schools Act and subsequently the School Code of Conduct.  ALL parents are urged to be vigilant of their children’s actions during this short break.  Monitor: cell phones, prevent WhatsApp groups that are detrimental to the interest of your child, TikTok videos and other social media outlets.  We would not want our learners exposed to dangerous situations.

The increase in VANDALISM to our ablution facilities are of great concern.  Our team of janitors, keep these facilities clean and sanitary more than once a day, only to find it destroyed by unappreciative learners.  To keep the facilities desirable for all learners, the bathrooms are locked during contact time.  A key is made available for emergencies, where parents have noted a medical condition.

We appeal to parents to inculcate bathroom etiquette:

• Have toilet roll
• Check bathroom first
• Wait in line, when necessary
• Avoid chatter (get the job done)
• Clean yourself and the area you used, properly
• Flush the toilet
• Wash and dry your hands
• Check your uniform before leaving the bathroom
• Report any damage immediately
• Leave and report back to class

With the COVID pandemic quietly ebbing away, our learners are suffering its restraining effects:  deprived of normal play, enjoyment of peer companionship, learning rules and regulations required for games, accepting losses and good/appropriate sportsmanship.  The lack of the experiences, that we as adults were raised with, has led to a diminished cognitive, social, emotional and physical deficit.  We encourage our parents to use this time not only to teach, but also demonstrate to our learners how fair play and good sportsmanship are attained.  I’m certain they would appreciate this time, spent with their families doing fun activities, like playing sport or board games.

York Road Primary has embraced new technology and are excited to share developments with our parents and learners.  However, these epic ideas cannot be implemented substantially, if:

• parents do not attend the upcoming BUDGET MEETING
• regular payment of school fees is not honoured
• if learners do not abide by the conditions stipulated, for everyone to learn and work together in a respectful, disciplined and cohesive environment.

PARENTS, please do reflect about the moment you stepped over our porch and made the decision to enroll YOUR CHILD at our institution.  YOU chose the commitment to uphold the values and ethos of our school by signing the CODE OF CONDUCT, set out and agreed to by our parent body, the SGB and governs ALL LEARNERS, without exception.  The York Road uniform (from the shoes to the haircuts which your child presents) is our first introduction to guests and the outside world.  Many of these guests have complimented our students for their neat and uniform appearances during visits.  Continue to make our learners proud of their school.  Should you desire a concession, motivate in writing and forward to the SGB.

I wish to thank my staff for their unwavering support.  Navigating every obstacle that you have encountered with patience and dedication to your role as teacher, mom, doctor, counsellor… the list is endless!  The difference you make in the lives of our learners and the impact on their futures, cannot be quantified.

THANK YOU!

STAFF NEWS!

On behalf of the York Road Family we extend our immense gratitude to Mr. K. Dollie for his years of exemplary service to the Western Cape Education Department and York Road Primary.  26 of those years were dedicated to the staff and learners of York Road Primary School.  On behalf of every learner whom he has taught over his 36 years of service, we wish Mr. Dollie a healthy and peaceful retirement.  Well done, sir!

For the fourth term we welcome on board the York Road journey, Ms. Sinclair-Adams and wish her well for her time with us. We encouraged support from the Grade 4 parents and learners for their new educator.

SCHOOL FEE NEWS ALERT!

A reminder is shared for the commitment to regular payments of school fees.  Parents, who are unable to manage these payments are encouraged to apply for exemption. Documentation is accessible from the office only.  Without these crucial funds we face the unfortunate reality of continuing the academic programme without our valued teacher assistants and SGB employed educators, as class management will not thrive and class numbers will expand.  Our successful E-Learning programme will not proceed.  Continued employment of our safety officers who ensure learner and school safety, on a daily basis, will unfortunately end.

PAYMENT DETAILS:

• CARD facility is available at the school office
• PAYSHAP ID: yorkroadprimaryschool@fnb

(INCLUDE YOUR REF: Name Surname and Grade of Learner)

• BANK DEPOSIT:

With the bank deposit, send proof of payment to the Bursar by email: bursar@yorkroadprimary.co.za

STOP AND DROP

Ensure a quick and quiet delivery and collection of your child to and from the STOP AND GO area.  This will avoid unnecessary hooting and alleviate stress for the drivers and the neighbours.

Please take care and allow the learners a restful break.  Learners who have not been academically successful, this term, need to utilize their holidays for revision.

TERM 3 HIGHLIGHTS

• Grade R,3 & 5 had the opportunity to go out on educational excursions
• We completed the toilet upgrades in the school hall
• Kellogg came to visit
• Heal the Hood grade 5s
• Mediator fun day
• Visit from the Clinic
• Springbok Fridays

 UPCOMING LOADING!

• Systemics – Grade 3 & Grade 6 learners
• Car and Bike show – 18 October 2025
• Budget Meeting – 30 October 2025
• Grade R concert – 12 November 2025
• Grade R and Grade 1 Orientation Day – 22 November 2025
• Final examination commences 19 November 2025
• End of the 2025 school year – 10 December 2025
• Carnival 23 and 24 January 2026

TERM 4 BUSINESS

As we get ready for the final quarter, please note the following:

• Learners will wear their SUMMER UNIFORM

• Girls:  brown/black school shoes, short, white bobby/ankle socks, summer dress (below knee length), bottle green hair ties, stud earrings, ONLY signet rings, TIGHTS NOT PERMITTED.

• Boys: brown/black school shoes, grey school shorts, white shirt with (proper collar to wear school tie), schoolboy haircut.

NOTE:  All uniform requirements to be settled at the school’s secondhand shop (by appointment) or SCHOOL AND LEISURE.

DISMISSAL TIMES

• 5 – 10 minutes are required for learners to leave their classroom and report to the STOP AND GO area.

Dismissal times:

Yours in Education
The Principal (Mr. M. C. Johnson)