Circular 17/2021

Dear Parent

On behalf of the School Governing Body and all staff members we wish to thank you for your continued support throughout 2021. The final term of 2021 has been an extremely challenging term for all of us. We have had to, yet again, navigate many obstacles due to our current situation caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.

I am positive that many of us including our learners continue to be affected by the impact of the pandemic in one way or another. We especially think of those who have seen family members and loved ones lose the battle to Covid 19.

We as the York Road Family and greater community owe it to ourselves to have faith that we will get through this one day soon.  Until that day arrives I urge everyone to practice safety when interacting with others especially during this holiday period.  We must not let our guard down as the risk is far too great.

It is especially during difficult times that we as a community realise just how resilient we are, how despite all the challenges and battles ahead we remain steadfast in our resolve to persevere and be victorious. I truly believe there is no substitute for the human spirit.  I am reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela…

“I have walked that long road to freedom.  I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way.  But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

RAFFLE

Once again we wish to thank all the learners and parents who contributed to making our Raffle fundraiser a success. Without our parents continued support during 2021 we would not have been able to maintain the excellent standard of our facilities and the quality education delivered.

• Raffle Prize Winners are as follows:

• First Prize – Sharief Khan
• Second Prize – Edith Corker
• Third Prize – Landorf Prado

• Special acknowledgements:

• • Connor De Bruyn – the learner who collected the most funds
  • Grade 2B – collected the most funds
  • Grade 3B & 4B – were the first classes to return all their Raffle Lists

SCHOOL FEES for GRADES 1 – 7 for 2022

Thank you to the parents who attended our Budget Meeting. The SGB and School Management Team are very aware of the extreme financial burden which the Pandemic has given rise to.  It is however, essential that the SGB staff component, as well as the Municipal expenses and the day-to-day maintenance of the school continue to be paid.

While the annual budget was reduced, it is an absolute necessity to raise the annual fees by 1%.  This decision was unanimously accepted by the parents in attendance.  Parents who are unable to pay the fees are encouraged to apply for the ‘Exemption of School Fees in 2022.

The new fee structure for 2022 is as follows:

• • • R6200 per annum which is payable as follows
      • R1550 at the beginning of each term ..
      • R620 over 10 months (Jan – Oct) to be paid into the schools banking account.

I would like to thank ALL parents who paid their school fees for 2021 and encourage parents with outstanding balances to please settle their accounts in the coming month.

2022

School commences for the learners on Wednesday, 19 January 2022.  The school will continue with the Covid 19 protocols and once again the learners have been split into the BLUE and RED groups. Please refer to the Red/Blue Attendance Calendar.

DISMISSAL TIMES for 2022

The school commences at 08h00 daily.

Dismissal times for the first week of the new term are as follows:

Revised dismissal time schedule will be issued during the 1^st week of the 2022 for the rest of the 1^st term.

2^ND HAND CLOTHING SALE (2022)

Please note that a 2^nd hand clothing sale will take place in the ‘Stop and Go’ area on the following days:

Congratulations to all the learners who will be proceeding to a new Grade next year. Well Done!

To those learners who require more time in their current Grade, view it as an opportunity to try again.

If your son/daughter will not be proceeding to the next grade, please note you are able to lodge an appeal if you feel an assessment irregularity has occurred. You may collect an Appeal Form at the School’s Office on 17 – 18 January 2022 between 09h00 – 10h00.

Parents please be mindful that…

Among the children who completed the exams…

there is an artist, who does not need to understand Mathematics…

there is an entrepreneur, who does not care about History or English…

there is a musician whose Natural Science marks will not matter…

there is an athlete whose physical fitness is far more important than Technology…

If your child got top marks, that’s great! But if he or she didn’t .. please don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity from them.  Tell them it’s okay, it’s just an exam! They are cut out for much bigger things in life. Tell them, no matter what they score .. you love them and will not judge them no matter what ( A letter sent to parents by a principal)

We especially wish our Grade 7 learners well as they begin the next chapter in their academic career.

EDUCATORS LEAVING THE SCHOOL

We take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Williams for her service as a Grade 7 educator during 2021. You will be missed by the York Road Family. We wish you well in all your future endeavours.

It is with mixed emotions that we bid a fond farewell to Mrs Pandy, who after 32 years of dedicated service as an educator, will be retiring at the end of this year.  Mrs Pandy’s departure is a great loss to York Road and the community. We wish her well in the new chapter of her life which awaits her.

To the staff of York Road I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for being, in my humble opinion, the epitome of what an educator should be.  Not a day goes by that I am not proud of being granted the privilege of serving the community as a member of the York Road family.

Always remember…

“ If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years , plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, EDUCATE CHILDREN.”

In closing, may CHRISTMAS remain a time of peace and goodwill for all our Christian families.

May you all enjoy a peaceful festive season and end-of-year holiday as you STAY SAFE!!!

Yours in Education

M.C. JOHNSON
(PRINCIPAL).