Manor Gardens Primary School

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” – Stephen Covey

DATES TO DIARISE
• 25 November : Piano Evening
• 26 November : Grade 4 Excursion
• 26 November : Booktime
• 26 November : SGB Meeting
• 27 November : Extra-mural activities end with exception of touch rugby and music
• 28 November : Cricket Fun Day
• 30 November : Speech and Drama / Hip Hop Show
• 1 December : String and Sax Assembly
• 2 December : Inter House General Knowledge Quiz
• 5 December : Ensemble Performance
• 7 December : Carols Evening
• 9 December : General Assistants Assembly
• 9 December : Grade 7 Market Day
• 10 December : Grade 7 Prize Giving
• 11 December : Break Up Day

STAFF NEWS
• Mr Mc Coy will be leaving us at the end of the year, as he is availing himself of an opportunity to teach in the United Kingdom in 2010. We wish him everything of the best in his new venture.
• Mrs Hayes will be returning to MGPS in 2010.

OUTSTANDING FEES – Imraan Valodia (SGB Treasurer)
We unfortunately still have a number of parents who have not yet settled outstanding fees for 2009. We appeal to these parents to please settle their financial commitments to the school. Our bursar, Mrs Jakobi, has been reminding parents to settle their fees timeously. Any debt to the school that is outstanding for more than four months will be handed over to a debt collecting firm. While we understand that economic conditions are difficult, the School Governing Body (SGB) is responsible to the parent community to ensure that the school remains in good financial standing. The SGB is therefore determined to ensure that debt to the school is effectively collected and managed. If you are unable to meet your financial commitments to the school, please discuss this with Mrs Jakobi.

Thanks to all those parents, the vast majority of the MGPS community, who do pay their fees on time.

AFTERCARE FEE ADJUSTMENT 2010 – Glen Robbins (SGB Chairperson)
As part of the MGPS budgeting process, a revised set of aftercare fees has been proposed for 2010. These reflect an increase but remain very competitive when compared with other schools in the area.
The MGPS aftercare fees have not been adjusted in line with inflation for a number of years. The SGB will consider these revised fees for final adoption at its meeting on 26 November 2009.
Written comments on these would be welcomed. Please deliver them to Mrs S Kriel at MGPS Reception by Wednesday, 25 November 2009.

MONTHLY INCOME CATEGORY 2010 DAILY FEE 2010 MONTHLY FEE
JP 12h30 – 14h00 R130.00
SP 14h00 – 17h00 R250.00
JP Full 12h30 – 17h00 R350.00
Casuals R20.00

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ENTRANCE VERANDA
The main entrance will be closed for the next 2 weeks, during the construction of a new veranda which will run along the hall. All learners and visitors will enter and exit MGPS via the gate located at the entrance to the car park. We remind all concerned to be cautious and mindful of the safety of pedestrians.

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM – Mrs Labuschagne
STOP VIOLENCE AND ABUSE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN: 25 November – 10 December
• There will be a drumming circle every morning in the quad from 07h15 to 07h30. All parents and children are welcome to attend.
• During second break from 12h30 to 12h50, children and parents are invited to write slogans and messages on the graffiti and poetry wall in the foyer.

BOOKTIME
Booktime will be at school on Thursday 26 November. They will be selling a wide range of interesting and good reads. There will be opportunities for children to purchase books during school time and for parents to look at books with their children after school. Please remember to bring your money!

GENERAL ASSISTANTS AND SECURITY GUARD APPRECIATION ASSEMBLY
Thank you to those families who have contributed towards the General Assistants and Security Guard end of year assembly. Should you wish to contribute but have not yet done so, please send a cash donation or items of non-perishable food stuffs before the 7 December.

DELIVERY OF GIFT BOXES
On Tuesday 8 December, our RAK children will be delivering the gift boxes made to Malvern Children’s Home. Any parents wishing to accompany us are welcome. We will be leaving school at 17h30 (tentative time). Notices will be sent out next week confirming the time.

MUSIC MATTERS – Mrs Roselt
• Piano Evening: Wednesday 25 November at 18h30
All children taking piano lessons are invited to prepare and perform a piece at this exciting concert.
• String and Sax Assembly: Tuesday 1 December at 07h30
All children taking violin or saxophone lessons are invited to participate in this special assembly.
• Ensemble Performance: Saturday 5 December
Our ensemble has been invited to perform to Senior Citizens at Bill Buchanan and Eden Crescent Retirement Homes. The bus company that took us on tour to Howick has offered us a free bus to compensate for the one that broke down, so we are availing ourselves of this opportunity! Since there will be plenty of space available, any parents wishing to accompany us on the bus are welcome. We will leave MGPS at 13h00, perform at Bill Buchanan at 14h00, perform at Eden Crescent at 15h30 and return to school at 17h00.
• Carols Evening: Monday 7 December at 18h30
Both choirs, the ensemble, percussion band, all recorder groups, guitar groups, the Grade 1 and Grade 4 children will present a fun programme of Christmas music. Tickets at R10.00 each will be sold at the door from 18h00. Proceeds will go towards gifts for the guest musicians and instruments for the music department.
• Guitars Needed
As an outreach into the community, Mrs Roselt will be teaching guitar at Durban Children’s Home next year one evening a week. Any one prepared to donate a guitar, please contact Mrs Roselt. The guitars will become the property of Durban Children’s Home and the children will use them to practise on. When a child turns 18 years old and leaves the home, it will be decided whether the child showed sufficient interest and talent to warrant the guitar been given to him/her.

SPORTS MATTERS
• Liam Harwood (Grade 6L) has been chosen to represent the Westville United Football Academy U13A team. Liam will travel to Port Elizabeth for a tournament in January 2010. What a fine achievement, Liam!
• There will be touch rugby games on Wednesday 25 November at MGPS and on Friday 27 November at Northlands Girls High. Notices will be given to those children selected to play.
• Despite the sports co-ordinators best efforts to host a friendly inter-school gala this term, invited schools have been unable to accept due to numerous year end assessments and functions.
• Please note that extra-mural activities after school will finish this Friday 27 November with the exception of touch rugby and music, which will continue until Friday 4 December

CAROL LOTTERING
PRINCIPAL