Manor Gardens Primary School

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” – Jim Rohn

WELCOME
A warm welcome to all members of our MGPS community! Welcome to Mrs Lucy Robbins, who has joined our staff as a Grade 1 intern and to Mrs Mandy Hayes who has rejoined us to teach Grade 5. Welcome also to Miss Elisha Warman, the locum tenen teacher in Grade 4MC until Mrs Marshall-Connellan resumes duty on 20 January. We look forward to having your input and hope you will enjoy being part of the Manor Gardens Primary team.
A hearty welcome to all MGPS parents, our partners in education, as the following aptly conveys:
“I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched two sculptors there. The clay they used was a young child's mind and they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher and the tools s/he used were books, music and art. One was a parent who worked with a guiding hand and a gentle, loving heart. Day after day the teacher toiled with a touch that was deft and sure while the parent laboured by her/his side and polished and smoothed it o’er. Then at last their task was done. They were proud of what they had wrought, for the things they had moulded into the child could never be sold or bought. Each agreed they would have failed if s/he had worked alone, for behind the teacher stood the school and behind the parent, the home.” (Author Unknown)
We look forward to your contribution and collaboration in accomplishing the MGPS vision and mission statement which is ‘To nurture children to their full potential in a harmonious and dynamic learning environment and to develop innovative, responsible individuals who are able to contribute positively within a diverse and changing society.’

Of particular interest this year, are the educationally exciting Soccer World Cup activities that teachers will weave into our dynamic curriculum.

DATES TO DIARISE
19 January Parent Information Evening (Grades 1 and 6)
20 January Parent Information Evening (Grades 2, 3 and 5)
21 January Parent Information Evening (Grades 4 and 7)
22 January Grade 7 Leadership
25 January Grade 2 – 7 Extra Mural Programme begins
1 February Grade 1 Extra Mural Programme begins
2 February World Wetlands Day
9 February Intermediate and Senior Phase Interhouse Gala
11 February Parent Representative By-Election Meeting (17h30)
11 February Professor Chisholm’s Talk (18h30)
11 February Kids Literacy Quiz
14 February Kids Lit Quiz (Final)
18 February SGB Meeting
19 February Open Day
25 February Girls Inter-School Gala
25 February By-Election (Alternative Date)
1 March Boys Inter-School Gala
10 March AGM
22 March Public Holiday (Human Rights Day)
23 March World Meteorological Day
24 March Class and Individual Photos
26 March Break-up Day

PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS
Parent information evenings are as follows:
Date Grades Venue
Tuesday 19 January 17h30 Grade 1 Hall
Grade 6 Classrooms
Wednesday 20 January 17h30 Grades 2, 3 and 5 Classrooms
Thursday 21 January 17h30 Grade 4 Classrooms
Grade 7 Hall

GENERAL NEWS
STAFFING
Principal: Miss Carol Lottering
Grade 1: Miss Anneline Andrew (Acting FP HoD), Mrs Michelle Oosthuizen,
Mrs Lucy Robbins (Intern)
Grade 2: Mrs Nicole Mc Daniel, Miss Charlene May
Grade 3: Mrs Michelle De Fleuriot, Miss Debi Oosthuizen
Grade 4: Mrs Loraine Meyer, Mrs Peggy Marshall-Connellan, Mrs Karen Will
Grade 5: Mrs Elaine Meban, Mrs Mandy Hayes
Grade 6: Miss Leigh Lawrenson, Miss Yvonne Sullivan
Grade 7: Mrs Judith Sibson (SP HoD), Mrs Mia Howard-Davies
Zulu: Mr Bhekani Msimang
Afrikaans: Mrs Venita Labuschagne
Media Centre: Mrs Isobel Sobey
Music: Mrs Janet Roselt
Remedial: Mrs Marjorie Brooks
SP Sports: Mr Warren Petzer
JP Sports: Mr Leigh Gulston
Administration: Mrs Sharon Kriel
Bursar: Mrs Janice Jakobi
Maintenance: Mr Gordon Jones (Manager)
General Assistants: Mr Wellington Xulu (Supervisor), Mr Norman Xulu, Mr Sibusiso Radebe, Miss Prunella Shezi,
Miss Beryl Shezi
Aftercare: Mrs Des Wesson (Supervisor), Mrs Leone Lemmer, Mrs Mandy Barnes
Gym: Mrs Gail Adamson
Sport Coaches: Mr Darren Scott, Mr Brett Walker, Mr Bhashkar Parmanand, Mr Gavin Griffiths
Swimming Coaches: Mrs Margaret Martin, Miss Candice Botha, Mr Mitchell Parsonage
Security: Mr Bernard Ngcobo

COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF
We enjoy a close rapport with the parent body and encourage discussion between the teaching staff and parents. However, it would be too disruptive if parents simply walked in unannounced to see teachers before school, during lessons, lunch breaks or even after school, when the teachers are still working. In addition, parents should not phone teachers at home. Please write a note in your child’s homework book or contact Mrs Kriel, should you wish to make an appointment with the teacher. Teachers may also be contacted through email, but be aware that they do not open their emails on a daily basis. The email address for staff is the initial of the first name followed by the surname @mgps.org.za.

PROTOCOL – LINE OF COMMUNICATION
a) When you have a particular concern about an aspect of your child’s performance, the correct channels to follow are:
Step 1 : Phone the secretary to request an appointment with the child’s educator or place your concern in writing for her / his attention;
Step 2 : If the matter is unresolved or you feel you cannot talk directly to the class educator, then the next point of contact is the appropriate Head of Department;
Step 3 : If you remain dissatisfied after following the above steps then approach the Principal; contact Mrs Kriel to make an appointment or send an email to skriel@mgps.org.za
Step 4 : As a rule, the Governing Body does not get involved in professional matters; however, if after following the above procedure you feel that your concerns have not been adequately addressed, write a letter to the Governing Body Chairperson.

b) When you have a particular concern about the performance of a MGPS staff member or the quality of MGPS curriculum provision then contact the Principal via letter, email (principal@mgps.org.za), telephone or appointment.

SCHOOL TIMES
Starting time
Monday – Friday
Grades 1 – 7
07h30
Closing times
Monday – Thursday Grades 1 – 2
Grades 3 – 7 12h30
13h50
Closing times
Friday Grades 1 – 3
Grades 4 – 7 12h30
13h00

SCHOOL FEES
The management and teachers at Manor Gardens Primary strive to provide an excellent education for your children. Whilst the expenses incurred to provide this education have been kept to an absolute minimum, they are covered by your children’s school fees, payable in advance either as a single amount in January or quarterly or monthly (over 10 months). I urge all parents to ensure that your children's fees are kept up to date throughout the year so that the school's financial commitments can be met. Many thanks to those committed parents who are already on track, having already paid their school fees.
School fees for 2010 are R12,600.00. Please note that if fees are paid in full before the 31 January 2010 this allows for a discount of R630.00 and if the fees are paid in full before the 28 February 2010, this allows for a discount of R540.00.

Bank Details:
Bank : First National Bank
Branch : Davenport
Branch Code : 220226
Account No. : 50710287068
Account Name : Manor Gardens Primary School
Reference : Quote your child’s full name

AFTERCARE FEES
Please note that should your 2009 aftercare fees be outstanding, your child may not attend aftercare until the fees are up to date.

Rate Time Slot Monthly Fee
1 12h30 – 14h00 R 130.00
2 14h00 – 17h00 R 250.00
3 12h30 – 17h00 R 350.0
4 CASUALS R 20.00 per day

OPENING OF CLASSROOMS
Please note that the children (and/or parents) are not to approach any member of staff (teachers or general assistants) to open up classrooms after school hours. Children must ensure that they have packed all the necessary books and other items before they leave their classrooms to go home or attend extra mural activities.

ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL
Please use the stairs and main entrance gate to come into the school. It is not safe for children to walk across the staff car park or to come through the electronic gates. Children may NOT use the administration block as a thoroughfare to their classrooms. Please say goodbye to your child at the gate and allow him/her to walk to his/her classroom in the morning and to meet you at the gate at home time. This will develop your child’s independence.

CARPARK RULES
Every family has been issued with a copy of these rules which were developed to ensure your child’s safety. Should you have misplaced your copy, please make a note in your child’s homework book and the class teacher will send you another copy.

STAFF CARPARK REMOTES
We request any parents, other than the SGB parent representatives, who may be in possession of a remote for the electronic gate at the entrance/exit of the staff carpark to please return these remotes to Mrs Kriel as soon as possible.

NAME BADGES
If your child needs a replacement name badge, please send R15.00 in a clearly marked sealed envelope to the class teacher by Monday 8 February.

MGPS UNIFORM SHOP
The School Shop is open every Wednesday and Friday morning during the school term from 07h00 to 08h00. A debit/credit card machine is available for card payments.

TUCKSHOP
The tuck-shop will be open on Friday 22 January.

COOL CUTS
Jenny Marshall, a MGPS parent, will be cutting children’s hair at school on Tuesday afternoons from 12h30 to 14h30. The cost of a cut is R 35.00 per child and Jenny will donate R5.00 from each cut to the school.

SPORTS AND CULTURAL NEWS
EXTRA-MURALS
Please note the following:
- The Intermediate and Senior Phase (Grade 4 – 7) extra-mural programme begins on Monday 25 January
- The Foundation Phase Grade 2 and 3 extra-mural programme begins on Monday 25 January
- The Foundation Phase Grade 1 extra-mural programme begins on Monday 1 February
- All extra-murals activities will run until Friday 19 March

PRIVATE LESSONS OFFERED AT MGPS
Speech and Drama
Centre Stage Studios
Sally-Anne Garrioch
083 779 2725 /
031-7017332
centrestage@telkomsa.net
Monday Grades 1 – 3

Grades 4 – 7 15h00 – 15h45

15h45 – 16h30
Judo
The Judokan
Richard Trezise
083 285 9496
rtrezise@mweb.co.za
Thursday Grades 1 – 7 13h50 – 14h50
Dancing
Nicole Caetano
School of Dancing 083 271 7565 Friday Grades 1 – 7 13h00 – 14h00
Violin Pat Freedman
083 228 4439 Day negotiable Grades 1 – 7 Time negotiable

• Speech and Drama classes for Grades 4 – 7 will start on Monday 25 January and classes for Grades 1 – 3 will start on Monday 1 February. Should you wish your child to join the Speech and Drama classes, kindly complete the pamphlet or alternatively contact Sally-Anne Garrioch on 0837792725 for more details.

• Please note that the dancing teacher, Nicole Sklarchik, got married last year and her new surname is Mrs Caetano. Nicole’s dancing will commence on Friday 29 January.

SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY NEWS
• WELCOME
Attached please find the 2010 welcome message from the SGB.

• SGB PARENT REPRESENTATIVE BY-ELECTION MEETING
A vacancy for a parent representative on the SGB is available. Attached please find the notice of the by-election meeting. Nomination Forms and Acceptance of Nomination Forms are available from the Admin office.

• PROFESSOR CHISHOLM’S TALK AT MGPS
Prof Chisholm has been seconded from the Human Sciences Research Council as a special advisor to the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga. Her talk will follow on after the by-election meeting on Thursday 11 February at 18h30. The topic of her talk is to be confirmed, however, it is anticipated that it will involve the proposed changes to the national curriculum and school funding policies. If there are any particular curriculum or finance questions you would like to be addressed by Prof Chisholm, please email your comments to Mrs Kriel (skriel@mgps.org.za) by Friday 22 January.

• SGB CONTACT DETAILS
Mr Glen Robbins
Chairperson
(Parent) (H) 031-205 4085
(W) 031-
Cell: 082 4969 396 robbinsg@absamail.co.za

Mr Desmond Biggs
Vice-Chairperson
(Parent) (H) 031-465 1183
Cell: 083 7875 444 designcc@iafrica.com

Mr Imraan Valodia
Treasurer
(Parent) (H) 031-464 5865
(W) 031-260 1357
Cell: 083 6335 069 valodia@ukzn.ac.za

Mrs Kanagie Naidoo
Fundraising
(Parent) (H) 031-205 6710
(W) 031-260 2361
Cell: 083 6621 121 Naidook44@ukzn.ac.za

Dr Catherine Burns

Co-opted
(Parent) (H) 031-202 3701
Cell: 082 9236 853 cburns@rhru.co.za
Miss Carol Lottering Principal (H) 031-261 3862
(W) 031-261 1401
Cell: 083 6432 212 clottering@mgps.org.za
Mrs Judith Sibson

Educator (W) 031-261 1401 jsibson@mgps.org.za

Mrs Isobel Sobey

Educator (W) 031-261 1401
isobey@mgps.org.za

Mrs Janice Jakobi

Non-Educator
(Bursar) (W) 031-261 1401
jjakobi@mgps.org.za

CAROL LOTTERING
PRINCIPAL