Dear Parents / Guardians

Winter has its icy grasp firmly on all of us at present. As we heat our homes with fireplaces and heaters, let us be mindful of the many who struggle to keep warm through the challenges of homelessness and poverty. Our Mandela Day knitting initiative is a great way for friends and family to support the 67 Blankets initiative and help bring warmth to those in need. You can find more information here: Mandela Day Blanket Project

We will also be feeding the children of Westlake Primary through the making of peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Information regarding this initiative has been sent out on the Grade WhatsApp groups. Please consider supporting this project as we take aim at making 1000 sandwiches on the day.

Those Grade 7s who were not on the recent Winter Tour participated in two events this past week that also brought impact to the community. They were part of a beach clean-up on Muizenberg beach organised by Nature Connect, and also spent a morning reading to Grade 3 children at Westlake Primary. For many Grade 7s this was the highlight of their fun and busy week of activities. 

The purpose of these outreach activites is not for the school to publish what we do on social media or gain plaudits from our community. We don't advertise most of the outreach we do. Our school engages in projects such as these to bring awareness of the needs of others to our children and to give them an opportunity to be actively in a project that impacts others.

We will continue to engage in these social outreach and environmental impact activities so that our children can learn and experience what it means to act beyond self and discover more about themselves in the process.

My thanks go to the staff who enable these activities and to those parents who create the time and generate the enthusiasm for participation. 

Kind regards

Arthur Preston
Headmaster

PLEASE NOTE
 

• If you are an Instagram user, please consider following the Sweet Valley Instagram account. We post regularly and share information and news about the school - @sweetvalleyprimary

Just a reminder that the 2023 School Calendar can be found by clicking on either of these links:

Access from web browser: https://tinyurl.com/SVPSParentCalendar (clicking on events will give further information about that event).

Access in other calendar applications  (iCal format) https://tinyurl.com/SVPSParentCalendariCal

This calendar will be updated regularly to that dates are accurate and it becomes a helpful resource for parents. The dates will also reflect on the D6 Communicator.

Great fun was had at our recent GoKart morning where each class dressed up in a chosen theme and enjoyed racing around the track!

Thanks to our school family for the fun and excitement, as well as Caper Kaskar School Fund Raising Events & Butler's Pizza for helping to make the day memorable!

Watch the highlight video here:  https://tinyurl.com/GoKartDay23

Friday 5 May looked slightly different for the children at Sweet Valley as they wore their slippers to school in support of the Reach for a Dream Foundation. Children could purchase a sticker to the value of R20 and wear their slippers. Some even participated in the Slipper Shuffle Dance. All the proceeds went towards making dreams come true for children fighting life threatening illnesses.

Thanks to our Sweet Valley Community for making many chilren's dreams come true. 

- Mrs Ruth Koopman

Mrs Melinda Trainor has managed our school clothing shop for over 17 years and has made the decision to step down from this role while continuing to work in our Aftercare as the Homework Supervisor. Melinda has taken the clothing shop from its early beginnings to what it is today and we would like to thank her on behalf of the entire school community for her hours of service, much of it unseen. There is no doubt that she will continue to make a positive impact on the children in her care in the afternoons.
 

I am very pleased to let you know that we have appointed Mrs Wendy-Joy Alexander as the Clothing Shop Manager until the end of this year. We will also be making items available for purchase online to streamline the purchasing process and make buying items far more convenient. More information about this will follow soon.

If any parents are able to assist in helping in the Clothing Shop, please can you add your details to this sheet. https://tinyurl.com/ClothingShop3rdTerm 

- Mr Arthur Preston

Gloria, the Glorious, Golden Seahorse

At the beginning of the second term the Grade 7 Art Monitors and I went about the ambitious task of creating a 1,5m tall seahorse within a 5hr time frame. This sculpture was made for the Sustainable Trendsetters Buildathon. The competition was aimed at raising awareness around the importance of sustainability and recycling, with a parameter that the sculpture had to be created out of reused and recycled materials. 

The competition was a great way to challenge the monitors’ ideas about how to creatively work around problems that we faced in the construction process. The process was challenging, bringing a 2D drawing into 3D space and figuring out how to create form and balance weight in the sculpture. The group’s spirits were high and their energy was utilized to get through the sculpture a lot quicker than originally expected. The sense of attachment to the piece grew over the day as the seahorse slowly took shape, and by the end of the day, we were all beaming with pride over the accomplishment. The group affectionately named the sculpture Gloria, the Glorious Golden Seahorse, because of how she sparkled in the spotlights. 

Unfortunately, Sweet Valley did not win the competition however the sculpture has been met with awe by all who have seen it and it was a hit with the Blue Route shoppers on the day. I’m proud of the way the group pulled together on the day to get through everything they needed to do. 

- Mr Michael Rushby

On Thursday 27 April, 10 very excited U12 Netball girls left for their tour to Knysna. It was a very busy few days, with matches in the morning and exciting outings in the afternoons. So many wonderful memories were made, both on and off the courts. Our girls held the Sweet Valley name high and their coaches are extremely proud of them. 

- Mrs Kylie Kylie Orchard-Zwets 

Watch the highlight video here: https://tinyurl.com/U12NetballTour 

I jumped out of bed at the crack of dawn, ready for the bus ride to camp. I said goodbye to my parents and we were off! We arrived at around 11 o’clock in the morning. We put our bags on the grass and headed towards the hall. As I walked I could feel that this was going to be a great camp experience. We sat down and were introduced to our camp instructors, Uncle Neil and Albert. We separated from the boys and headed to our dorms. Everyone was so excited. 

A whistle blew and we were called to the main room for our first activity. It was a scavenger hunt. Our team did really well. Next was lunch ( one of my favorite meals when we were there). Lunch was followed by 2 activities. Then it was time for a break. We went swimming in the pool and ate delicious treats from the tuckshop. After dinner was our first night in our dorms. Some were super energetic while others were scared but I think we all managed to sleep, excited for the next day.

We woke up early the next day and headed on a hike where we learnt about plants and some animals. My favorite part of day 2 was the obstacle course where we got all muddy and had to climb on a cargo net and through a dark, muddy tunnel. We did a few more activities including meeting some animals and hunting for scorpions. By the time we had to go to bed, I think we were all ready to just flop onto our beds and sleep. Again we awoke early, ready to head home, some were sad to leave while others were happy and excited to leave. We ate breakfast and headed to our dorms to pack our bags and clean the room once more. Then we headed to the bus and said goodbye to Uncle Neil and Albert. Soon we were back at school. After camp I felt like I could face anything… after a good sleep.

- By Zoe Rightford, Gr 6 pupil

This is the third year that Grade 6s have taken part in their annual 'skattejag'. This initiative aims to ignite a love for Afrikaans and show that one can have fun learning a new language. The children came dressed as a spy for the day and had two hours to complete all the tasks set for them around the school; the only catch was that all the questions were typed in Afrikaans. This got them using their dictionaries and in turn, expanding their vocabulary. The day ended with them watching an Afrikaans movie and having lots of fun.

- Miss Mandi Jonker 

Watch the highlight video here: https://tinyurl.com/Gr6Skattejag2023 

Help raise funds for our school with MySchool, without it costing you a cent. MySchool raises over R8 million for schools, charities, and animal welfare organisations every month! The best part: It doesn’t cost you as a supporter a cent to make a difference.
 

How does MySchool work?

You can make a difference, just by shopping at one of the many MySchool partners. These include Woolworths, Builders, Engen Quick Shop, Loot.co.za, Netstar, Worksheetcloud, to name just a few. Every time you use your card at any of the partner stores, a percentage of your purchase value will be given back on your behalf to our school, at absolutely no cost to you!

How to become a supporter?

In order to become a supporter, you need to be registered with MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and select Sweet Valley as your beneficiary.

• Our Virtual MySchool Card is now on your phone! Download for FREE on the App Store or Google Play Store, sign in and scan your virtual card at till points to give back every time you shop.

• Sign up online: Get your free card now: https://www.myschool.co.za/portal/register

• Call MySchool client services: 0860 100 445

• Email MySchool client services: [email protected]

• Link your existing Woolworths card to MySchool: https://www.myschool.co.za/portal/login

We look forward to welcoming our Gr 7 Class of 2018 (Matrics of 2023) and their parents back to Sweet Valley for a Reunion to connect and wish them well as they conclude an educational milestone and take the next step on their journey.

Please share the details of the Reunion with your classmates and parents of the Gr 7 Class of 2018.
Date: July 25th 
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
Venue: Sweet Valley Primary School Hall

We look forward to welcoming you back!

During last term the senior band, marimba band, saxophone ensemble, and vocal ensemble enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to attend our first Sweet Valley music camp. The camp venue was at Rocklands in Simonstown, set above the ocean right against the mountain. We were spoiled with the most exquisite views and luckily the weather also was in our favour. The bus trip was a smooth and scenic one and on arrival at Rocklands we were greeted very warmly by our hosts. 

On Monday we had very successful practice sessions, all in different venues provided for us by Rocklands interspersed by visits from the local troop of baboons, delicious food, and trampoline breaks. This was followed by the children being entertained by the camp leaders late afternoon into the evening which gave the teachers a well-deserved break. 

The Rocklands staff loved the music, saying that it filled the campsite with vibrance. They also commented on how kind-hearted the children were at camp. Everyone seemed to get a good night's sleep in the cozy bungalows and we arrived back at school at lunchtime on Tuesday ending the day with an ensemble concert which included the groups on camp and the senior and junior choirs.

What a fulfilling experience the music camp was both for the children and full-time music teachers. We will definitely have one again! 

- Mrs Tamara Smal

Should you wish to have a page sponsored in the magazine, please pay R200 via Karri. The page will read "This page is sponsored by CHILD'S SURNAME's family" (e.g. John Smith is the child on Karri, the page will read "This page is sponsored by the Smith family".  Should you wish to have another name listed as the page sponsor, please e-mail [email protected] 

We cannot guarantee that the page being sponsored will be a page of your child's grade.

Thank you!

Should any businesses wish to advertise in our 2023 School Magazine, please see link for more details and complete the form to secure a spot for this advertising opportunity. 

https://tinyurl.com/2023SCHOOLMAGADVERTISING

Thank you for your support. 

We invite our children in Grade 4, 5 and 6 to join us for a fun evening together playing BINGO on Friday 18 August. This is a child-only event. Staff will be present on the evening. 

Entrance to the evening is R50, which allow children to play a few rounds of Bingo. Tickets are payable via the Karri app. Food and drinks can also be pre-ordered via the app. Snacks will also be on sale at the event. 

Please pay via Karri to confirm attendance by Sunday 13 August.  

We look forward to a fun evening together!

The Grade Rs have been learning about countries from around the world. They recently held a morning event where they showcased Italy, China, America, and South Africa. Each group decorated their tables to represent their chosen country and treated everyone to delicious treats from that nation. They also shared interesting facts about each country. It was a fun and educational celebration of global cultures.
Thank you to the Grade R parents and children! 

- Mrs Amanda Cawood & Mrs Tania Johnstone

Watch the highlight video here: https://tinyurl.com/GrRCountriesDay2023

What a fun-filled second term it was in the Library.  

From the fantastic Hooked on Books show to "Elmer day" on the 29th of May...the Library was a busy place.  

Thank you to the children for bringing their books back so diligently at the end of the term.  Well done to 7.1 and 3.2 for being our overall winners in the "return your books on time" termly competition.

Two of our Sweet Valley learners have excelled in the art of story writing this term:

Zion Galela in Grade 2, achieved a Highly Commended award for her story entry in the Kingsmead Young Writer's Competition.  Well done, Zion!  We look forward to reading your wonderful story. 

Emily Langenegger, in Grade 6, has just published her first novel, The Treasure of Coyote Shore.  This book is the perfect read for 9 - 12 year olds. We are extremely proud of you, Emilie.  The Sweet Valley Library cannot wait to get a copy of your book.  If you are interested in finding out more about Emilie's book, please feel free to contact her mom, Nadia at [email protected] 

- Mrs Liana Browne

Julie Browne (Gr 3) has been selected to be part of the children's chorus for the Italian Opera, Tosca, which will be showing at the Artscape during September.

She was also chosen to play Gretl in Pieter Tourien's "Sound of Music"  which will be running at the Artscape during December and January. 

We look forward to hearing her perform! Well done Julie! 

We wish to congratulate our Sweet Valley learners who recently participated at the South African under 13 national championships and inter-provincial tournament in Alberton.  

The team, of which three learners were from Sweet Valley, won a silver medal in the team event. They were Blake Morgan, Emma Flisberg, and Sarah Van Zyl. Following on the national championships, Blake was graded at the second-best player in the country at under 11 level and both Blake and Emma were placed in the South African under 13 national squad.

Please join us as we congratulate Blake, Emma and Sarah!

"Hello, my name is Rebecca Steinhofel, I am 13 years old and go to Sweet Valley Primary. I am starting an online business as I am passionate about sharing my love of reading with younger children.

I am offering two packages:

• Your child and I read an age-appropriate story together. I will offer guidance where necessary as we go along.

• I read a pre-chosen story to your child on Zoom and will drop off a copy beforehand so they can follow along.
   

* Ages 5 to 8 years old. 
* R80 per 30 minutes on an online zoom call
* Please contact my mom, Melissa, on 084-406-5862 to learn more. "

"Today a reader tomorrow a leader" - Margaret Fuller

Ruby, Grade 7, made the Western Province Hockey Girls A side that participated in the national tournament at the beginning of July.

Well done to Ruby on this fine sporting achievement!

As part of our Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, we will be making sandwiches on Friday 28 July, to be donated to Westlake Primary School. 

We welcome the donations of the below from various grades: 
•    Grade 1 - 3 classes – Loaves of bread
•    Grade 4 - 5 classes – Jam
•    Grade 6 - 7 classes – Peanut Butter

These items can be brought to school from Monday 24 July until and including Friday 28 July. 

Please note that donations are entirely voluntary. 

As always, we thank you for your support.

Join us, once again, in supporting our campaign to knit squares for the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Organisation.

We will be collecting knitted squares, wool and knitting needles at collection points in the school until 31 July.

More information about the square and wool specifications as well as video links about knitting can be found in this presentation.

Mandela Day Knitting Project 2023

Get your boots and cowboy hats ready for the Sweet Valley Parent Dance!

Join us for a fun evening of dinner, dancing, and fundraising. The Wild West theme will set the stage for an unforgettable night. Enjoy delicious food, take to the dance floor to show off your moves, and bid on amazing auction items.

This is not just an opportunity to enjoy a fun evening but also a chance to connect with other parents in our vibrant community.
 

Numbers are capped at 180 people due to space constraints, so ticket sales are on a first come first serve basis.

Purchase your tickets via the Karri app. 
 

We look forward to enjoying this evening with you!

Join us for an unforgettable night of laughter and entertainment at Sweet Valley Primary School's Comedy Evening!

This fun-filled event is designed to support our school while providing parents with a well-deserved night out. Enjoy hilarious performances by South Africa's finest comedy talents, including Rob van Vuuren, Kurt Schoonraad, Angel Campey, and KG Mogadi.

Get ready to laugh until your cheeks hurt as these comedic geniuses deliver their razor-sharp wit and comedic brilliance. Don't miss out on this phenomenal evening of entertainment and camaraderie. 

There will also be food trucks selling delicious meals and snacks to enjoy before the show, as well as drinks on sale. 

Secure your seats now for the Sweet Valley Primary School Comedy Evening. You don't want to miss out on this side-splitting, laughter-filled extravaganza! Book your tickets today and get ready to have the time of your life!

Book your Tickets here: https://qkt.io/k7k9H8

We're planning two fun-filled evenings for our children and parents to enjoy themselves at and would like to appeal for any prize donations that you or your business may be able to donate towards as prizes for the children, or raffle prizes for the parents. Please see more information below:

BINGO NIGHT will be held for Grade 4s, 5s, and 6s so we are looking for a few prizes for the children attending (as Bingo prizes or spot prizes in the evening).

PARENT DANCE will be a fun-filled dress-up evening for parents of Sweet Valley where they can relax and enjoy a night out with dinner, some raffle and/or auction prizes, and dancing… all in the name of fun and fund-raising.

If you or your business would like to contribute any prizes to make these evenings even more memorable, we'd be thrilled.

Please leave your details on this form so we can be in touch with you. https://forms.gle/ivjPssNdD2kXWG28A

Of course, there's no obligation - we just love how supportive our community can be!

Thank you for your support!

Our past pupil’s association is represented across many varying industries, and we want to encourage you to share in our vision to re-establish and strengthen the relationship between you and the school.

For many past pupils, SVPS was a place where you felt a warmth of welcome, developed an enduring sense of social justice, and celebrated for your individuality.

To reconnect with other past pupils and staff who are in your current family, friendship circles, or networks, share this link:
https://forms.gle/GQrNWbXxz4iqkdru9 

Links to our socials:
https://www.facebook.com/alumni.svps
https://www.instagram.com/pastpupilssweetvalleyprimary

Email
[email protected]