Last term communication Dec 2020
Dear Parent/Guardian
This is the last communication of this strange year: we have all experienced something new this year, some good and some bad, and some to grow us while others challenge us. It has been a journey not conceived by any of us, but it is one we are glad to have taken with our Step Ahead family.
Please take note of the information below as it pertains to this and the following year.
Curriculum:
This year has been a disruptive one for learning, and has had an impact on the general educational experience of the year. We encourage learners to continue exploring and learning during the break – reading newspapers, books, and articles, and watching educational programmes on DTSV channels 317-319. There are some online platforms offering educational resources for learners of all grades including Siyavula, Nalibali, and 2Enable.org. For more resources and information please refer to the Department of Education’s website: www.education.gov.za/covid19supportpackage.aspx.
Finance:
We want to extend our gratitude to our parents for fulfilling the financial obligation to the school timeously. The school cannot function without the tuition fees, especially in these hard times.
We expect all tuition fees to be paid up by now. We will not extend the payment date – the date was extended to November to accommodate parents/guardians facing challenges. We cannot extend it any further.
Please note that there is a registration fee of R200 for next year that must be paid in January for the learner to attend school – it is a way of informing us that the learner will be with us in the coming year.
Please note that fee payments schedules/dates must be strictly observed – January fees must be paid before the 7th of January, including the registration fee and the workbook amount. Parents/guardians may start paying for next year if they so wish – please ensure the reference includes 2021.
Co- & Extra-curricular activities 2021:
Please note that we no longer have a co-curriculum fee for the year. Our extra and co-curricular activities, as well as those of third parties such as Conquesta and choir competitions are still on hold until we have received communication from the various bodies concerned. We will communicate any changes regarding these in 2021. Thank you for the excitement shown this year for the activities – we look forward to coming together again for the various events.
Graduation:
Our 21st Grade R graduation was held on Thursday 19 November 2020 at school. Due to the Covid-19 regulations, we could only host 1 parent for every learner and a few guests for the day. Updates on the event have been posted on the school Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stepaheadprimary
The Graduation DVD’s will be available for sale during report collection time for R150 at the office.
Communication:
We are moving to more sustainable communication methods that will deliver information straight to the parent/guardian. We ask that you update the contact information for the person responsible for the learner – we request a number that can be reached via SMS or WhatsApp and an email address we can forward newsletters to when needed.
Please be aware of the types of communication we use: if the letter does not have the school name in bold, the above letter head and/or the school stamp with a signature, it is not from us – disregard the communication
Reports:
The collection date for reports will be communicated to parents/guardians via sms/messages – please ensure we have the correct contact number. Please note that no fee payment or fee related queries will be addressed during this time – it is strictly for report collection. Please contact the school before this date to check the account balance. Learners collecting reports to be dressed in full school uniform.
2021 Opening:
The office will open on the 19th of January for admissions, purchasing of uniform and for fee payments, while learners will open on Wednesday 27 January 2021. The girls will be wearing the summer uniform – only long school socks allowed and not stockings or amagusha. The arrival time is between 07:00-07:15.
We hope this Christmas is one where we remember the gift of life and appreciate all that is important – family, friends and love.
Yours in service
Principal and staff
