Dear Parents and Guardians,
Warm greetings from the leadership and staff at Woodward Private School.
As we embrace the heart of winter and stand at the threshold of Term 3, I wish to take this opportunity to both update you and express my heartfelt gratitude. Your ongoing commitment to your child’s education is not just a gesture of involvement—it is a profound investment in their future. In the words of Mark Twain, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Thank you for starting—and staying—the course with us.
1. Winter School: A Season of Academic Renewal
From Monday, 7 July to Thursday, 17 July 2025, our School has been alive with purposeful energy. Learners across FET, particularly our Grade 12s and 11s, engaged in focused learning interventions to consolidate content, deepen understanding, and close conceptual gaps. Despite the winter chill, our classrooms remained warm with engagement, effort, and tailored academic support.
We are deeply grateful to the parents and caregivers who encouraged attendance and ensured learners arrived prepared. Teachers went above and beyond—offering extra sessions, one-on-one diagnostics, and addressing individual learning needs among our learners. This period has not only enhanced our learners’ readiness but has also strengthened the academic heartbeat of our school.
2. School Fees: Sustaining Excellence Together
We extend our sincere appreciation to families who have kept up with their school fees. Your timely contributions ensure that the operations, interventions, and developmental programmes at Woodward continue unhindered.
However, we urge parents and guardians with outstanding fees to settle these amounts before the start of Term 3. This helps reduce financial strain and ensures continuity in the delivery of quality education. Please note that Grade 12 learners shall not be permitted to sit for their Preliminary Examinations unless their fees are fully paid. This is a non-negotiable requirement that upholds fairness and consistency.
3. Career Guidance Workshop: Illuminating Futures
Our learners in Grades 10, 11, and 12 stand at critical crossroads in their academic and personal development. In South Africa, career guidance is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Many of our youth leave school unsure of their career direction, often leading to delays or missteps in post-school pathways.
To help address this, we are pleased to announce our Career Guidance Workshop to be held on Saturday, 2 August 2025 at 09h00 in the School Main Hall. The event coincides with Report Collection Day, making it easy for all to attend.
We are honoured to welcome a special guest speaker—a nationally recognised expert in youth development and career coaching—who will inspire and equip both learners and parents with insight into career choices, subject relevance, and navigating tertiary opportunities.
All learners and their parents/caregivers are strongly encouraged not to miss this pivotal event. The time to enlighten and empower our young adults is now.
4. Tourism PAT: Mandatory Attendance and Full Compliance
The Tourism Practical Assessment Task (PAT) for Grade 12s will be written on:
- Day 1: Tuesday, 5 August 2025
- Day 2: Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Time: 09h00 to 13h30 (including a 30-minute break each day)
These assessments must be written at school under controlled, invigilated conditions, as per the National Senior Certificate regulations. No learner may write from home or attend on alternate days. Any absence—with or without a valid reason—will be dealt with in line with national policy.
We ask parents and guardians to support their children with the necessary logistics, punctuality, and resources to ensure full compliance and readiness.
5. Grade 12 Specific Reminders
As the year swiftly progresses, we remind all Grade 12 parents of the following important points:
- Prelim Examination Fees Clearance: Learners must have no outstanding fees by the start of the preliminary exams. No exceptions will be made.
- Matric Dance – 2 October 2025: A highlight of the year, the Matric Dance is set for Saturday, 2 October 2025. A contribution of R2,000 is required by 30 September 2025 to ensure successful planning.
- Matric Workbooks: Each Grade 12 learner received subject-specific workbooks in March. Alarmingly, a number of these remain unpaid. Parents are requested to settle outstanding workbook payments by 31 July 2025. Please note: No further payment extensions will be granted.
In Closing
To every parent, guardian, and caregiver: thank you.
Thank you for trusting us, for partnering with us, and for showing up in your child’s life—in big and small ways. Education is not an event. It is a journey, and journeys are best undertaken together.
We look forward to a purposeful third term, filled with progress, partnerships, and possibility.
With all due respect and warm regards,
Principal: Woodward Private School
