• The principal shouldn’t treat bullying behaviour among staff lightly. Ensure the governing body is informed about any problems because it represents the parents and the community.
• Parents can act as a group at parent evenings. These are opportunities for the school to explain its intervention strategy and involve the parents.
• Learners must be encouraged to tell their friends, any teacher or the principal about bullies. Traumatised children can be referred to the school psychologist. If the problem is deep-seated parents should rather take their child to a private psychologist.
• Childline recommends that every school, with input from teachers, parents and learners, should develop a clear-cut policy against all types of bullying, whether it’s verbal, physical or electronic. Such a policy should be applied consistently and fearlessly.
• Respect the ban on corporal punishment and hazing (negative initiation practices) at schools. Teachers and older learners should set a non-violent example.

• Teachers can do a lot to help. Promote awareness among learners, for example by using role-play where one child plays the bully and another the victim. Create an environment where children can express themselves without fear.
• If bullying teachers were also victims as children or have other problems, psychological counselling can help them too.
• If you’re a learner being bullied, resist feeling bad or guilty about yourself. Remember, school is a passing phase.
• Be irreproachable. Be yourself and don’t lose respect for your teacher. Behave well, even if they don’t treat you well.
• Make an appointment with the teacher and try to clear the air. Sometimes this works.

Although homeschooling is legal in South Africa, it is not actively encouraged by the government: permission must first be sought from provincial authorities, and various requirements must be met, such as the provision of a weekly timetable and a learning programme.
Home schooling is an option if you feel your child will thrive in a more personal set-up. Speak to parents of homeschooled children to find out more and to see if this could be for you. Look at this site: https://www.education.gov.za/Parents/HomeSchooling/tabid/406/Default.aspx . You will find most of the information you need as well as links to some of the grades and the DBE books you can use, as well as teacher lesson plans and what the children need to achieve in terms of learning for the year.

Register with Pestalozzi Trust, the South African legal defence fund for home schooling in South Africa.  The membership fee is a reasonable fee of R1200 per family per annum. The law is on the side of your child’s best interests!!! https://www.pestalozzi.org/
Free resources, information and curriculum guides can be found at https://www.homeschooling-curriculum-guide.com/homeschooling-South-Africa.html
Follow the guides on the curriculums on the websites that link to the Dept Education curriculums, and your children will slot right into the schooling system should you later decide on this course of action.

• Avoid loose, uneven or careless stitching that could easily come undone.
• Check for raw or frayed fabric edges.
• Pass on zippers that are openly exposed to the weather.
• The width of a backpack should be relatively proportionate to the person’s width.
• Look for broad straps with padding for the shoulders, both to offer more comfort, and protect the shoulders from excessive pressure.
• Go for backpacks with pockets, slots and dividers to distribute the weight evenly.
• Consider your child’s personal style and look for bright colours and trendy patterns on high-quality backpacks.

There’s nothing more maddening than when your children tell you they’ve lost their bag/ tracksuit top/ brand- new school shoes. Try Labels4School (www.labels4school.co.za) – they can even add your child’s Grade and class, as well as a little image or icon (a butterfly, aeroplane etc.), so that kids who can’t read yet can easily identify what is theirs.

• Avoid buying things just because they are cheaper. It’s better to invest in quality stationery than finding yourself having to buy more stationery during the year, which might turn out to be costlier.
• Remember to compare prices from different stores. You might get good-quality products for less by comparing prices.
• Keeping your stationery organised will also keep them in good condition. Invest in a good- quality pencil case or a bag with separate compartments to keep everything organised.
• Keeping track of the stationery will ensure that your child doesn’t lose items without realising it.
• Ensure your child’s stationery is marked.
• Teach young children to handle their stationery with care. They should always replace tops on pens, glue and markers after use and keep crayons and colouring pencils in their box.

Randfontein’s Petite Chef, Juanita Venter’s six lunchbox essentials:
1. Choose fresh, lean protein such as chicken breast fillets or kebabs, chickpea falafels, mini lean mince balls, boiled eggs, tinned fish, beans or lentils instead of processed meats such as Viennas or polony, which are high in salt and ‘bad’ saturated fats.
2. Choose starchy foods that are high in dietary fibre and nutrients such as whole-wheat bread, multigrain wraps, wholegrain crackers, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, sweet potato, or butternut.
3. To get all those essential vitamins and minerals, make sure to load up on fruit and veggies, adding a variety of colours for a variety of different nutrients. Try carrot, cucumber, celery or bell pepper veggie sticks, sugar snap peas or cherry tomatoes to nibble on. Fill a sandwich or wrap with shredded lettuce, coleslaw, grated carrot, sliced tomato or cucumber.
4. Help build healthy teeth and bones by including dairies such as low-fat milk or yoghurt, cottage cheese or a small cube of hard cheese.
5. Include healthy snack-time nibbles such as a
small handful of plain unsalted nuts, air-popped popcorn, fresh or chopped fruit, low-fat yoghurt,

veggie sticks with a dip such as hummus, guacamole, or cottage cheese.
6. Don’t forget to include cold water which is the best choice to hydrate busybodies. Keep it cold by freezing it overnight or adding a small ice pack to the lunchbox. Make water more exciting by adding fruit slices or mint leaves. Details: 064 971 8509.

School shoe checklist …
• There should be a child’s thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.
• The widest part of the foot should correspond with the widest part of
the shoe.
• The fastening mechanism should hold the heel firmly in the back of the shoe.
• The sole should not twist but the fit must allow for flexibility and bend around the ball area
• The heel should be snug but comfortable and the back part of the shoe strong and stable.
• Don’t buy over-large shoes, as they can lead to injuries.
• Buy shoes in the afternoon as the children’s feet often become a little swollen towards the end of the day. It is better to fit school shoes when your child’s feet are at their biggest.