Message from the office

This week I have decided to reshare a message that was sent out in our newsletter on the 3 March last year. I think it is important for all of us to not get lax about our children’s cellphone usage, to always be vigilant about what they are doing on it, what they are being exposed to and how long they spend on it each day, particularly during exam time.

As you are well aware we do not allow our girls to have their cellphones at school or at any school event. This is largely due to both the distraction it can cause and to avoid the many disciplinary issues that arise from cellphone use.

If you as a parent have chosen to allow your child to own a phone, to have access to social media and to be able to go online, there are some serious consequences that may come with this decision if certain rules and boundaries and regular checks are not enforced. Our girls, including the Grade 7s, do not have the maturity to manage themselves or to set their own boundaries and this includes what they Google, what they may watch, what they read, what they say to others online and how much time they spend on their phones.

Are you checking on what your daughters are saying to others, what others are saying to them, what chats they are part of and what links they are viewing? This is not imposing on their privacy, this is good parenting. If you are concerned about what is happening, take your

child’s phone away or set limits as to how long they can be on their phones. Make it very clear to them that as you are the sponsor of their airtime and data, and simply as you are the parent, you will be checking in on their phones from time to time and if there is something they don’t want you to see, then they shouldn’t be doing it.

Teach your daughter what is acceptable and what is not. Teach her that if you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, then you shouldn’t say it in a text. Let your children know that they can share with you if they are feeling victimised, picked on or bullied online. Empower them to report someone else being picked on, in a chat that they are on, and if they don’t they are consenting to the bullying. Teach them that it is okay to leave a group that they don’t like or feel uncomfortable with and that they don’t have to explain why. Teach them that spreading rumours and making false allegations online is a criminal offense nd that they can find themselves in serious trouble if they do so.

Additionally, it is important that you do not allow screen time just before bedtime. Studies show that children might be even more sensitive than adults to screen time before bed. Screens can stimulate a child’s mind, making it trickier for them to settle down. Plus, the blue light can disrupt their natural sleep cycle. So to ensure your daughter gets the deep, restful sleep she needs, make sure she isn’t on her phone at least an hour before bed and even then that it is not for an extended period.

I know that young children love their phones and it is the modern way to socialise but at what cost? Set boundaries and keep alert. If you’ve made the decision to give your daughter a phone, that is the responsibility that comes with it, as a parent. Check your daughter’s phone today, she is too young to be hiding things from you and she is too young to be left to make decisions that come with being online.

---

VP’s Got Talent Ticket sales

Tickets for our finalists show of VP’s Got Talent will be available from the school office as from Monday. The show will be held on Thursday the 13th June @ 18:00. There will be a limited number of tickets sold so buy now to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost R25 per person.

---

Flu

There is a nasty strain of influenza doing the rounds and this is certainly not ideal with exams in progress. We are encouraging our girls to wash their hands regularly at school. If your daughter has flu symptoms and she is well enough to come to school, if possible, please send her with a mask to avoid further spreading to others. This flu seems to have hit Makhanda hard! On that note a reminder that if your daughter is to miss any exams whether for one day or more, she will need a doctor’s note to excuse herself.  This is according to our school policy.

---

Merit Achievers

Well done Oyama Morule, Lunathi Zikishe, Talitha Dingani, Manahil Rizvi, Tandolwethu Ketwa, Chikhu Mitochi and Eila Chirombo who have received over 250 merits this year. Keep up the hard work, girls!

---

Exam times

Next week the Grade 4-7 classes will continue with their exams. The academic school day will end at 13:00 and the extramural programme will run from 13:00-14:00 (back page of newsletter).

Exam Timetable

Date	Exams
Monday, 20 May	Grade 4-7: ·        Maths Paper 1 ·        English Language and Comprehension
Tuesday, 21 May	Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 2 Grade 7: Life Orientation
Wednesday, 22 May	Grade 4-7: Natural Sciences Grade 7: LSPA Practical
Thursday, 23 May	Grade 4-7: SS History Grade 7: LSPA theory
Friday, 24 May	Grade 7:  EMS

---

SAC/DSG Music Festival: We are so proud of our young musicians who participated in the SAC/DSG music festival on Monday. Each performer displayed excellent stage deportment, and managed their nerves well. This was a wonderful opportunity for these girls to perform in a non-competitive arena, and to hear a range of repertoire being played on a wide array of instruments. Well done!

 Mini Maestros: We wish our musicians the best for today as they attend the Mini Maestro competition at Kingswood Music school. Play well and make us proud, girls!

---

SPORT

Tennis: Congratulations Stella Mullin, Marizaan Boucher, Kaylee May and Daniella McLean who were the district winners at their tournament last weekend. Well done, girls!

U10 & U13 Hockey Clinic: On Saturday, 18 May Ms Knott-Craig and Mrs Andrews will be running a hockey clinic for all the U10 hockey girls and the U13A&B hockey teams. The girls involved have received letters with further information.

U8 Hockey Clinic: A selected group of U8 Hockey girls will take part in a hockey clinic at St Andrew’s Prep, Fairlawn field on Thursday, 23 May 2024. The aim of the day is to have fun on the hockey field and learn new skills. The girls will be doing some drills with various coaches. We will start at 13:15 and finish at 14:15. We will leave school at 12:45. Parents are welcome to collect their daughters from St Andrew’s Prep.

 Tennis: On Friday, 24 May the Top 8 tennis girls will play a tennis match against DSG at VP. The match will start at 13:30. Girls will receive letters. Good luck, girls!

Hockey & Netball vs DSG: On Saturday, 25 May at we will be playing hockey and netball vs DSG at VP. Please see the fixtures that follow:

Hockey Fixtures vs DSG & Prep 25th May 2024
Time		Top Field
10:00-10:45	u13A VP vs DSG u13A	10:00-10:25	VP u10A vs DSG u10A
10:45-11:20	u13C VP vs DSG u13C	10:25-11:00	DSG u11A vs DSG u11B
11:20-11:55	u13B VP vs DSG u13B	11:00-11:25	VP u10B vs DSG u10B	VPu10C vs VP u10D

Netball Fixtures vs DSG & Prep 25 May 2024
Time	Court A	Time	Court B
09:00	u11C VP vs DSG u11C	09:00	u10A VP vs DSG u10A
09:25	u11B VP vs DSG u11B	09:25	u10B VP vs DSG u10B
09:50	u11A VP vs DSG u11A	09:50	u12C VP vs DSG u12C
10:15	u12B VP vs DSG u12B	10:15	u12D VP vs DSG u12D
10:40	u12A VP vs DSG u12A	10:40	u13B VP vs DSG u13B
11:05	u13A VP vs DSG u13A

---

Slipper Day – 31 May

If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May!  If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream, an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

---

VP Whatsapp Broadcast group

Thank you to all the families who returned their consent forms for a school Whatsapp Broadcast group. These have all been added however in order for you to receive the Broadcast messages please add the school cellphone number to your contacts: 0834682706.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff member and girls a very happy birthday: Ms Stirk, Abenathi Kulati, Zaydiah Adler, Rose Jordaan, Zingce Tanga, Riley-Anne Knott-Craig, Emihle Kulati, Riley-Jo Potts, Rose Chirombo and  Elrie-Louise Minnaar. We hope you have a very happy day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Upcoming events

Fri. 17/05	Mini Maestro Competition @Kingswood College
Sat. 18/05	U10 & U13A&B Hockey clinic
20-24 May	Gr 4-7 academic day ends at 13:00. Extramurals are from 13:00-14:00. Please see exam timetable for scheduled exams.
Thurs 23/05	U8 Hockey Clinic @SAC Prep
Sat. 25/05	Netball & Hockey vs DSG @VP
Wed. 29/05	National Election Day
Fri. 31/05	Slipper Day

Extramural Programme

ALL THE EXTRA MURALS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 13:00-14:00

NB* Please note that the FOUNDATION PHASE Sport will continue as normal.

Monday 20 May	Chamber Choir- 07:15-07:45 NETBALL – U10A/B -VGHS Courts (13:00 -14:00) (Mrs Britz-Nel) NETBALL – U11A/B – VGHS Courts (13:00-14:00) (Mrs Kruger) INTERVENTION SESSIONS Grade 4 Interventions (voluntary) 13:00-14:00 Grade 6 Maths Intervention: Mrs Goodes 13:00-14:00 Grade 7 Maths Intervention : Mrs Coetzee 13:00-14:00
Tuesday 21 May	Senior Choir – 07:15-07:45 Junior Choir – 07:30-08:00 NETBALL – U13A/B – VGHS Courts (13:00-14:00) (Ms Featherstone) NETBALL – U12A/B – VGHS Courts (13:00-14:00) (Mr Buka) HOCKEY – U10 A/B/C/D Top field Miss Knott-Craig/Miss Du Plooy (Fergusson Field) Strength Training – All Welcome (Gr 4-7)  (Mrs Rafferty) TEAM TENNIS- Court C/D 13:00-13:45 Mrs Thiart Grade 5 Eng/Maths Interventions: Ms Miskin 13:00-14:00 (Voluntary)
Wednesday 22 May	Senior Choir – 07:15-07:45 Junior Choir – 07:30-08:00 HOCKEY – U13 1sts/2nds (13:00-14:00) (Mrs Andrews) VG Field HOCKEY – U13 3rds/4ths (13:00-14:00) (Mrs Sauls/Mrs Coetzee) Fergusson Field NETBALL – U11C/D – (13:00 – 14:00) (Mrs Kruger) NETBALL – U10C/D – Court A/B (13:00 -14:00) (Mrs Britz-Nel)
Thursday 23 May	Senior Choir – 07:15-07:45 Junior Choir – 07:30-08:00 NETBALL – U12/U13 C/D – VGHS Courts (13:00-14:00) (Ms Vongo) INTERVENTION SESSIONS Grade 4 Intervensions 13:00-14:00 Grade 5 Maths Intervention: Ms Miskin 13:00-14:00 (Voluntary) Grade 7 Maths Intervention: Mrs Coetzee 13:00-14:00
Friday 24 May	Orchestra 13:00-14:00 Chamber Choir 13:00-14:00
Saturday 25 May	HOCKEY AND NETBALL vs DSG

Message from the office

Today’s message has to be to our VP moms- to all the women; mommies, grannies, big sisters and aunties who nurture, care for and support our little girls every day. Here are a few special messages from our VP girls to their moms.

Aleah Grade R

My mother is special. She’s cool and compassionate but she knows when to step her foot down. My mother has impeccable style and looks gorgeous everyday. I love her.

Avuzwa Grade 7

Dear Mom,

You are my everything.

You make me laugh and smile,

You’re my wall to lean on.

I would never trade your love for anything.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Azile Grade 7

Hlalumi Grade 2

My mom has taught me many life lessons. How to be well-mannered, being grateful for what I have and being thankful to go to a school where I meet all the children that are like my sisters, and teachers like my parents. I admire my mom because she knows what’s right and wrong.  Manahil Grade 7

Dear Mom

Thank you for teaching me to be the girl I am today.

Jazlin Grade 7

To the world you are a mother, but to your family you are the world.

Alizia Grade 7

Dear Mama

You are the best Mama ever. You are always there when I need you. You make me feel very very loved at home and you always make me feel like I am the best chef, singer and queen in the world. I am very happy that I am your daughter. You are the kindest-hearted mother in the world… well to me and my sister of course. I love you lots. Sinesipho Grade 5

Dear Mom

I just wanted to tell you why I love you so much. I love you because…everytime I’m sad you always find a way to make me happy by just looking at me and when I look in your beautiful brown eyes I see and I know that you love me very much!  Lulo Grade 4

To my mother

You should appreciate yourself. You are always there for me. You are kind, honest, sweet and loving. I appreciate you taking risks and sacrificing things for me. You are so pretty or beautiful or I just cannot find the words for how good of a mother you are. You do a lot of things for me. You help me, you love me and do everything for me that I need you to do.    Misha Grade 4

We wish you a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. May you be spoilt!

---

Ndlulamthi Badges
Congratulations to Luhle Songongo, Andisiwe Mraji, Leah Doyle, Glennis Chakurungama and Nakhane Klei who all received their badges at Monday’s assembly. Well done, girls. We are so proud of you!

Worker of the Week

Congratulations to Lucy Bennett who is our Worker of the Week for good work in isiXhosa. Well done, Lucy!

---

Assembly

Thank you to Grade 4F for their lovely assembly on believing in yourself and overcoming your challenges. Our next class assembly is only on the 27 May and will be hosted by Grade 3D. We are looking forward to our first Foundation Phase class’ message!

---

Creative Arts Workshop

This afternoon the Grade 7 learners will prepare for their mid-year practical performance and theory exam at school from 14:00. We request that your daughters are collected at the Pre-Primary Gate at 16:25. No later than 16:30. This workshop is compulsory, as we are preparing for their mid-year exams.

---

Music

SAC/DSG Music Festival

Nine VP girls will perform at this music festival on Monday morning. Performers are reminded to wear full winter uniform. We wish you all the best, girls!

 Mini Maestros

Eighteen VP girls will perform at this annual competition, which is being held at the Kingswood Music School on Friday morning. These girls are to wear civvies and their Mini Maestros T-shirts. Play well and make us proud!

 Assessments

All music pupils will play their Term 2 music assessments next week. Keep up the good work, girls, and GOOD LUCK!

---

School Times

As from Monday, 13 May until Friday, 24 May to accommodate the writing of examinations by Grade 4-7 and to ensure that girls still remain active, the academic school day will end at 13:00 and the extramural programme will run from 13:00-14:00. Please ensure that arrangements have been made for your daughter to go home promptly at 14:00 (or 13:00 if she is not doing extramurals) every day to prepare for her next exam. The revised extramural programme for these two weeks accompanies this newsletter.

 Exam Timetable

Date	Exams
Mon-Wed 13-15 May	Grade 4-7 Creative Writing (HL&FAL)
Thursday, 16 May	Grade 4-7: ·        SS Geography ·        Art
Friday, 17 May	Grade 4-7: – Afr/Xhosa (FAL) Language and Comprehension Grade 7: Technology Grade 4-6: Life Skills
Monday, 20 May	Grade 4-7: ·        Maths Paper 1 ·        English Language and Comprehension
Tuesday, 21 May	Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 2 Grade 7: Life Orientation
Wednesday, 22 May	Grade 4-7: Natural Sciences Grade 7: LSPA Practical
Thursday, 23 May	Grade 4-7: SS History Grade 7: LSPA theory
Friday, 24 May	Grade 7:  EMS

---

 Be a good ambassador!

Please make sure that your daughter is dressed neatly and in full uniform when out in public. We want our girls to look neat and be good ambassadors for our school. Dress codes that apply at school, apply when out and about too.

---

SPORT

Derby Day at Erica Primary

On Saturday, 11 May our netball and hockey teams will be travelling to Erica Primary in Gqeberha to participate in their Derby Day. Please make sure your daughter is dropped off at the Huntley Street gate by no later than 06:00. The fixtures will be as follows:

 Hockey

		Field A		Field B
	8:30	U13A Erica vs Priory
	9:10	u13B Erica vs VP		U13C Erica vs Priory
	9:50	U13A Priory vs VP		U13D Erica vs VP
	10:30	U13B Erica vs Priory		U13C Priory vs VP
	11:10	U13A Erica vs VP
	11:50	U13B Priory vs VP		U13C Erica vs VP
			Astro 1		Astro 2
9:00			u9B Priory vs VP		u10C Erica vs VP
9:30			u9A Erica vs Priory		u10A Priory vs VP
10:00			u9B Eriva vs VP		u10B Erica vs Priory
10:30			u9A Erica vs VP		u10A Erica vs VP
11:00			u9B Erica vs VP		u10B Priory vs VP
11:30			u9A Priory vs VP		u10A Erica vs Priory
12:00					u10B Erica vs VP

 

Netball

	Court A	Court B
9:00	u10B Erica vs VP	u13A Erica vs VP
9:30	u9A Erica vs VP	u11A Erica vs VP
10:00	u10A Erica vs VP	u12A Erica vs VP
10:30	u9B Erica vs VP	u11B Erica vs VP

 Please fetch your daughter from the Hostel gate in Hill Street. We expect to be back in Makhanda between 14:30-15:00. We will use our Whatsapp Broadcast groups to keep you informed. Please arrange transport accordingly.

Tennis

We wish Stella Mullin, Marizaan Boucher, Kaylee May and Daniella McLean the best of luck for their tournament on Sunday, 12 May. Play well, girls!

Hockey Clinic

On Saturday, 18 May Ms Knott-Craig and Mrs Andrews will be running a hockey clinic for all the U10 hockey girls and the U13A&B hockey teams. The girls involved will receive a letter with further information.

Change of date

Please note that the hockey and netball fixtures against PAH and DSG will take place on Saturday, 25 May at VP.

---

VP’s Got Talent

A reminder to submit your entries. The closing date is on Friday, 24 May. Entry forms must be accompanied by the entry fee of R10 per person auditioning.

---

Slipper Day – 31 May

If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May!  All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream, an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

 

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday: Mrs Andrews, Alonge Loyilani, Sairaah Govender, Lunje Manzana, Lubeluhle Peteni, Unako Sigwinta, Esihle Xulu, Lulolodwa Siko and Alumindawo Xibiya. We hope you have a very happy day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Upcoming events

Fri. 10/05	Grade 7 Creative Arts workshop 14:00-16:30 Chamber Choir cancelled
Sat. 11/05	Derby Day @Erica Primary, Gqeberha
13-24 May	Gr 4-7 academic day ends at 13:00. Extramurals are from 13:00-14:00. Please see exam timetable for scheduled exams.
13-17 May	Music Assessment Week
Mon 13/05	SAC/DSG Music Festival (Soloists)
Thurs. 16/05	U8&9 Hockey vs Oatlands @VP
Fri. 17/05	Mini Maestro Competition
Sat. 18/05	U10 & U13A&B Hockey clinic
Fri. 31/05	Slipper Day

Message from the office

I trust that you have had a lovely Workers’ Day and that you were able to spend wonderful quality family time together.

I read this article which I thought I’d share extracts of, about the importance of parent/child quality time. (https://extension.sdstate.edu/why-spending-quality-time-your-children-important)

Life is busy, especially for parents and families. As the days go by our to-do lists become fuller and other priorities seem to take precedence over quality family time. Research shows that it is vital to schedule recurring family time with your children. As busy parents, you spend plenty of time with your children, however is it truly quality time? Quality time with your children means giving them your undivided attention. Spending quality time with your children does not have to be a huge undertaking, it can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to spend together without any distractions.

According to research children who experience quality time with their caregivers are less likely to have behavioural issues at home or at school.  Showing your children that you love and care for them helps to keep them mentally and emotionally strong and as a parent the best way to do this is to spend quality time with them on a regular basis.

Here are some simple tips for spending quality time with your children:

• Connect daily with your child. Whether it is face-to-face connections before school and work or sending them a little note in their lunch bags, any type of connection with your children is important and valuable.
• Tell your child that you love them every day. Let your child know why you love and value them.
• Create some routine rituals, such as picking and reading a short book before bedtime.
• Reinforce positive behaviours with your appreciation.
• Cook a meal and eat together. This allows for the family to talk to one another as well as fosters teamwork.
• Schedule time to do an activity with your child, let them choose. Such as crafting, baking, family game night, etc.
• Play with your child, even if it is just for a few minutes.
• Tell jokes and laugh with your child. Laughter is great for improving emotional health.
• Take time away from technology and just spend time listening and talking to your child.

Making a meaningful connection with your daughter is important and can be a simple priority to incorporate into your daily schedule. Doing as such, will have a lasting impact on them as they grow into contributing adults in the future.

 

---

Assembly

On Monday we had enjoyed an assembly presented to us by Grade 4K about trying to find a silver lining in every situation. On Monday, 6 May it will be Grade 4F’s turn to present their assembly. Parents are welcome to support. The assembly will start promptly at 10:15.

---

Worker of the Week:

Well done to Carla Frazer for her beautiful project on the Ladybird. Keep up the good work, Carla.

 Personalities of the Week

Congratulations to the following girls who received their certificate for the Personality of the Week at our assembly on Monday.

• Emihle Siwa for Empathy and Helpfulness
• Jade Thompson for Perseverance
• Kenzeigh Scear for Helpfulness on the Sportsfield.

Thank you for the positive impact you all make!

Sportsmanship Trophy

Congratulations to Esethu Stamper for displaying a positive attitude and for encouraging her teammates at the netball fixture against Gill College. Your enthusiasm was very encouraging to your team, Esethu!

Merit Achievers

Well done Shaziah Loutz, Emihle Siwa, Manahil Rizvi, Zaydiah Adler, Abigail Green, Abenathi Kulati, Milani Nothoko, Linomtha Kula and Asanda Mbolompo who have received over 250 merits so far this year. Keep it up, girls!

---

At our assembly on Monday we thanked Mr Wayne Weber and Mr Nolan Berriman from Settler City Toyota for their sponsorship of our U13A hockey teams match kit and for the practice tops for our U13A hockey and netball teams. We thank them whole-heartedly for the generous sponsorship.

We would like to thank Dr Bellingan, from the Albany Museum for donating three butterfly displays to the Grade 3 classes. The Grade 3s also had a very interesting and informative presentation about insects from Dr Bellingan.

Thank you, Mr Abrahams and the local EMS team for an informative lesson and demonstration on First Aid for our Grade 2 & 3s. The girls also had the opportunity to see all the emergency medical equipment that first responders use.

---

Winter Uniform

Please note that as from Monday, 6 May all girls must be wearing full winter uniform: school skirt or navy blue pants, long sleeved white shirt, navy blue stockings/nylons or navy blue long length socks.  Navy blue jerseys, pullovers, VP/VG drimacs, blazers and/or the thick VG jackets are permitted. Girls are not to wear their tracksuit tops with their school uniform. Plain navy blue scarves may be worn (not green). Beanies are NOT part of our school uniform.

---

Please Note

As from Monday, 13 May until Friday, 24 May to accommodate the writing of examinations by Grade 4-7 and to ensure that girls still remain active, the academic school day will end at 13:00 and the extramural programme will run from 13:00-14:00. The revised extramural programme for these two weeks will be sent out with the newsletter next week.

---

Music

• Scales tests

All music pupils will play their scales tests next week. Keep practising, girls!

• ABRSM exams

Girls who are eligible for these practical exams received their letters this week. Kindly note that the entry period is from 20-31 May.

• VPKC orchestra rehearsal

Our orchestra will rehearse with the Kingswood string ensemble on Monday 6 May, at 15h30. Letters went home this week and transport arrangements have been finalised.

• Friday rehearsals

Please note that due to the Grade 7 Creative Arts workshop, the Orchestra and Chamber Choir will not have their usual rehearsal on Friday, 10 May.

---

Creative Arts Workshop

On Friday, 10 May the Grade 7 learners will prepare for her mid-year practical performance and theory exam at school from 14:00. We request that your daughters are collected at the Pre-Primary Gate at 16:25. No later than 16:30. This workshop is compulsory, as we are preparing for their mid-year exams.

---

Tuesday Newsday

Members of our Media & Marketing Committee were tasked with illustrating this week’s edition of the Tuesday is Newsday publication which is shared nationally. Well done and thank you for your beautiful drawings! The Tuesday is Newsday is shared amongst our Intersen Phase girls and used for General Knowledge purposes. Next week’s edition will also be illustrated by members of our Grade 7 class. We look forward its release next week.

---

SPORT

Lorraine Sports Festival:  The U13A hockey team will participate in the annual Lorraine Festival on Saturday, 4 May 2024 in Gqeberha.  The fixtures are as follows: 08:18 VP vs Lorraine; 10:06 VP vs Riebeek; 11:18 VP vs George Suid; 12:30 VP vs Sunridge; 13:24 VP vs Hangklip.  Play well, girls and have fun!

Hockey Match: On Wednesday, 8 May 2024 the 3rds and 4th teams will be playing a match against St Marys starting at 14h30. All support will be appreciated. Parents are to enter through the office gate, Beaufort Street.

Hockey Clinic: On Thursday, 9 May selected U7 & U8 hockey girls will participate in a hockey clinic at Kingswood College. Girls involved will receive a notice. We are certain this will be a fun learning experience for all.

Derby Day at Erica Primary: On Saturday, 11 May our netball and hockey teams will be travelling to Erica Primary in Gqeberha to participate in their Derby Day.

The fixtures will be as follows:

Hockey

		Field A		Field B
	8:30	U13A Erica vs Priory
	9:10	u13B Erica vs VP		U13C Erica vs Priory
	9:50	U13A Priory vs VP		U13D Erica vs VP
	10:30	U13B Erica vs Priory		U13C Priory vs VP
	11:10	U13A Erica vs VP
	11:50	U13B Priory vs VP		U13C Erica vs VP
			Astro 1		Astro 2
9:00			u9B Priory vs VP		u10C Erica vs VP
9:30			u9A Erica vs Priory		u10A Priory vs VP
10:00			u9B Eriva vs VP		u10B Erica vs Priory
10:30			u9A Erica vs VP		u10A Erica vs VP
11:00			u9B Erica vs VP		u10B Priory vs VP
11:30			u9A Priory vs VP		u10A Erica vs Priory
12:00					u10B Erica vs VP

Netball

	Court A	Court B
9:00	u10B Erica vs VP	u13A Erica vs VP
9:30	u9A Erica vs VP	u11A Erica vs VP
10:00	u10A Erica vs VP	u12A Erica vs VP
10:30	u9B Erica vs VP	u11B Erica vs VP

 Swimming news: We’ve received the schools’ results from the Level 1 gala which took place on the 2nd March. VP came 7th out of a total of 14 schools – a wonderful achievement!

---

Slipper Day – 31 May

If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo. If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream, an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mrs Wilhelmi, Mrs Kruger, Milisuthando Nkayi, Inomusa Tauzen, Luna Copteros, Lunje Giyose, Zoe Green, Anopa-Nyasha Thondhlana and Ithandile Hilta. We hope you have a very happy day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Upcoming events

Sat. 04/05	Lorraine U13 Sports Festival @Lorraine Primary, Gqeberha
Mon. 06/04	·         Winter uniform ·         Grade 4F assembly @10:15
Wed. 08/05	3rd& 4th hockey team vs St Mary’s @VP 14:30
Thurs. 09/05	U7&U8 Hockey clinic @KC
Fri. 10/05	Grade 7 Creative Arts workshop 14:00-16:30 Chamber Choir cancelled
Sat. 11/05	Derby Day @Erica Primary, Gqeberha
Mon. 13/05 – Fri. 24/05	Gr 4-7 academic day ends at 13:00. Extramurals are from 13:00-14:00.
Fri. 31/05	Slipper Day

Exam TImetable

Date	Exams
Thursday, 16 May	Grade 4-7: ·         SS Geography ·         Art
Friday, 17 May	Grade 4-7: – Afr/Xhosa (FAL) Language and Comprehension Grade 7: Technology Grade 4-6: Life Skills
Monday, 20 May	Grade 4-7: ·         Maths Paper 1 ·         English Language and Comprehension
Tuesday, 21 May	Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 2 Grade 7: Life Orientation
Wednesday, 22 May	Grade 4-7: Natural Sciences Grade 7: LSPA Practical
Thursday, 23 May	Grade 4-7: SS History Grade 7: LSPA theory
Friday, 24 May	Grade 7:  EMS

Message from the office

We celebrated Arbour Day today and our girls certainly looked like a forest of autumn trees in their different colours. Ms Miskin gave a short talk on the importance of trees and we bought an orange tree to plant on our campus which we hope will bear fruit in the years to come. Thank you for the wonderful donations of plants we received to beautify our school!

It is so important that we teach our children to respect their environment and the world around them. Our children will build “the world of tomorrow” so it is for this reason that it is one of a parent’s essential duties to educate their children to respect the environment. Safeguarding the ecosystem in which we live means learning to take care of yourself and the people you love, so that the planet is a more beautiful place to live. It is up to us adults, above all, to set a good example, because children learn by observing us and copying our habits.
But how can we go about teaching our children to love the environment?

Here are some simple tips to set that example:

1. Teach your children to always look for a bin when out and about. Hold on to your rubbish until you find a bin and never ever throw your litter out the car window!
2. Wherever you go, like a picnic spot or hall, make the whole family pick up any litter, so that you leave the space as you’d like to find it.
3. Help clean up your community by keeping the area around your home and school, litter free.
4. Teach children to separate plastics, glass and paper so they will understand that there are types of material that are compostable and others which are biodegradable.
5. Teach them how to look after things through small projects such as caring for a plant or planting a small vegetable garden, this teaches them to know when to sow a seed, how to water it and how much light it needs to grow.
6. Allow your child to experience nature as much as possible. Understand the importance of breathing clean air and let them discover the wonders that our beautiful land offers us. Take time to go for a walk on mountain drive or down the street and point out the flowers, trees and insects and, if you know their names, teach your child what they are called.
7. Teach your child to NOT simply throw things away when we don’t like them anymore or they are no longer perfect, but rather to find an “alternative solution”. Teach them to Upcycle, share with their younger cousins or friends, or to share them with children less fortunate than themselves.
8. Establish simple habits such as always turning off the lights when you leave a room or turning off the tap when you brush your teeth. This way they will learn that energy and water are precious resources not to be wasted.

Practices repeated will become habits, changing habits. The planet will become a better place to live. (adapted from: https://www.naturino.com/en_en/teaching-children-to-respect-the-environment/)

 We must teach our children to smell the earth, to taste the rain, to touch the wind, to see things grow, to hear the sun rise and night fall – to care. ~ John Cleal

---

Assembly

We had a lovely assembly presented to us by Grade 5K encouraging our girls to embrace their uniqueness and think for themselves.

On Monday, 29 April it will be Grade 4K’s turn to present their assembly. Parents are welcome to support. The assembly will start promptly at 10:15.

---

Indlulamthi Badges: Congratulations to Bridget Akpeng, Maya Christian and Lunje Tshiki who all deservedly received their Indlulamthi Badges at Monday’s assembly. Thank you for being exemplary VP girls!

Worker of the Week: Halle Orsmond is our Worker of the Week for her wonderful work in class. Well done, Halle!

Merit Achievers: Well done, Avethandwa Xhango and Stella Mullin who have received over 250 merits so far this year. Keep it up, girls!

EP Hockey: Congratulations to Madison Edwards for making it into the second round of the EP hockey trials. Good luck and play your best this Sunday, Madi.

---

Public Holiday: Please note that next Wednesday, 1 May, is a public holiday (Workers’ Day) and there will be no school on this day.

---

VP’s Got Talent is now open for entries

Entry forms are now available from the office. Once the form is completed girls are to return the form with the entry fee (R10 per person auditioning) to their class teacher. If it is a group entry, groups must delegate the entry to one person to do.  The closing date for entries is Friday, 24 May.

---

Gill Results: Thank you to our parents for their wonderful support at Gill and to our parents who were patiently waiting for our delayed return.

Netball

U8A VP 2-7 Gill; U8B VP 3-4 Gill; U9A VP 1-19 Gill; U9B VP  3- 5 Gill; U10A VP 1-11 Gill; U10B VP 0-5 Gill; U11A VP 4-8 Gill; U12A VP 8-9 Gill; U12B VP 2-6 Gill; U13A VP 6-10 Gill; U13B VP 9-7 Gill.

 Hockey

U8A VP 0-10 Gilll; U8B VP 0-3 Gill; U9A VP 3-0 Gill; U9B VP 0-1 Gill; U10A VP 0-1 Gill; 2nds VP 0-0 Gill; 1sts VP 1-0 Gill.

Well done, girls. It was our first game and you made our school proud.

 Netball Round Robin

On Wednesday, 24 April VP, Ntaba Maria, St Mary’s, Fikizolo, and Good Shepherd participated in the U12 and U13 Round Robin at VP. The players enjoyed their matches and made their schools proud. VP’s results were as follows:

U12: VP 9-2 St Mary’s; VP 5-11 Good Shepherd

U13: VP 4-3 Good Shepherd; VP 7-6 Fikizolo

Lorraine Sports Festival

The U13A hockey team will participate in the annual Lorraine Festival on Saturday, 4 May 2024 in Gqeberha.

The fixtures are as follows:

08:18 VP vs Lorraine

10:06 VP vs Riebeek

11:18 VP vs George Suid

12:30 VP vs Sunridge

13:24 VP vs Hangklip

Play well, girls and have fun!

---

VP Whatsapp Broadcast group

Thank you to all the families who returned their consent forms for a school Whatsapp Broadcast group. We are in the process of adding all the numbers and will hopefully have it operating soon. In order for Whatsapp to know that we are not sending spam please add the school cell phone number to your contacts: 0834682706. Please note that this number will only be used to send out messages to parents. Calls or private messages to the number will not be answered.  All communication with the school must continue to come through the office 0466224850 or email admin@victoriaprimary.co.za

---

Slipper Day – 31 May

If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo. If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream, an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

---

Birthday wishes: We wish the following girls a very happy birthday for next week: Angela Ndhlovu, Kayleigh Scheepers, Alonge Loyilani, Sairaah Govender, Lunje Manzana, Lubeluhle Peteni, Unako Sigwinta, Esihle Xulu, Lulolodwa Siko and Alumindawo Xibiya. We hope you have a very happy day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

EXAM TIMETABLE

Date	Exams
Thursday, 16 May	Grade 4-7: ·         SS Geography ·         Art
Friday, 17 May	Grade 4-7: – Afr/Xhosa (FAL) Language and Comprehension Grade 7: Technology Grade 4-6: Life Skills
Monday, 20 May	Grade 4-7: ·         Maths Paper 1 ·         English Language and Comprehension
Tuesday, 21 May	Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 2 Grade 7: Life Orientation
Wednesday, 22 May	Grade 4-7: Natural Sciences Grade 7: LSPA Practical
Thursday, 23 May	Grade 4-7: SS History Grade 7: LSPA theory
Friday, 24 May	Grade 7:  EMS

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mon. 29/04	Grade 4K assembly @10:15
Wed. 01/05	Workers’ Day (Public holiday)
Fri. 03/05	Grade 7 Committee meetings
Sat. 04/05	Lorraine U13 Sports Festival @Lorraine Primary, Gqeberha
Fri. 31/05	Slipper Day

Message from the office

Tomorrow we have our first Saturday winter sports fixtures against Gill College. As a parent I used to love watching my children playing in their various sporting matches. As a very competitive person I often found it difficult to be a quiet supporter on the side but I knew how embarrassed my children would get if I somehow made my presence known, besides from the encouraging cheer that is always appreciated.

As parents, especially to those of primary school age, it is critical that we find the balance between encouraging our children to grow their talents and to find joy and fun in sport. Sometimes when we are too competitive and too judgemental we take all the fun out of the game.  Your daughter will feel the pressure of your expectations and forget to have fun.

Cheer your daughter from the sidelines and support her teammates. Support her coaches and their decisions – they are all trying their best. Do not coach on the side lines as this may contradict what they have been told as a team and by their coach. Do not get involved during team chats – leave that to the coach and the team. Do not undermine or speak poorly of your child’s coach in front of your daughter as this will affect her willingness and eagerness to give her best. And please please please, do not chirp the referee!! It is far too often that matches turn nasty not because the players are bad sports but because the adults involved have forgotten the ethics and value of sportsmanship and instead promote winning at all costs, and this gets tangibly absorbed into the spirit of the game being played.

Remind your daughter that she needs to play her best and support her teammates even if she isn’t in the team she hoped to be in or playing the position she wanted or if she isn’t in the starting line up or does not play a full game. In primary school, building character through sport is just as (if not more) important as learning the sport itself. Her coach will note her positive attitude and her team spirit – a coach wants a player who gives of her best (regardless of her situation), follows instructions, shows a willingness to learn and grow, and who is an encouraging and supportive teammate. Often these nurtured attitudes will go a long way to developing a successful player later in life.

I want to thank our eager and encouraging parents who find the time to come cheer our VP teams on and we are grateful for the very supportive parent body that we have. Praise your little girl’s efforts, point out her strengths and moments of greatness and sure, give her some tips, but above all, teach her to be a good sport (as this permeates into all of life) – win or lose.

---

Worker of the Week:  Congratulations to Isabella Tladi for her wonderfully written and presented Afrikaans poem about a lion.

 Indlulamthi Badge: Congratulations to Iminathi Ndilele who received her Indlulamthi badge at Monday’s assembly. We are proud of you, Iminathi.

Merit Achievers: Well done to Cassandra Radovic, Maya Christian, Ifeoma Nnadozie, Lisakhanya Cetu, Mila Nongubo and Lelethu Mlisa who have received over 250 merits so far this year. Keep it up, girls!

Astroquiz results: Congratulations to the following girls who made it through to Round 2 of the SAASTA Astroquiz, which will take place on the 16th of May:

Team 1: Lunathi Mkosana; Lunathi Zikishe; Talitha Dingani & Cassandra Radovic

Team 2: Maya Christian; Zaydiah Adler; Indiphile Zondani & Shaziah Loutz

---

Assembly

This past Monday we enjoyed Grade 5M’s assembly where our girls were encouraged to be brave and try something new and not be afraid to fail.

Grade 5K will be presenting their assembly on Monday, 22 April. Parents are welcome to join us. The assembly will start at 10:15

---

SPORT

Netball vs Kenton-on-Sea

On Wednesday, 17 April our netball teams played matches against Kenton Primary. It was an amazing start to our season as our girls showed true sportsmanship and dedication. The scores were as follows:

U10A VP 2-6 Kenton; U11A VP 1-0 Kenton; U12A VP 8-2 Kenton; U13A VP 10-4 Kenton

Well done to all the girls!

Fixtures vs Gill College, Saturday 20 April

We will be playing our first fixture against Gill College on Saturday, 20 April. Girls who are involved have already received letters. We have decided to travel to Somerset East via Fort Beaufort as the road to Bedford is in such bad condition. Girls are to be dropped off at Huntley Street gate by 05:45. The bus will leave promptly at 06:00. We will be unable to wait for any latecomers. If you are driving your daughter yourself, please ensure that she arrives at least 30 minutes before the start of her game.

We will leave after the last match. I implore you to please be waiting for your daughter at the hostel gate entrance in Hill Street by 14:30.

Hockey Fixtures:

09h00: First Team (U13A)

09h50: Second Team (U13B)

10h50: U8A, U9B, U10A

11h10: U9A,U8B

 Netball Fixtures:

09h00: U11A,U10B,U8B

09h30: U10A,U9B,U8A

10h00: U9A

10h40: U12A,U13B

10h15: U13A,U12B

Sarah Baartman netball trials

On Wednesday Zadiah Adler, Iminathi Ndilele, Indiphile Zondani and Unako Dlepu will participate in Sarah Baartman netball trials at Kingswood College. We wish them all the best!

Round Robin Netball Tournament
On Wednesday, 24 April we will be hosting a U12 & U13 Round Robin Netball Tournament at VP. Matches start at 14:00. Parents are welcome come and watch please use the Beaufort Street office entrance.

 Due to these matches the U10 and U11 netball girls’ practice on Wednesday, is cancelled but girls are encouraged to support the matches.

---

Arbour Day: On Friday, 26 April we celebrate Arbour Day at school. Girls may dress in brown, green, yellow and orange civvies. Donations of plants towards the school gardens will be welcome but are not compulsory. Join us in celebrating the autumn leaves.

 Slipper Day – 31 May: If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo. If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

 Dropping off items at the office: Our office staff are inundated with items being dropped off for the girls throughout the morning. Please note that only birthday cupcakes, deliveries for boarders and items specifically requested by teachers may be dropped off at the office for your daughter during the school day.

 Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff member and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mrs Olivier, Sanelisiwe Mbete, Oyintando Sinam, Uzugcinabazalibakho Gongqoba, Lithalethu Hulu, Ahlumile Njovane, Buchulebenkosi Qeqe, Uthando Dyantyi, Manahil Rizvi, Silubonile Royi, Kolo Sikhwivhilu and Lusenathi Tunzi. We hope you have a very happy day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat. 20/04	Netball & Hockey vs Gill College @Gill
Mon. 22/04	Grade 5K assembly @10:15
Tues. 23/04	Sarah Baartman Netball Trials
Wed. 24/04	·         U12 & U13 Netball Round Robin @VP ·         U10& U11 netball practice cancelled
Fri. 26/04	·         Arbour Day – wear civvies in green, brown, yellow & orange ·         Boarders’ Leave Out weekend
Sun. 28/04	Boarders’ return from Leave Out
Fri. 31/05	Slipper Day

Message from the office

Wishing all our Muslim families a blessed Eid filled with happiness and cherished moments with loved ones.

This term is an examination term for Grade 4 -7 and exams will be written from Thursday, 16 May – that is only five weeks away! The examinations will be based on work that is covered in Term 1 and 2. It is certainly not too early for your daughter to start setting up a study timetable and to start making notes and revising work covered in class, especially as we also have a very busy sporting programme and many matches scheduled for this term.  I would also advise that your daughter spends time in the afternoons practising concepts done in her Mathematics lessons and that she uses this time to ask her teacher for help if there are still concepts she is finding challenging. Encourage your daughter to read on a daily basis as this will also help her with all content subjects as well as in English.  A little bit every day from now will make the daunting task of writing exams seem very manageable when it is broken down into smaller daily tasks. 

Ways to encourage your daughter to get going:

• Create a small neat desk space just for her to study at.
• Make sure her desk area is well-lit and well-ventilated.
• Purchase notebooks for her notes.
• Highlighters and different coloured pens make note-making fun!
• Provide sucking sweets and water for her desk.
• Limit noise and distractions in your home.
• Ensure that she has regular breaks (of about 5 – 10 minutes). For study time; Grade 4 & 5s will probably only be able to focus for 20 – 30 minutes at a time and older girls up to an hour at a time – but this can vary from child to child. 
• Make sure her breaks include movement to get her brain and body awake – this will help boost brain function when she is ready to face the books again. No screen time!
• Please note: Continued sporting and physical activities increases the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain and boosts focus and concentration when study time comes.
• Limit household chores (but don’t do away with them altogether) 
• Test her when she has finished revising a section.
• Allow her to play ‘Teacher’ and teach you (or her siblings, or dog or stuffed toys) any concepts that she is learning. 
• Ensure that she gets a good night sleep
• Encourage, support and praise your daughter’s efforts every step of the way. 

Exam timetable

Date	Exams
Thursday, 16 May	Grade 4-7: SS GeographyArt
Friday, 17 May	Grade 4-7: – Afr/Xhosa (FAL) Language and Comprehension Grade 7: Technology Grade 4-6: Life Skills
Monday, 20 May	Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 1English Language and Comprehension
Tuesday, 21 May	Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 2 Grade 7: Life Orientation
Wednesday, 22 May	Grade 4-7: Natural Sciences Grade 7: LSPA Practical
Thursday, 23 May	Grade 4-7: SS History Grade 7: LSPA theory
Friday, 24 May	Grade 7:  EMS

Assembly

On Monday Grade 6P presented their assembly on being able to work through the hard times and persevering and speaking to those close to us when feeling down. What a very special assembly! Thank you to the Grade 6P parents who enthusiastically supported their girls’ assembly. 

On Monday, 15 April, Grade 5M will be presenting their assembly. Parents are most welcome to join us. The assembly will begin at 10:15. 

Winter Uniform 

Although we are only meant to start wearing our winter uniform as from the 6 May, the Makhanda weather has different ideas and winter seems to have come early! Your daughter may wear her winter uniform on the colder days but we appeal to you not to mix summer and winter uniforms. 

Worker of the Week

Imanathi Mcophele is our Worker of the Week for her very good work in Afrikaans. Well done, Imanathi!

Merit Achievers

Well done to Olothando Sityata, Isla Orsmond, Amyoli Loli, Misha Potts, Amyoli Sesani, Lethisa de Maar, Liyabona Benyane and Imanathi Mcophele who have received over 250 merits so far this year. Keep it up, girls!

Grade 6 & 7 Social

On Friday, 12 April the Grade 6/7 VP/Graeme social will take place at Graeme College. The entrance fee is R20 and there will also be a tuckshop available. It will be cash only. The social starts at 18h00 and ends at 21h00. The music will be turned off at 20h50. Please ensure that you collect your daughter no later than 21h00. All vehicles enter through the main top gate and exit out of the Hostel bottom gate.

Netball vs Kenton-on-Sea

The U10A-U13A netball teams will be playing matches against Kenton Primary on Wednesday, 17 April at VP. The matches start at 14:15 and end at 15:00. We wish all our teams the best of luck!

Parents are welcome to support. Parents MUST enter through the Beaufort Street, office entrance.

Fixtures vs Gill College, Saturday 20 April

We will be playing our first fixture against Gill College on Saturday, 20 April. Girls who are involved have already received letters. We have decided to travel to Somerset East via Fort Beaufort as the road to Bedford is in such bad condition. Girls are to be dropped off at Huntley Street gate by 05:45. The bus will leave promptly at 06:00. We will be unable to wait for any latecomers. If you are driving your daughter yourself, please ensure that she arrives at least 30 minutes before the start of her game.

Hockey Fixtures:

09h00: First Team (U13A)

09h50: Second Team (U13B)

10h50: U8A, U9B, U10A

11h10: U9A,U8B

Netball Fixtures:

09h00: U11A,U10B,U8B

09h30: U10A,U9B,U8A

10h00: U9A

10h40: U12A,U13B

10h15: U13A,U12B

We will leave after the last match is finished and expect to arrive back at 14:15. Please fetch your daughter at the hostel gate entrance in Hill Street.

Please take note: The U13 DSG Hockey and Netball Festival that was scheduled for 19-22 April has been cancelled.

Extramural update: Please note that as Mrs Rafferty has to attend a meeting in Kirkwood on Tuesday, 16 April there will be no Strength Conditioning on this day. The Wednesday slot will continue as scheduled.

Slipper Day – 31 May

If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo. If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

VP’s Got Talent

Our exciting PTA Fundraiser this term is: VP’s Got Talent

Enter our VP’s Got Talent competition under one of the following categories:

• Singing: Group or Individual
• Lip Sync: Group or Individual
• Dance: Group or Individual
• Musical Instruments: Group or Individual
• Poetry
• Open Category: Anything entertaining goes
• Family Category: Do any act in the above categories with a VP girl/s and family members.

✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬

Auditions will take place in the afternoons during the week of the 3-7 June. Entries: R10 per person auditioning.

VP’s Got Talent Show with our finalist will take place on the 13 June at 17h30.

✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬✩♬

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff member and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mrs Barrow, Chikhulupiriro Mitochi, Grace Kretzmann, Uminathi Solani, Kaelyn Westcott, Skylar Haywood, Unakho Maxhaulana, Esisiphiweyo Pinyana and Aliyah Bezuidenhout. We hope you have a very happy day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fri. 12/04	Grade 6&7 Social @GC 18:00-20:50
Mon. 15/04	Grade 5M Assembly @10:15
Sat. 20/04	Netball & Hockey vs Gill College @Gill
Tues. 23/04	Sarah Baartman Netball Trials
Wed. 24/04	U12 Netball Round Robin @VP
Fri. 26/04	Boarders’ Leave Out weekend
Fri. 31/05	Slipper Day

Message from the office
Welcome back to the start of Term 2! I trust that you had a lovely time bonding with your daughters during our short break and that you didn’t eat too many chocolates (at least not all at once).

Just before we broke up for our holiday, we were delighted to hear from GADRA that VP was once again the top performing school in Makhanda in their ‘reading for meaning’ research done with twenty four local primary schools. Although we have not received the full report we were notified that VP was the only school where 100% of the learners met the threshold considered to be able to read for meaning.

We are extremely proud of our Preprimary, Foundation Phase and Grade 4 teachers who have all played their role in ensuring that our girls are all able to understand what they are reading.

I feel it is important to note that we not only expect our girls to comprehend what they read but we also expect our girls to answer questions in full sentences, using correct spelling and grammar. We also expect our girls to be able to answer higher order questions, to be able to predict, make connections, be able to outline key and supporting details, review pre-reading predictions and questions, make inferences, be able to summarise their text, be able to sequence their text, make comparisons and form their own opinions.

All these are practised, revised and sometimes assessed as ‘reading comprehensions’ as they are indicative of how well a child has understood the text if she is able to analyse and reword it herself. These skills not only demonstrate our girls’ comprehension but they are essential skills for learning content subjects and making notes and ensuring understanding.

We are aware that we have a
Message from the office
Welcome back to the start of Term 2! I trust that you had a lovely time bonding with your daughters during our short break and that you didn’t eat too many chocolates (at least not all at once).

Just before we broke up for our holiday, we were delighted to hear from GADRA that VP was once again the top performing school in Makhanda in their ‘reading for meaning’ research done with twenty four local primary schools. Although we have not received the full report we were notified that VP was the only school where 100% of the learners met the threshold considered to be able to read for meaning.

We are extremely proud of our Preprimary, Foundation Phase and Grade 4 teachers who have all played their role in ensuring that our girls are all able to understand what they are reading.

I feel it is important to note that we not only expect our girls to comprehend what they read but we also expect our girls to answer questions in full sentences, using correct spelling and grammar. We also expect our girls to be able to answer higher order questions, to be able to predict, make connections, be able to outline key and supporting details, review pre-reading predictions and questions, make inferences, be able to summarise their text, be able to sequence their text, make comparisons and form their own opinions.

All these are practised, revised and sometimes assessed as ‘reading comprehensions’ as they are indicative of how well a child has understood the text if she is able to analyse and reword it herself. These skills not only demonstrate our girls’ comprehension but they are essential skills for learning content subjects and
Message from the office
Welcome back to the start of Term 2! I trust that you had a lovely time bonding with your daughters during our short break and that you didn’t eat too many chocolates (at least not all at once).

Just before we broke up for our holiday, we were delighted to hear from GADRA that VP was once again the top performing school in Makhanda in their ‘reading for meaning’ research done with twenty four local primary schools. Although we have not received the full report we were notified that VP was the only school where 100% of the learners met the threshold considered to be able to read for meaning.

We are extremely proud of our Preprimary, Foundation Phase and Grade 4 teachers who have all played their role in ensuring that our girls are all able to understand what they are reading.

I feel it is important to note that we not only expect our girls to comprehend what they read but we also expect our girls to answer questions in full sentences, using correct spelling and grammar. We also expect our girls to be able to answer higher order questions, to be able to predict, make connections, be able to outline key and supporting details, review pre-reading predictions and questions, make inferences, be able to summarise their text, be able to sequence their text, make comparisons and form their own opinions.

All these are practised, revised and sometimes assessed as ‘reading comprehensions’ as they are indicative of how well a child has understood the text if she is able to analyse and reword it herself. These skills not only demonstrate our girls’ comprehension but they are essential skills for learning content subjects and making notes and ensuring understanding.

We are aware that we have a high standard of expectations from our girls in their English lessons and that it does require hard work from pupils and teachers alike, but we also know that this gives our girls an unparalleled foundation for their schooling and studies.

‘Students who have the opportunity to write in conjunction with reading, show more evidence of critical thinking about reading’.

Staff News
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Roberts on the birth of their baby girl, Annabel Grace on Thursday, 28 March. We wish their new little family health, love and plenty of sleep.

Assembly
On Monday we look forward to Grade 6P’s assembly. Their assembly will start at 10:15. Parents are most welcome to join us.

Grade 3-7 Report Discussions
We will have our report discussions on Tuesday, 9 April. All Grade 4-7 teachers will be available in the school hall from 16:30 -17:45. Grade 3 teachers will in their classrooms at the same time. Please limit your discussion to 5 minutes in respect for other parents waiting. If you feel you need a more in-depth meeting with your child’s class or subject teacher, please make an alternate appointment to meet with him/her.

PTA Meeting
We will have our first PTA meeting of the term on Thursday 11 April, in our hall at 17:15. Please try to be there to plan our upcoming events for the term.

Astroquiz
We have 40 Grade 7 learners participating in the SAASTA Astroquiz on the 11th April from 14:00 – 14:30. Best of luck to these girls – reach for the stars !

Hearing Screening
Speech therapist, Lara Day will be conducting Hearing Screenings at VP, starting on Tuesday the 9th of April. If your daughter is in Gr 4 – 7 and you would like her to be screened, please kindly make contact with her teacher for a consent form. All Foundation Phase pupils will receive a form, we would like to encourage Foundation Phase parents to take advantage of this worthwhile screening. The cost of the Hearing Screenings is R130 payable to VP in cash or by EFT (Please reference: ‘Child’s name and grade/Hearing Screening’).

Conquesta
Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2024, entry forms are available from Mrs
Sauls. Conquesta is only open to Grades 4-6. Please complete the entry form and return it to school in an envelope, marked “Conquesta” with the relevant entry fee and your child’s name and class. Closing date for entries is Friday, 12 April.

Netball – U13 Sarah Baartman Trials.
Congratulations to Indiphile Zondani, Zaydiah Adler and Unako Dlepu who made it through to the next round of the u13 Netball Trials. They will be participating in the Sarah Baartman trials on the 23rd of April.

Tennis News
Congratulations to Marizaan Boucher who participated in the TSA Junior National Championships in Bloemfontein. She won 4 out of her 6 singles matches and ended 18th out of 64 players in her age group.
Congratulations also goes to Marizaan and her partner who won their doubles division at the Junior National champs!

Winter Season Away matches
During our netball and hockey season we have many away matches over the weekends which require us to book buses to transport our girls. This costs us an exorbitant amount of money and we appeal to you that if you are planning to support your child that you please transport her to the match. It is most upsetting when we have empty buses on our return as girls then go home with their parents and we are paying for unnecessary hire and transport. Please help us save costs in this regard.

Donations
Mrs Olivier is requesting donations of old newspapers.

Birthday wishes
We wish the following girls a very happy birthday this week or next week:
Carla Frazer, Lulo Kota, Phumelela Macetyana, Alexis Killian, Sivuze Xamleko, Sahlulo Kutase, Zenazi Gqeke and Uyathandwa Macanda.
Have a lovely day!
Warm Regards
Mrs Rafferty

Upcoming events
Monday, 8 April
VP Applications open for 2025
Assembly Grade 6P
Extramurals begin
Tuesday, 9 April
Grade 3-7 Report Discussions
16:30-17:45
Thursday, 11 April
Astroquiz 14:00-14:30
PTA Meeting 17:15
Friday, 12 April
Grade 6&7 Social @Graeme
Closing date for Conquesta entries

Message from the office

We have come to the end of another extremely busy term and I have been incredibly proud of our girls across the grades. Their behaviour, team spirit, helpfulness and enthusiasm has been commendable. I would like to thank our Grade 7 girls in particular who have taken their committee roles so seriously and have played a critical role in ensuring that all our girls have a happy day at school. I would also like to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication to VP which has contributed to this successful term.

I trust that you will read through your daughter’s report closely with her this holiday. Praise her efforts where she has clearly given her best. If you have noticed from the teacher’s comment and/or from her results that your child needs a bit of guidance or intervention in one area or another, please do not delay to meet with your child’s teacher next term or endeavour to put in all the measures possible that can assist her. Remember your child’s academic success is reliant on your support at home.

We have scheduled to have Report Discussion on Tuesday, 9 April from 16:30-17:45 for Grade 4-7. Please prioritise this on your calendar to meet with your child’s teachers to discuss any concerns or simply to find out how your daughter is doing in the classroom. All teachers from Grade 4-7 will be available in the hall during this time.

 I hope that you will have a wonderful holiday with your daughter and that you are able to have some quality time together and to ensure that your daughter has a break and a good rest before the start of a new and busy term. Please also make sure that she reads at least one book this holiday.

Message from our SGB Chairperson

Mrs Thando Qeqe

It is incredible how swiftly time has passed. It is almost unbelievable that we have already concluded the first term. I am proud of everyone who has seized this opportunity and made the most of it.

Despite a busy start to the year, our teachers have continued to inspire and nurture our girls. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Rafferty, all our dedicated teachers and support staff members for their tireless efforts and commitment to providing quality education.

This term, our girls have shown remarkable perseverance and eagerness to learn, and equally so, their parents and guardians have demonstrated unwavering support and partnership in the education of their children – thank you or all those who have remained committed to paying school fees. I urge all parents and guardians to continue prioritizing the prompt payment of school fees, as your contributions play a vital role in sustaining our school’s excellence.

As we look back on the past few weeks of this academic year, let us also celebrate the successes and milestones we have achieved together. From commemorating our school’s birthday to embracing our rich heritage, academic achievements to extracurricular accomplishments. Each success is indeed a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.

I emphasize the importance of open communication with the school. Should you encounter any challenges or concerns affecting your daughter’s well-being or academic performance, please reach out to their class teachers. Your feedback is invaluable in creating a supportive environment for all students.

Lastly, as we approach the Easter break, I encourage each of you to prioritize family and rest. Whether you are embarking on a journey or enjoying a staycation, I wish you all safe travels and a rejuvenating break.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our school community. Together, we will continue to nurture and empower our girls to reach their fullest potential.

---

Congratulations to the following Grade 4-7 girls who were the Top Ten academic achievers in their grades.

Grade 4

1. Isla Orsmond
2. Libby Everton
3. Emihle Kulati
4. Amyoli Loli
5. Kaylee May
6. Cayden Strauss
7. Madison Conroy
8. Misha Potts
9. Caitlyn Bodill
10. Tessanne Arries

Grade 5

1. Makatendeka Chakona
2. Haset Sintayehu
3. Ababalwe Ngwetsheni
4. Maham Rizvi
5. Owekhethelo Gongqa
6. Ella Radovic
7. Yusrah Suleman
8. Siphesihle Chrisjan
9. Amari Funani
10. Amy-Leigh Jacobs
11. Olothando Sityata

Grade 6

1. Nakweziphi Mthetho
2. Eila Chirombo
3. Imanathi Mcophele
4. Uzosule Kanana
5. Isabella Tladi
6. Mila Nongubo
7. Sibonokuhle Benge
8. Esethu Stamper
9. Aliyah Bezuidenhout
10. Mila McConnachie

Grade 7

1. Azile Hambaze
2. Maya Christian
3. Emilie Niesing
4. Emily Steele
5. Stella Mullin
6. Daniella McLean
7. Hlalumi Balfour
8. Ifeoma Nnadozie
9. Amyoli Sesani
10. Emery Klyvie

Full/Half colours

We congratulate the girls who received full and half Colours this term:

Tennis Full Colours: Stella Mullin, Marizaan Bowker and Madison Edwards

Athletics Half Colours: Daniella McLean (re-award), Abenathi Kulati (re-award), Aleesia Jonker (re-award), Micarlin Daniels, Nakweziphi Mthetho and Unako Dlepu.

Swimming Half Colours: Daniella McLean and Madison Edwards.

Netball Half Colours: Iminathi Ndlilele

Congratulations on this wonderful achievement, girls!

Worker of the Week: Our W.O.W. is Luniko Hulushe in Grade 3 for getting full marks for every single spelling test this term. Well done, Luniko!

Indlulamthi Badges

Well done to all the recipients of Indlulamthi badges this term; Azile Hambaze, Sinembasa Mapipa, Daniella Mclean, Lelona Manyathi, Kaylee May, Uzosule Kanana, Mivuyo Santi, Grace Ruwanza, Luniko Hulushe, Chanelle Musarurwa, Isla Orsmond, Owe Gongqa, Haset Sintayehu, Bridget Akpeng, Ella Radovic, Amari Funani, Olo Sityata, Cayden Strauss, Okuhle Smaile, Misha Potts, Olothando Kanyiwe, Nakweziphi Mthetho, Amyoli Loli, Iminathi Mcophele and Olo Sityata. Well done, girls!

Bathurst Show Art Exhibition:  This year the Bathurst Agricultural Show will take place from 22-24 March. The following VP girls will have their art works exhibited at the show:

Grade 4: Misha Potts, Kendra Chrisjan, Lulo Ponoshe, Linomtha Gonyela, Caryne Grobler, Yonelisa Ngaleka, Libby Everton, and Kaylee May.

Grade 5: Chrissy Moriarty, Bridget Akpeng, Yusrah Suleman, Sithe Busakwe, Katherine Marais, and Anathi Mbundlakazi.

Grade 6: Isabella Tladi, Saairah Govender, Alibongwe Mthembu, Mila Nongubo, Kamva Mesani, and Iminathi Mgwebi.

Grade 7: Cherise Mardon, Stella Mullin, Maya Christian, Azile Hambaze, Hlalumi Balfour, Lunathi Zikishe, Emilie Niesing, Emily Steele, Abigail Green, and Luna Copteros.

If you would like to view their submissions please scroll down. 

South African Mathematics Challenge

We are very excited to announce that the following learners have made it through to the second round which will be written in May 2024.

Grade 4: Caitlyn Bodill, Libby Everton, Amyoli Loli, Isla Orsmond, Misha Potts and Cayden Strauss.

Grade 5: Makatendeka Chakona, Maham Rizvi and Haset Sintayehu.

Grade 6: Sibonokuhle Benge, Eila Chirombo, Uzosule kanana, Nakweziphi Mthetho, Esethu Stamper, Olutahndo Tube and Junaid Williams.

Grade 7: Azile Hambaze, Emery Klyve and Emilie Niesing.

Good luck for the next round, girls!

Interhouse Cross Country results

Last week our girls participated in the our Interhouse Cross Country. We congratulate all the girls for participating and trying their very best. Below are the Top Ten results per age group.

U/7

1. Riley-Anne Knott-Craig
2. Lara-Anne Fouché
3. Lucy Bennet
4. Rose Jordaan
5. Uminathi Solani
6. Riley-Jo Potts
7. Maneo Ntsepo
8. Lubeluhle Petini
9. Lebogang Mogale
10. Inomusa Tauzen

U/8

1. Kaya Jones
2. Amahle Mchunu
3. Alunamda Jakavula
4. Leah Flotman
5. Okuhle Dyibishe
6. Tehillah Dingani
7. Leante Crafford
8. Lukhololwam Sgam
9. Alegra Evans
10. Annabelle Olivier

U/9

1. Mivuyo Santi
2. Chanelle Musarurwa
3. Hlumisa Piti
4. Anna Malamis
5. Luniko Hulushe
6. Lunathi Makasi
7. Taylynne Thomas
8. Nakhane Klei
9. Neo Molefe
10. Lunje Peter

U10/U11

1. Esona Makabe
2. Siarra Appollis
3. Lunje Manzana
4. Isla Orsmond
5. Sinesipho Mafani
6. Leah Doyle
7. Bridget Akpeng
8. Bubele Mvula
9. Lunje Tshiki
10. Yusrah Suleman

U12/U13

1. Daniella McLean
2. Aleesia Jonker
3. Stella Mullin
4. Liyabona Benyane
5. Lulo Adam
6. Micarlin Daniels
7. Anita Nkanyana
8. Abenathi Kulati
9. Zaydiah Adler
10. Junaid Williams

Well done, girls!

Interhouse Singing: Last Friday, all girls in Grades 4-7 participated in the Interhouse Singing competition. Fern, the reigning champions, performed first and set the bar very high. All the houses presented Wamkelekile by Hot Water, and one traditional song of their choice. The girls did a spectacular job of personalising Wamkelekile, and the traditional songs were excellently arranged and performed. Arum were the victors this year, and we are very proud of all the singers, the house leaders and the teachers for making this such a wonderful event.

Highland Dancing: Libby Everton competed in the East Coast Highland Dancing Festival in East London recently. She received six silver medals and was the runner up for the Chelsea Randall Shield and the Andrew McDonell Shield. Well done, Libby!

---

Easter Egg Raffle winners!

On Monday we did the draw for our Easter hamper raffle. The lucky winners of hampers were Delise Moriarty, Bronwyn Tweedy, Duli Tiuba, Mthetheleli Same and Leezal Visagie. Mrs Purdon’s Grade 6 class sold the most tickets overall – 70 sheets sold!

The following girls sold the most sheets:

1^st Chrissy Moriarty (11 sheets)

2^nd Eila Chirombo (10 sheets)

3^rd Chiku Mitochi (9 sheets)

Thank you for your support!

We are delighted to have raised R22 065

with this fundraiser. Thank you for your support!

---

Conquesta 2024: Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2024, entry forms are available from Mrs Sauls. Conquesta is only open to Grades 4-6. Please complete the entry form and return it to school in an envelope, marked “Conquesta” with the relevant entry fee and your child’s name and class. Closing date for entries is 12 April.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following girls a very happy birthday for next two weeks: Elethu-Ibhongo Makeleni, Nozibusiso Maseko, Azingce Gwarubana, Harper Krige, Yhwh-Rapha Matiwana, Siyasisanda Nene, Kaylee Vosloo, Amyoli Matswele, Anovuyo Nkohla, Oluthando Tube, Laraa Andriantiana, Kenzeigh Scear, Khanide Diko, Azile Hambaze, Hlumelo Piti, Kayleah Evans, Lude Hashe and Annabelle Olivier. Have a lovely day!

---

Message for Gr 7 parents from VGHS

Dear Grade 7 Parent/Guardian

Your daughter/ward has received an Application Book for Victoria Girls’ High School.  The closing date for applications is 22 July 14:00 at the offices of Victoria Girls’ High.  All relevant information about the process and what documents are required, appear in the book received.  Please note that entry into the school is not automatic and that the Admissions’ Criteria is applied. Applicants from VP are given first consideration. Families will receive a phone call and a follow up letter will be emailed by 13 September. To have your daughter’s name added to the 2025 class, you need to meet the deadline of 7 October 14:00 – details will be given in the email correspondence. In order to be fair on everyone applying from the broader community, a VP learner’s space will not be reserved should this deadline not be adhered to. The available space created will be made available to the next Grade 7 on the waiting list. We will not be reserving a place for your daughter if you miss the deadline.

BATHURST ART EXHIBITION ENTRIES

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Message from the office

On Monday Grade 6G presented a delightful assembly on the importance (and value) of time and time management. Admittedly this is something many people struggle with even as adults but it certainly is a life skill that is worth developing. During this hectic term many of our girls may have battled to juggle their academics, sporting and cultural commitments as well as find time to rest and have some fun. Here are some tips extracted from an article to ponder and to try and implement in our homes to develop our girls’ skills in becoming better time managers.  Having an organised home with a routine and structure goes a long way in developing a child who can manage her day and feel confident in doing so. 

’Time management for children is the thinking skill that helps them to estimate how long it will take to do something, complete tasks on time, and not waste time’. 

Time Management for Children 

(adapted from 

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/parent-child/teach-kids-to-manage-time.html)

• Find a place for everything. A child can’t finish her morning work if she can’t find her pencil. So organisation has to come before time management. Encourage your child to keep her homework supplies and school books  (or room) organised.
• Create to do lists and/or create an easy-to-spot weekly checklist such as “Homework in suitcase?” “Diary signed?” will go a long way in keeping your daughter on top of things.
• Be clear about consequences. Pupils can and should be held accountable for their own assignments and they need to feel the consequences when they don’t meet their deadlines. As homework and extracurriculars increase, it’s even more important that children learn how to set goals, prioritise, organise, and think flexibly.  Your goal as a parent should be to get your child to manage her time more purposefully, without a lot of nagging and hovering. 
• Work on estimating time. In order to make a realistic schedule, you need a good sense of how long things take. Help your daughter break her day into 15-minute chunks and help her see how much she can do in this time.
• Plan for long-term assignments. Deciding when to do tonight’s Maths homework is one thing. Figuring out how and when to tackle the book report that’s due three weeks from Tuesday is quite another. The key with long-range projects is to break them down into smaller steps. Your child can also plan the steps necessary to complete a project by working backward from the due date. Never let her leave this for the night before!
• Set priorities. It’s essential that children learn to differentiate between ‘have tos’ and ‘want tos’ and learn to prioritise and self-monitor.

‘Time management is a misnomer, the challenge is to manage ourselves.’ – Stephen R. Covey

‘A plan is, a schedule is when. It takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done’. -Peter Turla

---

Worker of the Week

Well done to Leah Flotman for being selected as our W.O.W for her beautifully written weekend news. 

Indlulamthi Badge

Congratulations to the following girls who were presented with their Indlulamthi Badges at Monday’s assembly. We are extremely proud of all our recipients and we thank them for being such marvelous ambassadors of VP and for the example they set at school: Sinembasa Mapipa, Daniella Mclean, Lelona Manyathi, Kaylee May, Uzosule Kanana, Mivuyo Santi, Grace Ruwanza, Luniko Hulushe and Chanelle Musarurwa. We are so proud of each one of you!

Personalities of the Week

Well done to Madison Edwards and Daniella McLean who received the POW this past assembly for their thoughtfulness displayed at a gala and to Zingce Balani, Iminathi Ndilele and Unako Dlepu for their helpfulness shown towards others during their Grade 7 Technology workshop. 

 Merit Achievers

Ababalwe Ngwetsheni, Azile Hambaze and Lathisa Ngabaza have received over 250 merits so far this year. Well done!

---

Assembly

On Monday we look forward to our hostel boarders presenting their assembly. Their assembly will start at 10:10. Parents are most welcome to join us. 

---

Easter Hamper Raffle

Thank you to everyone who donated Easter eggs to make our raffle prizes so spectacular!  We will draw the lucky winners’ names on Monday morning. Good luck to everyone who bought a ticket.

---

Grade 3 & Parents’ Mini Cricket Tournament

On Saturday, 16 March from 09:00 the Grade 3s & their families will have a fun Mini Cricket tournament at VP. We hope you have a lot of fun!

---

U13 Makana Netball Trials

The U13 Makana netball trials had to be postponed this week due to the rain. They will be taking place on Monday, 18 of March. All selected girls need to please be dressed and ready at 14:00. Play well, girls!

---

Kingswood College 7-a-side Hockey Tournament

Good luck to the U10 and U11 hockey teams participating in the Kingswood College 7-a-side Hockey Festival this weekend. The fixtures are below, VP 1 is the U11 team and VP 2 is the U10 team. A big thank you to Mrs Andrews and Miss Knott-Craig for accompanying the girls to the festival. Good luck girls and have fun!

 7-a-side hockey fixtures

	City Lords Astro Parking Lot Side
Time	Team 1		Team 2
09:25	VP 2	vs	Kingswood
09:50	VP 1	vs	DSG 3
10:15	DSG 1	vs	Bedford
10:40	VP 1	vs	VP 2
11:05	DSG 1	vs	DSG 3
11:30	DSG 2	vs	Kingswood
11:55	VP 1	vs	DSG 1
12:20	DSG 2	vs	VP 2
12:45	Bedford	vs	Kingswood
13:10	VP1	vs	DSG 2
13:35	Bedford	vs	VP 2
13:50	Kingswood	vs	DSG 3
14:15	Bedford	vs	DSG 2
14:40	Kingswood	vs	DSG 1
15:05	DSG 3	vs	VP2
15:30	VP 1		Bedford
15:55	VP 2		DSG 1

---

Foundation Phase Open Music Class on Tuesday, 19 March

Parents and guardians are invited to come and watch what takes place during a class music lesson, and to see what your enthusiastic girls have been learning. Please use the Beaufort Street office entrance. The timetable for the day will be as follows:

Gr00: Teacher Lee – 08:00-08:30

Gr R: Teacher Kerry – 08:30-09:00

Gr R: Teacher Sam – 09:00-09:30

Gr 1: Mrs Orsmond – 09:30-10:00

Gr 1: Ms Casling – 10:00-10:30

Gr 2: Mrs Andrews – 11:00-11:30

Gr 2: Mrs Olivier – 11:30-12:00

Gr 3s: 12:00-12:40

Orchestra

Our orchestra had their first rehearsal with the Kingswood string ensemble

yesterday, which was a wonderful way to start collaborating with other young musicians. We hope to have a few more combined rehearsals this year and eventually perform together. Details will be communicated once they have been finalised.

Progress Concert

All our beginners and Initial-level musicians will perform at the annual Progress Concert, which will take place in the school hall on Tuesday 19 March at 14:15. Parents are welcome to attend in support of our budding performers.

Mini Maestros:

We are pleased to announce that the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT) have once again organised a Makhanda chapter of the annual Mini Maestros Competition, on 17 & 18 May. Eligible pupils received their letters this week. Please ensure that reply slips are completed and returned (with the entry fee) to the music teachers by Monday 18 March.

Piano party

Mr. Wynne’s composition students will perform their original works in the morning on Wednesday, 20 March at their Piano Party. This will give our young composers an opportunity to learn from each other and share their creative ideas. All participants are to please bring some snacks to share (chips/sweets).

---

Extra murals: Please note that there will be NO extra murals in the afternoon for Grade 1-7 next week Monday to Wednesday. Choir will continue in the morning.

Last Day of Term and Report collection

• Our last day of school this term is Wednesday, 20 March.
• Our final assembly for the term will be on Wednesday at 08h30. Girls are to be dressed in their school uniform and blazer (no sports clothes on this day). We will be presenting our Top Ten academic certificates in Grade 4-7. 
• Please note that your daughter’s report will be handed out to her on this last day of the term at 10:30 when she is dismissed for the school holidays.

 No reports will be handed out before this time and your daughter is expected to be at school to collect it.  

---

SPORTS RESULTS

Interhouse Gala

On Friday last week we closed our swimming season with our Splash and Interhouse Galas. The girls supported their houses with great spirit and fun was had by all!

The results were as follows:

1st Disa (382 points)

2nd Fern (351 points)

3rd Arum (323 points)

4th Aloe (311 points)

Congratulations to the three girls who broke records this year:

• Lilani Wolmarans – 1x25m Freestyle in a time of 22.27 seconds
• Isla Orsmond – 2x25m Breaststroke in a time of 55.29 seconds
• Daniella McLean – 2x25m Backstroke in a time of 39.50 seconds

---

Frans Erasmus Netball Tournament

A huge thank you to all the U13 Netball players who participated in the Frans Erasmus Tournament at PJ Olivier last week. All the players showed tremendous dedication and support of each other. Thank you to our hostel supporters too! All the girls had an amazing netball experience and a good start to their netball season.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following girls a very happy birthday for next week: Silindokuhle Demele, Elihle Velem, Lathisa Ngabaza, Luhle Songongo, Onika Jimmy, Linomtha Kula and Emily Steele. Have a lovely day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL   

---

  UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat. 16/03	·         Grade 3 Mini Cricket tournament at VP ·         U11 7-a-side Hockey Festival at Kingswood College
Mon. 18/03	·         Easter raffle draw NO AFTERNOON EXTRAMURALS FOR GRADE 1-7
Tues. 19/03	·         Open Music class (FP) ·         Progress Music Concert @14:15 ·         NO AFTERNOON EXTRAMURALS FOR GRADE 1-7
Wed. 20/03	Last day of term ·         08:30 Academic Assembly ·         10:30 School closes ·         12:30 Hostel closes ·         No Aftercare ·         NO AFTERNOON EXTRAMURALS
Tues. 02/04	Boarders return to school
Wed. 03/04	Term 2 begins Summer uniform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message from the office

We certainly have had a few weeks of celebrations and activities. On Monday we had our Induction assembly.

Congratulations to the following girls who were selected into their various portfolios:

Headgirl: Azile Hambaze

Deputy Headgirl: Sinembasa Mapipa

Heads of committees

Discipline: Abenathi Kulati

Sport: Iminathi Ndilele

Community Outreach: Abigail Green

Media and Marketing: Jazlin Crafford

Environmental: Zaydiah Alder

Culture and Music: Lathisa Ngabaza

House Captains

Aloe: Hlalumi Balfour

Arum: Sinembasa Mapipa

Disa: Talitha Dingani

Fern: Abenathi Kulati

Music Captains

Choir: Azile Hambaze

Orchestra: Stella Mullin

 Sports Captains

Tennis: Danni Mclean

Swimming: Danni Mclean

Hockey: Azile Hambaze

Netball: Zaydiah Alders

Athletics: Aleesia Jonkers

We wish you a very successful year ahead.

---

Worker of the Week

Congratulations to Cherise Mardon for doing such beautiful drawings in Natural Sciences. Keep it up, Cherise!

Merit Achievers

Bridget Akpeng and Maham Rizvi have received over 250 merits so far this year. Well done, girls!

---

PTA Colour Fun Run 2024

We would like to thank the following businesses who made donations towards our Colour Fun Run Fundraising event: Spar, Connocks, Legends, Pick ‘n Pay, Kim Webber Estate, Crystal Clear Ice and ABM Office National. We made a profit of R12 130 from this event. Thank you to everyone for your support and for making this such a successful event!

---

Assembly

On Monday, 11 March Grade 6G will be presenting their assembly. Parents are welcome to join us. Please enter the hall with the staff at 09:15.

---

Interhouse Cross Country

On Friday, 15 March we will be running in our annual Interhouse Cross Country event. Parents are welcome to attend.

The Pre-Primary, Grade 1&2s will be running on Fergusson Field from 08:00- 08:45.

Pre-Primary – 08:00-08:15

Grade 1 – 08:15-08:30

Grade 2 – 08:30-08:45

We kindly request that all PP&FP parents enter through the Beaufort Street office entrance as the Huntley Street entrance will be locked and will not be opened.

The Grade 3-7 girls will walk to the Botanical Gardens to start running at 09:00. First off will be the Grade 3s, followed by Grade 4&5s and finally Grade 6&7s.

• Pre-Primary girls must wear a shirt in their house colour and black shorts, socks and takkies.
• The Grade 1-7 girls must come to school dressed in their house shirt, black shorts, white socks, and takkies.
• Please also send a bottle of water, sunscreen and her VP hat/peak.

---

Interhouse Singing Competition

After the Interhouse Cross Country the Grade 4-7 girls will participate in the Interhouse Singing from 12:00-13:00 in the hall. We look forward to their performances. Parents are welcome to come and support. Please enter through the Beaufort Street office entrance.

---

Easter Hamper Raffle

Please continue to sell the raffle tickets and remember that additional forms can be requested from your daughter’s class teacher. Please send donations of Easter Eggs in order to make our large hampers. The closing date for sheets to be returned is 15 March. We will draw the lucky winners names on Monday, 18 March.

---

Grade 7C Extra Art Lesson

Please could all of Mrs Coetzee’s Grade 7 class attend Art Club on Wednesday, 13 March from 15:00 to 16:00. This lesson is compulsory.

---

SPORT

Frans Erasmus Netball Tournament

We wish our U13A netball team all the best as they play in the Frans Erasmus Tournament this weekend at PJ Olivier.

The fixtures are listed below. I am sure they would love to be supported. Girls must come dressed neatly in their sports clothes or school uniform to support.

Friday, 8 March

13:40:  VP vs Good Shepherd

15:00:  VP vs Dr Viljoen

Saturday, 9 March

08:00:  VP vs LS Handhaaf

08:40:  VP vs Settlers Park

10:20:  VP vs Ntaba Maria

11:00:  VP vs Southbourne

13:20:  VP vs Hangklip

Makana netball trials

On Tuesday, 12 March selected U12 girls will be participating in the Makana netball trials at PJ Olivier. The matches start at 15:00. We wish our girls the best of luck!

On Wednesday, 13 March selected U13 netball girls will be participating in the Makana netball trials at VP. All matches start at 14:00. We wish our girls the best of luck

 Swimming

Level One Gala

Our girls did so well in the Level One Gala held at the Newton Park Pool on Saturday, 2 March 2024. Well done to Madison Edwards who came second in 50m Butterfly, first in 50m Breaststroke, first in 50m Backstroke, first in 50m Freestyle and Daniella McLean who came first in 50m Butterfly, third in 100m Freestyle, first in 50m Backstroke, second in 50m Freestyle. Well done, girls!

Interdistricts Gala

Congratulations to our Albany Team swimmers who participated in the Interdistricts Gala on Tuesday. Well done to Isla Orsmond who came first in 50m Breaststroke, 3rd in 50m Backstroke; Madison Edwards – first in 50m Freestyle, 3rd in 50m Breaststroke and third in 50m Butterfly; Daniella McLean who came third in 50m Breaststroke, second in 50m Backstroke and second in 50m Butterfly. Well done also to Lilani Wolmarans who participated and improved all her times! Well done, girls!

 Tennis results

Our Top 8 VP first team tennis girls played against Port Alfred in Port Alfred on the 6th of March. VP won 64 games to 20. Well done, girls

 Winter sport trials

We have finished our summer sports programme and will be moving onto our Winter sports trials. Please read the attached programme and new pick-up times and make the necessary arrangements for transport. Please note that it is compulsory for our girls to do either hockey or netball during the winter season. They may choose to do both up till U11, from U12-U13 girls have to choose between hockey or netball.

Please make sure that your daughter has the correct kit for either/both sport/s. Please also ensure that her match skort (which is only necessary for matches from U10 and older) is not too short or too tight and she is able to run comfortably in it.

Please note the expected kit for winter sports:

For Practices: Navy golf shirt and Black boxer shorts.

For Matches: Navy blue skort (for U10 and older) or black boxer shorts for U8&U9), the white match shirt for all matches from U9 upwards, navy golf shirt for U8 matches

For both matches and practices: VP Tracksuit for over the kit when it is cold and for travelling (not to be worn to practice or play in)

Netball: White socks and takkies

Hockey: Shinpads, navy blue sport socks (not the winter school socks) and takkies or hockey boots.

Please note that the house shirt is for interhouse events only.

---

SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS

Nominations for parent representatives on the SGB closed on Monday, 4 March and we are most grateful that the current parents who have served our school so well for the last 3 years, all made themselves available to continue for a second term. As we received the required amount of nominations there is no voting required.

Meet your parent representative on the SGB:

Mrs Thando Qeqe – I have had the privilege of serving as the current SGB Chairperson since March 2023. Through my role as Chairperson, I have dedicated myself to fostering a nurturing learning environment grounded in transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. As a parent of two wonderful children, Lugcolwenkosi in Grade R and Buchulebenkosi in Grade 00, I am invested in the success and well-being of all students at our school. I have a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Rhodes University, with a key interest in Strategic and Financial Management. I look forward to this opportunity to serve our school community and work collaboratively with fellow members to achieve our shared goals

Mr Gershwin Sauls – Having served on our SGB for the past year, I look forward to continuing in this role. As a parent of a Grade R student, I am deeply invested in fostering an environment where technology and education intersect harmoniously for the benefit of all our students. I will contribute to the continued success of VP by providing guidance and passion. I hold a Computer Science Masters degree from Rhodes University and bring a wealth of technical expertise to our school.

Mrs Megan Edwards – I have been a parent at VP since 2013, my daughter, Madison Edwards is in Grade 6. I had previously been on the PTA committee since 2016 until 2021 when I was elected to the SGB as treasurer. I worked as an article clerk for a chartered accountant for 8 years while studying through UNISA and have been a bookkeeper for a law firm for 16 years.  It has been a privilege to serve on the SGB and I look forward to a few more years.

 Dr Tiffany Pillay – I am an ecologist at the Botany department at Rhodes University, with a PhD in Plant Ecology. My girls are Yusrah Suleman (Grade 5K) and Yumna Suleman (Grade R). I have served on the SGB since 2023 as a parent member.

 Mr Wesley Phillip – I have been a dedicated member of the SGB at VP serving as the Vice Chairman since 2022. I bring a unique blend of experience and expertise to the SGB, as an Information Technology professional and provide skills and resources to a majority of schools within the Makhanda community alongside my day to day responsibilities at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. I am deeply invested in my daughter’s education who is currently in Grade 3. And as a member of the SGB, I am committed to ensuring that all of our daughters will have the resources required to be able to excel and become well respected within the community.

---

Conquesta 2024

Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2024, entry forms are available from Mrs Sauls. Conquesta is only open to Grades 4-6. Please complete the entry form and return it to school in an envelope, marked “Conquesta” with the relevant entry fee and your child’s name and class.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mrs Rafferty, Mrs Goodes, Amvuyela Sakata, Luniko Ndyebi, Mbaliyothando Ngwethsheni, Zoë Butters, Leah Flotman,Tehillah Dingani, Buhle Phongolo, Avuzwa Vusani. Have a lovely day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat. 9/03	·         U13 Frans Erasmus Netball@PJ
Mon. 11/03	Grade 6G Assembly @10:10
Tues. 12/03	Makana U12 Netball trials@PJ
Wed. 13/03	Art class for Gr 7C 15:00-16:00 Makana U13 Netball trials@VP
Fri. 15/03	·         Interhouse Cross Country ·         Interhouse Singing Deadline for Easter Raffle
Mon. 18/03	·         Easter raffle draw
Tues. 19/03	·         Open Music class (FP) Progress Music Concert
Wed. 20/03	Last day of term ·         08:00 Academic Assembly ·         10:30 School closes ·         12:30 Hostel closes ·         No Aftercare

Message from the office

Happy Leap Day to you all!

Here is a beautiful message to inspire you this 29^th of February 2024. (Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration)

“Today is an ephemeral ghost…

A strange amazing day that comes only once every four years. For the rest of the time it does not “exist”.

 In mundane terms, it marks a “leap” in time, when the calendar is adjusted to make up for extra seconds accumulated over the preceding three years due to the rotation of the earth. A day of temporal tune up!

 But this day holds another secret—it contains one of those truly rare moments of delightful transience and light uncertainty that only exist on the razor edge of things, along a buzzing plane of quantum probability…

 A day of unlocked potential.

Will you or won’t you? Should you or shouldn’t you?

 Use this day to do something daring, extraordinary and unlike yourself. Take a chance and shape a different pattern in your personal cloud of probability!”

 Farewell

We had a wonderful send-off for Mr Greyling on Monday and we thank the parents who came to support him on the day. Today is his last day at VP and he is certainly taking on all that a Leap Year represents. We wish him all the best for his future.

Founders’ Day Celebrations, 1 March

Please take note of the arrangements for our Founders’ Day tomorrow: 

08:30 Assembly.

Girls to be dressed neatly in their school uniform (Grade 1-7) with blazer (Grade 4-7). Parents and extended VP families are welcome to join us.

Colour Run

Girls must bring a change of clothes to school that you are happy to get dirty (the colours show up best on white). Please pack sunblock, a hat and plenty of water as it is going to be a very hot day tomorrow.

The times are as follows:

Grade 00&Rs – 10:00-10:45

Grade 1-3      – 10:45-11:30

Grade 4-7      – 11:30-12:30

• If you and/or your daughter has pre-orderd a boerewors roll, please make your way up to the Playbox/Staffroom after your daughter has finished her event to collect it. The Grade 00&Rs will have their rolls delivered to the classroom.
• There will be a tuckshop available that will be open for the duration of the event.
• If your daughter paid for a hair colour spray and photo she can do this at the stall on the field.

Girls can go home straight after their event is finished or they may be collected at normal time (13:00)

Parents are to please use the Beaufort Street office entrance and make their way to the Top Field.

---

Worker of the Week – Well done to Emihle Siwa for her lovely work done in NS. Keep it up, Emihle!

---

 

Induction Assembly

On Monday, 4 March we will be having our induction assembly where we will be announcing our various sports and music captains, the Heads of our Grade 7 committees, and our Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl for 2024. All parents are welcome to join us for this assembly for these exciting announcements. The assembly starts at 10:00. We ask that you please be seated by 09:55.

---

Interhouse Gala (Gr 3-7) &

Splash Gala (Gr 4-7)

These will take place on Friday, 8 March. The Splash gala will take place from 07:45-10:00 and our Interhouse gala will take place from 10:30-13:00 (please note the change of end time from last week’s letter).

Gr 1-2s must be collected from 10:30 to 10:45 from the Huntley Street gate on this day. It is compulsory for all Gr 3-7 girls to attend both galas for the entire duration. Parents are welcome to attend and must enter through the Beaufort Street gate.

All girls are required to come to school dressed in their house shirts, black shorts and takkies or VP flip flops for the day. Swimming caps and towels are essential for all learners as everyone will be participating in the different galas for the day.

All girls involved in the Splash Gala may come to school wearing their swimming costume under their school sports clothes. Please ensure that your daughter packs underwear to change into after the Splash Gala. Please also ensure that she has a black speedo costume (if not a team swimmer) which is the correct size and that the material is not perished.

---

Easter Hamper Raffle

Your daughter would have received a raffle to sell today, as our second PTA fundraiser for this year. Please endeavour to sell the entire sheet. She is always

welcome to collect another if she wants to sell more. Please note that R50 will have to be paid if the raffle sheet is lost.

Please send donations of Easter Eggs to make our large hampers. The closing date for sheets to be returned is 15 March. We will draw the lucky winners names on Monday, 18 March.

---

Technology Workshop

Attention Grade 7s

All Grade 7s must attend the exciting technology workshop tomorrow Friday, 1 March. This is a compulsory group activity where students will calculate their Term 1 results. The workshop will begin promptly at 13:15 in the hall.

Each group is expected to bring their own cardboard boxes.

We look forward to seeing everyone there for a productive and fun-filled day of learning!

Parents must please collect their daughters at the hostel entrance in Hill Street at 16:30.

---

Conquesta 2024

Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2024, entry forms are available from Mrs Sauls. Conquesta is only open to Grades 4-6. Please complete the entry form and return it to school in an envelope, marked “Conquesta” with the relevant entry fee and your child’s name and class.

---

SGB nominations & elections

Nominations for parent representatives on the SGB are now open. Please collect a form from the office if you wish to nominate someone. Please note nominations close on 4 March. The election (if required) will take place all day on Thursday, 7 March.

---

Milk Carton Plastic Lids

Mrs Olivier is asking for your assistance in collecting milk carton’s plastic lids. You can send them directly to Mrs Olivier or drop them off at the office.

---

Outreach

‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

Nigeran Igbo proverb

As the Grade 7 Community Outreach committee, we are focusing on education this term. We believe that although some items might seem to be of no use to you they might be a treasure to those less fortunate. We would like to encourage our girls and parents to donate educational items – focusing on school shoes but including unisex school shirts, stationery and reading books. We ask you to please keep in mind that we are trying to restore dignity to those who are less fortunate than us and ask that you keep this in mind when considering the condition of items that you are donating.

---

SPORT

Tennis

Marizaan Boucher has qualified for the Tennis South Africa Junior Nationals tennis tournament which takes place in Bloemfontein from the 21^st -26^th of March. This is a remarkable achievement as only the Top 60 and 4 wildcard players have qualified. Well done, Marizaan!

Results versus PJ Olivier

VP took 33 games to 27 won by PJ. VP won the nail-biting encounter by 6 games. Well done, girls!

 

Swimming

Level 1 Gala – Good luck to our girls participating in the Level 1 gala in Gqeberha on Saturday.

Interdistricts Gala

We wish our Albany Team swimmers all the best for the Interdistricts Gala which takes place on Tuesday, 5 March at the DSG Aquatics Centre. Swim well, Madison Edwards, Lilani Wolmarans, Daniela McLean and Isla Orsmond!

FP Open Swimming lesson

Next week our Grade 1, 2 & 3 parents are invited to attend an Open Swimming lesson to see the progress their daughter has made at swimming this season. The lesson takes place between 13:00 & 14:00.

Grade 3s on Monday

Grade 2s on Tuesday

Grade 1s on Wednesday

 

Netball

Frans Erasmus Netball Tournament

The U13 Frans Erasmus will take place at PJ Olivier on Friday, 8 & Saturday, 9 March. Matches will start at 13:00 on Friday and 08:00 on Saturday. We wish our u13 Netball girls all the best.

---

Ad Hoc Boarding in the hostel

Please note that if you are ever in need of safe and convenient temporary care for your daughter, we do cater for all VP girls (Grade 1-7) to use the hostel on an ad hoc basis. The cost is R280 per night

including all meals. Please contact the school office for further details.

---

Drop-offs at the office

We appeal once again to parents/guardians not to drop items off for girls during the school day at the office. We are constantly inundated with deliveries! If an item is urgently required the teacher or the office will call with a request to drop it off.  If it is your daughter’s birthday you are most welcome to drop cupcakes for her at the office during the school day.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Ms Featherstone, Mr Wynne, Ubulumko Dunywa, Mvelo-Entle Ntlajeni, Kefilwe Racoco, Lilitha Kulati, Kaylee May, Ndalo Mvula, Mila Nongubo, Leane Boucher, Amila Mdingi and Asante Tetani. Have a lovely day!

 Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

27/02- 4/04	SGB nominations open
Fri. 1/03	Founders’ Day assembly@08:30Colour Run Pre-primary:  10:00   Grade 1-3:     10:45 Grade 4-7:     11:30 Compulsory Technology workshop for ALL Grade 7s 13:00-16:30 in the hall.
Sat. 2/03	Level 1 Gala, Gqeberha
Mon. 4/03	Induction Assembly @10:00Grade 3 Open Swimming lesson 13:00
Tues. 5/03	Interdistricts Gala 10:30@DSGGrade 2 Open Swimming lesson 13:00
Wed. 6/03	Grade 1 Open Swimming lesson 13:00Team tennis match vs Port Alfred High @PAH
Thurs. 7/03	SGB election
Fri. 8/03	Splash Gala 07:45-10:00 (Gr 4-7) Grade 1&2 home time 10:30-10:45 Interhouse Gala 10:30-13:00 (Compulsory Grade 3-7)U13 Frans Erasmus Netball Tournament
Sat. 9/03	U13 Frans Erasmus Netball Tournament

Message from the office

This term has certainly flown. I feel like we have just started the year, yet we only have three and a half weeks left of the term and so much to be done before then.

On Monday we will be hosting our farewell assembly for Mr Greyling who has been teaching at VP for 30 years, since 1994! The assembly will start at 10:00. All extended VP families are most welcome to join us in our farewell. All girls (Grade 1-7) must come dressed neatly in their school uniform on this day. Grade 4-7 girls must come dressed in their blazers. No sports uniforms, please.

On Friday the 1 March we will be having our Founders’ Assembly at 08:30. Our guest speakers are our very own Ms Nwabisa Jamela and her sister, Thandile. Both are old VP girls and they are both still very involved and valuable to our VP and VG communities. We are looking forward to them sharing their stories with us. All parents and extended VP families are more than welcome to join us for this special gathering to celebrate our school’s past and the impact VP has had on the lives of many.

At our SGB meeting last week, the parent members spoke about the fond memories many people share of being VP girls. I don’t think many people who walk through our corridors as either pupils or staff members, leave without many fond memories and the staff at VP endeavour to ensure that these happy memories continue to remain for all who pass through here.

We didn’t know we were making memories, we were just having fun’’ – Winnie the Pooh

 “No school without spectacular eccentrics and crazy hearts is worth attending.” – Saul Bellow

 We welcome Mrs Kruger back to Grade 5 when she returns from her maternity leave on Friday, 1 March.

---

Worker of the Week

Congratulations to  Elam Ntlokwana for doing such beautiful work in isiXhosa. Keep it up, Elam!

Personality/ies of the Week

Congratulations to Sinesiphe Mafani, Iminathi Malusi, Lwandisiwe Siqwede, Amari Funani, Zizo Zomelele and Makatandeka Chakona who all received our P.O.W for their display of thoughtfulness and kindness towards a fellow pupil.

Ndlulamthi Badge

A hearty congratulations to Azile Hambaze who is the first recipient of the Ndlulamthi Badge this year. She is resilient, responsible, polite, and always neatly dressed, and therefore an excellent ambassador for our school. We are very proud of you, Azile.

Merit Achievement

Well done, Makatendeka Chakona who has already received 250 merits this year. Keep it up, Maka!

---

Youth Theatre

On Thursday, 22 February we were visited by the Youth Theatre Touring Company. Our Pre-primary and Foundation Phase girls thoroughly enjoyed the production of ‘Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela’ and our IP girls delighted in their production of ‘Wanda the Musical’! What a treat to be entertained and inspired by such brilliantly put together productions and relatable stories!

Colour Fun Run

We are hosting our successful Colour Run again this Founders’ Day. As part of our first PTA fundraiser for 2024 all VP girls from Gr 00-7 will take part in a fun Colour Run/Obstacle course and friends and families are most welcome to join in.

Girls (Grade 1-7) must come to school dressed for assembly in their school uniform and blazer (Grade 4-7). Thereafter they will change into casual clothes and takkies/running shoes that they don’t mind getting really dirty! Please refer to the order form for more details and return the reply slip to your daughter’s class teacher with the correct payment. Girls are welcome to go home after their event is finished or they may stay until the usual closing time at 13:00.

Please note that the closing date to order boerewors rolls is Tuesday, 27 February by 13:00. The closing date for entries to the Colour Run is Thursday, 29 February at 13:00.

Kind Club

The Kind club will be raising funds at the Colour Run by having a colour hairspraying stall and a mini photo booth. For a cost of R10, girls can have a colour sprayed on their hair and then pose for a fun photo. We would like to encourage the girls to pre-order to avoid disappointments. Money to be paid to class teachers by Thursday, 29 February.

 Technology Workshop – Attention Grade 7s

All Grade 7s must attend the exciting technology workshop on Friday, 1 March. This is a compulsory group activity where students will calculate their Term 1 results. The workshop will begin promptly at 13:15 in the hall. Each group is expected to bring their own cardboard boxes. We look forward to seeing everyone there for a productive and fun-filled day of learning! Parents must please collect their daughters at the hostel entrance in Hill Street at 16:30.

Easter Egg donations

Please donate Easter Eggs for our annual PTA Easter Egg hamper raffle!

Milk Carton Plastic Lids

Mrs Olivier is asking for your assistance in collecting milk carton’s plastic lids. You can send them directly to Mrs Olivier or drop them off at the office.

 Outreach

‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

Nigeran Igbo proverb

As the Grade 7 Community Outreach committee, we are focusing on education this term. We believe that although some items might seem to be of no use to you they might be a treasure to those less fortunate. We would like to encourage our girls and parents to donate educational items – focusing on school shoes but including unisex school shirts, stationery and reading books. We ask you to please keep in mind that we are trying to restore dignity to those who are less fortunate than us and ask that you keep this in mind when considering the condition of items that you are donating.

---

SPORT 

Tennis

On Wednesday our VP team played against Kingswood College. VP won 31 out of the 52 games, winning by 22 games. Well done to all our team girls on their wonderful performance.

 Swimming

Congratulations to Daniella McLean, Madison Edwards, Isla Orsmond and Lilani Wolmarans who have been selected for the Albany Team to compete at the Interdistricts Gala in March.

Selected team swimmers will be participating in the B-League gala this weekend, and the Level 1 gala next weekend, both in Gqeberha. Good luck, girls – swim well!

---

Ad Hoc Boarding in the hostel

Please note that if you are ever in need of safe and convenient temporary care for your daughter, we do cater for all VP girls (Grade 1-7) to use the hostel on an ad hoc basis. The cost is R280 per night including all meals. Please contact the school office for further details.

 Birthday wishes

We wish the following girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mivuyo Nongxaza,Tasmine Thomas, Taylynne Thomas, Caryne Grobler, Wuve Ngqingili,  Halle Orsmond, Indiphile Zondani, Anna Malamis, Michaela Swanepoel and Kgotlelelo Thathe. Have a lovely day!

 Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Sat. 24/02	B-League Gala in Gqeberha
Sun. 25/02	Boarders return
Mon. 26/02	Farewell Assembly for Mr Greyling @10:00
Tues. 27/02	Nominations open for parent members of the SGB
Fri. 1/03	·         Founders’ Day assembly@08:30 ·         Colour Run Pre-primary:  10:00   Grade 1-3:     10:45 Grade 4-7:     11:30 ·         Compulsory Technology workshop for ALL Grade 7s 13:00-16:30 in the hall.
Fri. 8/03	·         Splash gala 07:45-10:00 (Gr 4-7) ·         Grade 1&2 home time 10:30-10:45 ·         Interhouse gala 10:30-14:00 (Compulsory Grade 3-7)

Message from the office

This week I have re-used a message I wrote for the 4 March 2022 newsletter, as I think it is a good reminder for everyone as we embark on the challenges of settling into a new year and grade with all its expectations. One of the most important traits we can teach our girls is Accountability.

As parents, we need to teach accountability by making sure that our children know that their actions and choices have consequences and that they need to face these consequences. If we continue to blame others for our children’s poor behaviour, find excuses for our children’s poor choices or actions and cover for them or protect them from the consequences of their actions, they will never learn the cause and effect that their life choices have. And unfortunately as a result our children may grow to be entitled young teens and adults. These entitled young teens and adults never acknowledge any mistakes or wrongdoing because they have been brought up knowing that others will always get blamed or someone will always cover for them.

Ask the following of your child:

1. Does she always blame others for her mistakes?
2. Is it always the teacher’s or someone else’s fault?
3. Does she expect you to solve her problems for her?
4. Does she always find a way to get out of her chores and responsibilities around the house?
5. Does she never listen to your threats because she knows they are hollow?
6. Is she unable to identify her role in arguments or disagreements?
7. Is she able to acknowledge how her actions may hurt others?
8. Does she often use “I’ll tell my mom/dad/ granny” to sort out her problems?
9. Do your pleas seem to fall on deaf ears?
10. Does she relate to peers and adults at the same level?
11. Is your child able to apologise for her wrongdoing?
12. Is your child unable to keep her promises?

It is never too late to make sure that your child learns to face the consequences of their actions and be accountable citizens. Sometimes it’s hard as we don’t want to see them suffer, that’s why it is called tough love, but it is far better than watching your children grow into ungrateful and unaccountable teens and adults. Set an example of an accountable adult for your child to look up to.

I think this sentence taken from www.lbliteracy.co.za hit home just how important teaching accountability is:

‘An important distinction to remember is that responsibility can be shared but accountability cannot. Respect your

children enough to hold them accountable.’

  ‘Accountability breeds response-ability’ – Stephen Covey.

---

Worker of the Week

Congratulations to Mukundi Thondhlana who is recognised this week for her lovely writing lesson and weekend news.

Keep it up, Mukundi!

---

Access to campus and security

As part of VP and VGs endeavour to make our combined campuses secure and safe for our girls we have limited access to our campus. All visitors and parents must please report to our office in Beaufort Street and may not use the Huntley Street gate as an access point.

 

Assembly

Thank you to Grade 7V for their delightful assembly on ‘Shining your own light and appreciating your uniqueness’. On Monday Grade 7C will be presenting their assembly. Parents are welcome to join us. Please only enter the hall at 10:10 with the rest of staff.

Extramurals

On Thursday, 22 February there will not be any extramurals for Grade 4-7 due to staff development. Grade 1-3 must please be collected at 14:00 (Huntley Street) and Grade 4-7 at 13:45. There will be Aftercare as usual.

Easter Egg donations

Please donate Easter Eggs for our annual PTA Easter Egg hamper raffle!

 Music

Music pupils are reminded about next week’s scales test. The Term 1 music assessment will be conducted the week after, from 26 February to 1 March. Keep up the good practising!

Farewell

We will be hosting a farewell assembly for Mr Greyling on Monday, 26 February at 10:00. We welcome all parents and extended VP families to join us in our farewell.

Founders’ Day – 1 March 2023

We are hosting our successful Colour Run again this Founders’ Day. As part of our first PTA fundraiser for 2024 all VP girls from Gr 00-7 will take part in a fun Colour Run/Obstacle course and friends and families are most welcome to join in.

Girls must come to school dressed for assembly in their school uniform and blazer (Grade 4-7). Thereafter they will change into casual clothes that they don’t mind getting really dirty! Please refer to the order form for more details (https://victoriaprimary.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Colour-Run-poster-with-reply-slip-2024.pdf) and return the reply slip to your daughter’s class teacher with the correct payment. Girls are welcome to go home after their event is finished or they may stay until the usual closing time at 13:00.

SGB Elections

We have been informed that our nomination period must end three days before the election and will therefore have to adjust our dates to the following:

Nominations for parent members of the SGB will open at 08:00 on Tuesday, 27 February at and close at 13:45 on Monday, 4 March. The election will take place on Thursday, 7 March between 07:15 and 16:30. If you have any questions please contact our office.

Milk Carton Plastic Lids

Mrs Olivier is asking for your assistance in collecting milk carton’s plastic lids. You can send them directly to Mrs Olivier or drop them off at the office.

 

Outreach

‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

Nigeran Igbo proverb

As the Grade 7 Community Outreach committee, we are focusing on education this term. We believe that although some items might seem to be of no use to you

they might be a treasure to those less fortunate. We would like to encourage

our girls and parents to donate educational items – focusing on school shoes but including unisex school shirts, stationery and reading books. We ask you to please keep in mind that we are trying to restore dignity to those who are less fortunate than us and ask that you keep this in mind when considering the condition of items that you are donating.

---

SPORT

Swimming

Our team swimmers took part in the Albany trials yesterday at DSG. We await the results but are very proud of our girls’ performance. We are also proud of our VP staff, particularly Mrs Dewey and Mrs Coetzee who organised this very well-run event.

Athletics

Congratulations to Nakweziphi Mthetho and Nalu Mfiki who both received bronze medals for long jump at the Sara Baartman athletics tournament in Gqeberha on Wednesday. We are super proud of all our athletes who took part in the event.

 Tennis

Marizaan Boucher has been selected to take part in the 2024 EC Synergy Cup Tennis Tournament in Cape Town on the 1^st & 2^nd of March. She will receive her EC colours for this achievement. Congratulations, Marizaan we wish you safe travels and much success.

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mrs Sopangiso, Ms Songongo, Okuhle Smile, Azoma Lubelwana, Ayomide Booi and Elizabeth Egunlusi.

We hope you have a wonderful day!

 Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

---

UPCOMING EVENTS 

22/02 –  NO EXTRAMURALS FOR GRADE 4-7 – Collection times: Gr 1-3 – 14:00 (Huntley Street)          Gr 4-7 – 13:45

23/02 –   Boarders’ Leave Out

·             Grade 7 Committee meetings @13:00

24/02 –  B-League Gala in Gqeberha

26/02 –  Farewell Assembly for Mr Greyling @10:00

27/02 –  Nominations open for parent members of the SGB

01/03 –  Founders’ Day celebration and Colour Run.

·            Compulsory Technology workshop for ALL Grade 7s 13:00-16:30 in the hall.

---

Message from the office

We had a wonderful week of reading in celebration of World Read Aloud Day and we received amazing entries for the Reading in Unusual Place Competition.  They were all so creative and we thank all our girls and their families for their enthusiasm. Our four winners were Kungothando Ngangani, Chanelle Musarurwa, Zaydiah Adler and Kaelyn Westcott. Well done, girls!  Please go to our FB page to see all the lovely photos of the week and our fantastic entries in our competition.

Our motto this year is:

       You are a RAINBOW of possibilities

         Shine bright

         You can learn anything

         Your speed doesn’t matter…forward is forward

         You are unique

         Anything is possible if you try

We want all our girls to be appreciated for their uniqueness and talents and to encourage them to be the best versions of themselves. Their future has endless possibilities but they each need to give it their best to be the best they can be.

We need to teach our girls to embrace their uniqueness and practice self-love and to not compare themselves to others. It is also important for our girls to embrace others’ uniqueness and respect that we each have our own path to follow.

I have often mentioned in our newsletters that the biggest gift we can give our children is unconditional love and accepting them for who they are, and not for who we wish them to be. When a young girl has experienced unconditional love, she will know that she is lovable and she will learn to love herself in turn.

Here are a few tips on encouraging and accepting your child’s uniqueness and loving her unconditionally.

(https://www.hoffstettercounseling.com/post/ways-to-encourage-and-celebrate-your-child-s-uniqueness)

All children are unique in their own way, and one of our top jobs as parents is to nurture those qualities in our children that make them who they are. It’s not as easy as it sounds, especially because life is full of challenges. Yet in so many ways, it’s simpler than we think—and the rewards are infinite.

 Bonding and Self-Confidence

Not only will it strengthen your bond with your child, but it will give your child the confidence they need to take that personality and share it with the rest of the world.

 Courage to Make a Difference

A child who is loved for who they are—differences and all—is a child who can show up in their life with courage, mental strength, and the resources to make the world a better place.

 Strength to Face Adversity

They will be better suited to face challenges from others, because as awful as it is to think about, your child will encounter cruelty and intolerance at some point in life.

 Tolerance for Others

Raising children with a foundation of trust and self-esteem will help them weather any storm they find themselves up against—and it will allow them to embrace others’ differences with the same level of acceptance.

---

Worker of the Week

Well done to Amyoli Sesani for her lovely work in Technology. Keep it up, Amyoli.

Personality of the Week

Congratulations to Riley-Jo Potts who received our POW this week for displaying Resilience and Bravery. You go, girl!

---

Assembly

On Monday Grade 7V will be presenting their assembly. Parents are welcome to come and join us. You may enter the hall at 10:10 with the teachers. Please do not enter the hall while the girls are still practising their hymns.

 Valentine’s Day is Civvies Day!

We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on 14 February by having a civvies day. The theme will be All about L     ve and girls must wear pink, white and red. The cost will be R5.

 Farewell

We will be hosting a farewell assembly for Mr Greyling on Monday, 26 February at 10:00. We welcome all parents and extended VP families to join us in our farewell.

SGB Election Notice

Your daughter received a letter today with all the relevant dates for the SGB nomination and election process. Please contact the office if you still have any questions in this regard.

 Outreach

‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

Nigeran Igbo proverb

As the Grade 7 Community Outreach committee, we are focusing on education this term. We believe that although some items might seem to be of no use to you they might be a treasure to those less fortunate. We would like to encourage

our girls and parents to donate educational items – focusing on school shoes but including unisex school shirts, stationery and reading books. We ask you to please keep in mind that we are trying to restore dignity to those who are less fortunate than us and ask that you keep this in mind when considering the condition of items that you are donating.

---

SPORT

Swimming

• Our swimming team will be taking part in the Graeme Relay Gala this afternoon at the Kingswood pool. Swim well, girls!
• Next week Thursday, 15 February,

VP will be hosting the Albany Trials Gala at the DSG Aquatic Centre. It starts at 14:00, and parents are encouraged to support.

 Mini-Cricket

Good luck to our U8 & U9 girls who are playing in their first mini-cricket game of the year at St Andrew’s Fairlawn this afternoon. Girls participating have received a letter.

Have fun, girls!

 Athletics

A selected group of our athletes took part in the Zone 1 athletics meet on Wednesday, for the field event. Our VP girls did really well with seven girls qualifying for the next round which will take place on the 14 February 2024 in Gqeberha. The track events are taking place today to determine which girls will be joining the rest of the group on Wednesday.

 Tennis

• Madison Edwards, Marizaan Boucher, Stella Mullin and Kaylee May went to Cradock on the 6^th of February to represent the Sarah Baartman 1, GAP Team. They did very well and we are so proud of them.
• Our Tennis Team will be participating the U10 & U12 TTA/Kingswood College Tournament this weekend. We wish them all of the best. Play well, girls!

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mr Greyling, Mrs Coetzee, Amahle Mchunu, Libhongo Mase, Megan van Staden, Liyanda Kutta, Mivuyo Santi and Kaya Jones. We hope you have a wonderful day!

 Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Message from the office

At Monday’s assembly we will announce the winner of our Reading in Unusual Places competition and we are grateful for all the wonderful entries. On Wednesday, 7 February we will be celebrating World Read Aloud Day. Our various classes will be doing different activities to promote and encourage reading. Please ask your daughter after school on Wednesday what fun activities she did. We will also have fifteen minutes before break where our older girls will read to our younger ones and this is such a special bonding time for all. Please keep a lookout on our FB page for all the lovely photos that come from this day and to see our delightful competition entries.

Over the past weekend a few of our teachers attended the Rhodes Education Summit. One of the guest speakers on Sunday morning was Dr Barney Mthembu who is the deputy Director-General for Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring for the Department of Basic Education. He highlighted the importance of reading and the dire statistics that indicated only a small percentage of Grade 4 learners can read for meaning. He also mentioned how poignant it was that during the looting in KZN in 2021, where most shops were completely looted, Bargain Books was left untouched. He stated that Readers are Leaders and if you can’t read you shouldn’t be allowed to lead. I am sure you can tell just how critical he sees the need to grow a generation of leaders.

At VP we strive to develop not only our girls’ ability to read but also establish the foundation for a lifelong love for reading and learning. 

Here are some tips to continue developing reading at home (https://www.twinkl.co.za/blog/ten-ways-to-have-a-reading-friendly-home)

 Be a Reading Role Model

It can all start with you. Show your child that you value reading at home, whether it’s on a page or on a tablet.

2. Have Books Everywhere

Try to have lots of books visible in your house to make reading at home easier.

3. Start Young

Whatever your age or taste, there’s always something interesting for you and your child to read at home. You can introduce your child to a wide range of books – fiction books, adventure books, picture books, comic books, books about nature, books about space, biographies, autobiographies – the world is yours and theirs.

4. Create a Reading Corner

By creating a reading corner for children, your child has a cosy, peaceful place that can encourage them to do more reading at home.

5. Be Positive About Books

You’re never bored if you can read. Be enthusiastic about all the different kinds of books we’re lucky to have and how exciting books can be. Chat regularly with your child about their reading they’ve done at home or at school.

6. Change Reading Books Regularly

Like all of us, your child will have books they go back to again and again and some books that they’ll read just one time. It’s good, if possible, to have fresh, different books in the house as often as you can. Join your local library and take interest in your child’s reader and school library book.

7. Link Reading to Creative Activities

Encourage your child’s creativity through books. Reading at home can lead to lots of other fabulous play activities – drawing, rewriting the story with a different ending, dressing up, acting out their favourite parts of the book- the sky’s the limit.

8. Make Reading at Home Part of the Routine

Reading at home with your child can be part of your quality time at home so it becomes an important, natural part of your child’s day. Reading before bed is comforting, soothing and is more likely to help your daughter to settle to sleep than playing a game on a screen.

9. Try to Make Sure Your Child’s Books are Suitable for Their Age

Make sure the books they read at home are age appropriate – too easy and your child loses interest, too difficult and they can be off-putting.

10. Take Books Everywhere

It’s a nice idea to buy your child a little rucksack that they can pop their favourite book into when you’re going out. This can be great to occupy your child if you’re waiting to see the doctor or dentist for example – far better than a cellphone!

‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.’ Margaret Fuller

 ‘Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.’ – Napoleon Bonaparte

‘Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.’ – Kate DiCamillo

---

Worker of the Week

Well done to all Audrey Matanda in Grade 2 for her good work in Maths. Keep it up, Audrey.

Personality of the Week

Congratulations to Mivuyo Nongxaza for being our first recipient of Personality of the Week this year for her display of initiative and for being responsible. Thank you, Mivuyo!

---

NOTICES

PTA AGM:  We are delighted with the number of parents who attended the PTA AGM. Thank you for your commitment to your daughters’ schooling. We are certain that this is the start of a good year and a positive partnership with you and your daughter’s teacher.

PTA Meeting:  Our first PTA meeting will be held in the school hall at 17:15 on Tuesday the 6 February. Please join us at this meeting to serve on this committee to help raise funds for our school this year. 

SGB Election Notice:  All schools are required to have SGB elections every three years. We will do so on Thursday, 7 March. We currently have a very active SGB committee for which we are most grateful and we note that incumbents may continue to serve another term but still need to go through the nomination process. Nominations open on Thursday, 29 February. In the lead-up to this process please consider if you or a parent that you know would be able to bring a valuable skill to our Governing Body and approach them about being nominated. More details about the elections will follow in subsequent newsletters.

 Eye Screening:  The EyeStore will visit on the 7^th-9^th of February. The Grade 1s and all new girls will receive basic visual screening which will test their visual clarity from a distance, this is free of charge. A letter was sent home regarding more comprehensive tests. Please return the completed letter with required payment as soon as possible if you would like a more comprehensive test for your daughter (or she is not in Gr 1 or new to VP).

HPV Vaccination:  The Grade 5s will bring home a Health Department consent form today. This form must be completed and returned by next week in order to receive the HPV vaccination. If you do not wish to consent to your daughter receiving the vaccine you must still return the completed form.

Outreach – ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Nigeran Igbo proverb

As the Grade 7 Community Outreach committee, we are focusing on education this term. We believe that although some items might seem to be of no use to you they might be a treasure to those less fortunate. We would like to encourage our girls and parents to donate educational items – focusing on school shoes but including unisex school shirts, stationery and reading books. We ask you to please keep in mind that we are trying to restore dignity to those who are less fortunate than us and ask that you keep this in mind when considering the condition of items that you are donating.

---

SPORT

Athletics:  A selected group of girls took part at the Zone 1 Athletics meet yesterday for the track events. Our VP girls did very well with 7 out of 12 girls qualifying for the next round, which will take place on Friday, 9 February at Prospect Field at Rhodes. The field events for the Zone 1 qualifiers will take place on Wednesday, 7 February at PJ Olivier and the girls who will take part in this event will receive a letter on Monday.

 Tennis:  Over the weekend three VP girls took part in the Wilson series tournament. Our girls did very well. Kaylee May came 11th and Danielle McLean came 7th. Congratulations to Stella Mullin for receiving a medal for coming 3rd. Very well done to all of them.

 Swimming News

• Well done to all the girls who participated in the KC Short Course Gala on Tuesday, and good luck to the girls attending the B-League gala tomorrow in Gqeberha.
• Please note that training for Team and Feeder team girls will go ahead tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 10:00. Ms Knott-Craig will be there to supervise the girls.
• We are awaiting confirmation of the Graeme Relay Gala next week Friday. Girls will receive a letter next week once we have details.

Cancellation of any sports:  Please note that we will not cancel any extramurals without notice due to weather conditions or any other reasons, we will keep the girls busy with something indoors.

We will be selling Valentine’s goodies to raise funds for our sports department please follow this link for the form – Valentine’s Day order form

---

Birthday wishes

We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday! Ms Purdon, Mrs Makeba-Mgogo, Ms Miskin, Iviwe Jakavula, Ngcwalisa Mbambo, Iminathi Mgwebi, Iminathi Ndilele, Hlumisa Piti, Luniko Hlulushe, Nakhane Klei, Zingce Pilisani, Inam Toll, Onwaba Hoyi, Mizaan Marcus, Christelle Ruwanza, Esethu Stamper, Gabriella Cervati, Azuza Mbiza, Ithandile-Inkosi Meke, Zizo Zomelele,  Jazlin Crafford, Khanya Kepe, Imanathi Mcophele, Tamera Ngwalase, Kazlin de Maar, Shameega Kholiso, Neo Molefe, and Alondwe Sethi. We hope you have a wonderful day!

 Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

---

 

 

Message from the office

At Monday’s assembly our focus was on Gratitude; appreciating others and appreciating what we have, as well as saying thank you to others. Gratitude involves both feeling and expressing thankfulness.

It is not uncommon as a parent to occasionally feel unappreciated and that our children do not always realise the sacrifices we make to ensure that they have what they need and want.  It is important to note that children are not instinctively grateful and that this trait needs to be nurtured at home.

I hope that your daughter has said thank you to you for something you have done for her (hopefully more than usual) during this week of focusing on gratitude. Gratitude needs to be practiced so that it becomes a healthy beneficial habit. A study showed that parents who place a high priority on teaching their child gratitude are more likely to report that they regularly have their child say please and thank you and do chores to help the family and others. (https://mottpoll.org/reports/parent-efforts-teach-children-about-gratitude).

Gratitude also has lifelong benefits including reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

How can you ensure that your daughter adopts a life of gratitude?

(adapted from https://childmind.org/article/10-tips-raising-grateful-kids/)

1. Set an example

Children learn a lot from watching their parents. Show them what it means to be grateful by offering a genuine “thank you!” to those who do things for you, big or small, including thanking our children for doing things that are helpful.

2. Point out generosity

Call attention to it when people do things that go beyond what’s expected.

3. Have a talk

For some children, especially those very young or those who have trouble understanding emotions, it can help to have a talk about how showing appreciation makes other people feel. Encourage your girls to think of people who help them, like the person who cleans the classroom, their sports coach, teacher, kind friend or their granny who looks after them.

4. Put things in perspective

Talk to your girls about those who are less fortunate. Don’t scare them, but don’t keep them in the dark either. Understanding that not everyone has the same advantages will help them develop

compassion for others and gratitude for their own privileges.

5. Make gratitude part of bedtime

When you tuck them in at night, ask your child to tell you three things they’re grateful for. Even if they’ve had a bad day it will help them—and you—end each day on a positive note.

“Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.”

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”

― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden

---

Worker of the Week

Congratulations to Leah Doyle for her beautiful work in English this week. What a great start to Grade 4, Leah!

---

Thanks

A big thank you to Danielle McLean for the donation of lovely books to our school library.

---

Class visits and PTA SGM

On Tuesday, 30 January at 17:15 we will have our PTA AGM and class visits.  Parents are to meet for a short meeting in the hall and thereafter all Grade 2-7 parents will go to their daughters’ respective classrooms where they will be briefed on the expectations and requirements for the year. Please prioritise this meeting as it is an important information session and a good opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and to ask any questions you may have.

---

Eye Screening

The EyeStore and Dr Davies Optometrists will visit on the 7^th-9^th of February. The Grade 1s and all new girls will receive basic visual screening which will test their visual clarity from a distance, this is free of charge. A letter will be sent home next week which must be completed and the fee paid if you would like a more comprehensive test for your daughter (or she is not in Gr 1 or new to VP).

---

SPORT

Tennis

Our Tennis Team will be participating the TTA/Kingswood U10 & U12 annual Team Tournament on the 10^th & 11^th of February. Play well, girls!

Swimming news

Good luck to the team swimmers who were selected to participate in the Kingswood Short Course Gala next week Tuesday, 30th January. The gala starts at 14:00 and parents are encouraged to support.

Some of our team swimmers will also be travelling to Gqeberha on the 3rd February to participate at the B-League gala at the Newton Park Swimming pool. Good luck girls!

---

NOTICES

Assembly: On Monday Grade 7 Sauls will be the first class to present an assembly. Parents are welcome to join us. Please be seated by 10:10. Please do not enter the hall before this time while the girls are having singing practice. You are welcome to wait in the office foyer or on our playground.

Collection and drop off (Grade 1-7). A reminder about our collection and drop off times:

Morning Drop offs:

FP: 07:15-07:25 Huntley Street Gate

If earlier, please use the Beaufort Street Gate

IP: To be dropped off by 07:20: Beaufort Street Gate

Collection:

FP: Huntley Street Gate:

No extramurals 13:00-13:15;

Extramurals 14:00-14:15

IP:  Beaufort Street Gate after school and

after extramurals until 16:30 (Mon-

Thurs) 14:30 (Fri).

FP&IP: After 16:30 (Mon-Thurs) & 14:30 (Fri) the pick-up point will be from Aftercare which is accessed from the Hill Street Hostel entrance. Parents will be charged accordingly.

These arrangements are for our children’s safety so that we can ensure that there is supervision while they are waiting.

Communication Grade 1-7: Please call our school office for any communication with our teachers or to make appointments to see them. You are also welcome to communicate via email (admin or teacher’s email) or a note placed in your child’s homework diary. Please bear in mind that teachers are teaching all day and/or have extramurals and will not be able to check their emails and respond instantly. Please give teachers 48 hours (working days) to respond to emails. If you have an emergency or need a response sooner, please call our office.

 Dropping off items at the office:  We are into the second week of school and girls must please be encouraged to get organised and not expect items to be delivered to school by parents. Our office staff are inundated with items being dropped off. Please note that only birthday cupcakes, deliveries for boarders and items specifically requested by teachers may be dropped off at the office for your daughter during the school day.

Payments:  Please make sure that the correct reference (Account number) is used when making a payment. We have received numerous payments with no reference. If you have made a payment and it is not reflected on your account, please forward the proof of this payment to Mrs Terblanche and indicate your daughter’s name and grade. Please remember that if you pay your fees in full before the end of February you will receive a 5% discount.

 Accounts: The school prefers to send accounts via email, however many of the emails bounce back as undeliverable. If you are not receiving your school account via email, please send an email to Mrs Terblanche t.terblanche@victoriaprimary.co.za and state your daughter’s name, surname and grade so that we can assure we have your correct email address.

Ice-cream containers: Our Grade 00s are collecting empty ice-cream containers to use in the classroom. If you are able to assist please drop them off at the office or give them to Mrs Calitz.

Birthday wishes

The following staff and children celebrate their birthdays in the January.

Ms du Plooy, Ms Kasper, Ms le Roux, Ms Lang, Mrs Sauls, Ms Jamela, Zazi Gqamana, Willow Hector, Ingcali-Yomso Mani, Lunje Peter, Mihle Khitha, Oyama Morule, Likamvelihle Dyibishe, Ahlumile Vusani, Kungothando Nzuzo, Rejoice Chatikobo, Sizoluhle Matswele, Caitlyn Bodill, Mbalentle Dyaloyi, Kulowo Msipa, Oyintando Nkatazo, Amyoli Sesani, Zelne Leach, Alibongwe Mthembu, Lunathi Zikishe, Ayazi Klei, Sama Torweni, Bongumusa Louw, Inamandla Mnyapa, Isipho Nelana, Sabrina Nyathi, Nalu Matshaya, Giselle Peters, Owam Bebeto, Ladine van Wyk, Uzosule Kanana, Lulo Ponoshe, Junaid Williams, Zingcwele Mangali, Yonelisa Ngaleka, Isla Orsmond, Aliyah Swartz, Lune Coetzee, Rebecca Phillip, Avethandwa Hambaze, Iminathi Malusi, Lulama Joe, Avela Sigidi, Lilani Wolmarans, Stephanie Folaranmi, Marabel Kuja, Oyintando Gumenge and Sesona Mnqinana.

We hope you had/have a wonderful day!

 Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Message from the office           

A very warm welcome back to school for 2024 and a special welcome to our new girls and their families. We have had a happy return of pupils who were all eager to start their new year.

We have two new interns Ms Makeba and Ms Stirk who will be assisting in Gr 00 and Gr R this year. They are already part of the VP family and I am sure you will meet them and get to know them in due course. It bodes well for a good year ahead when our staff return very happy and enthusiastic to meet their new classes and to start teaching.

We had our ‘Welcome Back’ Assembly on Wednesday and we focussed on New Year resolutions and using the new year to make new beginnings and a fresh start. We encouraged our girls to set their goals for the new year, which included their academics, relationships, self-growth and extramurals. As T.S. Eliot said ‘for last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.’ We wish you all blessed new beginnings for 2024.

---

WORKER OF THE WEEK

Well done to Rose Chirombo for being selected as our first Worker of the Week for her lovely holiday news. Keep it up! Each week we will post the photos of all the recipients of a Principals sticker for excellent work on our Facebook page.

---

DROP-OFF ARRANGEMENTS

I appeal to you to ensure that you drop your daughters off timeously in the mornings (7:20) as the bell rings at 7:25 for lines. All Grade 1-7 girls are required to be at lines to listen to the morning message and any announcements for the day. If your daughter misses this, she is already going to be missing out on knowing what’s happening for the rest of the day. If you are even later and your daughter arrives when classes have commenced, your daughter will be anxious and will take a while to settle before being able to focus. Added to this, her late arrival distracts the other learners and her teacher, when lessons are already in progress.

---

COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS

We also request that you ensure that your child is fetched at least fifteen minutes after school or after her extramural ends. We strongly discourage children being left for hours waiting outside for their transport. If you are unable to fetch your daughter timeously please ensure that you register her for aftercare. Our office closes at 16h30 (Mon-Thurs) and at 14:30 on a Friday. Any child who is not fetched by this time will be sent to Aftercare and you will have to fetch her from there. Aftercare is accessed via the VP Hostel entrance on Hill Street. If you fetch your child after 17:30 she will be sent to hostel and you will have to fetch her there. If late collection is a regular occurrence or your child is collected outside of the Aftercare hours, you will be charged Aftercare fees, to your account, regardless of the circumstances.

Grade 1-3 finish their academic day at 13:00 and extramurals end at 14:00. The girls are then taken to the Huntley street gate for collection between 13:00-13:15 or 14:00-14:15 after their extramurals. Children not collected by this time will be brought up to the Beaufort street gate at 13:15 (or 14:15). Please note that no Gr 1-3 child will be allowed to wait at the Beaufort street gate between 13:00-13:15 as there is no supervision. Parents/transport will not be able to access the Huntley Street gate via the Beaufort Street gate during this time.

The academic school day will end at 13h00 every FRIDAY for Grade 1-7.

---

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

We would also like to remind you that by enrolling your child at VP, you are under an obligation to ensure that your daughter attends school. If your child is sick or unable to attend school, parents are required to notify the school office by 09h00 on the first day of absenteeism. On your child’s return she is required to bring a note explaining the reason for her absence. If she is absent for 3 days or more or she misses out on a test or exam, a medical certificate will be required on her return which clearly states the dates she is booked off. This is a school policy and must be adhered to. Holidays away and other events should be done over the weekend and during school holidays.

---

STATIONERY (Grade 4-7)

Please ensure that your daughter has all the stationery required for her grade according to the stationery list sent. All books must be covered and any outstanding items must be purchased by Monday the 23 January.

---

VP DIARIES

As mentioned in our last newsletter of 2023, all girls Gr 3-7 received our new VP diaries this week. If your daughter loses her diary she will have to pay R50 for a replacement, however we have limited replacements so please ensure that she looks after it. No other diaries are to be used for school.

---

LABELLING OF ITEMS AND LOST PROPERTY

All your daughter’s possessions from pencils to blazers must be clearly labelled with her name and surname. We cannot be expected to search for items which are not labelled. Lost items will be handed to Lost Property, either with Mrs Orsmond (FP) or Mrs Sauls (IP). We endeavour to return items straight away if they are labelled. Unlabelled items must be collected from Lost Property by your daughter during school hours.

---

COMMUNICATION

We send out very detailed weekly newsletters every Friday and letters are regularly sent home regarding any sporting or cultural fixtures. Please make it a priority to read your weekly newsletter, your daughters’ diaries and notices sent home. Homework and instructions thereof need to be followed in the classroom setting. Any queries can be directed to our school office during office hours. If you would like to communicate with your child’s teacher please email her or send a note in your child’s diary. Alerts for any unplanned changes will be posted on the D6 Communicator App. You will also find the extramural programme, term calendar and newsletters on the D6 Communicator App.

Photos of school activities throughout the year will be put on the schools Facebook page. Please note access is limited to parents and staff at VP and therefore new parents will have to request access on Facebook.

---

SAVE THE DATE

Please save the date for the PTA AGM and class visits on 30 January at 17:15. Parents are to meet for a short meeting in the hall and thereafter all Grade 2-7 parents will meet in their daughters’ respective classrooms where they will be briefed on the expectations and requirements for the year. Please prioritise this meeting as it is an important information session and a good opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and to ask any questions you may have.

---

SCHOOL RULES

Please note the school rules for hair and jewellery and ensure that your daughter is abiding by them:

Hair guidelines

1. Hair must be neat and appropriate for girls in uniform.
2. If hair is over shoulder length it must all be tied up (no half ponies). Hair must be away from face.
3. Hair and extensions should be your natural hair colour.
4. Extensions and braids are allowed.
5. All corn rows must be neatly plaited and tied back.
6. Clips and hair accessories must be black, green or navy. (No decorative accessories, such as beads, are to be worn)

Jewellery

1. Watches may be worn, if desired. Children are responsible for their own watches.
2. Earrings – girls may have their ears pierced. Only studs or sleepers (small) may be worn. No coloured earrings are allowed. Only one earring may be worn in each earlobe.
3. No bracelets, neck or ankle-chains are allowed, unless the bracelets or chain bears a ‘Medicalert’ disc.
4. All school badges may be worn on the blazer lapel. No badges other than school badges may be worn while in school uniform.

 Uniform

Girls are currently in summer uniform. They should not be in long-sleeved shirts, blue socks, stockings or trousers. Please don’t mix the school and sports uniform/tracksuits.

---

EXTRAMURALS

Please take note of the extramural programme attached and study it closely with your daughter. Participation in our programme is compulsory. Please note that if it rains or is extremely hot we DO NOT CANCEL. Girls will be supervised in the classrooms until their extramurals would have ended. Extramurals will start on Monday, 22 January.

• Please note that Art Club will be taking place on Wednesdays at 15:00-16:00 for Grade 4-7. There will be a sign-up sheet on the notice board outside the Teachers Workroom by Monday, as there are limited spaces available.

---

MUSIC

This year the Victoria Primary Music Department will be introducing a small chamber choir as a new extracurricular activity open to the Grade 6s and 7s. The choir will consist of about 12 girls and will involve formalised vocal training and performances. Auditions will be held on Monday during break, girls wishing to take part must please audition, and prepare a song which they feel shows off their voice the most beautifully! We are looking forward to the wonderful possibilities that the VP chamber choir holds for 2024.

The music department is eager to get started on this year’s repertoire and all rehearsals will commence as per the extramural timetable. This includes the FP choir (Gr. 3), senior choir (Gr. 4-7) and the orchestra.  Please ensure that your daughter arrives on time for all rehearsals.

---

SWIMMING TRIALS:  All girls new to VP should please attend swimming trials on Monday, 22 January, at 14:00, in order to be put into their various colour groups for the season. A reminder that girls are to wear black speedos to swimming unless they are in the swim team and have a team costume.

---

TENNIS TRIALS:  We will be having tennis trials during tennis practice slots next week. We encourage all girls interested in playing tennis as a sport to attend. The times are as follows:  Monday: 14:00-14:45

Tuesday: 13:55-15:25 (tennis team as selected last year)

Tuesday: 15:30-16:15

Wednesday: 15:00-15:45

Thursday: 13:55-15:30 (tennis team as selected last year)

---

For sale at school

• Swimming caps are available from Mrs Terblanche at a cost of R60 for the regular cap and R120 for the cap that is bigger and will fit over braids.
• We are once again offering Flip flops for sale for R100. These VP branded flip flops may be worn with sports uniform and at school during the school day with school uniform. Please note that girls must wear school shoes and socks when they are off campus in their school uniform. No other flip flops are allowed at school.
• We are still selling lovely VP branded draw-string bags for R30. These bags will be very useful for sports clothes, swimming costumes, library books and readers or even their lunches.
• Please note School backpacks are currently sold out and we will let you know as soon as new stock is available. The cost of the new stock will be R700.
• Peaks caps cost R80.

---

THE VP PARKRUN CHALLENGE:  If your daughter takes part in the Parkrun every Saturday morning at 08:00 the Botanical Gardens and has a bar- code, please forward her emailed results to vpparkrun@gmail.com. Mrs Coetzee will be monitoring and encouraging our girls at the Parkrun.

---

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY:  As part of our World Read Aloud Day celebrations (7 February 2024) we would like to run a competition. Girls are encouraged to send a photo of themselves reading in the most unusual place. All entries will be presented and the winner will be announced at our assembly on Monday the 5 February. The winner will win a voucher from Bargain Books. Photos can be sent to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za. Closing date: Friday, 2 February.

---

2023 SCHOOL MAGAZINE:  The 2023 school magazine is available on our website www.victoriaprimary.co.za (click on Magazine tab) or follow the following direct link https://victoriaprimary.co.za/?page_id=2979

If you are unsure of anything please don’t hesitate to call the office on 0466224850 or send us an email on admin@victoriaprimary.co.za or and we will endeavour to assist you.

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL