MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Over the long weekend I was privileged to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday with my parents and their life-long friends as well as aunts and uncles that I had not seen in many years.

What a joy it was to see the laughter and celebration of a life well spent and how wonderful it was to see them enjoying life even though they were all over or nearly 80. Life goes by so quickly and the older you get the more precious and valuable family and friends are. Nurturing those friendships while we are young will make sure that we have those same people next to us celebrating the special milestones in our lives.

Our bodies may grow weaker, even frail and certainly wrinkled, but the spirit and the soul never really age – they learn to appreciate more, love more and find the pleasures in the little things in life. Don’t wait till you are 80 to embrace the wonderful gift of good friends and family.

Here follows a poem for all our girls and wonderful women of the VP family to celebrate Women’s Day:

I am a Woman of Worth!

Born of Africa,

Land of my Birth!

In my struggle for self,

in the context of being a wife and working mother,

I got caught in the worldly perceptions of what it is to be a woman.

Forgetting my indomitable strength and courage,

I lost sight of my many attributes and nurturing qualities,

blinded by the predispositions of the media inundation and conditioning roles,

of being a super business woman, perfect wife and perfect mom!

The harder I tried, the more I failed.

The longer I toiled, the less I accomplished.

The more I determined, the less I achieved.

The more I gained, the smaller I felt.

The ego of my mind, diminishing my Spirit!

Then I let go of worldly misconceptions,

Freed my mind of imprisoning beliefs,

Connecting to my heart with purpose and passion!

Allowing myself to be who I really am…

A Woman of Worth!

With boundless strength and infinite courage.

Intelligent, Gorgeous, Special and Unique!

In the discovery of the truth of what it is to be a Woman,

I realised that it is the mistakes that I sometimes make

that I learn my greatest lessons.

I can wait until the day when I have reached perfection

to realise I am a Woman of Worth.

Or someday, when the world is wiser,

When this land that I love is older,

When we have learned to love and laugh with each other,

I may recognise that I am a Woman of Worth!

Or I can recognise that today is the day,

that I can acknowledge that I am….

A Woman of Worth!

(author unknown)

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On Wednesday, 17 August we will have our Best Speakers and Interhouse General Knowledge challenges.

The Best Speaker contestants will start the event off at 08:00. Parents are welcome to attend.

The following girls will represent their grades:

Grade 4: Mila McConnachie, Chloe Bowker and Sairaah Govender

Grade 6:  Sally Kadye, Iminathi Nkatsha and Amahle Siyongwana

Grade 7:  Okusha Dingani, Nqobile Gxashe, Mbali Maxhaulana and Zukhanye Ntlabati

(Grade 5’s will be announced on Monday)

The Interhouse General Knowledge teams are as follows:

Aloe: Viola Stoloff, Ahluma Zwana, Sanda Stofile and Sally Kadye

Arum: Sophie Büttner, Amber Isaacs, Hluma Mbiko and Liyabona Mbutye

Disa:  Unako Nondlazi, Eleni Kyazze, Onothando Mavumengwana and Mbali Jadi

Fern:  Gracie Chitsiki, Zozi Gamlashe, Lethabo Maneli and Lwange Madikida

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 Photo Day is on Friday, 19 August 2022

All payments are due before Tuesday, 16 August. No payments or orders will be accepted after this date

Dress for the day

Grade 00: Civvies

Grade R:   Navy golf shirt, jeans and fleece top

Grade 1- 3: Winter uniform (skirt); navy socks; navy jersey

Grade 4-7: Winter uniform (skirt); navy socks and blazers

 Sports team photos:

U13A netball: sponsored white netball dresses,white short socks and takkies

U13A hockey: sponsored white hockey dresses, long white hockey socks, hockey takkies/boots

Athletics team/tennis team/swimming team: School tracksuits

 Family photos will be taken from 07:25 till 08:00.  Dress: Civvies or school uniform. If you are opting for civvies your daughter may come to school dressed in civvies and can change after the photo has been taken.

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The VP Park Run Challenge continues!

If your daughter takes part in the Park Run every Saturday morning at 08:00 in the Botanical Gardens and has a bar code, please forward her emailed results to vpparkrun2022@gmail.com. Mrs Coetzee will be monitoring and encouraging our girls at the Park Run.

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Birthday wishes:  The following staff and girls celebrate their birthday next week:  Mrs Coetzee (Matron), Ms Oerson, Ms White, Mihle Hlomendlini, Che’nelle-Shillen Tupiri, Siyolise Baxana, Kungawo Koza, Olumiyo-Uthando Xalu, Sibabalwe Kulati, Lwandle Ralo, Nalu Mfiki, Sibabalwe Sokhanyile, Hlalumi Balfour and Lethabo Maneli. Have a lovely day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Our message this week was about minding our words and how we speak to others. We need to be aware of our impact on those around us. Do we use our words to teach, heal, encourage and love or do we use our words either deliberately or flippantly to ridicule, put down or lambast?

I know for sure, that often when I’m at my wits end with my children, after a long day at work and after numerous requests for things to be done that still weren’t I did tend at times to lose my cool and perhaps say things to my children that could have been dealt with better. We have all been there. But it is so important to be mindful of how we speak to our children. We are their parents and what we say to them and how we speak to them can have a profound impact on their sense of self, sense of worth and of course can impact our relationship with them and even their relationships with others.

At our assembly we watched a video where children were interviewed about the impact others’ words have had on them. When asked about their parents, many mentioned the constant bombardment of instructions and moaning about homework and chores not done but the positive words they received from their parents were clearly life-changing for them.

The children mentioned that their parents had said things like, ‘You are going to do great things one day’, ‘I love you’, ‘You’re beautiful’, ‘You are the most determined person’, and the most touching one; ‘I am glad that you are my son’. Simple sentences can uplift and encourage our children to be confident in the unconditional love of their parents. Do we say them often enough?

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CONGRATULATIONS

Worker of the Week

Well done to Amy Terblanche who is our Worker of the Week for her excellent progress in guitar.

Merits: The following girls have received over 250 merits this year: Liyabona Benyane, Isabella Tladi, Scarlet Freysen, Lakhe Jubase, Alibongwe Mthembu, Liyanda Ntshanyana, Alwande Mthembu and Berlynn Willemse. Well done and keep up the hard work, girls!

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SPORT

Herbert Hurd Results

Last Saturday we played our last hockey matches versus Herbert Hurd Primary from Gqeberha. The girls had lots of fun and the matches throughout the morning were competitive. The scores were as follows:

U9A   VP 1-8 HH;   U9B VP 1-5 HH;

U10A VP 4-5 HH; U10B VP 1-1 HH;

U13C VP 0-1 HH; U13B VP 0-2 HH;

U13A VP 2-0 HH.

Thank you to all the coaches, players and supporters for a wonderful morning and season.

Please note that there will be no running group on Wednesday as Mrs Rafferty is attending a meeting.

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MUSIC

Please take note of the following dates for upcoming Music events:

Friday 19 August: The Orchestra (and some of our soloists) will perform at Graeme College at their Eisteddfod fInale concert. Time to be confirmed.

Friday 26 August: The Senior Choir will perform at Kingswood, as part of a music conference, at 4pm.

29 August – 2 September (week 7): Scales tests.

Friday 2 September: Internal music exams.

5-9 September (week 8): Music assessments.

Thursday 22 September: Exam Candidates’ Concert at 2:15pm.

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NOTICES

Reminder

School reopens on Wednesday the 10 August 2022 (long weekend and boarders’ leave out). Hostel girls need to return to the hostel on Tuesday the 9th August by 17h00.

PTA Meeting

We will be having a meeting in the Playbox (staffroom) on Wednesday the 10th August at 17h15. All interested parents are welcome!

Learners leaving during school hours

If you pick your daughter up during school hours due to illness or an appointment please note that you will be required to collect her from the school office and sign the register.

Dropping off items at the office

Please try not to drop off items for your daughter during school hours. The girls must learn to bring required items to school and if they are forgotten deal with the consequences. If an item is urgently required the teacher or the office will call and request that it be brought in.

Birthday wishes

The following girls celebrate their birthday next week:  Siphesihle Chrisjan, Kyrah-Leigh Cannon-Wessels, Madison Edwards, Sanelisiwe Malusi, Okusha Dingani, Jaydee Jacobs, Rachel Mostert and Lithalethu Nkayi,

Have a lovely day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Message from the office

This week we focussed on life’s challenges and obstacles and how we face them and hopefully rise above them. We very seldom get anything right the first time (or maybe even the second or third) and it is very important that we teach our girls to persevere after a setback as we often have to push through these little challenges to learn and grow.

Qualities of resilience and perseverance are valuable traits to develop in our children. Often our children want to give up far too soon and far too easily when things get a little challenging or difficult or it doesn’t come naturally. By teaching our girls to push through we are also showing them that they are able to overcome challenges. The following is an extract from an article titled How To Raise Resilient Kids Who Never Give Up (Based On Science)  by Ashley Cullins (https://biglifejournal.com/):

As a parent, you wish you could protect your children from every disappointment, defeat, or scary challenge. Although this isn’t possible, you can teach your children to be resilient. Resilient children have grit. When they encounter a difficult problem, they try to solve it instead of giving up. When bad things happen, they quickly bounce back, ready to face the next challenge. When they make

mistakes, they grow and learn from them. Resilient children are hopeful,

optimistic, and strong. So while you can’t shield your children from life’s difficulties, you can provide the tools they’ll need to navigate them successfully. Here are five tips to help you raise a resilient child.

1. Be a Supportive Role Model

According to the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University, the “single most common factor” for children who develop resilience is at least one stable, committed relationship with a supportive adult role model.

In fact, the more positive adult connections a child has, the more resilient they will be. These relationships can be with grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, coaches, or any other positive adult in your child’s life. 

Your child watches and learns from everything you do, so model resilient behaviours. Be calm and consistent. Admit to your mistakes, but don’t agonize over them. Talk to your child about what you learned or how you can do better next time. 

Your child will learn that mistakes aren’t the end of the world, and that they can even be an opportunity to grow and improve.

2. Let Children Make Mistakes

When your child does a hurried, poor job on a school project, you may feel a strong urge to help them improve or fix it. If you’re busy at work and your child calls to say they left their homework on the table, you may want to rush to the rescue. Don’t. As uncomfortable as it is to let our children make mistakes, this is one way that children develop resiliency. If children never make mistakes, they’ll never learn how to fix their errors or make better decisions in the future.

Experiencing failure helps children learn coping skills. Failure teaches perseverance and problem-solving. It causes children to think about their actions and how to avoid repeating these mistakes in the future. The short-term results of preventing our children from making mistakes will be “more smiles and fewer tears.” But the long-term results may be weak coping skills and lack of resilience. Plus, it’s better to let our children make mistakes and learn from them now while the consequences are small — rather than later, when consequences become more serious.

3. Praise Children the Right Way 

Researcher Dr Carol Dweck found that the way we praise our children can affect their mindset and their inclination to take on challenges and persevere. 

Instead of giving “person praise” like, “You’re so smart,” or “You’re so creative,” try to give “process praise.” Focus on your child’s effort, as in, “I can tell you’ve been working really hard.” Praising your child in this way can help them develop a growth mindset, believing that their abilities will grow through hard work and challenges.

4. Teach Children to Manage Emotions

Managing emotions is key to developing resilience. The first step is to teach our children that ALL emotions, even the worst ones, are okay. This step also involves helping your child label and validate his emotions. For example, you might say, “I understand you’re feeling angry because Joey wouldn’t let you play with his toys.”

The second step is to deal with bad behaviour, if there is any, in order to set limits. Explain that your child is not in trouble for feeling angry; they’re in trouble for the way they handled their anger.

5. Teach Children to Problem Solve

It’s important that we teach our children to effectively solve problems. When your child comes to you with a problem, help them brainstorm ways to address the challenge.  We shouldn’t immediately rush to solve problems for our children or tell them the best solution. Trial and error is one of the best ways for our children to learn. This, too, is uncomfortable but necessary. Children who know how to tackle challenges head-on will grow to be resilient. These children can take failures and disappointment in their stride, knowing that these are only problems to be solved.

We can’t — and shouldn’t — keep our children in a bubble or hold their hands through life, but we can teach them the extremely valuable tool of resilience.

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Staff news

Congratulations to Miss Britz who got married during the holidays! She is now Mrs Britz- Nel!

Congratulations to both Mrs Turner and Mrs Andrews who announced that they are expecting additions to their little families. We are so excited for them!

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Leadership Team

As you all know, our Leadership Team for 2022 was announced at the end of last year. However, a team of any kind, whether it be a sporting, cultural or leadership team, should never be set in stone. At Monday’s assembly a new member was added to our Leadership Team. She has shown great potential as the year has progressed and has exemplified all the qualities of true leadership. She has shown that she is responsible and trustworthy and can always be counted on to do what is asked of her.

We welcome Esihle Ndibaza to our 2022 Leadership Team and congratulate her on her selection.

 Personality of the Week

Congratulations to Achumile Ntozake in Grade 1 for her dedication and resilience shown in her schoolwork.

 Ndlulamthi Badge

Well done to Lunje Hloyi who received her badge at our assembly. Her kind, humble and appreciative nature is exemplary and we feel she is a fine candidate to receive the Ndlulamthi badge. Congratulations, Lunje!

Worker of the Week 

Congratulations to Ciana Moodie for her excellent Maths.

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Sport

Herbert Hurd Fixtures

On Saturday we will have our final hockey fixtures at VP. Girls are to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of their game. Entrance at Huntley Street.

Victoria Primary School / Herbert Hurd Primary School Saturday 30th July
Hockey
Times	Top Field	Top Field	Times	VG Field
09:00-09:25	U9B	U10B	09:00-09:45	U13C VP vs HH 3rds
09:30-09:55	U9A	U10A
			09:55-10:40	VP U13B vs HH 2nds
			10:45-11:30	VP U13A vs HH 1sts

Results

Netball vs Good Shepherd

Well done to our netball girls for their last matches of the season. The results were: U11A lost 3-1; U12A lost 5-2;

U13A won 14-1

Report back on EP netball

On the 25th of June, Lisa-Jane Evans travelled to Johannesburg to participate in the South African Schools netball all age tournament. Lisa-Jane and her team played against different provinces. She is grateful for the opportunity and has learnt a lot from this experience. We are very proud of her.

Our Interhouse Netball and Hockey matches took place on the 27^th & 28^th of July. The girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the houses displayed incredible spirit and support. The overall results are as follows:

Hockey

1st- Fern

2nd- Disa

3rd- Aloe and Arum

Netball

1st- Aloe

2nd- Fern

3rd- Arum

4th- Disa

Thank you to all the coaches, teachers and interns for their hard work and thank you to the parents for who came to support. Great sport and fun was had by all!

A new extramural schedule for Athletics season accompanies the newsletter home today please take note of your daughter’s activities and times as from next week. You can also find an electronic version on the D6 Communicator app in the Resources section.

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Notices

The Incredible Dog Show

The children and teachers were thoroughly entertained by Lloyd and his seven dogs.  In each set the dogs displayed some really impressive skills. Particular favourites were the border collies which repeatedly jumped over each other and the little poodle who drove a small toy electric car and lastly Hero who spelt “goodbye” as the show finale. In addition to being funny and entertaining there was a lot to learn about approaching strange dogs, and responsibly caring for and playing with our own dogs at home.  The Incredible Dog show was exactly that – INCREDIBLE!

 The VP Park Run Challenge continues!

If your daughter takes part in the Park Run every Saturday morning at 8:00 in the Botanical Gardens and has a bar code, please forward her emailed results to vpparkrun2022@gmail.com. Mrs Coetzee will now be monitoring and encouraging our girls at the Park Run. Thank you, Mrs Coetzee.

 School photographs deadline for payment is Tuesday, 16 August.

A reminder of our school hair rules:

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

Thank you for our neat and presentable girls. A reminder not to mix winter and summer uniform or sport and school uniform.

 Reminder

• School will close on Friday, 5 August and re-open on Wednesday 10 August, for the long weekend.
• Boarders will have their Leave Out from Friday, 5 August and must return on Tuesday, 9 August at 17:00.

Birthday wishes:  The following staff and girls celebrate their birthday next week: Mr Nell, Keenya Loutz, Kwakhanya Hutu, Lelona Manyati, Lulo Leseane, Megan Peinke, Joslyn Mager, Mia-Lee Muller, Awethu Tshisani, Elizabeth Adlem, Emma Beckmann, Liyabona Benyane and Larmika Govender.

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

A warm welcome back for Term 3! Tuesday morning was abuzz with excitement and and it was wonderful to start the term with such enthusiastic energy.

Optimism is defined as, ‘the quality of being full of hope and emphasizing the good parts of a situation, or a belief that something good will happen’. At our first assembly this term we focussed on optimism and why it is important to ensure a happy and positive outlook on life. Optimism helps you to remain focused on your goals, helps you to be positive and hopeful for the future and enables you to bounce back from setbacks.

It is so easy to find ourselves unhappy and longing for more when we stop seeing the good we have in our lives.  I think that we waste so much time waiting for that big pay cheque or Lotto win or that amazing holiday, or that dream home, or ideal weight or perfect job, or whatever seems to be unattainable, that our lives fly by and we don’t appreciate the good that we currently have. We need to treasure our homes, our jobs, our children, our partners, our bodies, our friends, the sunshine and all our little blessings every day, as these are what really count. Being optimistic means being able to focus on what’s good in our lives and being grateful for it.

This term our challenge is to wake up each day, and think the following….

Have a happy and positive term!!

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Workers of the Week

We have two Workers of the Week both of whom were the first recipients to visit my office this term. They both wrote such wonderful holiday news! Well done to Neo Molefe and Isipho Nelana in Grade 1A!!

Tennis 

Congratulations to Marizaan Boucher who played in the GAP tennis tournament against Western Province during the holidays. Marizaan played 14 matches and won 10 against girls who are older than her. Well done, Marizaan! We are so proud of you.

Hockey 

Mbali Maxhaulana represented the Eastern Province U13B team Hockey at the Regional Tournament in Paarl over the holidays. The Eastern Province U13B team made it into the finals and received a silver medal. Congratulations Mbali and her team!

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SPORT

Report back from the Graaff-Reinet Hockey Tour 2022

The U13A hockey girls participated in the Anne Beagley Hockey and Rugby Festival in Graaff-Reinet from 24-28 June. They  played 5 full games at the festival and the results were:

VP vs Stirling drew 0-0

VP vs Sunridge lost 2-0

VP vs Riebeeck drew 0-0

VP vs Lorraine lost 1-0

VP vs Union lost 5-0

The girls reported that a highlight of the tour was driving up to the Valley of Desolation and having fun on the mountains. Thank you to Mrs Andrews and Ms Knott-Craig for coaching and accompanying them. 

Interhouse Hockey and Netball

Next week Wednesday, 27 July and Thursday, 28 July the girls will be taking part in our annual Interhouse netball and hockey.

Wednesday: Netball

13:00-14:00: Foundation Phase

14:00-16:30: Intersen Phase and a select

group of U9’s

Thursday: Hockey

13:00-14:00: Foundation Phase

14:00-16:30: Intersen Phase

These are funfilled afternoons and all the girls are expected to be there on both afternoons to either play or to support the girls playing for their houses. Girls may come to school dressed in their sports clothes on the day (black shorts, house shirt, white socks & takkies, with tracksuit over).

Parents are welcome to come and support but please leave the cheerleading to the girls!

Netball matches

The U11, U12 and U13A netball teams will be playing matches against Good Shepherd on Tuesday, 26 July at VP. The matches start at 14:30 and should all be completed by 15:30.

Herbert Hurd

On Saturday, 30 July our U9-U13s will be playing against Herbert Hurd at VP. Fixtures will follow in the next newsletter.

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NOTICES

Lost Property

The Lost Property box is overflowing with items that have not been claimed and do not have names. Children and parents must please check the box next week for any items they have mislaid, as items still not claimed by Friday will be sent to the clothing exchange. A reminder to please ensure that your daughter’s clothing is clearly labelled!

The Amazing Dog Show

The Incredible Dog Show is SA’s only educational trick dog show. The Incredible Dog Show is highly entertaining, informative, educational, inspirational, and filled with energy, passion, laughter and fun. The most important thing, however, is that the show makes a positive difference to the lives of the humans that see the show and so too to their respective pets at home. Every school could benefit from seeing the show because of these motivational messages, as well as the responsible pet ownership teachings in the show, but now more so than ever I believe that The Incredible Dog Show has an extra vital role to play to lift spirits, create smiles and be a healer of emotions with our special, fun and entertaining show.

A reminder that we will be hosting The Amazing Dog Show on the Wednesday, 27 April and our girls need to pay R10 to watch this incredible show. Please make sure you send R10 on or before next Wednesday, if you haven’t already.  Don’t miss out!!!

Aladdin

Our Grade 6 and 7 girls will be entertained by St Andrews’ Prep with their production of Aladdin on Friday, 29 July at 10:30. The girls must be dressed neatly in their school uniform with their blazers. (NO sports clothes please). The girls will walk to Prep in their classes with their class teachers. We are sure this will be a fun outing!

 Happy Birthday

The following staff and girls celebrate their birthdays this and next week: Mrs Terblanche, Limnandi Dyibishe, Akhe Songongo, Liyabona Mbutye, Nalikhaya Diniso, Iyeva Heshu, Aligugu Makeba, Mbalentle Niwa, Elam Ntlokwana, Mincili Sibozo, Andisubabalo Dike, Lwange Madikida, Berlynn WIllemse, Libby Everton, Mercy Chidakwa, Leah du Plessis and Zintle Magongo.

We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Message from the Office

Our final academic assembly was held on 15 June 2022. Girls in Grade 4-7 who achieved their Merit and Honours Academic Awards received their certificates.

In our assembly we spoke about the Soweto Uprising that happened on 16 June, 1976 and why we recognise this day as a public holiday. The girls were made aware that the protest started as an outcry against the poor-quality education being received in black schools at the time and about the government’s decision that the medium of instruction would be Afrikaans.

We shared the devastating pictures of Hector Pieterson who lost his life in this protest. He was 12 years old at the time, the same age as most of our Grade 6 and 7 girls. Amongst many other injustices that the youth were experiencing during apartheid, the desire and longing to have quality education was something that they were protesting for and they hoped that the world would hear their plight.

Even now, close to 50 years later we must never forget how precious and valuable quality education is. We must remind ourselves that the education our girls are receiving at VP is what the youth were longing for. Parents, you play an important role in ensuring that your daughters receive a quality education by ensuring that her school fees are paid as without this money coming in, we cannot ensure that the quality of teaching and upkeep of the building and grounds are maintained.  We need to prioritise the payment of school fees as your daughters’ education is more valuable than anything else we can give them.

We need to support them by providing them with environments at home that are conducive to learning. We need to stimulate them by having deep and meaningful conversations and reading to them. We need to make sure that they attend school regularly and arrive punctually as this will instil a message that their schooling is very important.

May we never forget what the youth from 1976 fought for and may we never take what our girls are now receiving for granted.

I trust that you have a happy holiday with your girls and I pray that you all keep safe.

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The following girls’ academic achievements were acknowledged at our assembly last week. In Grade 4 to 7 you have to obtain 80% or more to receive an Honours Award: Grade 4 to 6; 75% to 79% for a Merit award and in Grade 7; 72% to 79% for a Merit award.

Grade 4

Honours Award

Chloe Bowker (500 merits), Iviwe Jakavula, Esethu Stamper (500 merits), Mila Nongubo, Isabella Tladi, Eila Chirombo, Sibonokuhle Benge, Imanathi Mcophele (500 merits), Sairaah Govender, Aliyah Bezuidenhout, Mila McConnachie

Merit Award

Emily Webber, Nakweziphi Mthetho, Siyasisanda Nene, Pippa Wolmarans, Junaid Williams, Iminathi Mgwebi

Grade 5

Honours Award

Azile Hambaze (500 merits), Ifeoma Nnadozie, Daniella McLean,  Stella Mullin, Amila Mdingi

Merit Award

Emily Steele, Emilie Niesing, Elilita Sintayehu (500 merits), Maya Christian, Maria Correa, Lunathi Zikishe (500 merits), Cassandra Radovic, Aleesia Jonker (500 merits)

Grade 6

Honours Award

Sally Kadye (500 merits), Ahluma Zwana, Lethabo Maneli

Merit Award

Tyroneya Francis, Lelona Kuselo

Grade 7

Honours Award

Sophie Büttner (500 merits), Kumnandi Nogqala (500 merits), Hluma Mbiko, Zazi Veto, Megan Peinke, Onothando Mavumengwana, Gracie Chitsike, Mbali Maxhaulana

Merit Award

Eleni Kyazze, Lisa- Jane Evans, Okusha Dingani, Unako Nondlazi, Amber Isaacs, Viola Stoloff, Joylyn Chikiwa, Faye Jordaan, Esihle Ndibaza, Taylor Arries, Khloe Thompson, Lande Gxina, Grace Gwed, Asavela Mtuze, Aqhama Mamani, Zukhanye Ntlabati

Academic Full Colours

Sophie Büttner, Kumnandi Nogqala, Gracie Chitsike

Academic Half colours

Hluma Mbiko, Zazi Veto, Megan Peinke, Onothando Mavumengwana, Mbali Maxhaulana

 The following girls received certificates for receiving over 500 merits so far this year:  Amyoli Sesani, Manahil Rizvi, Abenathi Kulati, Zaydiah Adler, Elam Ntlokwana

The following girls have received over 250 merits so far this year: Mia Lee Muller, Linamandla Teyise, Lelona Kusela, Tyronéya Francis, Shené Lockwood and Amahle Siyongwana.

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Personality of the week

Congratulations to Pippa Wolmarans and Chrissie Moriarty who were both awarded the Personalities of the Week for bravery and displaying courageous behaviour.

Ndlulamthi Badge

We are so proud of Saairaah Govender and Cayden Strauss who were awarded their Ndlulamthi Badges for being exemplary VP girls. Well done!

Worker of the Week

Well done to Maham Rizvi who is our Worker of the Week for her spelling test results.

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NOTICES

Reports

Gr 4-7: Please complete the self-assessment form and save the date to meet the class teacher at our parent meeting next term on Thursday, 21 July if you have any concerns.

 Incredible Dog Show

Please remember to send R10 to school with your daughter so that she can attend “The Incredible Dog Show” which will visit VP on the 27 July. Payment must come in by 26 July.

Thank you

A big thank you to The Courier Guy for the sponsorship of hockey & netball kits for our U13A teams. Our girls and staff are very grateful for this sponsorship and kind gesture. The girls can’t wait to wear the kit on tour this coming weekend. We also thank SuperSport Schools for their contribution.

Sports Raffle

Thank you to all who supported our hockey and netball raffle fundraiser this term. The draw took place on Wednesday and we congratulate the following winners:

1st prize: Lisa-Jane Evans, 2nd Prize: Filliomon, 3rd Prize: Bunono Williams, 4th Prize: Zozibini Gamlashe, 5th prize: Ominathi Mesani, 6th prize: Mia Muller, 7th Prize: Monique Evans. Thank you for all the support.

We wish our Provincial representatives Lisa-Jane Evans (netball) and Mbali Maxhaulana (hockey) the best of luck with their tournaments during the holidays.

 Our U13A hockey team will be playing in Anne Beagley Hockey Festival in Graaff- Reinet from Friday 24^th-Monday 27^th of June. They will be accompanied by Mrs Andrews and Ms Knott-Craig. Travel safe and good luck!

The following staff and girls will celebrate their birthdays during the holiday:

Mrs Dewey, Zinathi Mabunda, Aventhandwa Ponoshe, Lithalelanga Tabensky, Ella Radovic, Lithalethu Santi, Indibabale Kepe, Nakweziphi Mthetho, Uminathi Kate, Linamandla Teyise, Amy-Leigh Jacobs, Aleesia Jonker, Chelsey Koesnel, Anathi Mbandlakazi, Shaziah Loutz, Katherine Marais, Zimfefe Kopo, Olothando Sityata, Kendra Chrisjan, Nazley Gabriel, Lukhololwam Sgam, Christiana Folaranmi, Le-Yante Mnto, Khloe Botha, Lunathi Mkosana, Maya Christian, Lelethu Mlisa, Holly Riddin, Alegra Evans, Mila McConnachie, Makatendeka Chacona, Tawananyasha Afonso, Buhle Tshiki, Ammaraah Begg, Zinako Pikoli, Sonwabise Kotsele, Kayla O’Linsky and Alwande Mthembu.

We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Message from the office

This past Monday we had a very long assembly where we had the pleasure of being entertained by our junior and senior choirs. We were also delighted to present many girls with their well-earned merit badges and we presented Lisa-Jane Evans and Mbali Maxhaulana with their full colours for hockey and netball respectfully.

Our assembly message was all about ‘bucket-filling’. I am not sure if you have heard of this concept but the idea is that everyone carries an invisible bucket that represents our good feelings and positive thoughts about ourselves. These buckets get filled by the way others treat us, speak to us and how they make us feel. We also fill our own buckets by treating others with kindness and filling their buckets up. ‘Bucket dippers’ are those who empty our buckets with their unkind words and actions and try to fill their own buckets by taking from ours.

My favourite part of the whole concept is the bucket lid. This is the lid that we can use to protect our own buckets and how much we allow others to remove from our buckets. To me, it is how much we allow others’ actions and words to affect us. It encourages us to step back and consider what the bucket of those who are ‘dipping’, must look like and to consider why they have empty or near empty buckets. Are they stressed, hurt or ill?  We may feel more inclined to try to fill their buckets then allow them to empty ours. I think a ‘lid’ is so important. It means that we have control over how others’ actions and words impact us. A visible image of sealing your bucket with a tight lid (one of those Tupperware lids that are nearly impossible to remove) can be very empowering.

We all need to make sure that we are ‘bucket fillers’ (givers, healers, problem solvers, solution givers, non-judgemental, praisers, empathetic, understanding, show gratitude and patient) and not ‘bucket dippers’ (hurtful, quick to anger, takers, impatient, judgemental, critical, humiliating, entitled, thankless, problem finders, and revelers condescending, bullies, stirrers and drama-creators). Let’s all aim to make sure that our actions and words fill the buckets of all those we interact with.

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Supersport Schools

At our Academic Assembly on Wednesday, 15 June our U13A Netball and Hockey teams will receive sponsored kit from Supersport Schools. As part of the hand-over Supersport will be recording the assembly on video. All girls Gr 1-7 will attend this assembly. Please make sure that your daughter is neatly dressed in school uniform, Gr 4-7 must wear their blazers. No sports uniform may be worn.

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Movie Night

Our movie night was a great success and we thank all the teachers and parents on the PTA for assisting in this wonderful family night. We made a total of R11676 from this fundraiser.

A special thank you to our wonderful sponsors within our Makhanda Community: Blueberry Print and Design Studios, TopTop Butchery, Sweet and Salty, Albany Butchery, Pick ‘n Pay, Delish Bakes, Legends, Connocks Butchery, Just Property and Frontier Brokers.  Thank you to everyone for their support and the wonderful ambience of the evening.

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Dates to remember

Wednesday, 15 June is the girls’ last day of school and school will close at 10h30. Report collection will be on Wednesday, 22 June from 07h30-08h30. Collection will be from Beaufort Street. PP and FP reports can be collected from the Pre-Primary gate. IP (Grade 4-7) reports can be fetched from the office gate.

The next and final newsletter for the term will be included in the report envelopes.

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POW and Ndlulamthi Badge

Congratulations to Kungawo Mapasa who was awarded with both the Personality of the Week for her exceptional manners and respect and her Ndlulamthi Badge at Monday’s assembly. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of a VP girl, Kungawo!

Worker of the Week 

Well done to Onika Jimmy in Grade 1A who came to my office twice this week for good work. I particularly loved her news and her drawing of the movie night!

As one little girl in her group asked me, “Did we fill your bucket today?”. They most certainly did!!

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Merits

The following girls have received over 250 merits so far this year: Amila Mdingi, Kamva Tyatyeka, Nqobile Gxashe, Litha Tabensky, Unako Nondlazi, Lisa-Jane Evans, Amber Isaacs, Ovayo Philip, Zingce Mngxuma,  Aliyah Bezuidenhout, Micarlin Daniels, Avethandwa Hambase, Chikhulupiriro Mitochi, Siyasisanda Nene and Emily Weber.

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SPORT

Hockey Results

7 June

U10A VP 0-4 DSG; U10A VP 1-2 KC; U10B VP 2-0 KC; U10B VP 0-2 Oatlands; U10B VP 0-3 DSG

8 June

U11A VP 1-2 DSG; U13C VP 7-0 St Mary’s; U13B VP 7-0 St Mary’s U13A

9 June

U11A VP 0-1 KC; U11A VP 0-1 KC; U11A VP 0-1 Oatlands; U11B VP 2-0 Oatlands; U11B VP 3-0 St Mary’s; U11B VP 0-0 KC

There will be hockey practice for the U13A team on Monday 13^th and Tuesday 14^th of June from 14:00-15:00. This is in preparation for their tour to the Anne Beagley Hockey Festival in Graaff-Reinett.

Please note there will be no other extramurals next week.

 Netball results

VP vs PAH

U9A   VP 3-3 PAH; U9B   VP 2-0 PAH; U10A VP 9-5 PAH; U10B VP 16-0 PAH; U11A VP 1-4 PAH; U11B VP 6-0 PAH; U12A VP 0-6 PAH; U12B VP 6-7 PAH; U13A VP 15-4 PAH; U13B VP 10-1 PAH

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 National Arts Festival

We will once again be hiring out our hostel for accommodation to raise funds during festival this year. Please could you assist us by donating tea bags, coffee, Long-Life milk and sugar.

 Kind Club

Please continue to send donations of a story book or soft toy that is no longer read or played with to the Kind Club who will arrange for them to be sent to the children who lost the little they had in the floods in KZN recently.  Please drop all donations with either Mrs Jones, Mrs Mgogo or Mrs Orsmond.

 Birthday wishes

Next week the following girls will celebrate their birthdays: Bridget Akpeng, Asali Dude, Rachel de la Mare, Layola Loliwe, Zothando Mzileni, Owami Shabalala, Sibonokuhle Benge, Sinesipho Mafani.  We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Important dates to take note of…

Friday, 10 June: Extramurals end

Wednesday, 15 June: Academic Assembly. Last day of term. No Aftercare. School closes at 10:30. Hostel closes at 12:30. 

Wednesday, 22 June: Report collection 07:30-08:30

Tuesday, 19 July: Third term begins

Message from the office

I have been observing lessons over the past few weeks.  It was delightful to watch the Grade 1s take out their sounds to build three to four words and then see the joy on their faces as they built or sounded out a word successfully. In the Grade 2 classrooms they are writing their own sentences and making bigger words with less assistance and in Grade 3 they are reading and writing longer sentences and paragraphs of their own. The progression is very exciting to watch.

Our Grade 4s and our higher grades are now writing exams and are expected to use those skills learnt in the Foundation Phase to learn and interpret what is required and write down answers to explain what they know. Our girls are expected to write in full detailed sentences. They especially need to be able to read instructions, comprehend what is being asked and respond appropriately. No amount of reading or writing is worth anything if there is no comprehension or understanding of what has been read or there is an inability to express themselves in their writing effectively so that others can understand what they are saying.

In an article written in The Conversation entitled ‘South Africa has a reading crisis: Why, and what can be done about it?’ written in December of 2017 a concerning statistic from a literacy study is quoted as saying that 78% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot understand what they are reading. This is a scary statistic and that is why we work very hard to ensure that our girls understand what they read. We do however often find that they very often would far rather ask someone to tell them what to do rather than read the instructions and figure things out for themselves. It is clear that if the instructions for an exam paper are in front of them and they still ask, “What must we do here?” or they answer a question in the exam paper incorrectly which clearly indicates that they did not understand the instructions, they are demonstrating that they are not able to use the valuable tool of reading for comprehension.

We need to teach our children to read independently and correctly interpret what they are reading. Here are a few tips for you to help your daughter master this valuable skill:

1. Encourage your daughter to read as much as possible. Be it signs, labels, books or newspapers. Don’t read something for your child that you know they can read themselves.
2. Ask questions. For example, ask your child to tell you when she has sport by making her read the information from the newsletter. When you’ve read a story together, ask questions that will develop her ability to use context clues to understand stories and sentences.
3. Take every opportunity to learn new words. If neither of you know it, look it up in the dictionary (yes, I know realistically you’ll probably Google it), find the meaning and then try to use your new word in sentences.
4. Help your child to identify the important parts of a question or sentence. She can circle, underline or highlight words that will enable her to break up sentences and focus on key points.

For example: Explain, in three sentences, why the boy was sad. 

Have you EXPLAINED WHY the BOY is SAD? Is it done in THREE sentences? If not, then you haven’t followed the instruction correctly.

5. Teach your child to summarise. If you go to the Spur or the beach or to visit granny, ask her to summarise the events of the visit. Help her to only highlight the very important points and in the correct order. Summarising and focussing on key elements will help with studying and interpreting text.  

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Exam Timetable for next week:

Date	Exam
Monday 30 May	SS: History (Grade 4-7) Technology (Grade 7)
Tuesday 31 May	Natural Sciences (Grade 7)
Wednesday 1 June	School times return to normal

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The Incredible Dog Show

We are so excited to host the Incredible Dog Show at VP on the 27 July. Girls will need to pay their class teacher R10 by the 26th July 2022 to watch the show. Some information provided by them is as follows:  “The Incredible Dog Show is highly entertaining, informative, educational, inspirational, and filled with energy, passion, laughter and fun. The most important thing, however, is that the show makes a positive difference to the lives of the humans that see the show and so too to their respective pets at home. Every school could benefit from seeing the show because of these motivational messages, as well as the responsible pet ownership teachings in the show, but now more so than ever I believe that The Incredible Dog Show has an extra vital role to play to lift spirits, create smiles and be a healer of emotions with our special, fun and entertaining show.”

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VP Choir

Last week both our choirs performed at the SAC/DSG Music festival and their performances were well received and made us very proud of our school music department.  Our Senior Choir was then invited to perform in the Gala concert that marked the end of the festival. If you would like to view this concert please go to the link below, sit back and enjoy some lovely performances.  https://youtu.be/E7mHehs4lfo

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Family Movie Night

Our tickets sold out quickly and we are looking forward to a fun family night out. On Friday,3 June everyone is to enter at the Beaufort Street Hall entrance from 16:45 and to collect their tickets for the boerewors roll and snack pack/movie in the foyer. The Boerewors rolls (which have been pre-ordered) can then be collected. Numbers have been finalised so no tickets will be sold at the door.  Thereafter you will be directed to the different venues:

Pre-Primary and Grade 1 families:  hostel dining hall.  Grade 2 and 3 families: Creative Space and Grade 4-7 families: School Hall

Please bring your blankets and pillows and prepare for a fun family time. The movie will begin at 17:45.

The Kind Club will be selling coffee and Hot Chocolate prior to the start of the movie, so bring some cash to warm your hearts and support this outreach team.

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Important dates to take note of…

Friday, 10 June: Extramurals end

Wednesday, 15 June: Academic Assembly. Last day of term. No Aftercare. School closes at 10:30. Hostel closes at 12:30. 

Wednesday 22 June: Reports can be collected between 07:30 and 08:30.  Gr 00-3 – Pre-Primary gate. Gr 4-7 – Office gate

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Merits:  The following girls have received more than 250 merits so far this year: Taylor Arries, Ayva Baatjies, Lande Gxina, Viola Stoloff, Isiphile Ngcebetsha, Onothando Mavumengwana, Lithalelanga Tabensky, Zazi Veto, Eleni Kyazze, Grace Gwed, Kumnandi Nogqala and Asavela Mtuze.

Worker of the Week

Well done to Emihle Kulati for her very neat work in her handwriting lesson and it was her birthday too!!

Netball

Congratulations to Lisa-Jane Evans who was selected for the U13 EP Netball team!! We are very proud of her. She also receives full Colours for Netball.  Well done, Lisa-Jane!

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Sports Results

On Monday the 23rd and Thursday the 26th May the U9 and U10/U11 hockey teams participated in their respective internal matches. The girls played well and had such fun. Thank you to Ms Slabbert, Ms Siyazi, Ms Bridger, Ms Purdon and Ms Webber for such wonderful afternoons.

Sports Fixtures:

Today, Friday 27th May, the U9A/B-U13A/B Netball girls will be playing a match against Kingswood College Junior School at Kingswood starting at 14:00. 

Victoria Primary School/Kingswood College Junior School Saturday, 28th May 2022
Times	Top Field	Top Field	Times	Fergusson Field
08:30 – 08:55	U11B	U9A	08:30 – 09:15	U13C
08:55 – 09:20	U11A	U10B
09:20 – 09:45		U10A	09:20 – 10:05	U13B
			10:10 – 10:55	U13A

Our Hockey fixtures against KC will take place on Saturday the 28th May at Victoria Primary School from 08:30-11:00. Girls playing must come dressed in their match clothes with her full tracksuit over the top. They are required to arrive at the field at least 30 minutes before their match and report directly to their coach. Entrance on Saturday will be at Huntley Street. Please see the timetable below:

On Wednesday 1st June and Thursday 2nd June the Netball and Hockey will be playing a match against DSG at Victoria Primary School. Girls will need to bring their match clothes to school and change at second break. See the programme that follows:

Victoria Primary School / Diocesan School for Girls Wednesday, 1st June
Netball
Times	Court A	Court B	Court C
14:00-14:25	U11B	U10C	U13D
14:30-14:55	U11A	U10B	U13C
15:00-15:25	U13B	U10A	U12B
15:30-15:55	U13A	U12A

Victoria Primary School / Diocesan School for Girls Thursday, 2nd June
Hockey
Times	Top Field	Top Field	Times	Fergusson Field
14:00-14:45	U11A	U10B	13:00-13:45	U13C
14:50-15:35	U10C	U10A	13:50-14:35	U13B
			14:35-15:20	U13A

On Thursday 2nd June, the U8A/B and the U9A/B teams will be participating in the Inter Schools Hockey matches at Prep starting at 14:00. The girls will receive a letter next week with further details.

On Saturday 4th June, the U9-U13 Netball girls will be traveling to Port Alfred.  The girls will receive a letter next week with further details.

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EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMME

(If no time listed event will be 13:00-14:00)

MONDAY 30th May	NETBALL – U11 Court B/C HOCKEY – U13 A,B,C (FERGUSSON FIELD) WALKERS – Gr. 4/5 (13:15-14:00) RUNNING GROUP (13:00-14:00) KIND CLUB (Mrs Jones/Mrs Mgogo) (14:00-14:20) LIBRARY (Mrs Goodes) (13:00-14:00) INTERVENTION SESSIONS – Gr. 4 (14-15:00)
TUESDAY 31st  May	CHOIR PRACTICE -07:15-07:45 NETBALL – U13A/B Court C HOCKEY – U11A/B, U10A/B (FERGUSSON FIELD) WALKERS  Gr. 4/5 (13:15-14:00) HOMEWORK SESSION (Mrs Jackson) FEEDER TENNIS (14:00-14:40) TEAM TENNIS (14:40-15:25)
On Wednesday, the 1st June we will return to normal school times and the normal sports timetable.

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National Arts Festival

We will once again be hiring out our hostel for accommodation during festival this year, to raise funds. Please assist us by donating tea, coffee, muffin mix (only bran please), sugar and cooking oil.

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Kind Club

Please continue to send donations of a story book or soft toy that is no longer read or played with to the Kind Club who will arrange for them to be sent to the children who lost the little they had in the floods in KZN recently.  Please drop all donations with either Mrs Jones, Mrs Mgogo or Mrs Orsmond.

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Birthday wishes

Next week the following girls will celebrate their birthdays: Chloe de Beer, Azizipho Ngindana, Kelly Doyle, Chanelle Musarawa, Emily Weber, Emily Grosch, Lulo Dyantyi, Esona Mali, Luminathi Khonza, Ifeoma Nnadozie, Samekelisiwe Mbongwana and Asante Sanqela. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

Exam time is just around the corner and we ask that you help your child prepare for these very important tests.

Each child from Grade 4-7 has received a list of what they need to learn for exams. Your daughter should have already set up a study programme to revise a little bit every day. This will certainly help with the stress and pressures that come with examinations. Making her own notes, mind maps and highlighting are a wonderful way to start revising. Please make sure your daughter revises for English, her first additional language and Mathematics too. These are essential core subjects and do require revision. Girls must learn their language (Parts of speech, Language structures etc) and Mathematics requires regular practise to ensure that the various skills are mastered.

Help prepare your daughter by creating an environment that is conducive to studying at home by:

• Providing a special place for your daughter to study that is free from distractions (such as TV, cell phones and others’ conversations), that is clutter free and has good lighting and ventilation.
• Ensuring that she eats healthy foods and drinks plenty of water
• Setting aside time for her to study and time for her to have a break. Breaking

up study time into bite size manageable chunks will make it all appear less overwhelming. Although each child is different, here is a guideline for how long your child can remain focused for before needing a ten-minute break: 10 years old: 20 to 30 minutes, 12 years old: 24 to 36 minutes, 14 years old: 28 to 42 minutes

• Sleep is crucial for work to ‘sink in’. Make sure that your daughter is getting sufficient sleep. Once again, each child differs, but children between the ages of 10 -14 should be getting between 9-12 hours of sleep.
• Grades 4-5, and even some of our older girls, are still learning how to study, assist them by testing them on little sections they’ve revised and get them to re-revise the sections they still have not grasped.
• Being there to provide her with emotional support when she grows weary. Ensure that she knows that she can do it!

Exam times

From 23 May – 31 May, school will end at 13:00 however on some days the girls will be involved in extramurals between 13:00 -14:00. All school activities will finish by 14:00. The exam time extramural programme will be shared with next week’s newsletter.

We also have a fixture against Kingswood scheduled for Saturday the 29 May. We feel very strongly that it is to our girls’ benefit that they remain active during the stressful exam time. Physical activity is very important during exams as it helps to oxygenate the brain, release tension, allows our girls a healthy break between classes and study time, and helps them to study more efficiently. They will still have plenty of time in the afternoon to study afterwards.

Exam Timetable:

Date	Exam
Thursday 19 May	English: Creative writing (Gr 4-6) Language & Comprehension (Gr 7)
Friday 20 May	Afri/isiXhosa: Creative Writing (Grade 4-7)
Monday 23 May	School finishes at 13:00 daily; extramurals finish by 14:00. Maths Paper 1 Afr/isiXhosa: Lang. & Comp. (Gr 4-7)
Tuesday 24 May	Maths Paper 2 & Art theory (Grade 4-7)
Wednesday 25 May	English: Lang. & Comp.(Gr 4-6) Creative Writing (Gr 7) SS: Geography (Grade 4-7)
Thursday 26 May	Natural Sciences (Grade 4-6) EMS (Grade 7) Drama/Dance/Music (Grade 7)
Friday 27 May	Life Skills (Grade 4-6) Life Orientation (Grade 7) Drama/Dance/Music (Grade 7)
Monday 30 May	SS: History (Grade 4-7) Technology (Grade 7)
Tuesday 31 May	Natural Sciences (Grade 4-7)
Wednesday 1 June	School times return to normal

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Music Festival

Both choirs will perform at the DSG/SAC music festival on Monday 16 May. Girls are to meet at the VP bubble at 15:45 and we’ll walk to St. Andrew’s Centenary Hall together. The concert starts at 16:30. Choir girls can be collected from the Centenary Hall at 18:00. Full school uniform must be worn.

Our instrumental soloists will also perform on Monday, during the school morning.

The orchestra will not play in the festival. An alternative performance is being planned and details will be communicated in due course.

Music assessments will take place next week.

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Personality of the week

Sophie Büttner for initiative and helpfulness.

Sportsmanship Trophy

Unako Nondlazi was presented with the trophy for her good attitude and willingness to help at netball. Well done,

 Indlulamthi badge

The Indlulamthi Badge of Excellence is awarded to the following girls:  Owekhethelo Gongqa; Luniko Hulushe; Esihle Ndibaza; Avethandwa Hambaze

You make us proud!

Merits

The following girls have received more than 250 merits so far this year: Lisakhanya Cetu, Abigail Green, Lunje Hloyi, Aqhamile Klaas,  Khanya Matikinca, Zothando Nyati, Cassandra Radovic, Emily Steele, Lithalethu Santi, Kungawo Koza,Milani Nothoko, Elrie-Louise Minnaar, Talitha Dingani, Stephanie Fọlárànmí, Zaydiah Adler, Daniella McLean, Aleesia Jonker, Lunathi Mkosana, Elam Ntlokwana, Jazlin Crafford, Sinembasa Mapipa and Maria Correa.

Keep up the hard work, girls!

Worker of the Week

Our Worker of the Week is Alexis Muller for her lovely handwriting activity.  Well done, Alexis!

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Sports results

Hockey

On Tuesday 10th May and Thursday 12th May the Hockey girls played matches against Kingswood College and Port Alfred High School respectively. They were both fun-filled afternoons.

U13C VP 0-0 KC U13C

U13B VP 0-0 KC U13B

U13A VP 2-0 KC U13A

U10B VP 3-1 PAHS U10B

U10A VP 4-0 PAHS U10A

U11A VP 0-5 PAHS U11A

U13C VP 1-0 PAHS U13B

U13B VP 0-0 PAHS U13A

U13A VP 1-0 PAHS U14A

The U9 A/B and U11 A/B hockey teams participated in an interschools event on Tuesday and fun was had by all.

Netball

On Tuesday the netball girls participated in an interschools round robin held at PJ Olivier and on Wednesday U8 and U9’s played against Prep and U10A, U11A and U13A netball teams played against PJ Olivier at VP. The girls had fun and played well. The results were as follows:

U8 VP 2-2 Prep

U9 VP 3-3 Prep

U10 VP 19-0 PJ

U11 VP   1-2 PJ

U13 VP 11-1 PJ

 Sports Fixtures

Tuesday 17th May

U8A will be participating in an interschools hockey event with Kingswood College and Prep at VP starting at 13:00-14:00.

U10A/B hockey girls will be participating in an interschools hockey event with Kingswood College and DSG at VP from 14:00-15:30.

U13A netball round robin tournament to be held at VP starting at 14:30

Wednesday 18th May

Netball vs Kingswood at Kingswood. Girls involved will receive letters. The provisional order of games is as follows:

Time	HPC	Wyvern 1	Wyvern 2	Junior School 1	Junior School 2
14:00	11A	12C	11B	10A	9A
14:25	12A	12B	13B	10B	9B
14:50	13A

Thursday 19th May – Hockey

The U9s will be playing in an Internal Match Day at VP from 13:00-14:00.

The U10s and U11s will also be playing in an Internal Match Day at VP from 14:00-15:00, parents are welcome to come and support both events.

Please note that both these events give the girls an opportunity to play a few matches. It is not about the results but rather about having fun, learning the sport and developing comradery.

Our Hockey and Netball fixtures against DSG will take place on Saturday the 21st May at Victoria Primary School from 08:30-13:00. The girls will receive a letter with further details and the programme next week. The following teams will be playing:

Netball                                     Hockey

U10A/B/C                                 U10A/B/C

U11A/B                                     U11A

U12A/B                                     U13A/B/C

U13A/B/C/D

Tennis
The Sheryl Luden Cup tennis tournament will take place on Sunday, 22 May. It is a doubles tournament and only two girls per age group will be selected per school to participate.  Girls selected will receive a letter.  Play well, girls!

Running club will be cancelled on Monday as it clashes with the choir performance times.

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School uniform

Please note that Gr 4-7 girls may only wear their sports clothes to school if they have LSPE on that day from Tuesday to Friday. Please ensure that they look neat and are wearing their full tracksuit with a navy sports shirt or black shorts with navy sports shirt, takkies and white socks.  House shirts may not be worn. All other days they are to be dressed in winter school uniform. If your daughter is playing in a match after school she will be given the opportunity to change before the match and must come to school in school uniform.  All girls must come to school in their school uniform with blazers on Mondays.

Access to the school

A reminder that all parents need to report to our front office at Beaufort Street to enter the school premises for any reason. If you have an appointment to see a teacher, our office staff will call the teacher for you on your arrival. If you are supporting any sport, access may not be via Huntley St. Aunty Linda, who is on duty at the gate, has been given strict instructions from us and VG that she may not allow entry for parents via our back gate. Please be respectful of the fact that she is following our instructions and doing her job. Please also be mindful that these measurements are there for the protection of our girls.

Absenteeism

If your daughter is absent from school, please don’t expect work from her class teacher to be left at the office for your collection that day. Our teachers are busy teaching and working with their classes and it is time consuming to prepare a pack for absent girls on demand and not always feasible to do so. Your daughter can get her work to catch up on her return. If she is booked off for an extended period the teacher will communicate with you what will be the best course of action to ensure she catches up with her work.

Dropping off items at the office

Please do not drop off items for your daughter at school during the morning. If she has left something at home that is urgently required by her teacher/coach the office or teacher/coach will contact you. All other items are to be brought to school with her in the morning and if something is forgotten she will have to face the consequences and learn not to do this in future.  Please allow her to take responsibility as this is a very important life lesson.

Grade 7 compulsory workshop

Reminder about the Grade 7 – Creative Arts Workshop from 9:00-12:00 on Saturday the 14th May. Please bring a snack and water to drink and your LSPA theory books/files. This workshop will be preparing the girls for the June exams.

 Dance-a-thon (Grade 4-7)

Ms Knott-Craig will have the Dance-a-thon make-up session this afternoon  from 15:00-15:45 in the Creative Space. Please collect your daughter from the Pre-primary gate between 15:45 -16:00.

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Family Movie Night

A reminder of the VP PTA movie night on Friday the 3 June 2022 for all our VP families, tickets cost R20 a person which includes a movie snack pack. Boerewors rolls will be presold at R20. Numbers are limited due to COVID protocols so first come, first serve. Avoid disappointment as 50% of our tickets are already sold. Once our numbers have reached capacity, we will be unable to sell any more tickets.

Entry, snack pack and boerewors roll collection will be from 17h00-17h30. Movie starts promptly at 18h00.

Separate venues and movies for our different grades!

All Grade 00-7 girls and their families are welcome! Bring your blankets and pillows and enjoy!

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Birthday wishes

Next week the following girls will celebrate their birthdays:  Okuhle Dyibishe, Esihle Ndibaza, Olibango Ngabaza, Lashante Rama, Lwandisiwe Siqwede, Misha Potts, Abenathi Kulati, Owam Ncita, Zaydiah Adler, Lande Gxina and Rose Jordaan. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Next week at a glance…

Monday 16 May: Choirs & Soloists to perform at DSG/SAC Music Festival

Tuesday 17 May:  Interschools hockey & netball round robin

Wednesday 18 May:  Netball vs KC@KC

SGB meeting 17:15

Thursday 19 May: Internal hockey matches

Saturday 21 May:  Netball & hockey@DSG

Sunday 22 May: Tennis – Sheryl Luden Cup

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

During our Life Skills lessons I have been teaching the Grade Fours about Bullying. The girls have presented me with some interesting questions such as ‘Can dogs bully each other?’ and ‘Can adults bully children?’ and ‘Can adults bully each other?’.  Of course, the answer to all three is ‘Yes!’.

Bullying is in essence someone exerting their ‘power’ over someone else in one form or another BUT the crux of it is that it is repeated behaviour. We often have complaints about children being bullied at school and we take this very seriously but very often, upon investigating, there was a once off argument or a once off shove or a once off nasty comment. These do not equate to bullying. Bullying is when a behaviour happens repeatedly and deliberately. When your child reports being bullied at school or anywhere make sure to ask if this has happened often or if today her friend was simply in a bad mood or someone responded hastily without thinking- we have all had those days.

I also want to pose the question to you: Are you a victim of bullying whether it is at home or in the workplace? Are you fearful of someone because of a repeated behaviour that you’re subjected to. Are you afraid to assert yourself because you know that it will result in outbursts, sulking, victimising, slandering, gossip, isolation or even a physical assault of some sort. Does the person make you feel belittled or stupid or incapable? Even the silent treatment is a form of bullying as it is a way of controlling another by having the power over whether you can engage in a conversation or not.

Sometimes bullying isn’t always that easy to identify as the older one gets the more subtle the bullying can be, but perhaps when you think of certain people you know you dread interacting with them. You may realise that in some way they exert their power over you and it makes you feel intimidated or fearful, you may even choose to ignore the offensive or incorrect things that they do (that you would address with others) or you feel ‘less’ when you are in their company. These people are bullies.

As we discussed in Grade Four, no one is to be blamed for being bullied, but often the bully does what he or she does, because they get away with it and they haven’t been stood up to. Bullying is not age or gender dependent and it can happen to all of us. Be assertive, be brave and have that difficult conversation or make the changes so that their impact in your life is limited. Don’t allow anyone to bully you and restrict you in any way.

“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” – Michael J. Fox

 “Other people’s words have almost nothing to do with you and almost everything to do with them.” – Gisele Bündchen, Lessons

 “People who repeatedly attack your confidence and self-esteem are quite aware of your potential, even if you are not.” – Wayne Gerard Trotman

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Merits         

The following girls have received more than 250 merits so far this year: Joylyn Chikiwa, Gracie Chitsike, Liyabona Mbutye, Faye Jordaan, Kholosa Waka,Aqhama Mamani, Sairaah Govender, Eila Chirombo, Iviwe Jakavula, Mila Nongubo, Junaid Williams, Sophie Büttner, Tenielle Morrison, Kelly Thorne, Sinalo Gumenge, Kayla O’Linsky, Sally Kadye, Esethu Stamper and Chloe Bowker. Well done!

The Worker of the Week is Nazley Gabriel (Gr 2C) for her lovely work on The Seasons. Keep it up, Nazley!

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Music

The next two weeks are going to be very busy for our musicians:

9-13 May: Scales tests.

16-20 May: Assessments.

Our soloists and ensembles are performing at the DSG/SAC Music Festival on the following days:

Soloists: Monday and Tuesday 16 & 17 May, during the school day.

Foundation Phase Choir: Monday 16 May at 16:30

Senior Choir: Monday 16 May at 16:30

Orchestra: Wednesday 18 May at 16:30

Parents are welcome to attend our matches and support the teams but are requested to please park off the school premises. Only school buses will be permitted access to the campus. A reminder to support your children with positive cheer. Coaching from the sidelines is strongly discouraged.

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SPORT 

Results:

Netball vs Cradock

On Thursday, 5 May the U10- U13 A & B teams played matches at VP. The results were as follows:

Netball

U10A VP 3-6 Cradock

U10B:VP 1-9 Cradock

U11A VP 0-1 Cradock

U11B VP 1-7 Cradock

U12A VP1-8 Cradock

U12B VP 1-9 Cradock

U13A VP 9-7 Cradock

U13B VP 3-2 Cradock

Hockey

U10A VP 2-2 Cradock

U10B VP 3-1 Cradock

U13A VP 0-1 Cradock

U13B VP 0-2 Cradock

 EP hockey trials

Congratulations to Mbali Maxhaulana for making it through to the second round of the EP hockey trials. She will be playing on Sunday and we wish her the best of luck.

 EP Netball trials

Congratulations to Lisa-Jane Evans who made it through to the next round of trials. She is attending the EP trials today. Good luck, Lisa-Jane!

Upcoming sports fixtures

Saturday 7th May, the VP U9A/B, U10A/B, U11A/B, U12 A/B and U13A/B Netball girls will be playing against Port Alfred High School. The bus will depart from the Huntley Street Gate promptly at 7:15. The bus will NOT wait for late arrivals. The girls are due to arrive at the Hostel Gate in Hill Street at 12:30. Please ensure that you collect your daughters promptly.

Time	Mini-Astro	Time	Court 1	Time	Court 2
09:00	U9B	09:00	U11B	09:00
09:30	U10B	09:30	U12B	09:30	U13B
10:00	U9A	10:00	U11A	10:00
10:30	U10A	10:30	U13A	10:30	U12A

 

Tuesday 10th May

U9A/B will be participating in an inter schools hockey event with Kingswood College, Shaw Park, and Prep at VP starting at 14:00.

U11A/B hockey girls will be participating in an inter schools hockey with Kingswood College, St. Mary’s and DSG at Kingswood at 14:00.

U13A/B/C hockey girls will be playing against Kingswood at VP starting at 14:00.

 

Wednesday 11th May

U8 and U9 Netball girls will be playing against Prep at VP starting at 13:30

U10A/ U11A/ U13A Netball will be playing against PJ Olivier at VP starting at 14:00

 

 Thursday 12th May

VP will be hosting Port Alfred High School for hockey matches starting at 14:00

Hockey – 12th May 2022
Times	Top Field			Fergusson Field
14:00-14:25	VP U9B vs PA U9B (6 aside)	VP U10B vs PA U10B (6 aside)	14:00-14:30	VP U13C vs PA U13B
14:35-15:05	VP U9A vs PA U9A (6 aside)	VP U10A vs PA U10A (6 aside)	14:30-15:00	VP U13B vs PA U13 A
15:00-15:25	VP U11 A vs PA U11A (8 aside)		15:00-15:35	VP U13A vs PA U14 A

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Special notices

Family Movie Night

The VP PTA invite you to come join us for a fun movie night on Friday the 3 June 2022 for all our VP families, tickets cost R20 a person which includes a movie snack pack.

Boerewors rolls will be presold at R20.

Please complete the reply slip (included in the newsletter sent home today) to join us for a fun family evening. Numbers are limited due to COVID protocols so first come, first serve. Avoid disappointment and book your family slot early. Once our numbers have reached capacity, we will be unable to sell any more tickets.

Entry, snack pack and roll collection will be from 17h00-17h30. Movie starts promptly at 18h00.

Separate venues and movies for our different grades! All Grade 00-7 girls and their families are welcome! Bring your blankets and pillows and enjoy!

Please return the reply slip with the correct amount of money to your daughter’s class teacher to book your space!

Creative Arts Workshop

Reminder about the Grade 7 Creative Arts Workshop from 9:00-12:00 on Saturday the 14th May. Please bring a snack and water to drink. This workshop will be preparing the girls for the June exams.

 Extramural update

Please note this addition to the extramural programme:  Running group on Mondays at 15:30-16:15 with Mrs Rafferty. This is in addition to the Wednesday slot at the same time.

 Dance-a-thon

Thank you to all the girls who supported the sports fundraiser. It was a wonderful event. Unfortunately due to loadshedding we were forced to end the Dance-a-thon early for the Grade 4-7’s. Ms Knott-Craig will have the Dance-a-thon session on Friday the 13th from 15:00-15:45 in the Creative Space to make up for the session that ended early. Parents must collect their daughters from the Pre-Primary Gate from 15:45 -16:00.

Clothing Exchange

Just a reminder that we have second hand school uniform available for purchase or exchange from our Clothing Exchange.  Please send items you would like to swap or a list of items you require with your daughter to school. Ms Lang and Mrs Orsmond will open the Clothing Exchange during the school day and assist the girls. Parents can send payment the next day if they are happy with the items selected.

Kind Club

Please continue to send donations of a story book or soft toy that is no longer read or played with to the Kind Club who will arrange for them to be sent to the children who lost the little they had in the floods in KZN recently.

We are also putting together the dignity packs and still need Vaseline or body lotion donations to finalise these.

Please drop all donations with either Mrs Jones, Mrs Mgogo or Mrs Orsmond.

Please could you assist Mr Greyling with donations of brightly coloured wool and old or new picture frames in any size (without glass).

 

Birthday wishes

This week Mrs Wilhelmi and Mr Yaka celebrated their birthdays and Mrs Andrews will celebrate next week along with the following girls: Lunje Giyose, Anopa-Nyasha Thondhlana, Jayla Frans, Zozibini Gamlashe, Mbalentle Khumalo, Buhle Koliti, Zukhanye Ntlabati, Emihle Siwa, Ruve White, Zonique White and Angawo Zono. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Wishing all our special mommies a relaxing and blessed Mothers’ Day on Sunday.

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

I trust that you had a good Freedom Day and managed to spend the day doing things that feed your soul.

It is so important to find the time to do things that help us to relax, touch base or recharge. It is not selfish but a gift to yourself and in the long run a gift to your family as they have a relaxed, focused, de-stressed parent and you set the example for your children that it is important to find a balance and time for yourself.

Finding time for yourself doesn’t have to be costly, it can mean a half an hour you give to yourself with a closed door and simple quiet time. It can be a walk with your dogs or a cup of tea with a good friend. What are the things that feed your soul and leave you feeling revitalized and rejuvenated and ready to face the demands of the day? Are you finding a balance? It is okay to stay in bed a little longer than normal, to ignore that pile of washing or to say ‘no’ to doing favours and to do it guilt -free. It is essential to our mental health and our ability to cope with the pressures of life. Not finding the time to do this can lead to burn out, frustration and a sense of loss of self.

But wait …. If you are already saying things like; ‘Ja, but.’ or ‘I can’t because…’ or ‘Easy for you to say…’ you are just making excuses for not pursuing the best life you can lead. Remember; ‘We make time for what we feel is important to us. If you haven’t made time for it, it’s because you haven’t convinced yourself that it’s important enough’.

 Look after yourselves and find that balance. Small good habits can change big parts of your life!

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Merits         

The following girls have received more than 250 merits so far this year: Sinokuhle Benge; Imanathi Mcophele; Nakweziphi Mthetho; Mila McConnachie; Chloe Bowker; Zazi Veto; Eleni Kyazze; Grace Gwed; Kumnandi Nogqala and Asavela Mtuze.  

Keep up the hard work, girls!

Ndlulamthi Badge

Congratulations to our very worthy Ndlulamthi Badge recipients who received their badges at Monday’s assembly:  Nakweziphi Mthetho, Daniella McLean, Eila Chirombo and Nakhane Klei.

The Worker of the Week

Is Emihle Matyholweni for her exquisite drawing for SS History on Marco Polo’s travels.  Well done!

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SPORT

Sport Supporters

As our girls are now playing matches against other schools we’d like to give a gentle reminder of some of the points of our Code of Conduct for parents while supporting our girls.

Please always remember to:

• Conduct yourself in a manner that does not harm the school’s reputation or embarrass staff members or learners.
• Do not use loud/or offensive language or lose your temper.
• To apply self-restraint and show respect, courtesy and tolerance towards others including coaches, referees, and players from both VP and visiting schools.
• Refrain from making negative remarks and interfering with referees, coaches and players.
• Refrain from entering play areas /courts and fields that are for players’ and officials’ use only.

We thank our many parents for their enthusiastic support and we encourage you to cheer your daughters on in good spirit and sportsmanship wherever you can.

Transport to matches

Please note that it is very costly for our school to pay for transport to our ‘away’ games. If you are traveling to support your daughter, please take her with you in your car. We sometimes have to take a whole bus for a few extra girls and then we take an empty bus home as girls go home with their parents, which costs the school an unnecessary amount of money. Thank you for helping us in this regard.

Upcoming fixtures:

Netball vs Cradock

On Thursday, 5 May the U10- U13 A & B teams will be playing netball matches against Cradock at VP. Matches will start at 14:00.  Girls involved would have received a letter.

Netball vs PAH

On Saturday, 7 May the U10-13 A & B teams will be playing matches in Port Alfred. Letters have been sent out.

EP hockey trials

On 27 April Mbali Maxhaulana attended the U13 EP hockey trials at Collegiate Junior School in Gqeberha. We are currently awaiting the results from the trials. Well done on representing VP, Mbali. 

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Reminders: A reminder that all girls are to wear their winter school uniform by Monday, 3 May. Girls may wear their navy-blue stockings or long navy socks (not white socks) with their tartan skirts or their blue trousers. They must wear long sleeve white shirts with their winter uniform. Tracksuit tops may not be worn with their school uniform.

Monday, 2 May is a public holiday and there will be no school.

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OUTREACH

Kind Club

The Kind Club would like to extend our VP Kindness beyond our own province to the flood victims in KZN. We would like to encourage all our girls to consider donating a story book or soft toy that is no longer read or played with to the Kind Club who will arrange for them to be sent to the children who lost the little they had in the floods. Please drop all donations with either Mrs Jones, Mrs Mgogo or Mrs Orsmond.

LAST REMINDER….

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 next Friday, 6 May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo (between 07:40-08:00). 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 fulfill the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.   

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Next week the following girls will celebrate their birthdays: Linomtha Skeyi, Sairaah Govender, Lunje Manzana, Lulodwa Siko, Asanele Mvela, Kelly Thorne, Asavela Mtuze and Milisuthando Nkayi. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs M Rafferty

PRINCIPAL

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Coming up…

Friday 29 April: Leave Out for hostel

Monday 2 May: Public holiday  Boarders return to school

Tuesday 3 May: Winter uniform

Thursday 5 May: Netball & Hockey vs Cradock @VP

Saturday 7 May:  Netball vs PAH @PAHS

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Freedom Day on Wednesday the 27th April is when we celebrate the first democratic elections which were held in 1994. I remember this day very clearly and the long queue I stood in that wound into a primary school hall in Johannesburg. I was in the queue with my now husband but then boyfriend as a wide-eyed optimistic student and the excitement and joy experienced by all was so tangible. We all had so much hope and excitement for our country ahead. In many ways we have grown so much as a country and many of our hopes have been realised but in so many ways we have been disappointed and disillusioned. 

One of the saddest issues is that there are still many barriers between our different races, and prejudices and hatred still seem to be prevalent. At VP we try so hard for our girls to learn to see each other beyond the colour of their skin, their nationality, religion or the different language they speak but none of this will ever take root and blossom if we still speak and act with our own hatred and prejudice in front of our children at home. We cannot teach our children to love, accept and be tolerant if we do not act as role models to this and this includes tolerance and acceptance of different genders and sexualities.  Mind your actions and words as they will have a huge impact on our own children and how they treat others. We need to role play tolerance and an acceptance of diversity if we wish our country to be the rainbow nation Nelson Mandela once dreamt it would be. 

The following article entitled; ‘Teaching children that hate is not a love language’ by Mary Jo Rapini (Published April 5,2021) is a wonderful reminder to us all. 

It is a question every parent has reflected on at least once: “Am I a bad parent?” Parenting is tough, and sometimes we lose our patience and regret our words or actions. You wonder if you were too tough, if you could have said something better, or if you’re a good role model.

A parent’s job is to teach their child love, compassion, and empathy. After all, you want your child to be polite and respectful to others. However, hate is also something that children can learn from their parents. No child is born hating or disregarding others because of their race, creed, or sex. When a parent sees their child acting hateful toward someone else, they may feel aghast. Many parents may blame the media and television, but parents have more influence than anyone in the media will ever have.

Child experts have suggested that there are behaviours parents demonstrate that encourage children to feel superior and hateful toward others. Below are five of the most likely to have the biggest effect on young children and teens.

1. Behaviour: Parents are self-centered and self-absorbed. When you show your child that what you think means more than what others think or feel, you are modeling superiority.

What your child sees: When a child watches you gossip or take selfies while sharing a meal, they begin to believe that you are more important than others. To a small child, they believe they are an extension of you so if you’re more important than others, they must be too.

2. Behaviour: Parents are inflexible and don’t try to see other perspectives. When you’re willing to fight to be right with your partner or friends, you model self-righteousness and a fixation on winning.

What your child sees: Your child is learning that it doesn’t matter how others feel; it matters more that you win.

3. Behaviour: Parents categorise people based on their appearance, faith, or sex. When you ignore or refuse to listen to someone who is different from you, you teach your child that they are exclusive from people who are different from them.  

What your child sees: The only people worthy of your time and attention are those who look or act like you.

 4. Behaviour: Parents use threatening words, body language, and tones with others. When parents lose control of their anger and threaten others, they are modelling that whoever is the strongest wins an argument. They take advantage of a situation with their outrage to exert control over the powerless or weaker person.

    What the child sees: When you get mad  and scare the other person, you win. If the other person backs down, that’s because they are weaker than you.

5. Behaviour: Parents villainise anyone who is on the “wrong side.” When parents fixate on what “side” someone is on without seeing the whole person, they demonstrate polarization, which leads to hate.

What the child sees: The child is blinded to compromise and sees outsiders as enemies. They feel the need to compete to be on the “right” side.  

Parents try to do the right thing and teach their children to love and care for others. It’s a complex world, and there are more than two sides to every issue in life. Teaching children begins by listening to children and to yourself. You can preach “love your neighbour” until you are blue in the face, but if your actions are riddled with exclusion, false accusations, threats, and humiliation so you can feel good, your children won’t hear your words. They will abide by your hateful actions.         

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SCHOOL UNIFORM:  Please remember that girls must be dressed in winter uniform for school as of the 3^rd of May.

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Academic Top Ten (Grade 4-7) Term 1

Grade 4

1. Chloe Bowker
2. Isabella Tladi
3. Iviwe Jakavula
4. Eila Chirombo
5. Iminathi Mcophele
6. Sairaah Govender
7. Esethu Stamper
8. Sibonokuhle Benge
9. Emily Weber

     10.Mila Nongubo

Grade 5

1. Azile Hambaze
2. Emilie Niesing
3. Stella Mullin
4. Aleesia Jonker
5. Daniella McLean
6. Emily Steele
7. Ifeoma Nnadozie
8. Lunathi Zikishe
9. Elilita Sintayehu

     10.Maya Christian

Grade 6

1. Sally Kadye
2. Ahluma Zwana
3. Lethabo Maneli
4. Sanda Stofile
5. Kayla O’Linsky
6. Tyronéya Francis
7. Jayla Frans
8. Iminathi Nkatsha
9. Shene Lockwood

     10.Lelona Kuselo

Grade 7

1. Sophie Büttner
2. Kumnandi Nogqala
3. Eleni Kyazze
4. Gracie Chitsike
5. Amber Isaacs
6. Mbali Maxhaulana
7. Zazi Veto
8. Joylyn Chikiwa
9. Hluma Mbiko

     10.Faye Jordaan

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Merits

Okusha Dingani, Isiphile Ngcebetsha Letisha De Maar, Hlomla Ndungane, Ifeoma Nnadozie and Elilita Sintayehu have received over 250 merits so far this year! Well done!

 Worker of the Week

Well done to our Worker of the Week, Aliyah Bezuidenhout who made a beautiful Water Cycle project in Natural Sciences. 

Sportsmanship Trophy

Well done to Mbali Maxhaulana who was awarded the Sportsmanship trophy for her composure and decorum on the hockey field during the KC Hockey Festival.

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Easter Egg Raffle

We are very pleased to announce the lucky winners of our raffle for the Easter egg hampers.  Congratulations Dewald van Eyssen, Lucian Pillay and Sibabalwe Mini.

Chrissy Moriarty in Grade 3 sold the most tickets – 14 sheets!

Ms Knott-Craig’s class sold the most sheets overall – 62!

A total of R24 760 was raised!

Well done and thank you to the girls and families who supported the PTA in this fundraiser.

 

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Well done to the following girls who received awards at the Bathurst Show Exhibition. 

Gold awards: 

Elam Ntlokwana (Gr 5);  Cazlin du Plessis (Gr 6);  Owethu Mini (Gr 7)

Silver awards:

Daniella McLean (Gr 5); Emily Steele (Gr 5); Maya Christian (Gr 5); Lethabo Maneli (Gr 6); Shaziah Loutz (Gr 6); Sally Kadye (Gr 6); Taylor Arries (Gr 7)

Merit awards:

Cherise Mardon (Gr 5); Manahil Rizvi (Gr 5); Hlalumi Balfour (Gr 5); Abigail Green (Gr 5); Cassandra Radovic (Gr 5); Linathi Zikishe (Gr 5); Maria Correa (Gr 5); Maya Christian (Gr 5); Rachel de la Mare (Gr 6); Thobile Willy (Gr 6); Ariba Narwaz (Gr 6); Joylyn Chikiwa (Gr 7); Onothando Mavumengwana (Gr 7).

Please see their beautiful work on our website in the Gallery: https://victoriaprimary.co.za/?page_id=3519or   or on our Facebook page.

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Sports results

On Saturday, 9 April our girls travelled to Somerset East to play against Gill College. It was our first away game in two years and it was a wonderful good spirited morning.

Hockey vs Gill College

U9    VP 3-0 Gill

U10  VP 1-2 Gill

U13A VP 0-0 Gill

U13B VP 0-0 Gill

 Netball vs Gill College

U9 VP 3-3 Gill

U10 VP 0-10 Gill

U11 VP 3-12 Gill

U12 VP 3-8   Gill

U13 VP 16-9 Gill

Netball vs Oatlands played on Wednesday, 20 April 2022 at VP.

U10 VP 7-2 Oatlands

U11 VP 9-0 Oatlands

U13 VP 9-1 Oatlands

Well played, girls!

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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 the 6^th of May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo (between 07:40-08:00). 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 fulfill the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.   

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Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week: Mr Fezile Vazi, Unakho maxhaulana, Esisiphiweyo Pinyana, Aliyah Bezuidenhout, Sanelisiwe Mbete, Oyintando Sinam. Uzugcinabazalibakho Gongqoba and Zazi Veto.

Next week the following girls will celebrate: Sally Kadye, Uthando Dyantyi, Manahil Rizvi, Silubonile Royi, Lusenathi Tunzi, Chloe Jeggels, Likuwe Mhlauli, Stella Mullin, Angela Ndhlovu and Inako Sifanele. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

Principal

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Coming up…

Wednesday, 27 April: Public holiday

Thursday, 28 April: Please note that matches vs Shaw Park are cancelled.

Friday, 29 April: Boarders’ Leave Out

Monday, 2 May: Public holiday  Boarders return to school

Tuesday, 3 May: Winter uniform

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Brookshaw Home Fete

Wednesday, 27 April 09:00-14:00

Books, Pre-loved clothing, Needlework, White elephant, Jumping Castle, Cakes, Tea Garden, Sweets, Plants, Food

Entrance via 9 Donkin Street

Message from the Office

A warm welcome back for Term 2. I trust that you had a good, although rather short, break with your daughters. This term is full of public holidays and long weekends and we will endeavour to keep the rhythm and focus going through it all. Next week we have the Easter long weekend and there will be no school on Friday the 15th and Monday the 18th April. I wish all the families who will be celebrating Easter a blessed time together.

I used to love Easter as a child with the excitement of a visit from the Easter bunny and the search for chocolate eggs around the garden the next day. Not to mention the joy of spending days eating chocolate afterwards. My sisters used to eat theirs more conservatively than I did and it was with much frustration that they still had plenty long after mine were all eaten.

Easter for Christians symbolises new life and new beginnings as does the egg, and for me it is always a reminder that we can always make a change; better ourselves, mend broken relationships and fix what’s broken.

At Monday’s assembly we handed out many certificates for our Interhouse Gala and Cross Country and for our weekly Parkrun Challenge. Included in those were certificates for our teachers who

participated in the Parkrun too. Mr Greyling was one of those recipients and he spoke to the girls on receiving his certificate. He noted that this is the first time in his life that he had received an award for sport and that it was never too late to make a change in your life and to improve your lot. A touching message for everyone I thought.

Nothing is ever impossible however, with change and moving forward, we need to find the grace to forgive others for the hurt they may have caused us and we need to forgive ourselves for the choices and actions we might now regret. Because without forgiveness no-one can move forward, heal and grow. Forgiveness provides ‘new life’ and healing for all.

Have a blessed Easter and may you and your family be blessed with new beginnings and positive changes.

Please note that our next newsletter will only be sent out on Friday, 22 April.

Easter Egg Raffle
Reminder that the closing date is Wednesday, 13 April and forms must all be returned by then. The draw will take place on the 14th of April. Please note that R50 is payable if you have lost a raffle sheet.

Reports

Your daughter will have received her report today. Please read through it carefully with her and praise her hard work and effort. If there is room for improvement and areas of concern please feel free to make an appointment to meet with your daughter’s class teacher.

Report discussions for Gr 4-7 will take place on Tuesday, 12 April from 16:00-18:30 in the Glennie Hall. Your daughter will receive a notice about this in their report envelope. Please complete the reply slip if you wish to attend.

School Uniform

Due to the very cold weather girls are permitted to wear their winter uniform. However, they must NOT mix summer and winter uniforms. Please make sure your daughter is dressed neatly.

COVID SOP UPDATED
We will be adjusting our COVID protocols according to the latest Government Gazette Vol.680 N0 45877.
Please note the following:
• Girls are still required to wear masks inside
• Girls may remove their masks during break time and when outside but we will encourage social distancing when this happens
• Grade 4-7 girls will enter between 07:00 and 07:25 at the side white door on Beaufort Street and are required to sanitize at entry. They will still exit at Beaufort Street Gate.
• Grade 1-3 girls will continue to enter between 07:15 and 07:45 at Huntley Street and teachers will ensure they are sanitised. They will also still exit at this gate.
• Pre-primary children will enter at the Pre-primary gate at the current times. Teachers /interns will sanitise the girls’ hands.
• All visitors and parents must report to the office

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Congratulations!

Merits

Esethu Stamper, Sanda Stofile, Sally Kadye and Chloe Bowker have received over 250 merits so far this year! Well done!

Worker of the Week
Emily Weber is the Worker of the Week for her excellent progress in Music! Well done, Emily!

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Results from the Kingswood Hockey Festival
VP 0-1 Kingswood
VP 0-0 Holy Cross
VP 2- 0 DSG B
VP 0-0 Stirling
VP 0- 2 Hangklip
VP 0- 1 Sunridge
Our girls played their hearts out and learnt a lot of new skills on the astro. Thank you for all the support from the parents, staff and pupils. Thank you, Mrs Andrews and Ms Nel for coaching and preparing our girls for the tournament.

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Makana netball trials results
On Tuesday & Wednesday the U12, U13 and U14 Makana Trials took place. Congratulations to the following girls who were selected for the Makana team and will now progress to the Sarah Baartman trials:
U14: Chelsey Koesnel
U12: Sanda Stofile
U13: Tenielle Morrison, Lisa-Jane Evans, Siyolise Baxana, Ludwe Ngcebetsha, Khazimla Kwenxe and Nqobile Gxashe.
These girls will receive half colours for netball at assembly on Monday. Well done and good luck for the next round, girls!

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Shotokan-Ryu Karate
At the end of last term Athena Mothudi and Abenathi Kulati took part in the 2022 WUKF National Karate Championships & African Open in Gqeberha. A great deal of hard work and training went into the preparation for this tournament.  Athena received bronze medals for Kata and Kumite and Abenathi received a gold medal for Kata. Well done, girls!

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Upcoming Fixtures
Our hockey and netball fixtures against Gill Primary will be taking place on Saturday at Gill College in Somerset East. Girls must be at school by 06:00 on Saturday morning and must please arrive dressed in match kit under their full tracksuit. We wish them safe travels and may their matches all be played in good spirit!
Match fixture times will be as follows:
Netball matches
09:00 U9A-court 1; 09:30 U10A-court 1;
10:25 U12A-court 1; 10:25 U11A-court 3;
10:50 U13A-court 1
Hockey matches
09:00 U13B; 09:40 U13A; 10:15 U9A; 10:45 U10A

Please see information about our upcoming Dance-a-thon on the back page of the newsletter your daughter will bring home today.

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OUTREACH

VP is supporting the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day again this year. Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on the 6th of May! Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo (between 07:40-08:00). 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 fulfill the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.

Donation for art class
We are collecting polystyrene containers for the Grade 7 printmaking project next term. If you have any please send to the office.

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week! Next week the following staff member and girls will celebrate: Mrs Barrow, Limi Xipu, Zenazi Gqeke, Chikhulupiriro Mitochi, Grace Kretzmann and Kaelyn Westcott. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty
Principal

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NEXT WEEK

Monday:       Applications open for 2023

Tuesday:      Report discussion Gr 4-7  16:00-18:30

Wednesday: No extramurals due to staff development

Thursday:      No extramurals

Friday:           Public holiday

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COMMUNITY EVENT

Message from the office

We have come to the end of a very busy first term. Life seems to be slowly getting back to how it was ‘pre-COVID’ and that much busier. We’ve had a full extramural programme with interschool tennis matches, galas, netball matches and athletics and cross-country events. Our girls have been active and it is so good to see them cheer each other on and get excited about their own sporting accomplishments. It adds a whole new dimension to our girls’ school experience and the ‘vibe’ that we feel at school.

Next term we have a full term calendar which includes weekend matches and some travelling. These are things that memories are made of but I do know that it will take some getting used to, for both our girls and their moms and dads.  I plead with you to be patient with each other as you get used to getting up early for Saturday matches and when your daughter grows a bit weary. Remember such busyness was the norm once and it will take some time before we will do it in our stride again. (This certainly goes for our teachers too).

My children are both out of school now and more than anything I miss the Saturdays where I could cheer them  on, on the side of the sports field or swimming pool.  You’ll get to know their coaches and their teammates and their teammates’ parents and a camaraderie will be built like no other.

Please also always bear in mind that our girls have not had matches for two years and may not necessarily be the well-honed sports stars you may have imagined.  Focus on the fun and the effort and I have no doubt they will slowly get there as the season progresses.

You will also note that this is an exam term and our girls in Grade 4-7 will be writing exams from the 23rd May -31 June and they will be expected to play matches in between. Preparing well in advance will help limit any panic this may cause.

Have a good restful holiday and also find the time to get organised and prepared for the term ahead. It will be busy but it will also be fun!! Please travel safely wherever you may go.

END OF TERM NOTICES:  Please note that your daughter will receive hard copies of the following today: End of term newsletter, Term 2 Extramural Programme, Term 2 Term Calendar and her Easter Egg Raffle form. Please note that the end of term dates on the term calendar are subject to adjustment as we are still waiting for confirmation from the Department.

Please use the holidays to sell the tickets for the Easter Egg Raffle which is a PTA fundraiser for our school. Tickets are R5 each. Please note that if girls lose their raffle list they will have to pay R50 towards it. Thank you for our many donations of Easter eggs. Hampers of chocolate that will last till next Easter, are up for grabs!!

REPORTS

A reminder that the Term 1 reports for Grade 1-7 will be handed out to the girls on Friday, 8 April. We have also scheduled report discussions for the IP for 11 and 12 April. Your daughter’s class teacher will make an appointment to meet with you if she/he feels this is necessary.

 PTA 

We would like to encourage more moms and dads who would like to join our fun group of eager parents who fundraise for our school, to please sign up. Simply send an email to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za with your cell phone number and we will add you to our WhatsApp group. Our next PTA meeting will happen in the first week next term on the 7th April at 17h15.

The Bathurst Show 2022 will take place on the 1-3 April. The following girls’ artworks will be exhibited:

GRADE 5:  Cherise Mardon; Manahil Rizvi; Abigail Green; Maya Christian (x2 artworks); Cassandra Radovic; Emily Steele; Elam Ntlokwana; Daniella McLean; Linathi Zikishe; Maria Correa; Stella Mullin; Khanya Kepe; Azile Hambaze and Hlalumi Balfour.

GRADE 6:  Lethabo Maneli; Kylie Daniels; Sally Kadye; Thobile Willy; Mbalente Jadi; Lithalethu Santi; Iminathi Nkatsha; Shaziah Loutz; Rachel de la Mare; Cazlin Du Plessis and Ariba Nawaz.

GRADE 7:  Owethu Mini; Sinalo Gumenge;  Taylor Arries; Faye Jordaan; Joylyn Chikiwa; Litha Tabensky; Onothando Mavumengwana; Sophie Büttner; Hluma Mbiko and Liyabona Mbutye.

Well done, girls!

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Merits – Sanda Stofile and Sally Kadye have received over 250 merits this year. Well done, girls!

Tenielle Morrison was presented with the Sportsmanship Trophy for her sportsmanship shown at the Frans Erasmus Netball Tournament.  Thank you, Tenielle!

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Results of the Interhouse Cross Country

HOUSE POSITIONS

First: ALOE 185 points

Second: DISA 145 points

Third: ARUM 137 points

Fourth: FERN 133 points

The TOP TEN in each age group

Grade 1s

1. Lude Hashe
2. Aliyah Swartz
3. Ruve White
4. Mivuyo Santi
5. Libhongo Mase
6. Hlalumi Mali
7. Mandi De Koker
8. Anna Malamis
9. Taylynne Thomas
10. Mbalentle Niwa

Grade 2-3s

1. Siarra Appolis
2. Bubele Mvula
3. Esona Makabe
4. Lunje Manzana
5. Isla Orsmond
6. Emma Beckmann
7. Sinesipho Mafani
8. Tessanne Arries
9. Bridget Akpeng
10. Ciana Moodie

Grade 4-5s

1. Daniella McLean

*new record*4:52:59

2. Stella Mullin
3. Aleesia Jonker
4. Anita Nkanyana
5. Anathi Mbondlakazi
6. Lulo Adam
7. Abigail Green
8. Maria Correa
9. Micarlin Daniels
10. Liyabona Benyane

Grade 6-7s

1. Joylyn Chikiwa
2. Nqobile Gxashe
3. Chelsey Koesnel
4. Sally Kadye
5. Mbali Maxhaulana
6. Gracie Chitsike
7. Faye Jordaan
8. Ahluma Zwana
9. Ashante Sinyanya
10. Yayama Kom

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Gala results

Well done to all the girls who competed in the Splash and Interhouse Galas on Wednesday. Thank you to all the staff and parents for their help and support. It was a lovely day and lots of fun was had.

Interhouse Gala Results 2022

Open Individual Medley 4x50m –  Chelsy van der Merwe

Open Freestyle 2x25m- Chelsy van der Merwe

Open Breaststroke 2x25m-  Sophie Büttner

Open Backstroke 2x25m-  Chelsy van der Merwe

Open Butterfly 2x25m-   Joylyn Chikiwa

Open Victrix Ludorum –  Chelsy van der Merwe

U12 Individual Medley 4x50m – Kylie Daniels

U12 Freestyle 2x25m- Kylie Daniels

U12 Breaststroke 2x25m- Kylie Daniels

U12 Backstroke 2x25m- Kylie Daniels

U12 Butterfly 2x25m- Kylie Daniels

U12 Victrix Ludorum – Kylie Daniels

U11 Individual Medley 4x25m –  Daniella McLean

U11 Freestyle 2x25m- Daniella McLean

U11 Breaststroke 2x25m – Daniella McLean

U11 Backstroke 2x25m- Daniella McLean

U11 Butterfly 2x25m- Daniella McLean

U11 Victrix Ludorum – Daniella McLean

U10 Individual Medley 4x50m – Madison Edwards

U10 Freestyle 1x25m- Madison Edwards

U10 Breaststroke 2x25m- Leah du Plessis

U10 Backstroke 2x25m- Leah du Plessis

U10 Butterfly 2x25m- Leah du Plessis

U10 Victrix Ludorum – Leah du Plessis

Open/U12 Freestyle 1x25m- Megan Peinke

Open/U12 Breaststroke 1x25m-  Megan Peinke

Open/U12 Backstroke 1x25m-  Lelona Kuselo

U10/U11 Freestyle 1x25m-  Aleesia Jonker

U10/U11 Breaststroke 1x25m-  Aleesia Jonker

U10/U11 Backstroke 1x25m-  Aleesia Jonker

Final results (including points from the splash gala)

1st Place: Aloe with 259 points

2nd Place: Fern with 215 pints

3rd Place: Disa with 194 points

4th Place: Arum with 184 points.

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Tennis results

GAP Tournament

Madison Edwards and Marizaan Boucher had an impressive day of tennis on the 21^st of March. They played six matches each; won five and lost one. GAP Tennis took the lead and won the tournament.

Well done, girls!

Interhouse Tennis

Sixteen players represented their respective houses on the 16,17 & 22 March. The girls played the best of five games each. A total of 180 games were played. Well done to Fern for winning the interhouse singles section and Aloe for winning the interhouse doubles section. The overall scores are as follows:

Disa: 51 games, Fern: 51 games, Arum: 46 games and Aloe: 32 games. Congratulations to Disa and Fern as the overall winners.

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Netball

On Friday, VP U7, U8 and U9 netball girls participated in a netball festival at St Andrew’s Prep. The girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves and played their hearts out and learnt a lot. Thank you to the coaches for accompanying the girls and thank you to the parents for the support.

On Wednesday, 6 April selected U12,U13 and U14 netball girls will participate in the Makana Netball trials at VP.  Play well, girls!

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International Maths Day

On Wednesday, 23 March VP celebrated International Mathematics Day.  The Gr 4-7s had an Interhouse Mathematics Challenge. The girls were allowed to work in their house groups in their grade and had lots of fun. The final results were as follows:

1^st Aloe; 2^nd Disa; 3^rd Arum & 4^th Fern.  Well done, girls!

The Foundation Phase completed a scavenger hunt around the school where they had to use a map to complete different maths activities at different stations. The girls had lots of fun learning more about Maths!

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Kind Club

Reminder that the Kind Club is putting dignity packs together to distribute at local soup kitchens for people in desperate need of toiletries. We appeal to the VP family to donate the following items towards this project: face cloths, roll-on deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, body lotion, Vaseline. Thank you to those who have already donated.

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Slipper Day

VP is supporting the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day again this year.  Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on the 6^th of May!  Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo (between 07:40-08:00). 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 fulfill the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.  Looking forward to seeing you in your slippers, proving that NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES!

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Donation for art class

We are collecting polystyrene containers for the Grade 7 printmaking project next term.  If you have any please send to the office.

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Notice 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 14:00 on the 1^st of August 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, but that applications from VP are given first consideration.

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Lost property

Please encourage your daughter to look through the lost property bin next term as we have a lot of items without names! We will also make the lost property accessible to parents for the first week of next term if you wish to check for items your daughter has mislaid.  If these items are still not claimed we will either donate the non-school uniform items or wash and include the clothes in our clothing exchange stock. Please ensure that you mark all your daughter’s uniform items clearly so that they can be returned when lost.

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Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week!  In the next two weeks the following girls will celebrate: Siyasisanda Nene, Kaylee Vos, Linamandla Landzela, Anovuyo Nkohla, Laraa Andriantiana, Zamankwali Dingela, Kenzeigh Scear, Azile Hambaze, Kayleah Evans, Mbali Maxhaulana, Lude Hashe, Hluma Mbiko, Carla Frazer, Phumelela Macetyana, Lisakhe Mcilongo, Alexis Killian, Thobile Willy and Sivuze Xamleko. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

Principal

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

An ambassador is simply a representative of something or someone. Wherever our VP girls go they are ambassadors of our school and of each pupil at VP. We expect our girls to always be mindful of that through their actions, interactions, manners and dress.

So many parents come to us to say that they always see the VP girls in town and admire how smart and well-mannered they are and it is through this sort of interaction that the community gets an impression of what happens at our school and what type of school we are. When your daughters are about town, please always make sure that she is dressed in full school uniform or sports clothes and is neatly presented.

This Saturday we are aware that many of our girls are eager to support their brothers and friends at the Graeme College Rugby day and it is an exciting event on the calendar. We remind all girls that they must be dressed neatly in their school uniform and, if they are in Grade 4-7, they should be wearing their blazers. We expect our girls to walk with pride and be wonderful representatives at this function. We request that you ensure that your daughter is dressed accordingly and be the best possible ambassadors for Victoria Primary School.

Reports for Term 1
We have just received the latest SASAMS patch from the Department of Education. We will still hand out reports in the second term on Friday 8 April to ensure that they are done correctly and checked thoroughly.

On Friday the 25th March, we will however hand out next term’s extramural programme and calendar and our final newsletter. Please make sure that you receive these so that you can make the proper plans for the new term
Merits Hlomla Ndungane, Manahil Rizvi, Amyoli Sesani, Abenathi Kulati and Elam Ntlokwana have received over 250 merits this year. Well done, girls!

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CONGRATULATIONS

A Ndlulamthi badge goes to Iviwe Jakavula for the dedication, effort and pride she shows in her academics, music and sport.

We have two Workers of the Week this week. They are Anna Malamis and Nakhane Klei for their beautiful pictures and story-telling.

The following girls will be going through to the next round of the SA Maths Challenge, which will take place in May: Lisakhanya Cetu; Maria Correa, Azile Hambase, Daniella McLean; Lunathi Mkosana; Stella Mullin; Saskia van Wyk and Sophie Büttner. Well done, girls!

Netball results
Results from the Frans Erasmus tournament:
VP 8-3 Gill
VP 4-4 Cradock
VP 9-0 Fort Beaufort
VP 13-0 DSG
VP 2-4 Ntaba Maria
VP 14-2 St Mary’s

The girls played their hearts out and had great support from friends and family. Thank you, Ms Featherstone and Ms le Roux, for your coaching and support.

Lisa-Jane Evans; Joylyn Chikiwa and Zazi Veto were presented their Half colours for Athletics at assembly this week. Well done, girls!

We are proud to announce that Mbali Maxhaulana has been made the Hockey Captain for 2022! Well done!

GAP Tennis results
We are very proud to announce that two of our U10 players have been selected to represent the GAP Tennis Team. The schools that entered players were Port Alfred, Cradock, DSG and Kingswood. Marizaan Boucher was ranked number 1 and Madison Edwards is ranked number 6.
The team of 6 players will have their first match on Monday, 21 March. Good luck, girls!

Interhouse Tennis
Our girls have almost completed their singles Interhouse matches. The matches have been incredibly close.
The singles and doubles matches will continue on Tuesday, 22 March from 14:00 until 15:30.

Dancing
Amber Isaacs and Libby Everton competed in the East Coast Highland Dancing Festival in East London last weekend. Amber received one gold, three silver and two bronze medals! She was also the runner-up for the Novice Highland section trophy and won the Munro Family Shield for the Novice National section.
Libby danced in the Beginner All Ages section. While Libby did not receive any placings she has worked very hard in order to compete at this level.
Well done, girls!

Shotokan-Ryu Karate
We wish Abenathi Kulati best of luck as she enters the 2022 WUKF National Karate Championships & African Open in Gqeberha on the 24 & 25th of March. All the best, Abenathi!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Netball
Selected U7,8&9 girls will be participating in the St Andrew’s Preparatory Mini Netball Festival this afternoon. The matches will start at 14:00 at Prep Fairlawn Courts. Parents are welcome! A letter has been sent out to those participating.

Hockey
We wish our U13A hockey team all the best for the KC Hockey Festival next week.
The fixtures are as follows
Wednesday 23/03
17:00 KC vs VP

Thursday 24/03
13:30 VP vs Holy Cross
17:25 VP vs DSG

Friday 25/03
08:35 Stirling vs VP
11:30 Hangklip vs VP
15:00 VP vs Sunridge
Play well, Hokkie Bokkies!

U13 A&B hockey practice
On Tuesday, 22 March the U13A&B hockey teams will have practice from 14:00-15:00.

On Wednesday , 23 March the U13A team will have a hockey practice after the Interhouse gala in preparation for the Kingswood Hockey Festival. After the practice Mrs Andrews will drive the girls to the Kingswood Astro.

Interhouse Cross-Country
We are excited to be able to hold our Interhouse Cross Country event on Tuesday, 22 March.
The Pre-Primary and Grade 1s will run a course on the VP campus at 08:00 and will be supported by the Gr 7s in their houses.  The Grade 2-7s will run a short cross-country course in groups at the Botanical Gardens from 09:00-10:30.
Girls must come to school at the normal time dressed in their house shirts, black shorts, white socks and takkies.
Parents are welcome to support their girls at these events.

World Maths Day is on Wednesday, 23 March. Our IP classes will participate in an Interhouse Maths Challenge and the FP will do fun Maths games. Maths can be fun! We still encourage our girls to participate in the live Maths Challenge online at home, if they are able: tinyurl.com/2022mathschallenge

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PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
The extramural programme for this term ended today. There will be no other extramurals for FP and IP next week.

Monday, 21 March: Human Rights Day (public holiday)

Tuesday, 22 March: Interhouse Cross Country
Interhouse tennis matches continue 14:00-15:30
U13A&B hockey teams will have practice from 14:00-15:00.

Wednesday 23 March
11:00-12:00: Open Music Class (Gr 1-3).
12:00: FP (Gr 1-3) to go home
10:30-15:00 Splash & Interhouse gala
The Splash gala will begin at 10:30 and the Interhouse gala will run from 12:30 to 15:00. This is a compulsory event for Gr 4-7. Tuckshop will be available for sweets and drinks. Girls must arrive at school in their sports clothes, with either the official house shirt or their navy blue golf shirt. Please pack hats, sunblock, costume and towel in a separate bag. Parents are welcome to support the swimmers, please enter through the office entrance in Beaufort Street for screening.

Thursday, 24th March:
U13A KC Hockey Festival

Friday, 25th March:
U13 A KC Hockey Festival
08:00 Grade 00 & R Open Music class
09:30-10:30 Progress Concert.
10:30 School closes for the term for all
12:30 Hostel closes
No Aftercare

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OUTREACH

Kind Club
Reminder that the Kind Club is putting dignity packs together to distribute at local soup kitchens for people in desperate need of toiletries. We appeal to the VP family to donate the following items towards this project: face cloths, roll-on deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, body lotion, Vaseline. Thank you to those who have already donated.

PTA Fundraiser
Easter Raffle
Your daughter will be bringing home a raffle sheet for our Easter hamper raffle. Please encourage her to sell tickets at R5 each to friends and family. Thank you if you have already donated Easter Eggs for our raffle, if not please help us raise funds by donating. The draw will take place before Easter weekend.

Media Market Day
We thank the Gr 4s & 5s who had a very successful Media Marker days this term, we will continue with the Gr 6s & 7s next term.

VP will be supporting the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day again this year. Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on the 6th of May! Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo (between 07:40-08:00). 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 fulfill the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses. Looking forward to seeing you in your slippers, proving that NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES!

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week! Next week the following girls will celebrate: Tadiwa Mavuku, Lathisa Ngabaza, Achumile Ntozake, Onika Jimmy, Pippa Wolmarans, Kylie Daniels, Emily Steele, Elethu-Ibhongo Makeleni and Amyoli Tshetu. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty
Principal

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Tuesday was International Women’s Day which aims to celebrate women all over the world. As an all-girls school, empowering our girls is a significant part of what we do. We want them to know that there is no glass ceiling for them, that they can be anything they want to be if they work hard to achieve it. We certainly pride ourselves in the knowledge that we give our girls a good grounding to achieve academically and go on to study whatever their hearts desire, if that is what they wish to do.

But as the saying goes it takes a village (far more than a school) to mobilise a voice against women abuse and gender-based violence. We have to teach our girls that abuse of any kind is unacceptable whether it is verbal, physical, sexual or even neglect. We as mothers need to model what behaviour we tolerate and to demand respect and to be heard. We should not allow shame to be placed on our girls but to teach them that the victim is never to be blamed. We need to teach our girls respect for their bodies and how to one day, be sexually responsible. They need to know that their body is theirs to protect and that it doesn’t belong to anyone else. We also need to teach our girls to love their bodies regardless of the shape and form it takes.

I strongly believe (and this is my personal opinion) that women standing up and demanding to be treated with respect does not equate to all men being evil. I know my beliefs are grounded in having a wonderful loving father, a kind-hearted and generous son and a supportive and encouraging husband and I cannot imagine a life without these special people who are pivotal to who I am. I wish for all our girls to have at least one man in their lives who is that to them because when they have that, they will know what a healthy relationship is, across genders. It is about balance and complimenting each other by acknowledging that we are both needed in this world and that we have a role to play as sisters, brothers, fathers and mothers. It is not one against the other. It is the one respecting the other and working together to mobilise our next generation of strong, yet humble and empathetic, women.

Our gorgeous girls have a bright future ahead of them, they are the future generations of mothers, bosses, teachers, doctors and presidents. Let’s make sure that everyone whose paths they cross bless them with a love that lifts them up and grows them.

“We need to live in a culture that values and respects and looks up to and idolizes women as much as men”. Emma Watson

“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves”. Mary Shelley

“The best protection any woman can have is courage.” –Elizabeth Cady Stanton

“Little girls with dreams become women with vision.” –Unknown.

“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” –W.E.B. Dubois

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else.” –Unknown

“After all those years as a woman hearing, ‘not thin enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, not thin enough, not that enough,’ almost overnight I woke up one morning and thought, ‘I am enough.’” –Anna Quindlen

CONGRATULATIONS

Merits
Azile Hambaza and Lunathi Zikishe have received over 250 merits this year. Well done, girls!

Personality of the Week
Well done to our personality of the week recipients:
 Iviwe Jakavula for Courage and Bravery
 Chrissy Moriarty for Encouraging and Motivating Others
 Owan Ncita for Helpfulness and Initiative

A Ndlulamthi badge goes to Haset Sintayehui who is recognised for consistently displaying the values and qualities of VP.

WOW
Our Worker of the Week is Zenazi Gqeke in Grade 2 for her impressive story writing.

SPORT

Netball
Good luck to the U13 Netball girls who are participating in the Annual Frans Erasmus Netball tournament at PJ Olivier today and tomorrow. Play well, girls!

Selected U7,8&9 girls will be participating in the St Andrew’s Preparatory Mini Netball Festival on Friday, 18 March. The matches will start at 14:00 at Prep Fairlawn Courts. Parents are welcome! A letter has been sent out to those participating.

Hockey
14 hockey girls have been chosen to participate at the Kingswood Hockey Festival at Kingswood College on the 24th & 25th of March. As soon as the program is set, all details will be communicated to the girls who are participating. Well done girls on being selected and let’s go play our hearts out, Hokkie Bokkies.

Tennis results
Our Team Tennis girls had a wonderful afternoon of 10 minute time slot per doubles matches against Port Alfred and Shaw Park. Thank you to Mr Nel for transporting our girls safely. Well done to VP for earning the most points.

Interhouse Tennis
The following girls will be participating in the Interhouse Tennis next week. Matches will take place on Wednesday 16/3 & Thursday 17/3 15:00-16:00. If matches are not completed on these days they will continue on Tuesday 22/3 14:00-15:00 & Wednesday 23/3 14:00-15:00.

Aloe:  Viola Stoloff; Ludwe Ngcebetsha; Daniella McLean; Thobile Willy

Arum:  Amber Isaacs; Stella Mullin; Megan Peinke; Joylyn Chikiwa

Disa:  Marizaan Boucher; Zingce Mngxuma; Madison Edwards; Unako Nondlazi

Fern:  Nqobile Gxashe; Yayama Kom; Zazi Veto; Kholosa Waka

Interhouse Cross-Country
We are excited to be able to hold our Interhouse Cross Country event on Tuesday, 22 March.
The Pre-Primary and Grade 1s will run a course on the VP campus at 08:00 and will be supported by the Gr 7s in their houses.
The Grade 2-7s will run a short cross-country course in groups at the Botanical Gardens from 09:00-10:30. Girls must come to school dressed in their house shirts, black shorts, white socks and takkies.
Parents are welcome to support their girls at these events.

Maths Challenge 2022

World Maths Day is on Wednesday, 23 March. This day is all about fun, fast and inclusive maths, with Live Maths challenges being the highlight of the event. Students compete against their peers from across the globe in 20 one-minute challenges. For every correct answer they achieve, they’re awarded one point which goes towards their total World Maths Day score. Learners age 5-18 can participate and it does not cost anything. Put this web address in your browser or click on it, to register now so that you can participate in the maths fun: tinyurl.com/2022mathschallenge

COMING UP…

Heads up for the plans for the rest of the term: 

Monday, 21 March: Human Rights Day (public holiday)

Tuesday, 22 March: Interhouse Cross Country

Wednesday 23 March
11:00-12:00: Open Music Class (Grade 1-3).
12:00: FP (Gr 1-3) to go home
10:30-15:00 Splash & Interhouse gala
Due to an unforeseen clash with the KC Hockey Festival we will have to move our galas to Wednesday 23rd March. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. The Splash gala will begin at 10:30 and the Interhouse gala will run from 12:30 to 15:00. This is a compulsory event for Gr 4-7. Parents are welcome to support.

Thursday, 24th March:
U13 A KC Hockey Festival

Friday, 25th March:
08:00 Grade 00 &R Open Music class:

09:30-10:30 Progress Concert.
We are excited to announce our Progress Concert, which will take place on Friday 25 March, at 09:30 in the school hall. This event is aimed at showcasing the progress made by our younger musicians, who started lessons within the last year. Parents are invited to attend and to support our performers.

U13 A Kingswood Hockey Festival (still awaiting confirmation of times)

10:30 School closes for the term for all
12:30 Hostel closes

Reports for Term 1
Please note that unfortunately we have still NOT received the latest SASAMS patch from the Department of Education which enables us to load our marks and compile our term reports. We are unable to compile our reports without this as it determines the weighting of the various tasks. We have made the decision to hand out reports in the second term on Friday 8 April to ensure that they are done correctly and to avoid unnecessary errors. This is on the condition that we receive the patch before the end of this term.

OUTREACH

Kind Club
Reminder that the Kind Club is putting dignity packs together to distribute at local soup kitchens for people in desperate need of toiletries. We appeal to the VP family to donate the following items towards this project: face cloths, roll-on deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, body lotion, Vaseline.

The members of the Kind Club will hold a cake sale on Friday 11 March to raise funds for our Children helping Children project in which VP girls sponsor the school fees for a child under the care of Child Welfare. Please support this worthy cause by sending money with your girls to support the cake sale.

PTA Fundraisers
Easter Raffle
Your daughter will be bringing home a raffle sheet for our Easter hamper raffle. Please encourage her to sell tickets to friends and family. Thank you if you have already donated Easter Eggs for our raffle, if not please help us raise funds by donating. The draw will take place before Easter weekend.

Media Market Day
On Monday, 14 March the Gr 5s will be selling homemade, baked and yummy items to the rest of the school at break.
Please encourage your daughter to support them.

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week! Next week the following staff and girls will celebrate: Mrs Rafferty, Mrs Goodes, Zoë Butters, Leah Flotman and Tehillah Dingani. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty
Principal

Community notice: Masicule 2022
Masicule is back! Come and celebrate the voices of Makhanda this weekend on Sunday 13 and Monday 14 March. Join us for the 9th edition of the most amazing performance as the finest of Makhanda’s choirs come together. Featuring renowned artist-activist and FNB Vita Award Winner Sibongile Mngoma. You can book your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3vP1R16
We just received an update that Sunday’s show is SOLD OUT but there are tickets available for Monday.

 

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE
At next Monday’s assembly, we will be focusing on our third and final trait in our motto ; accountability.
As parents, accountability is 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.

Do you think that you are bringing up a child who is learning to be accountable?
Ask yourself the following:
1. If your child loses something, do you question everyone at school, except your child herself?
2. If your child gets into trouble, do you question the teacher and/or the school system?
3. If your child gets into a fight or argument, do you always take your child’s side?
4. If your child does poorly in a lesson, do you blame the teacher or the class?
5. If you threaten your child with a certain punishment, do you never follow through?
6. If your child never knows what is going on in class or what’s for homework, is your first assumption that the teacher is doing a poor job?
7. If your child is faced with negative consequences due to her actions, do you cover for her or do anything in your power to not let her have to face the consequences?
8. If your child is asked to do chores or help around the house, do you always eventually do it yourself?
9. Do you do things for your child that you know she are very capable of doing for herself?
10. Do you always make excuses for your child’s bad mood or poor manners?

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 you?
4. Does she always find a way to get out of her chores and responsibilities around the house?
5. Is she unable to identify her contribution to the cause of arguments or disagreements?
6. Is she able to acknowledge how her actions may hurt others?
7. Does she often use “I’ll tell my mom//dad/ granny’ to sort out her problems?
8. Is your child unable to keep her promises?

It is never too late to make sure your child learns to face the consequences of her actions and be an accountable citizen. 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 you child to look up to, too.

“These kids who never have any accountability for their actions will continue through life thinking nothing is their fault and everything is owed to them.”

Accountability breeds response-ability – Stephen Covey.

OUR WEEK

We had a delightful Induction Assembly for our new leadership team on Monday and we hosted Mr Swift and the Graeme College Grade 7 monitors at this assembly. We thank all our parents who supported their daughters at this special event.

On Wednesday a group of Grade 7 IsiXhosa girls accompanied by Mrs Mabusela visited the Amazwi Puku Story Festival. The purpose of this event was to celebrate the International mother tongue day which was on the 21st of February. The main speaker spoke about the importance of keeping our culture alive.
It was a lovely day. They also toured around the museum and read different stories about South African History followed by singing, storytelling and games in the auditorium. It was a fun educational outing enjoyed by all.

This morning we hosted our Founders’ Assembly and Dr Amy Jackson-Moss addressed our girls as an old VP girl and as our guest speaker. We were delighted to have such a wonderful example of a serving citizen to speak to our girls and they were intrigued to listen to her encouraging and inspirational message.

Due to the rainy weather we have postponed our Splash and Interhouse Gala to the Thursday, 24 March

CONGRATULATIONS

WOW (Worker of the week)
Well done to Iviwe Jakavula for her amazing work in Natural Science on Habitats.

OUTREACH

Kind Club
Reminder that the Kind Club is putting dignity packs together to distribute at local soup kitchens for people in desperate need of toiletries. We appeal to the VP family to donate the following items towards this project: face cloths, roll-on deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, body lotion, Vaseline.

The members of the Kind Club will hold a cake sale on Friday 11 March to raise funds for our Children helping Children project in which VP girls sponsor the school fees for a child under the care of Child Welfare. Please support this worthy cause by sending money with your girls to support the cake sale.

PTA Fundraisers
Easter Raffle
We will be having an Easter Egg Raffle in Term 2 and are looking for donations of Easter eggs towards the prize hampers. Please support the PTA by donating Easter eggs.

Media Market Day
We are once again starting this grade based fundraising opportunity. All money raised is used to purchase readers and library books. On Monday, 7 March the Gr 4s will be selling homemade, baked and yummy items to the rest of the school at break. This is a wonderful opportunity for your daughter to practise her entrepreneurial talents. Monday, 14 March is the Gr 5s turn.

SPORT

Tennis
On Thursday, 10 March selected girls will be taking part in a friendly Tennis Doubles challenge at Shaw Park. Travel safely and enjoy a competitive afternoon, girls!

Netball
A group of ten U13 Netball girls have been chosen to participate in the Annual Frans Erasmus Netball tournament at PJ Olivier on 11&12th of March. As soon as the program is set, all details will be communicated to the girls who are participating. Play well, girls!

Interhouse Cross-Country
We are excited to be able to hold our Interhouse Cross Country event on Tuesday, 22 March. The Pre-Primary and Grade 1s will run a course on the VP campus at 8am and will be supported by the bigger girls in their houses.
The Grade 2-7’s will run a short cross-country course in groups at the Botanical Gardens from 9-10:30. Girls must come dressed in their house shirts, black shorts, white socks and takkies.
Parents are welcome to support their girls at these events. We look forward to an exciting event.

End of summer sport
Next week we will begin with trials for our winter sports. Please see the back of newsletter sent home today for an updated schedule. It is compulsory for girls to participate in a winter sport. U10&U11s may do one or both, U12&13s have to choose between either hockey or netball. All Foundation Phase sport will continue as normal.

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week! Next week the following staff and girls will celebrate: Ms Featherstone, Mr Wynne, Mr Ntlalo, Ndalo Mvula, Mila Nongubo, Cazlin du Plessis, Amila Mdingi, Asante Tetani, Tyronéya Francis, Ariba Nawaz and Amvuyela Sakata. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards
Mrs Rafferty
Principal

 

At Monday’s assembly we explored the characteristic of ‘mindfulness’ with our girls. Being mindful (as opposed to being ‘mind full’ as the illustration on the right beautifully represents) focusses on being aware of our immediate surroundings, being aware of our impact on the world around us and on others. Mindful people have meaningful connections with others. Mindful people have the ability to focus on the present moment and to adjust and control their responses to the world around them and to remain calm. Ask your daughter how we learnt to control our breathing and to calm ourselves down when we feel our anxiety kicking in saying “Close your eyes, smell the roses, blow out the candle”.
This extract taken from https://www.mindful.org/7-things-mindful-families-do-differently/ gives us lovely tips on how we can develop mindfulness in our homes.

Embrace Imperfection
Let’s be clear – you are going to make mistakes, you are going to hurt your children’s feelings, and you are not going to be able to show up in all the ways you want to or the ways your children want you to, but NONE of that makes you a bad parent – it only makes you a human one. When you can move into a place of acceptance of this you are able to shift into a greater ease and grace within yourself. When we beat ourselves up over our mistakes and imperfections we create more pain, fear, and disconnection.

Listen with Curiosity
As we pause and listen to each other we can learn to see struggles and triumphs as opportunities for learning and growth. Instead of judging each other, we can get better at recognizing when we don’t understand where the other person is coming from, lean in with curiosity and say, “tell me more.” Or we might try and stand in their shoes to understand their perspective by asking ourselves, “why might they be acting this way?”

Communicate Courageously
Let’s be honest, being vulnerable is hard and at times even scary, which is why we sometimes find ourselves avoiding tough conversations with each other. While in the moment it might feel easier to sidestep talking about something painful or uncomfortable, what is left unspoken and unresolved can turn into a slow poison. Over time this builds resentments, distrust, harmful behaviours, and disconnection. The truth is, being clear and honest with each other about what you need and how you feel is ultimately an act of kindness that creates trust and connection.

Practice Appreciation and Gratitude
We all want to be seen and appreciated and there’s a surprisingly simple way of doing this that can have huge benefits – intentionally practicing being appreciative and expressing gratitude to one another.

Forgive Ourselves and Each Other
Every family has its hard moments. There are times when we don’t feel listened to, appreciated, or seen and there are other times when people are cranky and say things they don’t mean or wish they could take back.
In practicing mindfulness, we come to understand that our mistakes aren’t signs of failing at being a human. Instead, they are opportunities for learning about the inevitable pitfalls of life, what gets in our way and understanding the optimal route to get back into a space of balance and connection.

Practice Support and Generosity
One of the core values of mindfulness is generosity. The spirit of generosity means giving and sharing things of value that can be reflected in money, time, love or possessions. As our kids look to us to see how to be in the world, the beautiful thing about practicing generosity is that our acts not only have a positive impact on ourselves and the recipient but also have ripple effects for generations to come in making the world a kinder and happier place.

Don’t forget to play and have fun!
We all can get stuck in the day to day grind and managing a barrage of stressors that we actually forget to have fun! It seems silly to say that any of us would forget to have fun and enjoy each other but it’s more common than you think. Raising children is probably the most important job you will ever be tasked with and the pressure of raising good humans can be weighty. So much so that we can fall into a pattern of taking things too seriously and being overly focused on tasks (chores, homework, activities, etc.) that we lose the enjoyment of being together.

When the family plays together, there’s also often more laughter which creates a joyful experience of connection and healing. These moments are often the ones that are cherished and remembered for years to come.

“Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.” ― Jon Kabat
“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves”. – Jack Kornfield

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Congratulations
We have an incredible amount of celebrations this week!!

Worker of the week:
Congratulations to Marizaan Boucher. Her effort and presentation in her writing about her family was commendable!

Sportsmanship Trophy
It has been a while since we have had an opportunity to see our girls display good sportsmanship and we are thrilled to be able to present the trophy again. The trophy gets kept in the recipient’s classroom for the week or until a new recipient is announced. This week two girls had to share as we had two nominees. Well done to Sophie Büttner and Danni MacLean who are always enthusiastic, motivated and an inspiration to their teammates in the swimming pool. Danni was also acknowledged for her positive contribution and enthusiasm in the Park Run challenge.

Indlulamthi Badge
We are delighted to have presented badges to a number of girls on Monday. Well done to Imanathi Mcophele, Esethu Stamper, Mila Nonguba , Mia-Lee Muller and Eleni Kyazee who are very worthy recipients. We are so proud of you girls.

Albany swim team
Well done to Daniella McLean and Madison Edwards for making the Albany Swimming Team! This is a team that is selected from all the local schools. They will participate in the Interdistrict Gala in Graaff-Reinet on Wednesday.

Albany Athletics team
On Thursday VP athletes who were selected for the Albany Athletics team, travelled to Gqeberha to participate in the Sarah Baartman Athletics Championships.
The results were as follows:
Daniella McLean came 5th for U11 Long Jump
Aleesia Jonker came 4th in her heat for U11 100m
Zazi Veto came 9th for U13 Long Jump
Joylyn Chikiwa came 3rd in her heat for U13 100m
Lisa-Jane Evans came 4th for U13 High Jump.
We are so proud of these girls.
Thanks to Ms Knott-Craig and Ms Britz for accompanying them.

Tennis
On Thursday, 24 February, VP hosted a doubles tournament with visiting schools; PJ Olivier and Shaw Park. We had a total of 36 tennis players who enjoyed an afternoon of non-competitive tennis. Thank you to all our enthusiastic spectators for their support.

Good luck to Amber Isaacs, Marizaan Boucher, Stella Mullin and Madison Edwards who have entered the TTA Team tournament this weekend at Kingswood College.

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Leadership Team outing
The Grade 7 Leadership Team enjoyed a wonderful outing to Fairewood on the 22nd of February. Despite the heat the girls learned valuable skills through a variety of team challenges and activities conducted by the wonderful team at Fairewood. We are certain the girls will take what they learnt and apply it to their roles on our leadership team.

Music Assessments
Music pupils are reminded that they will play their music assessments next week.

Induction assembly
We will hold our Induction Assembly for our 2022 Leadership team on Monday the 28th February at 09:45. Invitations were sent out to the parents of our Leadership team
All girls Grade 4-7 must be in their summer school uniform and their blazers on Monday. No sports clothes please. If your daughter has LSPE on this day she will need to bring her sports clothes in a separate bag.

Founders Day
We will be celebrating our Founders’ Day with a special assembly at 09:00. Our guest speaker will be Dr Amy Jackson-Moss and we look forward to her message. All girls must be in their summer school uniform and if in Gr 4-7, to wear their blazers on Friday. No sports clothes please.
All Gr 4-7 girls must bring their costume, swimming cap, towel, black shorts, house shirt and takkies or VP flipflops, to change into for the gala.

Interhouse & Splash gala (Gr 4-7)
This will take place on Friday, 4 March. The Splash gala will take place from 10:30-12:00 and our main Interhouse gala will take place from 12:30.
Gr 1-3s must be collected from 12:00 to 12:15 on this day. It is compulsory for all Gr 4-7 girls to attend both galas for the entire duration. Parents are welcome to attend but must enter through the Beaufort Street gate to be screened. Masks are compulsory.

PTA Fundraisers
Interhouse & Splash Gala: The PTA will be selling hotdog and flavoured water combos for R25 at the Interhouse gala on 4 March. Please complete and return the order form sent home in the newsletter today (Friday) to pre-order for your daughter. Payment must be made by the 2 March. This is for Gr 4-7 only.

Easter Raffle: We will be having an Easter Egg Raffle in Term 2 and are looking for donations of Easter eggs towards the prize hampers. Please support the PTA by donating Easter eggs.

Kind Club
The Kind Club is back! Our first project for the year will be putting dignity packs together to distribute at local soup kitchens for people in desperate need of toiletries. We appeal to the VP family to donate the following items towards this project: face cloths, roll-on deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, body lotion or Vaseline. Every contribution is appreciated!

Be Brave Invitation
Join Ms Knott-Craig at the Monument tomorrow at 12:30 to learn and dance the Mzanzi Brave Dance. The demonstration of this mass dance will then take place at 14:30. This is to celebrate the rebranding of the Makana Tourism department. There will also be a market and other fun activities.

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week! Next week the following staff and girls will celebrate: Mr Menzeleli, Mihlali Stampu, Wuve Ngqingili, Halle Orsmond, Anna Malamis, Michaela Swanepoel, Kgotlelelo Thathe, Michaela Swanepoel, Kefilwe Racoco, Taylor Arries, Iminathi Kapa and Kaylee May. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty
Principal

Mr Greyling presented the assembly on Monday which happened to be both Valentine’s day and his birthday! The theme, not surprisingly, was all about love. It got me thinking about the love a parent has for a child.

I always had such a romanticised idea about having children and how wonderful it would be! What a shock it was when I finally had children, there is nothing romantic about it. It is no sleep, no time for yourself and constant juggling of the various spheres of your life. Parenting is not easy but it certainly is one of the biggest privileges we can ever experience. We are not always going to be perfect and get it right as we are literally learning on the job, from the first day we bring them home from the hospital to when they are young adults themselves. Our children will have moments of making us so proud, moments of pure joy and also moments of frustration, embarrassment and ever raging madness.

As our children grow up and reveal themselves to us, they may not always match what we expected and sometimes in other spheres they exceed our expectations but whatever may be the case we need to love them for who they are and where they are at. There are many ways to say ‘I love you!’ but our daily actions will make them feel secure in our love.

• Set time aside each day to spend time with your child and really listen to them
• Respect their space and allow them to be on their own, especially as they get older
• When you need to correct or discipline your child, mind your words. Address their behaviour and not them personally. For example say, ‘What you did there was very unkind’ as opposed to ‘You are very unkind!’
• Pick them up and drop them off at school on time. Yes this is important. This tells them that you value their schooling and it’s important to you too and you love them too much to make them late every morning or leave them waiting for long hours every afternoon.
• Support them at as many school functions as you possibly can
• Make sure they have clean clothes to wear and help them to be ready for each school day
• Always know where they are and who they are with
• Set boundaries in your home and what is and isn’t acceptable. Believe it or not, boundaries make children feel secure, safe and loved
• Keep your promises or don’t make them in the first place if you know you can’t keep them
• Be honest and apologise when you slip up. It is good for your children to realize that you also have bad days and are human
• Be as excited as they are by all their little accomplishments and celebrate with them
• Remember money can never replace your time and attention
• As hard as it is at times, make your role as parent the most important job you have (because it is) and prioritize it in all aspects of your life. Your daughter will see that you value her and know that she is loved

The world can be a tough and mean place at times, make sure that her home is where she feels loved, special and more than good enough.

 ‘A child may outgrow your lap, but they will never outgrow the love you have in your heart’

‘Reading in unusual places’ competition

We had such a wonderful response to our competition! The entries were all amazing and it wasn’t an easy task to choose our winners. Please view our Facebook Page or our website to see the fabulous entries. Congratulations to the following girls who were selected as the top 3 and won a voucher from Bargain Books: 3^rd Aleesia Jonker; 2^nd Chelsy van der Merwe; 1^st Lulama Joe

Music

Music pupils are reminded that they will play scales tests next week. Full music assessments will take place the following week. Keep up the lovely practising!

Sport

Please note that we will no longer cancel sports if the weather is not favourable.  If we cannot do sports due to bad weather girls will automatically be sent to their sports coach and remain in class doing homework until her sports time is up.  This should assist parents in not having to suddenly change collection times.  Please also note that the office closes by 16:00 Monday to Thursday and at 15:00 on Friday.  All children not in Aftercare must be collected timeously after their extramural ends and certainly not after our office closes.

 Swimming:  Well done to all the team swimmers who participated in the Graeme Relay Gala last week Friday and the Albany Trials on Tuesday. We are very proud of all of you!

Tennis:  Gap Trials will be held on the 19 February at a variety of venues throughout Makhanda. Good luck to the following girls: U10 Marizaan Boucher and Madison Edwards,  U14 Amber Isaacs, Viola Stoloff, Nqobile Gxashe, Zazi Veto and Kholosa Waka.

VP will be hosting a Tennis Round Robin with visiting schools, PJ Olivier and Shaw Park, on the 24 February. We look forward to another super afternoon of fun filled tennis.

Athletics: This week selected girls participated in the Albany Athletics trials.  Further trials and events will take place this afternoon and tomorrow.   We still await the results from the trials held earlier this week. Good luck to the girls participating this weekend!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO EXTRAMURALS ON WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY.  Staff will be doing staff development and all girls must be collected straight after school.

VP Park Run Challenge

Please remember to register your daughter on the Park Run website and print out her barcode. If she will be doing the full 5km (2 laps) then having her barcode with her means that she will receive a results email with her time from Park Run. Forward her results email or the number of laps she completed (even if it is only a lap) and her time with her full name to vpparkrun2022@gmail.com so that we can enter her in our VP Park Run Challenge for Term 1.

 PTA

We will have our first PTA meeting on Tuesday the 22nd @ 17:15. All moms and dads are welcome even if you haven’t signed up yet. Come and join this dynamic and fun group of parents and help raise funds for our special school.

Induction Assembly

We will hold our Induction Assembly for our 2022 Leadership team on Monday the 28^th February at 09:45. Invitations will be sent out to the parents of our Leadership team.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Zaydiah Adler for being nominated for the Personality of the Week for honesty. We are proud of you!

 

Indlulamthi Badge of Excellence

During the course of the year we hand out badges to girls who are identified as exemplary VP girls.

These girls display the values promoted by VP, are dedicated to their school work, are committed to the extramural programme and dress immaculately for all occasions.

We were delighted to hand out our Indlulamthi badge to our first recipients for 2022 at assembly.

Well done to Chloe Bowker, Azile Hambaze, Sally Kadye and Sophie Büttner. Well done girls and thank you! We are extremely proud of you and the example you set and the ambassadors you are.

Worker of the Week:  As part of our endeavour to see motivated VP girls this year, teachers will select children who have completed a task at an excellent standard or shown improvement, and will send them to Mrs Rafferty for a ‘Principal’s Sticker’.  A selection of these works will be shared on our FB page and Mrs Rafferty will choose one of these girls to be our ‘Worker of the Week’.

Well done Imanathi Mcophele in Grade 4 for being our very first recipient. Her English book was a delight and her poem exceptional. Keep it up!

 

Conquesta:  Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2022 , 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 your child’s name and class and the relevant entry fee enclosed. Closing date for entries is 18 March.

UPCOMING EVENTS TO DIARISE

Interhouse & Splash gala (Gr 4-7)

To celebrate our Founders’Day on the 4^th of March we will be moving our Galas to this day.  The Splash gala will take place from 10:30-12:00 and our main Interhouse gala will take place from 12:30. FP girls not involved in the main gala must be collected from 12:00 to 12:15 on this day.  It is compulsory for all Gr 4-7 girls to attend both galas for the entire duration.  More details will be sent out closer to the time.

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week!  Next week the following staff and girls will celebrate:  Mrs Sopangisa, Gracie Chitsike, Azoma Lubelwana, Ayomide Booi, Angaka Magutywa, Tasmine Thomas and Taylynne Thomas.

We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS:

PTA meeting:  Tuesday, 22 February @ 17:15

No extramurals:  Wednesday, 23 February

Induction Assembly:   Monday, 28 February@09:45

Interhouse & Splash gala (Gr 4-7):  Friday, 4 March

Message from the office
On our return to school after lockdown in 2020 we kept our assemblies going by having them via Zoom to the different classrooms. Currently we have two grades in the hall at a time, while the rest watch via Zoom. In March we will increase the number by having one phase in the hall at a time and ‘Zooming’ to the other. Assemblies are an important time to gather and learn important life lessons. I am looking forward to having them a little more like we used to and hearing our girls sing is always a highlight of my week.

At the assembly this past Monday I focused very simply on the topic of Motivation which is the first trait of our motto for 2022. We had the Grade 2 and 3 girls in the hall. When I asked them what motivated them I got the answers of ‘chocolate’, ‘sweets’ and ‘ice cream’ and one little girl answered ‘to pass’. They clearly understand the concept and motivating little ones can be as simple as a sticker, a sweet and a word of praise. Although we hope to ultimately develop our girls’ intrinsic motivation through a love for learning and the desire to be the best they can be. Extrinsic motivation is so important for young children of primary school age to feel inspired and eager. We as a staff are making it our mission to focus on the positive and to praise our girls for their efforts and achievements both in the classroom and on the sports field.

The best way for you as a parent to motivate your child to work hard at school and in all that they do, is to simply show an interest in their school work and their day.

Here are some simple ways you can show your interest in your daughter’s daily activities:
 Help her with her homework and be available if she needs to ask any questions.
 Ask her how her test went or what feedback she got for a task.

 Ask her what she learnt in class and praise her for her new-found knowledge.
 Even if you do find it tiresome, try your best to be enthusiastic about her reading, spelling, music practice and other tasks. Try very hard to hide your frustrations.
 Accept your child for who she is and for what her capabilities and limitations are.
 Prioritize her schoolwork over other daily activities and provide an environment where she does not get distracted or made to feel like she is inconveniencing the family.
 Celebrate her successes with her.
 Don’t over react to failures, use it as a learning experience.
 Work in partnership with daughter’s teacher.
 Love your daughter for who she is and not what she achieves.

What not to do:
Don’t speak badly of her teacher in front of her.
Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
Don’t over schedule her day.
Don’t compare your daughter to others.

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents”- Jane D. Hull.

Please note the latest amendments to our School’s Operating Procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic which was adjusted according to the latest Gazette (Vol 680, 6 February 2022 no 45877).

● It is very important that parents keep unwell children at home. If a child is unwell or has a temperature and shows any COVID-19 symptoms, parents are requested to monitor them closely at home and consult a medical practitioner.
● If a person tests positive and is not showing any symptoms, he or she need not isolate.
● If a person tests positive and has symptoms, he or she must isolate for 7 days unless a longer period has been recommended by a medical practitioner.
● If a learner tests positive and displays symptoms the parent/guardian must inform the school office as soon as possible and the school must then inform the DoE.
● Individuals who are identified as contacts of someone who tested positive COVID-19 do not need to isolate, unless they display symptoms.
● If a learner or person wishes to enter the premises is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and/or their temperature is recorded as higher than 38 degrees, they will be denied access to the school campus and buildings.
● If a learner has been dropped off for school and displays symptoms at screening or while at school, the school will contact the parent/guardian to request them to fetch the learner from school. The parent/guardian will be advised to refer the learner to a medical practitioner and, if they test positive, to keep them isolated at home.
● All contact sport and non-contact sport including training, intra-school and interschool games, all art and cultural activities (including choir practices and competitions) and all enrichment programmes will resume if they comply with health and safety measures.
● All events may occur with spectators. However access points will be limited. Entry can only be gained at Beaufort Street where screening will take place, unless notification has been sent that other access and screening points have been organised.
● If the school hosts an event or an activity only permitted persons will be allowed entry for that event or activity provided that compliance of hygiene and safety measures are met.
● The number of spectators permitted will be according to the number of persons permitted at a gathering under the current regulations or if the venue is too small for that number, spectators will be limited to ensure social distancing can be observed.
● Masks are still mandatory
(The full new SOP doc can be found on our webpage)

COVID Vaccinations/boosters
The Department of Health has made a new appointment to be at VP on Tuesday, 15 February. If you wish for your daughter to be vaccinated and she is 12 years or older please send a copy of her birth certificate and/or her vaccination card to school on this day. Unfortunately, if the girls do not come to school with the necessary documents we won’t be able to facilitate her vaccination at school. Please ensure you plan for this in advance. If parents would like to take this opportunity to get their vaccine or booster done you may come to the school from 10:30 to make use of this opportunity. You will need to be screened in at the school office.

SGB Nominations for our By-election
As we only received two nominations, for the two vacant positions, we were not required to hold an election. We congratulate Mr Phillip, father of Rebecca in Gr 1 and Mr Sauls father of Ava in Gr 00, on their nomination and appointment onto our SGB. The other parent members of governing body are Ms Mothudi mother of Athena in Gr 2, Mrs Wolmarans mother of Pippa in Gr 4 and Lilani in Gr R and Mrs Edwards mother of Madison in Gr 4. Thank you for your service to our school.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Uminathi Kate who was our first recipient this year of the Personality of the Week. She received the award for Honesty. Thank you for setting the example for the year ahead, Uminathi.

Conquesta
Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2022 , 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 your child’s name and class and the relevant entry fee enclosed. Closing date for entries is 18 March.

SPORT
Tennis
Our Tennis Team enjoyed their first home matches on Wednesday, 9 February. We thank the team and their families for making the Port Alfred mixed team feel welcome by providing delicious eats for the afternoon.
Eighty-nine games were played in total and Port Alfred managed to win by nine games. Well played, girls!
We look forward to our next matches against PJ Olivier and Shaw Park on Thursday, 24 February.

Swimming
Good luck to the girls swimming in the Graeme Relay gala which starts at 15:00 this afternoon. Swim well!
The Albany Swimming Trials will take place next week Tuesday, 15 February, for selected swimmers. The gala will take place at the DSG pool and will start at 14:00. Swimmers participating have received a letter.

VP Park Run Challenge
There has been a good turn out so far, please continue to support this challenge!

UPCOMING EVENTS TO DIARISE
Interhouse & Splash gala (Gr 4-7)
To celebrate our Founders’Day on the 4th of March we will be moving our Galas to this day. The Splash gala will take place from 10:30-12:00 and our main Interhouse gala will take place from 12:30. FP girls not involved in the main gala will go home at 12:15 on this day. It is compulsory for all Gr 4-7 girls to attend both galas for the entire duration. More details will be sent out closer to the time.

Induction Assembly
We will hold our Induction Assembly for our 2022 Leadership team on Monday the 28th February at 09:45. Invitations will be sent out to the parents of our Leadership Team.

Happy birthday to everyone who had their special day this week! Next week the following staff and girls will celebrate: Mr Greyling, Mrs Coetzee, Ava van Rooyen, Libhongo Mase, Yolisa Pongolo, Ayva Baatjes, Mivuyo Santi, Kaya Jones and Okuhle Smile. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards
Mrs Rafferty
Principal

Happy News!

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Coetzee and Stella on the birth of their beautiful baby boy on Sunday 31 January!

Message from the office:

Our motto ; ‘Be Humble, Gracious and Kind’ from 2021 was so well received by our girls last year and it was so heart-warming to hear them use the terminology and see them practise these very valuable interpersonal skills while interacting with each other. It laid a foundation for all our interactions.

Our new motto for 2022 is ‘Motivated, Mindful, Accountable’. These are the traits that we wish to focus on, develop and teach during the course of this year. We will also explore them in our assemblies and Value Based lessons or Life Skills lessons. The teachers will make use of the many life experiences that come along as an opportunity to teach these traits and why they are important.

This year, we will endeavour to find many ways to motivate our girls and to see them enthusiastic and engaged, we hope to make our girls aware of those around them and the impact that they have on others, and encourage them to ‘live in the moment’. We wish for our girls to learn to be responsible and accountable and to teach them that they do have to face the consequences of their choices and actions. We hope that you will do the same at home and we will keep you updated in our weekly newsletter of what we have focussed on in that particular week.

We are excited about this motto and we hope to see our girls embrace these valuable attributes this year.

Apologies

Unfortunately, the Department of Health did not arrive to do the COVID vaccines and booster shots on Tuesday as we had been informed and expecting. If we receive any notifications that they will come at another time we will let you know.

We have had some delightful entries so far! Thank you. Please send your entry to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za

The closing date is the 11th February and we hope to share all our pics at an assembly and on our Facebook Page. Come on! Show us your creativity girls! Prizes are up for grabs for the most creative photos.

English Study Guide

This was listed as a requirement for Gr 4-7 and is a resource that your child can use up to matric. If you were unable to purchase one your daughter’s teacher will supply her with one when it will be required for a lesson. Please note that this study guide will then remain the property of the school.

SGB By-election

A reminder that all nominations for our two vacant positions need to be handed in by 13h00 on Tuesday, 8 February. If we receive more than two nominations we will have to have a vote and this will then take place on Wednesday, 9 February. Parents are encouraged to pop into the school office and vote for the candidate of their choice between 07:30 and 14h30 on that day. More details will be sent home once we know if the election will be necessary.

Valentines Civvies Day

On Friday the 11th February we will have a Civvies Day. Girls can come dressed in red or pink or anything that celebrates Valentine’s day. Girls are to contribute R5 if they wear civvies, the money collected will go towards our sports fund this year.

School Hats

We encourage our girls to wear hats during sport and break time especially during these hot summer months. They are allowed to wear either the VP navy peaks or the VP navy floppy hat. They are available from Heinen Uniforms & Embroidery at 28 Somerset Street – 082 441 4708, there will be limited hats available for sale from Mrs Terblanche for R75.

SPORT

Tennis

Our tennis team will play their first match against Port Alfred at our courts on the Wednesday, 9 February. Please feel free to support your daughters and the team. The matches will be played between 14h00 and 16h00. Play well girls and have fun! Please note that intermediate tennis players will still have practice with Ms Purdon on Wednesday, 9 February.

Swimming

Well done to all the team swimmers who participated in the Kingswood College Short Course Gala. The girls did very well and it was great to be back in the pool again!

The Graeme Relay Gala will take place next week Friday, 11February for selected team swimmers. Your daughter will receive a letter early next week if she is participating. The gala will take place at the Graeme College pool and will start at 15:00.

Hockey Trials

The U13A hockey trials will take place on Monday, 7 February from 15h00 to 16h00. Girls that have signed up must attend these trials. A reminder that girls must have shin pads, long blue socks and gum guards to participate. (Girls U11-U13 may attend these trials).

VP Park Run Challenge

Please join us in keeping fit and enjoying the outdoors together.

The Grahamstown Park Run is held at the Botanical Gardens on the Rhodes University Campus every Saturday at 08:00. It is a 5km route (2 laps of the course) and you can walk or run.

I challenge you to join me in doing as many Park Runs as you can this term. To enter the VP Park Run Challenge and be eligible to win a prize please take note of the following:

You will need to register on the Park Run Website and print your barcode to bring with you each week. https://www.parkrun.co.za/register/
If you are younger than 11 years old you will need to bring an adult to walk or run with you. If you are older than 11 years old you can walk/run on your own but your
Parents will need to drop you off at 07:50 and collect you again at 9am.
Each time you complete a full 5km Park Run the organisers will send you an email with your time. Please forward this email each time to the following address: vpparkrun2022@gmail.com
I will record your time and track your progress.

If you are 8 years old or younger and you only complete one lap then you will need to ask your grownup to time your lap and email it to me.
At the end of the term prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

The most park runs/walks for the term (u8 and over 11)
The fastest 5km time (u11 and older)
The fastest lap (2.5km) for u8
The most improved time for the term
We will start our VP challenge for Term 1 on Saturday 29 January at 08:00 sharp. I look forward to seeing you there. Mrs Jones: carol.jones@victoriaprimary.za

Happy birthday to all the staff and girls who celebrated this week! Next week the following girls and staff will celebrate: Mrs Mgogo, Ms Miskin, Mbalentle Mayinje, Azuza Mbiza, Zizo Zomelele, Jazlin Crafford, Sinalo Gumenge,Khanya Kepe, Imanathi Mcophele, Kazlin de Maar, Neo Molefe, Sanda Stofile, Tenielle Morrison and Amahle Mchunu. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Regards

Mrs Rafferty

Principal

Message from the office

Next week we will be celebrating ‘World Read Aloud Day’ which aims at promoting literacy.

Date	Activity
Monday 31 January	Assembly (topic Read Aloud Day), IP girls will read to FP and PP girls
Wednesday, 2 February	Silent reading/ read outside/in pairs/ alone or in groups. Bring your favourite book to school.
Friday, 4 February	Come dressed as your favourite book character (If possible bring the book to school and tell your class all about him/her)
COMPETITION:  Send a photo of yourself reading in the most unusual place.  Photo’s can be sent to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za  The most unusual photos will receive a prize at assembly. Closing date for all entries is Friday, 11 February.

Throughout the year in the Pre-primary and Foundation Phase reading is an integral part of the daily programme. In our Intersen timetable we allow time for our girls to read in silence at least three times a week first thing in the mornings and we encourage them to read whenever they may have a spare moment.

One can never underestimate the value of reading and being read to and the best way to encourage this is to set the example by reading and to have reading time with your daughters in your daily routine. There is no doubt that there is a correlation between a child’s academic performance and how much they read. Reading increases children’s vocabulary, concentration, general knowledge, cognitive ability, fluency, comprehension, imagination and creativity and it develops a lifelong love for reading. Not to mention the added benefit of creating a wonderful opportunity to bond with your child.

One of the most effective ways you can support your child’s schooling is by reading to them.

Settling into 2022

I hope that the first week and a bit of school has not been too overwhelming as you navigate your child’s school day and extramurals especially if you are new to our school or a parent of a grade one. We trust that as the term progresses you (and your daughters) will become more familiar with her daily routine and  how our days work. We try very hard not to stray too far from what is planned and we do not cancel at a whim as we are aware of the impact this has on you as parents. However, we do make the call to cancel or postpone if we think that it will be in the best interest of our children as we did on Monday due to the extreme heat and humidity.  If this happens, we send out notices on our D6 and often our teachers will share such messages on their grade or sports Whatsapp chat. If however you are really stuck and can’t make alternate plans, rest assured that we will always ensure your child is looked after during the time she would have had an activity or sport.

WhatsApp groups

Although this is a wonderful and effective tool of communication, it should not be used by parents with the expectation that teachers should explain work that was explained in class, or to explain things that can be found in the newsletter. Please read your newsletter or your daughter’s homework diary or even question her first before anything else. We also request that unless it is an absolute emergency, you do not contact teachers after hours, during the weekend or during teaching time. The older your daughter is, the less need there should be to communicate information with you, the parent. We need to teach our girls to listen to announcements and their teachers and to pay attention to what is happening around them and to learn to refer to newsletters and timetables. If they rely on you texting her teacher all the time, she’ll never learn these very crucial organizational (and life) skills. If you are still unsure, please contact the school office during office hours.

School Hats

We encourage our girls to wear hats during sport and break time especially during these hot summer months. They are allowed to wear either the VP navy peaks or the VP navy floppy hat. They are available from Heinen Uniforms & Embroidery at 28 Somerset Street – 082 441 4708.

 Time Management

Please make sure that your child arrives at school on time. A reminder that the Intersen (Grade 4-7) children have to be at school BEFORE 07:25. Children who arrive late miss out on important announcements at lines and their crucial silent reading or Mental Maths sessions. If you make use of ‘transport’ please ensure that they are aware of our school times. Now is the time to set good habits and morning routines.

Vaccinations

The Department of Health will be at VP on the 1 February. If you wish for your daughter to be vaccinated and she is 12 years or older please send a copy of her birth certificate and/or her vaccination card to school on this day. Unfortunately, if the girls do not come to school with the necessary documents we won’t be able to facilitate her vaccination at school. Please ensure you plan for this in advance.

Extramurals

We were so pleased with the response to our trials and would like to accommodate all abilities where possible. Therefore, we are updating our extramural programme and sending it home with the newsletter today, please check it carefully to see if any of your daughters’ activities have changed.

Tennis notices

Upcoming team tennis matches:

9 February

24 February

10 March.

Please note that on the Wednesday, 9 February the Intemediate tennis practice will take place on the small court with Ms Purdon.

Kingswood Short Course gala

VP will participate in the Kingswood Short Course Gala on Tuesday, 1 February

 at 14:00 at the Kingwood College pool.  The gala starts at 14:00 and should be

completed by 16:30. Swim well, girls!

VP Park Run Challenge

Please join us in keeping fit and enjoying the outdoors together.

The Grahamstown Park Run is held at the Botanical Gardens on the Rhodes University Campus every Saturday at 08:00. It is a 5km route (2 laps of the course) and you can walk or run.

I challenge you to join me in doing as many Park Runs as you can this term. To enter the VP Park Run Challenge and be eligible to win a prize please take note of the following:

1. You will need to register on the Park Run Website and print your barcode to bring with you each week.  https://www.parkrun.co.za/register/
2. If you are younger than 11 years old you will need to bring an adult to walk or run with you. If you are older than 11 years old you can walk/run on your own but your parents will need to drop you off at 07:50 and collect you again at 9am.
3. Each time you complete a full 5km Park Run the organisers will send you an email with your time. Please forward this email each time to the following address: vpparkrun2022@gmail.com

I will record your time and track your progress.

1. If you are 8 years old or younger and you only complete one lap then you will need to ask your grownup to time your lap and email it to me.

At the end of the term prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

• The most park runs/walks for the term (u8 and over 11)
• The fastest 5km time (u11 and older)
• The fastest lap (2.5km) for u8
• The most improved time for the term

We will start our VP challenge for Term 1 on Saturday 29 January at 08:00 sharp. I look forward to seeing you there. Mrs Jones: carol.jones@victoriaprimary.za

Birthday wishes

The following staff and girls have celebrated their birthdays so far this year:  Mrs Jones, Ms le Roux, Mr Kepe, Ms Lang, Mrs Sauls (this weekend) and Ms Jamela (this weekend), Zazi Gqamana, Willow Hector, Lilitha Kila,Ingcali-Yomso Mani, Bohlokwa Motitsoe, Lunje Peter, Mihle Khitha, Avuthando Matyumza, Jaysea Botha, Likamvelihle Dyibishe, Mbalentle Jadi, Lelona Kuselo, Kungothando Nzuzo, Amber Isaacs, Caitlyn Bodill, Kungawu Mapasa, Mbalentle Dyaloyi, Kulowo Msipa, Oyintando Nkatazo, Amyoli Sesani, Ahluma Zwana, Mandi de Koker, Zayoni Matiwana, Alibongwe Mthembu, Lunathi Zikishe, Sinothando Matshaya, Hlomboluhle Mvula, Sama Torweni, Bongumusa Louw, Isipho Nelana, Sabrina Nyathi, Giselle Peters, Lisa-Jane Evans, Yayama Kom, Lulo Ponoshe, Junaid Williams, Zingcali Mangali, Yonelisa Ngaleka, Isla Orsmond, Aliyah Swartz, Adora Gxashe, Hlomla Ndungane, Rebecca Phillip, Aventhandwa Hambaze, Iminathi Malusi, Lulama Joe, Yakobedi Mukungu, Zintle Bangani, Avela Sigidi, Lilani Wolmarans, Stephanie Folaranmi, Ovayo Phillip and Sesona Mnqinana.

Happy birthday to those celebrating next week: Ms Purdon, Ms Slabbert, Ms Nguta, Katie-Leigh Arnott, Iviwe Jakavula, Iminathi Mgwebi, Luniko Hulushe, Nakhane Klei, Zingce Pilisani, Inam Toll, Onwaba Hoyi, Christelle Ruwanza and Esethu Stamper.

Warm regards

Mrs M Rafferty

Principal

 

Message from the office

A warm welcome back to our VP girls and a special hearty welcome to our new VP families who have joined us this year. Every year is so exciting when our new little Grade Ones arrive in their sparkly clean school uniforms. It is the start of a wonderful journey through primary school. We trust and pray that this year will be a good one and that we are able to slowly go back to more and more activities and include so many of the things that we have sorely missed from our daily programmes.

On the subject of disruptions and COVID-19 we have sought advice from a medical practitioner and she has advised that until such time that we receive new guidelines (which she has indicated may very well come soon) we should adhere to our protocols that we already have in place. If your daughter has any symptoms please do not send her to school, but if you are aware that she simply has allergies or she has been diagnosed with something else, please let us know. We request that if your daughter has been in close contact with someone who tested positive that she isolates for ten days. We are hoping that this time frame will be reduced but until such time as it is made official, we are obliged to stick to the full ten days of isolation.

We would like to highlight the following:                                                                   

• All girls are to wear masks to school.
• We will still limit parents’ access to the campus.

ARRIVAL times and screening

• Girls will be screened on entry in the mornings as they have been in the past.
• Grade 00 and R enter at the Pre-primary school gate from 07:15-07:45
• Grade 1-3 to enter at the Huntley Street gate from 07:15 to 07:45
• The IP (Grade 4-7) are to enter at Beaufort Street gate and screening will take place from 07h00- 07h25. Please ensure your daughter arrives on time.

COLLECTIONS will also occur at the same gates respectively. Collection times are as follows (unless your child is involved in extra murals on that day):

• PP: 13:00 (Pre-primary school gate in Beaufort Street)
• FP: 13:00-13:30 (Huntley Street gate)
• IP:  13:45 (Main entrance in Beaufort Street)

Girls are to be collected promptly after their last school activity.

Aftercare

If you are not able to collect your child timeously please consider sending your child to our Aftercare. Forms to enrol in Aftercare must be collected from our school office or you can request one via email to Ms Lang (i.lang@victoriaprimary.co.za). If your child attended Aftercare last year and you would like her to continue please complete a new form for this year.

Whatsapp Groups

Certain grades, classes and sports groups will start a Whatsapp group to help relay messages to parents quickly and efficiently. When a group chat is set up, our policy for Whatsapp groups will be shared with you. Please read this very carefully. If you remain on the group this indicates that you are prepared to abide by the rules of the group. If you do not wish to be part of it or to agree to the conditions, please simply remove yourself from the group.

PTA

In lieu of our PTA AGM parents (moms and dads) who would like to be part of our PTA are requested to complete the form attached to the newsletter that was sent home today. Essentially the PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) is a fundraising committee which raises funds for projects in and around the school.  Parents volunteer to be a part of this group and there is no limit to the number of members in this group of parents. Once we hopefully have a bit more clarity for our year ahead, we are hoping to call on you to join our first meeting and maybe, just maybe, we can host some fun events.

SGB 

Our current SGB team still have two years left of their tenure.  The School Governing Body is made up of elected parents, teachers and non-teaching members.  This committee is responsible for the school’s finances and governance.  As you would have seen on the term calendar we will have a by-election on the Wednesday, 9 February to replace two of our parent members whose children are no longer at VP.  Please consider standing if you feel you have the expertise that VP would benefit from. Nomination forms will be available from the office from Monday, 24 January and they must please be returned by Tuesday, 8 February at 13:00.

Extramural programme

PLEASE NOTE: To organise girls into their team/groups, next week will run slightly differently to the programme as we will be conducting our team sports trials. Please take note of the times below.

IP Swimming (Gr 4-7)

All girls will be required to attend swimming trials. If they wish to try out for Team swimming they will not be required to attend the trials in their class groups.

Swimming trials will run as follows:

Monday, 24th (14:00-15:00): Grade 4KC and Grade 5M 

                     (14:00-15:00): Team Swimming Trials (Girls were required to sign up)

Wednesday, 26th (14:00-15:00): Grade 4F and Grade 5J 

     (14:00-15:00): Team Swimming Practice

Thursday, 27th (14:00-15:00): Grade 6G and Grade 7(Blue)

Mrs Orsmond will be selling swimming caps.  Standard swimming caps are available in house colours for R60.  Swimma Caps for braided and long hair are available in green only and cost R110.

Tennis Trials will begin on Tuesday (Girls have been requested to sign up)

Tuesday 25th (13:55-14:40) – Juniors (Grade 3-5)

                        (14:40-15:25) – Juniors (Grade 6-7)

Your daughter will either be placed in the Senior, Junior or Feeder Team. Please encourage your daughters to attend the trials, especially if they are able to meet the following criteria:

Simple forehand and backhand stroke

Service toss and motion must be able to donkey drop

Move into the ball – Footwork (basic) and anticipation of ball direction

Dribble with the ball

Correct grip

Senior Trials: (GRADE 6 AND 7)

Must be able to score

Serve into the correct box

Rally – PLAY A GAME AGAINST ANOTHER PLAYER

Volley and smash

Uniform on LSPE days

Girls are permitted to come to school wearing their black shorts, navy blue shirts (NO white golf shirts allowed) and takkies with white socks on the days that they have swimming /LSPE (during school). However girls must pack their black speedo costumes, swim caps and towels in a separate bag. They may not come to school already wearing their swimming costumes, they will be given a chance to change before and after their swimming lesson. 

If your daughter owns a pair of the VP navy blue flip flops she may wear them with her sports clothes instead of her takkies. No other flip flops are permitted. These can be bought from Mrs Terblanche for R90. We have limited sizes currently available, more stock will arrive early February.  The flip flops may also be worn while at school with school uniform but your daughter must arrive and leave, and be in public places, in her school shoes when in school uniform. 

Choir

The Junior Choir (Grade 3s) will be selected during the course of next week, during school hours. Junior Choir rehearsals will commence on Monday 31 January.

Senior Choir rehearsals will commence on Tuesday, 1 February. Girls who were in the Senior Choir last year do not need to re-audition. All other girls in Grade 4-7, who would like to sing in the choir, are encouraged to audition on the following days next week: 

Monday: Grade 4 F;

Tuesday: Grade 4KC;

Wednesday: all Grade 5s;

Thursday: all Grade 6s;

Friday: all Grade 7s.  Auditions will take place in the hall at 07:15. Please be prompt. 

Tuckshop

There is a tuckshop available at Vicky’s but due to COVID restrictions there are some rules that girls must adhere to.  Gr 1-4 will be given the opportunity to place their orders (from the list below) first thing in the morning and items will be sent to their classes.  Gr 5-7 may go down to the tuckshop at break or before extramurals and buy food.  Please note that girls will not be allowed to leave Aftercare in order to go to the tuckshop.

The list of items available for order are as follows: 

Hot Dog R15;

Boerewors Roll R20;

Beef/Chicken Burger R25;

Cheese Roll R15;

Savoury Muffin R10;

Popcorn R6; Fruit R5;

Juice Box R7.  

These items can be ordered and paid for in the morning at Vicky’s or parents can make arrangements for EFT payment by contacting Pam on 0721995741 (Whatsapp) for details.

Mrs M Rafferty

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