Message from the office
I trust that you have had a lovely Workers’ Day and that you were able to spend wonderful quality family time together.
I read this article which I thought I’d share extracts of, about the importance of parent/child quality time. (https://extension.sdstate.edu/why-spending-quality-time-your-children-important)
Life is busy, especially for parents and families. As the days go by our to-do lists become fuller and other priorities seem to take precedence over quality family time. Research shows that it is vital to schedule recurring family time with your children. As busy parents, you spend plenty of time with your children, however is it truly quality time? Quality time with your children means giving them your undivided attention. Spending quality time with your children does not have to be a huge undertaking, it can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to spend together without any distractions.
According to research children who experience quality time with their caregivers are less likely to have behavioural issues at home or at school. Showing your children that you love and care for them helps to keep them mentally and emotionally strong and as a parent the best way to do this is to spend quality time with them on a regular basis.
Here are some simple tips for spending quality time with your children:
- Connect daily with your child. Whether it is face-to-face connections before school and work or sending them a little note in their lunch bags, any type of connection with your children is important and valuable.
- Tell your child that you love them every day. Let your child know why you love and value them.
- Create some routine rituals, such as picking and reading a short book before bedtime.
- Reinforce positive behaviours with your appreciation.
- Cook a meal and eat together. This allows for the family to talk to one another as well as fosters teamwork.
- Schedule time to do an activity with your child, let them choose. Such as crafting, baking, family game night, etc.
- Play with your child, even if it is just for a few minutes.
- Tell jokes and laugh with your child. Laughter is great for improving emotional health.
- Take time away from technology and just spend time listening and talking to your child.
Making a meaningful connection with your daughter is important and can be a simple priority to incorporate into your daily schedule. Doing as such, will have a lasting impact on them as they grow into contributing adults in the future.
Assembly
On Monday we had enjoyed an assembly presented to us by Grade 4K about trying to find a silver lining in every situation. On Monday, 6 May it will be Grade 4F’s turn to present their assembly. Parents are welcome to support. The assembly will start promptly at 10:15.
Worker of the Week:
Well done to Carla Frazer for her beautiful project on the Ladybird. Keep up the good work, Carla.
Personalities of the Week
Congratulations to the following girls who received their certificate for the Personality of the Week at our assembly on Monday.
- Emihle Siwa for Empathy and Helpfulness
- Jade Thompson for Perseverance
- Kenzeigh Scear for Helpfulness on the Sportsfield.
Thank you for the positive impact you all make!
Sportsmanship Trophy
Congratulations to Esethu Stamper for displaying a positive attitude and for encouraging her teammates at the netball fixture against Gill College. Your enthusiasm was very encouraging to your team, Esethu!
Merit Achievers
Well done Shaziah Loutz, Emihle Siwa, Manahil Rizvi, Zaydiah Adler, Abigail Green, Abenathi Kulati, Milani Nothoko, Linomtha Kula and Asanda Mbolompo who have received over 250 merits so far this year. Keep it up, girls!
At our assembly on Monday we thanked Mr Wayne Weber and Mr Nolan Berriman from Settler City Toyota for their sponsorship of our U13A hockey teams match kit and for the practice tops for our U13A hockey and netball teams. We thank them whole-heartedly for the generous sponsorship.
We would like to thank Dr Bellingan, from the Albany Museum for donating three butterfly displays to the Grade 3 classes. The Grade 3s also had a very interesting and informative presentation about insects from Dr Bellingan.
Thank you, Mr Abrahams and the local EMS team for an informative lesson and demonstration on First Aid for our Grade 2 & 3s. The girls also had the opportunity to see all the emergency medical equipment that first responders use.
Winter Uniform
Please note that as from Monday, 6 May all girls must be wearing full winter uniform: school skirt or navy blue pants, long sleeved white shirt, navy blue stockings/nylons or navy blue long length socks. Navy blue jerseys, pullovers, VP/VG drimacs, blazers and/or the thick VG jackets are permitted. Girls are not to wear their tracksuit tops with their school uniform. Plain navy blue scarves may be worn (not green). Beanies are NOT part of our school uniform.
Please Note
As from Monday, 13 May until Friday, 24 May to accommodate the writing of examinations by Grade 4-7 and to ensure that girls still remain active, the academic school day will end at 13:00 and the extramural programme will run from 13:00-14:00. The revised extramural programme for these two weeks will be sent out with the newsletter next week.
Music
- Scales tests
All music pupils will play their scales tests next week. Keep practising, girls!
- ABRSM exams
Girls who are eligible for these practical exams received their letters this week. Kindly note that the entry period is from 20-31 May.
- VPKC orchestra rehearsal
Our orchestra will rehearse with the Kingswood string ensemble on Monday 6 May, at 15h30. Letters went home this week and transport arrangements have been finalised.
- Friday rehearsals
Please note that due to the Grade 7 Creative Arts workshop, the Orchestra and Chamber Choir will not have their usual rehearsal on Friday, 10 May.
Creative Arts Workshop
On Friday, 10 May the Grade 7 learners will prepare for her mid-year practical performance and theory exam at school from 14:00. We request that your daughters are collected at the Pre-Primary Gate at 16:25. No later than 16:30. This workshop is compulsory, as we are preparing for their mid-year exams.
Tuesday Newsday
Members of our Media & Marketing Committee were tasked with illustrating this week’s edition of the Tuesday is Newsday publication which is shared nationally. Well done and thank you for your beautiful drawings! The Tuesday is Newsday is shared amongst our Intersen Phase girls and used for General Knowledge purposes. Next week’s edition will also be illustrated by members of our Grade 7 class. We look forward its release next week.
SPORT
Lorraine Sports Festival: The U13A hockey team will participate in the annual Lorraine Festival on Saturday, 4 May 2024 in Gqeberha. The fixtures are as follows: 08:18 VP vs Lorraine; 10:06 VP vs Riebeek; 11:18 VP vs George Suid; 12:30 VP vs Sunridge; 13:24 VP vs Hangklip. Play well, girls and have fun!
Hockey Match: On Wednesday, 8 May 2024 the 3rds and 4th teams will be playing a match against St Marys starting at 14h30. All support will be appreciated. Parents are to enter through the office gate, Beaufort Street.
Hockey Clinic: On Thursday, 9 May selected U7 & U8 hockey girls will participate in a hockey clinic at Kingswood College. Girls involved will receive a notice. We are certain this will be a fun learning experience for all.
Derby Day at Erica Primary: On Saturday, 11 May our netball and hockey teams will be travelling to Erica Primary in Gqeberha to participate in their Derby Day.
The fixtures will be as follows:
Hockey
| Field A | Field B | |||||
| 8:30 | U13A Erica vs Priory | |||||
| 9:10 | u13B Erica vs VP | U13C Erica vs Priory | ||||
| 9:50 | U13A Priory vs VP | U13D Erica vs VP | ||||
| 10:30 | U13B Erica vs Priory | U13C Priory vs VP | ||||
| 11:10 | U13A Erica vs VP | |||||
| 11:50 | U13B Priory vs VP | U13C Erica vs VP | ||||
| Astro 1 | Astro 2 | |||||
| 9:00 | u9B Priory vs VP | u10C Erica vs VP | ||||
| 9:30 | u9A Erica vs Priory | u10A Priory vs VP | ||||
| 10:00 | u9B Eriva vs VP | u10B Erica vs Priory | ||||
| 10:30 | u9A Erica vs VP | u10A Erica vs VP | ||||
| 11:00 | u9B Erica vs VP | u10B Priory vs VP | ||||
| 11:30 | u9A Priory vs VP | u10A Erica vs Priory | ||||
| 12:00 | u10B Erica vs VP | |||||
Netball
| Court A | Court B | |
| 9:00 | u10B Erica vs VP | u13A Erica vs VP |
| 9:30 | u9A Erica vs VP | u11A Erica vs VP |
| 10:00 | u10A Erica vs VP | u12A Erica vs VP |
| 10:30 | u9B Erica vs VP | u11B Erica vs VP |
Swimming news: We’ve received the schools’ results from the Level 1 gala which took place on the 2nd March. VP came 7th out of a total of 14 schools – a wonderful achievement!
Slipper Day – 31 May
If you would like to wear slippers at school AND support a good cause, please remember to support our efforts to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day. Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 31 May! Please buy these in advance from Mrs Mgogo. If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream, an organization that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses.
Birthday wishes
We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday for next week: Mrs Wilhelmi, Mrs Kruger, Milisuthando Nkayi, Inomusa Tauzen, Luna Copteros, Lunje Giyose, Zoe Green, Anopa-Nyasha Thondhlana and Ithandile Hilta. We hope you have a very happy day!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
Upcoming events
| Sat.
04/05 |
Lorraine U13 Sports Festival @Lorraine Primary, Gqeberha |
| Mon. 06/04 | · Winter uniform
· Grade 4F assembly @10:15 |
| Wed.
08/05 |
3rd& 4th hockey team vs St Mary’s @VP 14:30 |
| Thurs.
09/05 |
U7&U8 Hockey clinic @KC |
| Fri. 10/05 | Grade 7 Creative Arts workshop 14:00-16:30
Chamber Choir cancelled |
| Sat.
11/05 |
Derby Day @Erica Primary, Gqeberha |
| Mon.
13/05 – Fri. 24/05 |
Gr 4-7 academic day ends at 13:00.
Extramurals are from 13:00-14:00. |
| Fri.
31/05 |
Slipper Day |
Exam TImetable
| Date | Exams |
| Thursday,
16 May |
Grade 4-7:
· SS Geography · Art |
| Friday,
17 May |
Grade 4-7: – Afr/Xhosa (FAL) Language and Comprehension
Grade 7: Technology Grade 4-6: Life Skills |
| Monday,
20 May |
Grade 4-7:
· Maths Paper 1 · English Language and Comprehension |
| Tuesday,
21 May |
Grade 4-7: Maths Paper 2
Grade 7: Life Orientation |
| Wednesday, 22 May | Grade 4-7: Natural Sciences
Grade 7: LSPA Practical |
| Thursday,
23 May |
Grade 4-7: SS History
Grade 7: LSPA theory |
| Friday,
24 May |
Grade 7: EMS |