Message from the office
I would like to thank everyone who was involved in our Founders’ Day celebrations. We had such a wonderful time
celebrating and participating in all the activities that were so lovingly prepared by our dedicated teachers. I am sure your girls came home very excited about their eventful day, last week.
I noted this in an article and it certainly rang true for our celebrations on Friday and echoes our theme of ‘You Belong!’ so beautifully:
Celebrations bring people together. They foster community pride and contribute to the beliefs and feelings of belongingness and togetherness. Thus, celebrations are a significant time for children to connect with extended families, neighbours, and community members. Children learn the importance of unity and solidarity when they actively participate and contribute to making the celebration successful. Ergo, they start believing in the power of existing as a unified bunch and understand the significance of sharing and bonding. (https://kidsinfinitelearning.com/importance-of-festivals-in-childrens-lives/)
Worker of the Week
Well done to Emihle Vongo who created her very own sentences for the first time. Clever girl!
Personality/ies of the Week
Congratulations to our three recipients of POW this week. Well done to Nakhane Klei for Caring for our Environment, Alunamda Yapi for Honesty and Asali Dude for Bravery. We are so proud of all three of you!
Merit Achievers
Well done to Makatendeka Chakona who has already received over 250 merits this year. Keep it up, Maka!
Grade 6G assembly
On Monday, 10 March, Grade 6G will be presenting their assembly. Parents are most welcome to join us. The assembly starts at 10:15.
75th Recipe Book
Thank you for the lovely recipes we have received already. Please don’t forget to send your family’s favourite so that it can feature in this special VP recipe book. Closing date is Friday, 14 March.
Easter Egg Hamper
Please donate Easter Eggs for our hampers that will be raffled off in time for the winners to have a very chocolaty Easter.
Cake Raffle
The Culture and Music Committee members are selling raffle tickets for R5, and there are three cakes to be won. All proceeds will go towards their fund-raising project, which aims to start a marimba band at VP. The draw will take place on Friday, 14 March.
Mulan Rehearsals
Saturday 8 March 2025
08:00 – 08:45 – Warm ups
08:45 – 10:30 – Run Through
10:30 -11:30 – Break
11:30 – 13:00 – Run Through
Please use the Beaufort Street gate for the drop off and pick up.
Next week Mulan rehearsals are as follows:
Monday, 10 March:(15:00 – 16:30)
Scene 1-6
Tuesday, 11 March: (15:00 – 16:30)
Scene 7-12
Wednesday, 12 March: (16:00 – 16:30) Scene 1-6
Thursday, 13 March: (15:00 – 16:30) Scene 7-12
Friday, 14 March: (14:30-15:30)
Full Rehearsals
Saturday, 15 March: (08:00 – 13:00)
Full cast and Musicians
Progress Concert
All our beginners and Initial-level musicians will perform at the annual Progress Concert, which will take place in the orchestra room on Tuesday, 18 March at 14:15. Parents are welcome to attend in support of our budding performers.
Mini Maestros
We are pleased to announce that the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT) has once again organised a Makhanda chapter of the annual Mini Maestros Competition, on 16 May. Eligible pupils received their letters last week. Please ensure that reply slips are completed and returned to the music teachers by Friday 14 March.
Chess
The second set of chess trials will take place on 15 March at PJ Olivier. Good luck, girls!
Winter sports trials
Please note that the winter sports trials will start on Monday, 10 March and run until the 19 March. An updated extramural programme accompanied the printed newsletter, please discuss winter sports with your daughter and update collection times from school, accordingly. Orchestra and Choir practices will continue as usual. All other extramurals are discontinued.
All girls Grade 4-7 must participate in either netball or hockey practices. U10 & U11 age groups can do both netball and hockey; U12-U14 must choose netball or hockey as their winter sport.
Please note that there will be no Orange Dot tennis practice on Monday due to the winter trials.
FP Open Swimming Lesson
Foundation Phase Parents are invited to join us to see what the girls are learning at swimming and marvel at how much progress they have made!
Grade 3 – join us on Monday, 10 March at 13:00.
Grade 2 – join us on Tuesday, 11 March at 13:00.
Grade 1 – join us on Wednesday, 12 March at 13:00
Please enter through the Beaufort Street office entrance.
Interdistricts Gala
Congratulations to Lilani Wolmarans and Isla Orsmond who represented Sarah Baartman at the Interdistricts gala on Wednesday. Isla came first in the breaststroke (new record) and second in backstroke. Lilani came first in freestyle and second in backstroke. Well done girls and thank you for flying the VP flag high!
Top 8 Gala
Teia van Rooyen, Lilani Wolmarans and Isla Orsmond have made it into the Top 8 Gala in Gqeberha which is taking place on Wednesday evening, 12 March. Well done, girls! Swim well!
Level 1 Gala
The Level 1 Gala will happen in Gqeberha on Saturday 15 March. Teia van Rooyen, Halle Orsmond, Isla Orsmond, Lilani Wolmarans and Libby Everton are all taking part. Swim well, girls!
Lorraine Festival
The U13A hockey and netball girls will be travelling to Gqeberha for the Lorraine Festival on Friday, 14 March. This is a wonderful start to the winter season. We are certain you will learn a lot. Have fun, girls!
Frans Erasmus Tournament
Our U13B netball team will take part in the Frans Erasmus Tournament on the 14th and 15th of March. We wish them all the best!
Colour Splash Gala
Our Colour Splash Gala will be held on Wednesday, 19 March from 13:00 -15:00. Please note that it is compulsory for all girls in Grade 4 – 7 to attend the entire duration of the gala.
Parents are welcome to attend and must please enter through the Beaufort Street gate. All girls can be collected from the Beaufort Street office gate at 15:00.
Grade 4-7 girls are required to come to school dressed in their house shirts, black shorts and takkies or VP flip flops for the day. Swimming caps and towels are essential for girls participating in the gala, please also ensure that she has a black speedo costume, which is the correct size and that the material is not perished.
We will be running a tuckshop at the gala.
Conquesta 2025
Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2025, entry forms are available from Mrs Sauls or the front office. Conquesta is only open to Grades 4-6. Please complete the entry
form and return it to school in an envelope, marked “Conquesta” with the relevant entry fee and your child’s name and class. Closing date for entries is 9 April.
Lost Property
Please ensure that all clothing and sports items are labelled so that lost items can be returned. We currently have a large amount of unclaimed lost property. Parents who wish to check the lost property will be assisted by office staff to do so, but please encourage your daughter to check herself in an effort to help her take responsibility for her belongings.
Birthday wishes
We wish the following staff and girls who celebrate their birthday this week a very happy birthday: Mr Wynne, Anna Malamis, Michaela Swanepoel, Kgotlelelo Thathe, Ubulumko Dunywa, Mvelo-Entle Ntlanjeni, Kefilwe Racoco, Lilitha Kulati, Sinqobile Mbeyane, Ndalo Mvula, Ziviwe Mteto, Mila Nongubo, Leane Boucher and Asante Tetani. Have a lovely day!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
UPCOMING EVENTS
| Friday
7/03 |
· Interhouse Gala 13:00-15:00 |
| Saturday
8/03 |
· Mulan rehearsal 08:00-13:00 |
| Monday
10/03 |
· Assembly 6G @10:15
· Grade 3 Open Swimming Lesson |
| Tuesday
11/03 |
· Grade 2 Open Swimming Lesson |
| Wednesday
12/03 |
· Grade 1 Open Swimming Lesson
· Top 8 Gala in Gqeberha |
| Friday
14/03 |
· Lorraine U13 Hockey & Netball Festival (U13A)
· Frans Erasmus tournament at PJ Olivier (U13B netball) · Cake raffle draw · Grade 7 Committee meetings |
| Saturday
15/03 |
· Lorraine U13 Hockey & Netball Festival
· Frans Erasmus tournament at PJ Olivier (U13B netball) · Chess trials at PJ Olivier · Level One Gala in Gqeberha |
| Sunday 16/03 | · Mini Maestros Competition |
| Tuesday
18/03 |
· Progress concert |
| Wednesday 19/03 | · Colour Splash Gala
Grade 4-7 13:00-15:00 |