Message from the office
I was so immensely proud of our interhouse and best speakers competitors, not because we won both categories (okay a little because of that) but mostly because of how incredibly poised and confident our girls were when presenting themselves. They truly were wonderful ambassadors for our school. They also displayed wonderful camaraderie and support for each other, they were engaging with those around them, and also added in some delightful humour. I was so proud.
What can we do to ensure that our daughters grow to be self-assured young women who are accepting of themselves and present themselves confidently? I love this advice from
https://www.myparenttoolkit.com/blog/raising-confident-girls
- Show her you notice and are listening
If we are our daughters’ number one role models (at least in their earlier years), then we need to ensure that we have a strong, positive relationship with them. They need to feel they can trust us, that we are reliable and they can come to us WHENEVER. And that when they do come to us, we take the time to notice them and truly listen to what they have to say.That sends them the message that they are important and that what they have to say matters.
- Don’t try to fix her problems
Our daughters often are looking for their feelings to be validated. In these situations, it’s our role to help them understand their emotions and help them learn how to process and manage them. Sometimes they don’t need any particular reaction, comment or advice. They just want to get it out and have an audience. It might be processing something that has happened, processing a thought or an emotion or just wanting to share a story.
If she asks, help her brainstorm solutions. If talking about friendships or social issues, offer to help role-play difficult situations. If she can practice talking and asserting herself with you at home, she will feel more confident doing so in front of her peers.
- Encourage a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is a belief that your capabilities and talents can be developed through practice and effort. Children with a growth mindset believe that by trying, they can improve and achieve. Such children display qualities such as measured risk-taking and perseverance.They embrace challenges. Rather than internalise and personalise mistakes, they learn from them and try differently the next time.
Having a growth mindset leads to higher self-esteem, which is a core belief about your own value, your strengths and weaknesses. A strong self-esteem stems primarily from parental involvement in childhood that approves, acknowledges and accepts the child for who they are, their efforts and strategies.
- Mama, model a healthy self-esteem
It starts with you. You need to believe you are good enough. That you are a strong, intelligent, capable, loving, kind, compassionate, beautiful woman. Your words and body language scream out how you feel about yourself.
Look after yourself. Stay active, physically strong to show you respect your body and health.
- Discourage Comparison
Help your daughter feel unique. Don’t compare her to others. Notice her for who she IS, not who you expect her to be.
Tell her that you believe in her. Just. As. She. Is. She needs to receive that message repeatedly from you.
Building confidence in your daughter isn’t a linear path. Your daughter is her beautiful, unique self and her path to figuring out who she is and what she stands for will be her own individual journey. You are there to guide her. To give her that unconditional love and approval that tells her that she’s okay. That you’re there for her no matter what. That she is loved no matter what.
“I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and confidently themselves, who bring light into the world.” – Meryl Streep
We wish our girls all the best for interhouse athletics today. Run well, girls! Thank you to our parents for their support.
Worker/s of the Week
Well done to Caitlin Bodill, Madison Conroy, Zoë Butters, Leah Doyle and Tessanne Arries who will share the Worker of the Week this week for their group project on dance in LSPA (Ballet). Good job, girls!
Personality of the Week
Congratulations to Oyi Sinam for being our POW this week for her Positive Attitude. Keep it up, Oyi.
Merit Achievers
Well done to Silubonile Royi and Riekie Mabaso who have received over 250 merits so far this year.
Mathematics Challenge
It is our pleasure to congratulate Anna Malamis in Grade 4 and Makatendeka Chakona in Grade 6, on obtaining bronze certificates in the second round of the 2025 South African Mathematics Challenge. Well done, girls!
Eastern Cape Chess
We are proud to announce that Ella Radovic, Alibongwe Mthembu, Bridget Akpeng, and Lusenathi Ntoyanto will be representing us at the Eastern Cape Chess Championships in Gqeberha on 6-7 September.
It’s going to be a challenging two days filled with brainpower, strategy, and focus – and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and hard work. No matter the outcome, participating in this prestigious competition is already a remarkable achievement. We wish them all the very best for an exciting and rewarding tournament!
Cross Country
Congratulations to Lunje Manzana who represented Sarah Baartman in Port St Johns on Saturday, 30 August. The competition was tough but she finished strong. We are proud of you, Lunje!
Grade 6&7 Social
Our much anticipated Grade 6 and 7 VP/Graeme Social is set to happen tonight Friday, 5 September at Graeme College. The event starts at 18:00 and ends at 20:55. Your daughter must be fetched promptly at 21:00. Please enter through the top main gate and exit through the hostel bottom gate in Templeton Drive. There is a R20 entrance fee and a tuckshop will be available.
A reminder that cellphones are not permitted. Please ensure that your daughter is dressed appropriately.
We are certain that this will bring much excitement in your home and we hope for it to be a fun-filled and memorable evening for your daughter.
MUSIC
Save the date
The Junior, Senior and Chamber choirs will perform at a concert on Monday, 29 September at 17:30. The programme will include the Herbert Hurd choir, which will be on tour.
Reminder
Parent musicians (string and woodwind) are encouraged to join us for the Carol Service on Thursday, 20 November. If you are interested, or if you would like to know more, please contact Dr. Wynne at d.wynne@victoriaprimary.co.za
SGB AGM
A reminder that we will be having the School Governing Body, Annual General Meeting on Monday, 22 September at 14:00 in the Glennie Hall. The 2026 Budget will be available at the school office for viewing as from Monday, 8 September 2025.
Trolley Dash
Please encourage your daughter to sell her Trolley Dash tickets. The booklets and money must please be returned to school by Monday, 15 September. If your family have already sold one booklet your daughter is welcome to collect more booklets to sell from her class teacher. Five lucky finalists will be drawn on Wednesday, 17 September; four will receive a Pick ‘n Pay voucher and one lucky winner stands a chance to win a 90 seconds Trolley Dash at Pick ‘n Pay on Monday, 22 September at 18:00. This is always such an exciting fundraiser. Please sell to all your family and friends.
Athletics programme Grade 3-7
The girls who are selected for the Athletics Triangular will receive their letters and a programme on Monday.
The rest of the girls are expected to do fitness on their specific days as listed below. Chess, Library, Reading, Art Club, Interventions, Chamber Choir and Orchestra will carry on as usual.
| Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs |
| No Sport | U10/U11/U12/U13
High Jump 14:15-15:00 KC/ Coetzee/ Daniels U10/U11/U12/U13 Long Jump 15:00-15:45 Sauls/ Vongo/ Siyazi Team Tennis 14:00-15:30 |
U9/U10/U11/U12/U13
Cricket Ball 14:15-15:00 Goodes/ Mgogo/ Ntabeni U12/U13 Shotput 14:15-14:45 Christian U9/U10/U11/U12/U13 Long distance running with Mrs Rafferty @ Rhodes 15:00-16:00 |
U9/U10/U11/U12/U13
14:15-15:00 Relay teams Britz-Nel/ Christian/ Le Roux U10/U11 Running Mc Namara 14:15-15:15 Team Tennis 14:00-15:00 Open Tennis 15h00-16h00 |
| Fitness
Grade 4- 5 Stirk/De Klerk/ Du Plooy |
Fitness
Grade 6 Songongo/ De Klerk/ Stirk |
Fitness
Grade 7 Kruger/ Du Plooy/ Siyazi |
Birthday wishes
We wish the following girls a very happy birthday for this week: Zamaleta Ngesi, Naima Ntsepo, Tawana-Nyasha Thondlana, Ukum Pikoli, Lakhe Jubase, Grace Ruwanza, Ophilayo Same and Lulo Adam. We hope you have a lovely day!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
Upcoming events
| Fri 5/09 | Interhouse Athletics @Rhodes track (all Gr. 3-7s)
No extramurals Grade 6&7 Social @GC |