Message from the office
Finances are never a pleasant topic of discussion, but they are always a necessary one. Having recently completed the 2026 budget, we are deeply concerned about the amount of outstanding school fees and the growing number of bad debts.
There also seems to be a misconception that, when parents do not pay their fees, the Department of Education covers the shortfall. This is far from the truth. At present, our school receives just R203 per child per year (Grade 1-7 only) and currently only 12 of our 26 teachers are paid by the Department of Education. Beyond this allocation, the school relies entirely on school fees to maintain the high standard of education and facilities that Victoria Primary is known for.
School fees are due monthly, termly, or in full at the beginning of the year, and they must be fully paid by 7 November 2025. Unfortunately, a number of parents are in arrears and are then surprised when further action is taken to recover the outstanding amounts. We ask these parents to reflect: who do you expect to pay for your child’s education if not you?
Victoria Primary is a school of choice because of its smaller classes, excellent extramural programme, and well-maintained campus. However, we cannot sustain this without fees being paid. Without fee income, we will not be able to afford SGB-paid teachers, and classes of 37- 40 children per class will become unavoidable. Every parent who enrols their child at VP signs a contract acknowledging that this is a fee-paying school and commits to paying those fees. Yet, too often, other expenses and luxuries are prioritised above a child’s education.
In addition, the PTA works hard to raise funds for projects that fall outside the school fee budget. In recent years, PTA fundraising has provided rain tanks, an inverter and solar panels, and the creative space – all of which benefit every child. These initiatives are only possible when parents support them. At present, our Trolley Dash fundraiser is underway. We ask that each family sells at least one booklet. This is a small amount of effort with a big impact. (Please remember that all booklets and payments are due on Monday).
We appeal to all parents to honour their commitments and support both the school fee structure and PTA initiatives. Together, we can ensure that Victoria Primary remains the special place it is for every child.
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 has been available at the school office for viewing since Monday, 8 September 2025.
Worker of the Week
Well done to Kaya Jones for her lovely work in isiXhosa. Keep up the good work, Kaya!
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Congratulation to Mary-Kate Ferbruarie and Kazlin de Maar who participated in the Eastern Cape District Rhythmic Gymnastics trials on Saturday, 30 August. Mary-Kate received an overall 6th place and Kazlin an overall 2nd placing. They both received their district colours in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Well done, Kazlin and Mary-Kate!
Highland Dancing
On Saturday, 6 September, Libby Everton competed in the 92nd South African Highland Dancing Championship in Gauteng. She received three bronze ribbons and two fourths. In addition, the studio she dances for won the award as the second-best studio at the competition. Well done, Libby!
Grade 7 Outing
On Friday, 19 September, our Grade 7 girls will enjoy a special outing to Boknes at the coast, where they will participate in an educational walk to Dias Cross.
This outing provides a wonderful opportunity for the girls to be active, appreciate the outdoors, and strengthen friendships in a fun and healthy setting.
Parents are kindly reminded to ensure that the girls bring a sun hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and their own packed lunch for the day. Comfortable walking shoes are also highly recommended. Learners should be picked up promptly at 16:00 from the Pre-primary gate.
Music
We are thrilled to be hosting the ABRSM examiner next week, and we wish our musicians the best of luck for their exams. As part of their tour of our region, the examiner would like to engage with music teachers, parents and learners to discuss the ABRSM exams and answer our questions in an informal setting. Please feel free to join us for this discussion, which will take place in the school hall on Monday afternoon, 15 September at 16:00.
Interhouse Athletics 2025
Congratulations to our girls on a wonderful interhouse athletics day and a special thanks to Ms Britz-Nel for organising the event. Thank you to the many parents who supported us on the day.
A special mention to our Fern relay team who broke the U11 relay record consisting of Nalu Mfiki, Lunathi Makasi, Phumelela Nikelo and Emihle Kulati
Well done to the winners of the various events:
Ladder Relay
- Aloe First 1:44:17
4 x 100 Relay
- U9 Arum 1:19:41
- U10 Arum 1:11:13
- U11 Fern 1:06:80
- U12 Disa 1:07:17
- U13 Fern 1:05:31
80m
- U9 Amahle Mchunu 15:11
- U10 Alunamida Jakavula t 14:13
- U11 Nalu Mfiki 13:35
- U12 Bridget Akpeng 14:14
100m
- U9 Ndalo Mvula 18.691
- U10 Taylynne Thomas 17.76
- U11 Nalu Mfiki 16:25
- U12 Lunje Manzana 16:58
- U13 Micarlin Daniels 16:96
150m
- U9 Amahle Mchunu 25:10
- U10 Alunamida Jakavula 23:21
- U11 Nalu Mfiki 22:26
200m
- U12 Lunje Manzana 32:47
- U13 Micarlin Daniels 31.26
- U14 Iviwe Masoma 39:76
400m
- U9 Amahle Mchunu 1:25:88
- U10 Oluhle Mpati 1:22:89
- U11 Nalu Mfiki 1:23:64
- U12 Lunje Manzana 1:17:50
- U13 Micarlin Daniels 1:18:29
- U14 Oyintando Sinam 2:03:14
800m
- U10 Mivuyo Santi 3:16:55
- U11 Nalu Mfiki First 3:11:35
- U12 Siarra Appollis 3:01:41
- U13 Micarlin Daniels 3:03:54
- U14 Zazi Gqamana 4:04:24
1200 m
- U10 Oluhle Mpati 5:09:21
- U11 Nalu Mfiki 5:16:35
1500m
- U12 Esona Makabe 6:19:01
- U13 Anathi Mbandlakazi 6:38:07
- U14 Zazi Gqamana 9:09:03
Individual Awards:
Top Points Achievers:
- U9 Amahle Mchunu
- U10 Taylynne Thomas
- U11 Nalu Mfiki
- U12 Lunje Manzana
- U13 Micarlin Daniels
- U14 Zazi Gqamana
Best Track Athlete
- U9 Amahle Mchunu
- U10 Alunamida Jakavula
- U11 Nalu Mfiki
- U12 Lunje Manzana
- U13 Micarlin Daniels
- U14 Zazi Gqamana
Best Field Athletes
- U9 Amahle Mchunu
- U10 Taylynne Thomas
- U11 Emihle Kulati
- U12 Lunje Manzana
- U13 Kayleah Evans
- U14 Zazi Gqamana
Trophies
Victrix Ludorum
- U9 Amahle Mchunu
- Junior: Nalu Mfiki
- Senior: Lunje Manzana
- Best Overall Field Athlete:
Amahla Mchunu and Emihle Kulati
- Best Overall Track Athlete:
Nalu Mfiki
- Most Courageous Athlete: Annabelle Olivier
Interhouse Athletics Positions
1st Fern
2nd Arum
3rd Aloe
4th Disa
Extramurals Grade 4-7
Please see the schedule for the next two weeks at the end of this newsletter. There will be no other extramurals.
Triangular Athletics
On Tuesday, 16 September VP will compete against DSG/Prep and Kingswood in our annual Triangular Athletics at Kingswood College. A reminder that the girls need to wear their match shirts, black short, short white socks and takkies under their school tracksuit.
The girls will be transported to Kingswood at 13:00 and the program will start at 14:00. Girls must please be collected from Kingswood at 16:00. The girls involved have received a letter.
Birthday wishes
We wish the following girls a very happy birthday for this week: Lolwethu Makana, Olothando Kanyiwe, Aleah Molefe, Iris Patel, Cayden Strauss, Ntandoyenkosi Tyelbooi, Waishe Magadza, Lisakhanya Mjoli and Hlalumi Mali. We hope you have a lovely day!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
Upcoming events
| Mon
15/09 |
Grade 4 assembly @10:15 |
| Tues
16/09 |
Athletics Triangular @KC at 14:00 |
| Fri
19/09 |
Grade 7 outing |
Extramural programme Grade 4-7 (15 September – 3 October)
| Monday 15 Sept | Tuesday 16 Sept | Wednesday 17 Sept | Thursday Sept | Friday 19 Sept |
| Chamber Choir
07:30-08:00 Team Swimming (selected girls) 14:00-14:30 Chess: 14h00 – 15h00 |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Trolley Dash Draw @ 1st Break Triangular Athletics 14:00-16:00 Team Tennis with Mr Thiart 14:00-15:30 (Triangular takes preference) |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Junior Choir 07:30-08:00 Team Swimming (selected girls) 14:00-14:30 Grade 5 Maths interventions 14:00-15:00 |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Junior Choir 07:30-08:00 Outreach committee Meeting. 14h00 to 15h00 |
Grade 7 Outing
Orchestra 13:00-14:00 No Chamber Choir(due to Gr7 outing) |
| Monday 22 Sept | Tuesday 23 Sept | Wednesday 24 Sept | Thursday 25 Sept | Friday 26 Sept |
| Chamber Choir
07:30-08:00 SGB AGM 14:00-15:00 Trolley Dash @ 18:00@ PnP |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Junior Choir 07.30-08:00 Detention 14:00-15:00 Team Tennis with Mr Thiart 14:00-15:30 Team Swimming (selected girls) 14:00-14:30 Chess: 14:00 to 15:00 |
Heritage Day/ Public Holiday | Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Junior Choir 7.30-08:00 Chamber Choir 14:00-14:45 Team Swimming (selected girls) 14:00-14:30 Grade 5 Maths Interventions 14:00 to 15:00 |
Orchestra
13:00-14:00 Chamber Choir 13:00-14:00 |
| Monday 29 Sept | Tuesday 30 Sept | Wednesday, 1 Oct | Thursday, 2 Oct | Friday, 3 Oct |
| Chamber Choir
07:30-08:00 Team Swimming (selected girls) 14:00-14:30 Chess research on Chromebooks. 14:00 to 14:30 (Bring earphones) |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Team Swimming (selected girls) 14:00-14:30 Chess research on Chromebooks. 14:00 to 14:30 (Bring earphones) |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Possible second SGB AGM if quorum is not met 14:00-15:00 Junior Choir 07:30-08:00 |
Senior Choir
07:15-07:45 Junior Choir 07:30-08:00 |
Academic Assembly 08:30
CAM Heritage Day Celebrations 09:30-11:30 Report handout to pupils.11:30-12:00 School Closes for holiday @ 12:00 |