Newsletter 6 March 2026
Message from the office
At lines this week the teachers have been talking to the girls about having strong minds which is part of our motto this year. Developing a strong mind is something that we can nurture and develop in our girls. Although the concept of a strong mind can encapsulate many concepts such a growth mindset, positivity, resilience and a positive self-esteem amongst others, it is about skilling our daughters to not only face what life throws at us, but the ability to thrive through it all.
Here are 10 ways you can set your daughter up to feel capable, brave and have the courage to overcome any obstacles. (https://childmind.org/article/12-tips-raising-confident-kids/)
Model confidence yourself
Even if you’re not quite feeling it! Seeing you tackle new tasks with optimism and lots of preparation sets a good example for your daughters.
- Don’t get upset about mistakes
Help our girls to see that everyone makes mistakes and the important thing is to learn from them, not dwell on them.
- Encourage them to try new things
Attaining new skills makes one feel capable and confident that they can tackle whatever comes their way. Helping her to discover her own interests can develop a sense of identity, which is essential to building confidence.
- Allow your daughter to fail
It’s natural to want to protect your child from failure, but trial and error is how children learn, and falling short on a goal helps them to find out that it’s not fatal.
- Praise perseverance
Confidence and self-esteem are not about succeeding at everything all the time, they’re about being resilient enough to keep trying, and not being distressed if you’re not the best.
- Set goals
Help your child turn desires and dreams into actionable goals by encouraging them to make a list of things they’d like to accomplish. Then, practice breaking down longer-term goals into realistic benchmarks.
- Celebrate effort
Praising your daughter for her accomplishments is great, but it’s also important to let her know you’re proud of her efforts regardless of the outcome.
- Expect her to pitch in
They might complain, but children feel more connected and valued when they’re counted on to do age-appropriate jobs, from picking up toys to doing dishes.
- Embrace imperfection
It is important for our girls to get the message that perfection is unrealistic, remind them that being less than perfect is human and totally okay.
- Show your love
Let your children know you love them no matter what. Making sure a child knows that you think they’re great – and not just when they do great things – will bolster their self-worth even when they’re not feeling good about themselves.
Worker of the Week
Well done to Amy Mlambo who is WOW this week for her excellent work in Natural Sciences. Keep up the good work!
Easter Egg Raffle
We hope that tickets sales for our Easter raffle are going well. We are grateful for all the donations of Easter Eggs that have come in already – please continue to donate.
Assembly
On Monday, 9 March Grade 5M will present the assembly. Parents are welcome to attend. Assembly starts at 10:15
Extramural information
Please note that due to a Staff Development meeting there will be no extramurals for Grade 4-7 on Wednesday, 11 March.
Colour Splash Gala
Our Colour Splash Gala will be held on Thursday, 12 March from 14:00 -15:30. Please note that it is compulsory for all girls in Grade 4 – 7 to attend the entire duration of the gala. All other extramurals are cancelled. FP Sport will continue as usual.
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 15:30.
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. They will change into their costumes at second break. Swimming caps and towels are essential for girls participating in the gala, please also ensure that your daughter has a black speedo costume, which is the correct size and that the material is not perished.
Interhouse Gala
Our Interhouse Gala will be held on Friday, 13 March from 13:00 -15:30
Please note that it is be compulsory for all girls in Grade 3 – 7 to attend the entire duration of the gala. All other extramurals are cancelled.
Gr 1-2s must be collected from the Huntley Street gate at 13:00. Parents are welcome to attend the gala and must please enter through the Beaufort Street gate.
All Grade 3-7 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 (if not a team swimmer) which is the correct size and that the material is not perished. The VPV will be running a tuckshop at the gala.
Please note that only selected swimmers will swim in the Interhouse gala.
Interdistricts Gala
Selected girls swam in the Interdistricts gala on Thursday, representing the Sarah Baartman District. They all achieved a top three result! Isla Orsmond came first in breaststroke, Rose Jordaan came first in breaststroke and Naima Ntsepo came second in freestyle and third in breastroke. Well done!
Netball
Today & Saturday, 6&7 March the U13B netball team will take part in the Frans Erasmus Netball Festival at PJ Olivier. The fixtures are below.
FRIDAY (Court A)
13:50 – VP vs George Dickerson
15:10 – VP vs Good Shepherd
SATURDAY (Court A)
8:00 – VP vs PJ
9:20 – VP vs Grahamstown Primary
13:40 – VP vs Kenton-On-Sea
14:20 – Oatlands
Good luck, girls!
U12 & U13 Makana Netball trials Congratulations to the U12 and U13 girls who have been selected to represent VP at the Makana Netball Trials.
U12
Lidwala Matamo
Riekie Mabaso
Zenkosi Mati
Kungazo Mathanga
U13
Siphesihle Chrisjan
Angawo Zono
Silubonile Royi
Uncumolwam Mqombothi
Oyintando Nkatazo
The U13 trials will take place on Tuesday, 10 March at VGHS from 14h30 and the U12 trials on Wednesday, 11 March at PJ Olivier from 14h30. Good luck, girls!
Lorraine Hockey/Netball Festival
We would like to wish the U13A hockey and netball teams good luck as they participate in the Lorraine Winter Sports Festival, today and tomorrow. Travel safely and play well, girls.
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: Monday, 9 March @13:00.
Grade 2: Tuesday, 10 March at 13:00.
Grade 1: Wednesday, 11 March at 13:00
Please enter through the Beaufort Street office entrance.
Mini Maestros
Please note that the deadline for entries and payment is Friday, 13 March.
Rehearsals: Please note important dates for our production of Alice in Wonderland.
7 March (Scene 1-10) 09:00-13:00
14 March – Full Dress Rehearsal 09:00-13:00
20 March (Morning – Cushion Show)
21 March Rehearsal TBC
24 March (School’s Cushion show)
24 March (Evening show) 18:00
25 March (Evening show) 18:00
26 March (Evening show) 18:00
Alice in Wonderland ticket sales
Please note that ticket sales for Alice in Wonderland will go on sale from next week Friday, 13 March from the school office.
Donation
We are requesting donations of empty, clean tins for our Grade 00s.
Birthday wishes
Happy birthday to the following staff member and girls who celebrated this week: Mrs Tata, Olumiyo Koliti, Halle Orsmond, Anna Malamis Michaela Swanepoel, Kefilwe Racoco, Mvelo-Entle Ntlanjeni, Ubulumko Dunywa, Lilitha Kulati, Sinqobile Mbeyane, Ndalo Mvula, and Ziviwe Mteto.
We hope you had a very special birthday!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
| Dates to remember | |
| Fri. 6 March | · Lorraine Primary U13A Netball & Hockey Tournament @Gqeberha
· Frans Erasmus U13B Netball team participate in Frans Erasmus tournament @PJ |
| Sat. 7 March | · Alice in Wonderland rehearsal (Scene 1-10) 09:00-13:00
· Lorraine Tournament @Lorraine Primary, Gqeberha · Frans Erasmus Tournament @PJ |
| Mon. 9 March | · Grade 5M assembly @10:15.
· Grade 3 Open swimming lesson @13:00 |
| Tues. 10 March | · Grade 2 Open swimming lesson @13:00
· U13 Makana netball trials, VGHS @14:00 |
| Wed. 11 March | · Grade 1 Open swimming lesson @13:00
· U12 Makana netball trials, PJ @13:30 · Grade 4-7: NO EXTRAMURALS |
| Thurs. 12 March | · Colour Splash Gala @14:00-15:30 Compulsory for Grade 4-7. No other extramurals for Gr 4-7. |
| Fri. 13 March | · Interhouse Gala @13:00-15:30. Compulsory for all Gr 3-7s. No other extramurals. |
| Sat. 14 March | · 14 March – Full Dress Rehearsal 09:00-13:00 |