Messgae from the office
We trust that you have all kept dry, warm and safe during these unprecedented rainfalls.
We were delighted with the turn out to our first Connect and Grow workshop held on the evening of Tuesday, 28 April. We thank the parents for attending and for the positive way in which the message from Mrs Kelly Long was received. She shared notes on her talk with our parents on the night and she has given me permission to share them in our newsletter.
The following was highlighted in her talk:
Remember as parents you still matter the most.
Even with school, home shapes your child’s confidence, habits, and attitude to learning.
*Small consistent actions make a big difference.
Why reading matters:
Children move from learning to read to reading to learn.
Reading affects:
- All subjects (including Maths)
- Understanding instructions
- Confidence in class
*Strong reading = strong learning
Three Types of Reading at Home:
- Homework Reading
Child reads- parent supports
- Be patient
- Encourage effort
- Help only when needed
*Struggle is part of learning
- Independent Reading
Books, comics, series
- Develops fluency and confidence
- Makes reading enjoyable
*Re-reading is helpful
- Reading Aloud
Parent reads – child listens (any age!)
- Builds vocabulary
- Improves understanding
- Strengthens connection
Some Guiding Ideas
Talk Builds Thinking
Ask Open questions:
- ‘Why do you think that?
- ‘What was the best part of your day?
*Conversation = better understanding
Encourage Thinking and Writing
- Write lists or notes
- Tell or write stories
- Explain answers out loud
Play Still Matters
- Board Games
- Sport
- Problem- Solving Games
*Builds focus, patience, thinking
Screens vs Reading
Too much screen time:
- Reduces attention
- Makes reading harder
*Aim for 10-15 minutes reading daily
Routine Helps
- Same homework time
- Same reading time
- Quiet calm space
- Routine builds habits
Remember
- Connection before Correction
- Little and often
- Talk, play, read every day
- Let your child do the work
- Start Small: What is one thing you can start today?
Final Thought: Your involvement is what matters most.
We wish all our special mommies and mother figures to our girls, a blessed Mothers’ Day on Sunday. May you be spoilt and made to feel very special!
| Exam timetable | |
| Date | Exam |
| Monday,
25 May |
· Creative Writing (HL&FAL) (Grade 4-7) |
| Tuesday,
26 May |
· Creative Writing (HL&FAL) (Grade 4-7) |
| Wednesday, 27 May | · Language and Comprehension English (Grade 4&5)
· Language and Comprehension FAL (Grade 6&7) · Life Orientation (Grade 7) |
| Thursday, 28 May | · Language and Comprehension English (Grade 6&7)
· Language and Comprehension FAL (Grade 4&5) · Social Sciences Geography (Grade 4-7) |
| Friday,
29 May |
· Maths Paper 1 (Grade 4-7)
· Art (Grade 4-6) · LSPA (Grade 4-6) · Technology (Grade 7) |
| Monday,
1 June |
· Maths Paper 2 (Grade 4-7)
· EMS (Grade 7) |
| Tuesday,
2 June |
· Natural Sciences (Grade 4-7)
· LSPA Theory (Grade 7) |
| Wednesday, 3 June | · Social Sciences History (Grade 4-7)
· Art (Grade 7) |
| Thursday, 4 June | · Life Skills (Grade 4-6)
· LSPA Practical (Grade 7) |
Assembly
On Monday, 11 May Grade 4D will present their assembly. The assembly will start at 10:15. Parents are most welcome to join us.
Worker of the Week
Well done to Lilitha Kulati who is our WOW this week for her lovely weekend news.
Personality of the Week
A special congratulations to Arabella Appollis for always supporting at all of our school functions dressed neatly in her school uniform and being a wonderful VP ambassador.
Indlulamthi Badges
Congratulations to the following girls who were our first girls to receive their badges this year. Thank you for the example you set.
Grade 4 – Chloe Jeggels, Oyakuma Renene, Tehillah Dingani and Amahle Mchunu
Grade 5 – Nakhane Klei, Anania Vutha and Chenelle Musawrurwa
Grade 7 – Amila Ndandani and Iminqweno Qalani
Honours – Haset Sintayehu, Owekhethelo Gongqa and Maham Rizvi.
Sportsmanship Trophy
Congratulations to Onwaba Hoyi and Amahle Mchunu for being super examples of sportsmanship and determination at our netball fixtures against Port Alfred. Keep it up, girls!
Bathurst Show Art Exhibition
Once again, we were very well represented at the exhibition this year. We are pleased to announce that the following girls received awards for their art:
- Gabriella Cervati – Gold Award for Grade 6 painting
- Ella Radovic – Silver Award for Grade 6 painting
- Makatendeka Chakona – Silver Award for Grade 6 painting
- Misha Potts – Gold Award for Grade 5 mixed media
Well done!
Merit Achievers
Well done to Uncumolwam Mqomboti, Abongile Mazitshana, Amila Ndandani, Ella Radovic, Izibele Dike, Mivuyo Santi, Kefilwe Racoco, Nazley Gabriel, Zenazi Gqeke, Tessanne Arries, Tehillah Dingani and Amahle Mchunu who have received over 250 merits this year. Keep it up, girls!
Gymnastics
Well done to the girls who participated in the Ready or Not Gymnastics competition on Saturday, 25 April. The girls received the following awards:
Ava Peters was awarded 6th place out of 11 girls on Level 2 and received 3 medals.
Ladine van Wyk received a 3rd place in Rope, 2nd place in Hoop and 2nd Overall in age category.
Avetandwa Wana was awarded bronze medals (3rd place) for Rope Dance, Hoop Dance and a Silver Medal for overall performance in her level.
Well done, girls.
Dance
On Saturday, 25 April Annabelle Olivier, Layla Eaton, Naima Ntsepo, Audrey Matanda, Kenzeigh Scear, Jade Thompson and Kuvimbanashe Chinomona took part in the South African Body of Dance, Eastern Cape Provincial Competition. In the category of Tap Dance Annabelle, Layla, Naime and Audrey performed a piece called Tapped in Love and brought home a gold! In the category of Contemporary Dance, Kenzeigh, Kuvie and Jade brought home a gold! Jade performed a solo in contemporary dance and got a silver!
Well done girls we are so proud of you!
Netball results:
On Wednesday, 29 April the U9 to U13 teams played against Good Shepherd. The results were as follows: U9B won 11–0, U9A won 6-2, U10B won 5-3, U10A lost 2-1, U11B drew 2-2, U11A lost 2-1, U12B won 12-0, U12A won 7-6, U13B won 10-2, U13A lost 9-4.
On Wednesday, 6 May we played matches against Kingswood College. The results were as follows:
U9A won 2-0, U10C lost 3-0, U10B won 7-3, U10A lost 1-0, U11C lost 4-0, U11B lost 5-1, U11A lost 1-0, U12B won 10-1, U12A drew 4-4, U13B won 4-3, U13A lost 8-5. Well done to all the players!
Hockey results vs PAH: U13A lost 2-1, U13B drew 0-0, U10A won 3-2, U9A won 5-0 and U9B drew 0-0.
Astroquiz
Please note that the Astroquiz has been postponed to the Tuesday, 19 May.
Science Expo
Best of luck to Makatendeka Chakona as she presents her NS project at the District School’s Expo at VGHS tomorrow. This is for selection to the regional Expo which will take place in August.
- Music
Music assessments: Music pupils are reminded that they will play their scales tests next week and their Term 2 assessments the week after. Keep practising, girls!
Mini Maestros: The Mini Maestros competition will take place on Friday 22 May, at the Kingswood College music school. Participants will receive a letter on Monday with further details.
SAC/DSG music festival: We are thrilled to be participating in this festival, which is a great opportunity for our girls to perform and to hear musicians from other schools. The following girls/groups will be involved: selected soloists, junior choir, senior choir, chamber choir, and orchestra. Please take note of the following dates. Further details are in the letter that was sent home yesterday.
- Solo categories: Monday, 18 May to Wednesday, 20 May (mornings only)
- Choir festival: Monday, 18 May (16:30)
- Orchestra festival: Tuesday, 19 May or Wednesday, 20 May (18:30) (To be confirmed).
- Gala concert: Thursday, 21 May (18:30) Soloists/groups selected from the week’s performances.
Tennis
Wishing our four tennis players – Halle and Isla Orsmond, Alexis Muller and Amahle Mchunu the very best for the Luden Cup this Sunday, 10 May. Play well girls and have fun!
U13 Makana Round Robin
Our U13A netball team will participate in the Round Robin on Monday, 11 May 2026 at PJ Olivier. Girls participating have received a letter. Play well, girls!
Netball vs DSG
On Thursday, 14 May our netball teams will play matches against DSG. The following teams will be participating: U10A/B, U11A/B, U12A/B/C and U13A/B/C/D. Girls will be transported to DSG from 13:45. Parents are kindly requested to ensure that girls are collected promptly from DSG after their matches. Girls must attend school in full winter uniform and change into their netball kit before leaving for the matches. Letters will be sent home on Monday. Match fixtures are as follows
| Court 1 | Court 2 | Court 3 | Court 4 | Court 5 | |
| 14:05 | U12A | U12C | U11A | U13D | U10B |
| 14:30 | U13A | U12B | U11B | U13C | U10A |
| 15:00 | U13B | U13D |
Let us know!
If your daughter does sports or activities outside of school and you would like her achievements to be recognized at assembly or the newsletter, please let us know via email admin@victoriaprimary.co.za and if she has received a cup or medal she can bring it to school and we will present it to her at assembly.
VP’s Got Talent
Entries are now open! A fee of R10 per person per act is required and must be submitted together with your application form. Forms can be collected from the office, Ms Knott-Craig or Dr Wynne, and all completed entries must be handed in to Ms Knott-Craig by Friday, 22 May. Each act should be between 1–2 minutes long. Auditions will take place during the week of 1–4 June from 13:00–14:00, with specific time slots allocated. All artworks must be submitted by the 8 June and will be entered in and displayed at the final show. The final show will be held on 18 June at 17:30.
Slipper Day – 29 May
Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 from Mrs Mgogo and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on Friday, 29 May! If they go to Wimpy on that day with their sticker they will also receive a free coffee or hot chocolate. 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 proceeds will go towards Reach for a Dream, an organisation that strives to fulfil the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses. Please support the Kind Club’s efforts to raise funds for the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day.
Bottle Tops for Wheelchairs!
Our Environmental and Aesthetics Committee is promoting the collection of plastic bottle tops for wheelchairs. Each class is encouraged to collect as many milk, juice and water bottle tops as possible. The collected bottle tops will be delivered to recyclers who sell the materials and donate funds to initiatives that provide wheelchairs to those in need. The class who manages to collect the most bottle tops by the end of May will win a prize.
Birthday wishes
Happy birthday to the following staff member and girls who celebrated this week week: Mrs Wilhelmi, Lulolodwa Siko, Ayomi Seyisi, Iyana Kolwane, Luhlelunje Ngoqo, Inomusa Tauzen, Anopa-Nyasha Thondhlana, Lunje Giyose, Zoe Green, Hlalumi Motshwene and Ithandile Hilta. We hope you had a very special birthday!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
Dates to Remember
| Sat. 9/05 | · Fixtures vs Gill College CANCELLED
· Science Expo @VGHS |
| Mon. 11/05 | · Assembly presented by Grade 4D @10:15. Parents welcome.
· U13 Makana Netball Round Robin@PJ · Mr Schmidt (VGHS) to meet with Grade 6s@13:00. Parents welcome. |
| Thurs. 14/05 | · Netball vs DSG – U10A/B, U11A/B, U12A/B/C and U13A/B/C/D.
· NO EXTRAMURALS GR 1-3 (finish school at 13:00) |
| Fri. 15/05 | Detention 13:00-14:00 |
| Sat. 16/05 | Hockey & netball vs Erica Primary in Gqeberha |
| Mon. 18/05 | · DSG/SAC Music Festival begins
· Music assessment week |