Message from the office
Welcome back to our third term. I hope you have had a wonderful break and enjoyed some quality time with your daughters. I also trust that you have managed to settle back into the rhythm of early mornings and lunch making!
One of our key aims this year has been to strengthen the connection between our school and our families. We have made a concerted effort to create opportunities for these meaningful interactions to take place.
On Thursday afternoon, we were delighted by the wonderful turnout of parents and girls who took the time to go through their exam papers together. The worksheet compiled by Ms Knott-Craig proved to be an excellent tool, guiding positive and constructive engagement. We sincerely thank all the parents who invested this time in connecting with their daughters and supporting their academic progress.
Looking ahead, our next major event is the VPV (Victoria Primary Village) Fête, which will take place on 12 September. We must admit that we were somewhat disheartened by the limited response from parents offering assistance. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. and indeed, to host a successful fête. We kindly urge you to consider how you might contribute. We will be sending out specific requests to each grade over the coming weeks, and we ask that every family supports this initiative in some way. It is simply not possible to run an event of this scale with only a small group of volunteers. The fête promises to be a wonderful morning of connection for our school families and the broader Makhanda community, while also serving as an important fundraiser.
We have also been incredibly fortunate to receive a generous donation of a portion of the old astroturf from the Rhodes Astro. Work has already begun on laying this turf on the old tennis courts between VGHS and VP. Great care has been taken to prepare and level the surface properly to ensure durability and longevity. These new spaces will provide valuable opportunities for our girls to experience astro surfaces, play mini hockey games, and can even be used for netball. In addition, sections of the turf will enhance our Pre-Primary playground and school quad.
This development will greatly benefit every VP child; however, it does come at a cost. Funds raised through the VPV will contribute directly to this initiative. We therefore appeal to every parent to play a part in helping us continue to create a beautiful and enriching environment for your daughters.
Staff news
We are very proud of Ms Christian who completed her Level 1 ASA CECS Athletics coaching course during the holidays and received her certificate. Well done, Gaylin!
Colouring competition
We are extremely proud of Leah Fox who was chosen from among many entries across the country as one of the two overall winners of the Oasis Water National Water Week Colouring Competition 2026! As one of the winning schools, we will receive a prize of R15 000, which we aim to put towards beautifying our library space. Well done, Leah!
Worker of the Week
Well done to our first WOW this term. Congratulations to Sibabalwe Mhlebi for her wonderful holiday news!!
Gymnastics
VP Gymnasts have been shining at competitions in the last couple of months. We would like to acknowledge their achievements and congratulate them all!
| 25 April GRG Competition | ||
| Name | Level | Results |
| Langa Mtakati | Fun Gym | Gold for Free Dance |
| Kelcey Coetzee | 1 | 5th for Free dance, 3rd for Ball, and 3rd Overall |
| Nkwenkwezi Mtakati | 1 | 6th for Free dance, 3rd for Ball, and 3rd Overall |
| McKenzie Pringle | 1 | 1st for Free dance, Ball, and Overall |
| Lukhololwam Sgam | 1 | 1st for Free dance, Ball, and Overall |
| Ladine Van Wyk | 2 | 3rd for Rope, 1st for Hoop, and 1st Overall |
| Ava Peters | 2 | 9th for Rope, 6th for Hoop, and 6th Overall |
| Avethandwa Mxo | 2 | 5th for Rope, 4th for Hoop, and 4th Overall |
| Avetandwa Wana | 2 | 3rd for Rope, Hoop, and Overall |
| Lulonke Silo | 3 | 1st for Clubs, Ribbon, and Overall |
| Laraa Andriantiana | 3 | 2nd for Clubs, 1st for Ribbon, and 1st Overall |
| Kazlin De Maar | 4 | 1st for Free dance and Rope |
| 23 May Ibhayi Competition | ||
| Name | Level | Results |
| Kelcey Coetzee | 1 | 8th for Free dance, 2nd for Ball, and 4th Overall |
| Ladine Van Wyk | 2 | 4th for Rope, 4th for Hoop, and 4th Overall |
| Lulu Qeqe | 2 | 10th for Rope, 8th for Hoop, and 10th Overall |
| Avetandwa Wana | 2 | 5th for Rope, Hoop, and Overall |
| Laraa Andriantiana | 3 | 1st for Clubs, Ribbon, and Overall |
| 20 June 1st Eastern Cape Competition | ||
| Name | Level | Results |
| McKenzie Pringle | 1 | 2nd for Free dance, 3rd for Ball, and 3rd Overall |
| Lulu Qeqe | 2 | 6th for Rope, 4th for Hoop, and 6th Overall |
| Mary-Kate Februarie | 2 | 3rd for Rope, 4th for Hoop, and 4th Overall |
| Avetandwa Wana | 2 | 5th for Rope, 6th for Hoop, and 6th Overall |
| Lulonke Silo | 3 | 1st for Clubs, 3rd for Ribbon, and 2nd Overall |
| Laraa Andriantiana | 3 | 1st for Clubs, Ribbon, and Overall |
Victoria in Concert:
The VP Junior Choir (Gr. 3), Senior Choir (Gr. 4-7), Chamber Choir and Orchestra will perform alongside the VGHS ensembles on Thursday, 30 July at 17:30pm at the Glennie Hall at VP. This is an exciting collaboration between our two music departments, and we look forward to a wonderful celebration of music. Please ensure that your daughter arrives at 17:00 and is dressed in her winter uniform (blazer, jersey, skirt and navy socks/stockings). No slacks may be worn. We anticipate that the concert will end at approximately 19:00.
Tickets cost R20 and are available from the school office. We have partnered with Child Welfare, who will receive a portion of the proceeds and we will also be collecting second-hand children’s clothing, so please consider bringing some to donate to this worthy cause.
Interhouse Hockey and Netball (Grade 4-7)
Interhouse Hockey will take place on Tuesday, 28 July from 14:00- 16:15 and Interhouse Netball will take place on Wednesday, 29 July from 14:00- 16:15.
It is COMPULSORY for ALL girls in Grades 4-7 to ATTEND BOTH afternoons for the entire DURATION of the afternoon. Register will be taken. Girls are to come to school on both days dressed in their black shorts or skorts and house shirts to play and to support. They may wear their tracksuit over their kit to keep warm.
NS Olympiad
During the course of next week, ten of our girls will be taking part in the Natural Sciences Olympiad, where they will put their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills to the test.
We wish Mukundi Thondhlana, Amahle Mchunu, Chanelle Musarurwa, Neo Molefe, Zothando Mzileni, Nakhane Klei, Zenkosi Mati, Caitlyn Bodill, Maham Rizvi, and Haset Sintayehu the very best. We wish you every success in the competition!
Chess trials
We wish the following girls all the best as they compete in the Closed Sarah Baartman Chess Trials at PJ Olivier on Saturday, 25 July. They will spend many hours competing for a place in the Sarah Baartman team, and we are incredibly proud of their achievement in being invited to these trials: Teia van Rooyen, Tehillah Dingani, Makatendeka Chakona, Ella Radovic, Katherine Marais, Lusenathi Ntoyanto, Kyrah Cannon-Wessels, Grace Ruwanda and Lunje Giyosi.
Good luck, girls! We are cheering you on.
Anne Beagley Hockey & Rugby Festival – U13A Hockey Tour
The U13A Hockey team travelled to Graaff-Reinet to participate in the annual Anne Beagley Hockey & Rugby Festival. We departed from Makhanda early on Friday morning and, upon arriving in Graaff-Reinet, enjoyed a visit to the spectacular Valley of Desolation, where the girls had the opportunity to explore one of the Eastern Cape’s most breathtaking natural landmarks.
After our visit, the team enjoyed pizza for lunch before heading to registration at the festival. The opening festivities included the traditional flag parade, where all participating schools proudly represented their schools. The day concluded with a fun-filled games evening, giving the girls an opportunity to socialise, make new friends, and enjoy the festival atmosphere before the hockey matches began.
Over the course of the festival, the girls played four competitive matches against strong opposition. Although they were narrowly defeated by Charlo and Lilyfontein, they showed great determination and resilience to earn well-deserved draws against Clarendon and Crewe. Throughout the tournament, the team displayed excellent sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude, improving with every game.
Playing on the astro turf was a fantastic experience for the girls, and they thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to compete against quality opposition while creating lasting memories together.
A sincere thank you goes to Ms Christian and Mr Daniels for their dedication, guidance and support throughout the tour. Their encouragement and commitment helped make the weekend a memorable and enjoyable experience for all the girls.
Reports
All reports for Grade 1-7 were emailed to parents at the end of Term 2, if you did not receive your daughter’s report please check with the office that we have the correct, up-to-date email address on our system. You can email the office on admin@victoriaprimary.co.za, use the WhatsApp group (083 468 2706) or call us on 046 622 4850.
Dropping off items at the office
We would like to appeal to you to ensure that your daughter has everything required for her day at school with her when she arrives at school in the morning. It is very difficult to ensure that items dropped at the office are safely delivered due to the high number of drop-offs. The only items that may be dropped off are birthday cupcakes and
| Dates to Remember | |
| Fri.
24/07 |
Interhouse Cross Country
PP & Gr 1&2 – 12:00-12:45 Gr 3-7 – 13:00-14:30 (pick-up from school at 14:45). Chamber Choir and Orchestra (pick-up from PP at 16:00) |
| Sat.25/07 | SBCD chess trials @PJ. |
| Mon. 27/07 | Grade 3M assembly @10:15. Parents welcome.M Reg |
| Tues. 28/07 | Interhouse hockey 14:00-16:15.
Grade 4-7 compulsory event. |
| Wed. 29/07 | NS Olympiad
Interhouse netball 14:00-16:15. Grade 4-7 compulsory event. |
| Thurs.30/07 | NS Olympiad
Victoria in Concert @VP 17:30 |
| Fri. 31/07 | Grade 7 Committee meetings |
items the teacher has specifically requested during the school day.
Please note that we will still take deliveries for the girls in hostel.
Birthday wishes
Happy birthday to the following girls who celebrated this week: Milani-Nande Mngambi, Aleathea Irvine, Mayine Fihla, Akhe Songongo, Silubonile Mtimkulu, Milani Ndzekeni and Nalikhaya Diniso. We wish you a very special birthday!
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
| Dates to Remember | |
| Fri.
24/07 |
Interhouse Cross Country
PP & Gr 1&2 – 12:00-12:45 Gr 3-7 – 13:00-14:30 (pick-up from school at 14:45). Chamber Choir and Orchestra (pick-up from PP at 16:00) |
| Sat.25/07 | SBCD chess trials @PJ. |
| Mon. 27/07 | Grade 3M assembly @10:15. Parents welcome.M Reg |
| Tues. 28/07 | Interhouse hockey 14:00-16:15.
Grade 4-7 compulsory event. |
| Wed. 29/07 | NS Olympiad
Interhouse netball 14:00-16:15. Grade 4-7 compulsory event. |
| Thurs.30/07 | NS Olympiad
Victoria in Concert @VP 17:30 |
| Fri. 31/07 | Grade 7 Committee meetings |
| Extramurals
Please note the extramural plans for next week for Grade 4-7. As from 3 August we will start our athletics programme and a new extramural programme will be shared closer to the time.
FP SPORT WILL CONTINUE AS IT WAS IN TERM 2 FROM MONDAY, 27 JULY. |
Friday, 24 July | Saturday, 25 July | |||
| Interhouse Cross- Country:
12:00-12:45 PP- Grade 2 Fergusson Field 13:00-14:30 Grade 3-7 Bot Gardens
15:00-16:00 Chamber Choir and Orchestra |
Chess Trials
(SBCD) |
||||
| Monday,
27 July |
Tuesday,
28 July |
Wednesday, 29 July | Thursday, 30 July | Friday, 31 July | Saturday, 1 August |
| 07:30 – 08:00
Chamber Choir Netball practices: Herbert Hurd Teams ONLY 14:00-15:00: U10A & U11A 15:00-16:00: U12A & U13A Hockey practice: 14:00-15:30: U13A&B |
07:15 – 07:45
Senior Choir 14:00 -16:30 Interhouse Hockey (Compulsory all Grade 4-7) |
07:15 – 07:45
Senior Choir 14:15 -15:45 Interhouse Netball (Compulsory all Grade 4-7) |
07:15 – 07:45
Senior Choir Hockey practices: Herbert Hurd Teams ONLY 14:00-15:00 U10A&B and U11A 17:30 Victoria in Concert |
13:30 -14:30 Chamber Choir and Orchestra
13:00 -13:30 Grade 7 Committee Meetings |
Hockey and Netball vs Herbert Hurd (H) |