We had a wonderful time reading and exploring many books this week in celebration of World Read Aloud Day. We thank you for your support of the SPCA book sale which had a delightful assortment of books. We hope that your daughters had much joy reading them.
Celebrations
This year marks Victoria Primary School’s 75th birthday which will be celebrated on Friday, 28 February.
We would like to turn our hall foyer into a display of things from VP’s past, if you are an old VP girl and you have any VP memorabilia; from photos, uniform, report cards, programmes etc, please share them with us. We will put up a display for the week of our birthday, 24-28 February for all to come and view. We will endeavour to make sure that they are well looked after and returned.
To further commemorate this special birthday, and as part of our PTA fundraisers this year, we will be selling memorabilia for our birthday.
The first initiative is a VP Recipe Book. All VP families are invited to send us their family’s favourite recipe to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za so that we can compile a cookbook of favourite recipes- remember to add your family name and a special quote. Once these are compiled and printed, we will be selling this special edition. Please keep a lookout in our newsletter for the sales.
We are also very excited to announce the selling of our limited-edition VP 75th Teddy Bear – she comes with a VP 75th T-shirt and a VP skirt for only R100. We will also be selling customised silicone wristbands for R20, with the words ‘You Belong!’. The girls will be allowed to wear it to school this year.
Please complete the order slip at the end of the newsletter sent home today and return to your daughter’s class teacher with it the correct amount of cash or POP (ref teddy/ wristband/surname) by Friday, 21 February.
Worker of the Week
Well done to Carla Frazer for her excellent work in Music this week. Keep it up!
Thank you!
A very heartfelt thanks to the VP community from the Grahamstown SPCA. Our book sale on Wednesday raised a wonderful R4355. The generous donation of books to enhance our available stock as well as allowing the girls ample opportunity to browse and shop made it a bumper sale. The SPCA relies heavily on the generosity of donors and shoppers alike. Your ongoing support means a great deal to us.
Mulan rehearsals
The cast will be rehearsing Scene 7-9 on Saturday, 8 February from 9:00-12:00, and all girls involved in these scenes will be expected to attend. Girls are to be dropped off at the Beaufort Street Gate. We are looking forward to another wonderful rehearsal. Don’t forget to pack in your healthy snacks and water.
GC relay gala
Our team swimmers will be participating in the Graeme College Relay gala this afternoon. All girls involved have received a letter with more details. Swim well, girls!
Please note, due to the gala, swimming training is cancelled this afternoon.
B-League Gala
Good luck to our girls participating in the B-League gala in Gqeberha tomorrow. Swim well, girls!
Athletics
Congratulations to Nalu Mfiki, Esona Makabe and Micarlin Daniels who have qualified to represent Sarah Baartman tomorrow in Gqeberha. Good luck and safe travels!
Tennis
Our first team tennis girls are playing their first match in Port Alfred on Wednesday, 12 February. All the best, girls!
The tennis matches vs Hangklip that were scheduled for this afternoon have been cancelled.
Valentine’s Day
Please return the order form by Monday, 10 February to get goodies on Valentine’s Day. We will also have a civvies day on Valentine’s Day, for a payment of R10 girls can dress in red, white and/or pink civvies!
Assembly 7V
Grade 7V will present assembly on Monday. Parents are welcome to support. The assembly will start at 10:15.
HPV Vaccinations
Our Grade 5 girls have all received permission slips to be completed in order for them to have the HPV vaccination on Wednesday, 12 February. Please ensure that you have ticked off the relevant section, signed and return it by Monday. Please send your daughter’s clinic card on Wednesday so that the vaccination can be noted on her card.
SGB by-election
We will have a by-election on Thursday, 20 February. Nomination forms and the voters roll are available at the office.
Birthday wishes
We wish the following staff and girls who celebrate their birthday this week a very happy birthday: Mrs Makeba-Mgogo, Hlumisa Piti, Luniko Hulushe, Nakhane Klei, Zingce Pilisani, Inam Toll, Onwaba Hoyi, Mizaan Marcus, Christelle Ruwanza, Esethu Stamper, Gabriella Cervati, Zizo Mcophele and Tamera Ngwalase.
Wednesday, 5 February, is World Read Aloud Day (WRAD). We have planned a week of activities for next week that celebrate and promote reading. We hope that you too celebrate the joy of reading in your homes. We encourage you as families to continue the theme of celebrating and discovering the love of reading in your homes with your daughters next week:
Choose a special book for WRAD; a family favourite, ask your children to choose their favourite book/s, take a book out the library or surprise the family with a new book.
Create a cosy, comfy reading corner for the whole family to read together.
Discuss the book, pictures, plot and characters as you go, and get everyone involved.
Share your reading time with us, send a family photo to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za so that we can share them on our Facebook Page and/or our next newsletter.
We hope that you have such a lovely time and that this will become a weekly or even daily event for your family!
Our plans at VP for next week:
Monday, 3 February: Assembly at 09:00. Guest speaker Dr Hellemann will present an assembly on ‘telling your own story’. Wednesday, 5 February: Story Time with Mrs Rafferty 07:30- 08:00. SPCA Children’s Book sale from 10:45-14:30 in hall foyer (Please bring cash and buy a book! Credit card facilities will be available.) Thursday, 6 February: Paired reading for the whole school. Girls will be paired with different grades and will read to each other Friday, 7 February: Dress up (no cost). Come dressed as your favourite book character (If possible bring the book to school and tell your class all about him/her).
PTA Meeting
A reminder about our PTA meeting to be held on Tuesday at 17:15. Enter the hall from Beaufort Street, we will be discussing and planning some exciting 75th birthday fundraisers.
Personality of the Week
Well done to Thorin Prince who was our first POW this week for Honesty. She handed in a large amount of money which she found. We are proud of you, Thorin.
Worker of the Week
Our Worker of the Week is Leah Fox for her wonderful work in Maths. Well done, Leah!
Mulan rehearsals
The cast will be rehearsing Scene 4-6 on Saturday, 1 February from 09:00-12:00, and all girls involved in these scenes will be expected to attend. Girls are to be dropped off at the Beaufort Street gate. We are looking forward to another wonderful rehearsal. Don’t forget to pack in your healthy snacks and water.
GC relay gala
Our team swimmers will be participating in the Graeme College Relay gala next Friday. More details will be sent to parents next week. Please note, due to the gala, Friday training next week will be cancelled.
Kingswood Shortcourse gala
Thank you to all our team swimmers who braved the rain on Tuesday and swam beautifully in their first gala of the year. You made VP very proud!
Tennis vs Hangklip
Good luck to our first team tennis girls playing their first match against Hangklip on Friday, 7 February. Have fun and play well girls!
Athletics
The Zone 1 Athletics event was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the field events did not take place. However, on Thursday, 17 of our athletes participated in the track events, giving their absolute best despite the challenges.
We are incredibly proud of every single one of them for their dedication and perseverance. A huge thank you to all our athletes for their hard work and commitment!
We await the results to see if any athletes have qualified to represent Sarah Baartman on Saturday, 8 February in Gqeberha. Stay tuned!
Valentine’s day
We have some exciting ideas for Valentine’s Day. Please see the order form on the back page of the newsletter sent home today. All funds raised will go towards our Sports and Cultural and Music Committees’ fundraising.
SGB by-election
One of the parent members of our SGB left at the end of 2024 and we will have a By-election on Thursday, 20 February. Please see the notice in the newsletter sent home today for more information.
Birthday wishes
We wish the following staff and girls who celebrate their birthday this week a very happy birthday: Mrs Sauls, Ms Jamela, Ms Purdon, Lilani Wolmarans, Rebecca Berriman, Marabel Kuja, Oyintando Gumenge, Sesona Mnqinana, Tshiamo Moleko, Kailani Mcuba, Iviwe Jakavula, Ngcwalisa Mbambo and Iminathi Mgwebi.
Regards
Mrs Rafferty
PRINCIPAL
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday 01/02
Mulan rehearsal 09:00-12:00
Monday 03/02
Read Aloud Day Assembly Guest speaker Dr Hellemann
We were delighted with the turn out to the PTA AGM and class visits on Tuesday night. Thank you to all the parents for not only attending but also for the positive manner in which you engaged with our staff. I hope you are as excited as we are for 2025!
I wish to stress the importance of the partnership between yourselves as parents and our teachers. It is through this partnership, that is based on trust and the knowledge that we are always going to do what is in the best interest of your child, that we can work together to make sure that your little girl can thrive and reach her full potential while at VP.
Please feel free to make an appointment to meet with your daughter’s teacher if you have any concerns or questions and I am certain that you can have your concerns alleviated or that you can put strategies in place to work on together. I know that your teacher will also reach out to meet with you if the need arises.
Thank you for the positive start to 2025!
PTA
Thank you to the parents who put their names down to serve on the PTA. If any other parents would like to sign up (especially from Grade 00, R & 1) please email our office, with a contactable number to add to our PTA group at admin@victoriaprimary.co.za. Our first PTA meeting will be on the Tuesday, 4 February at 17:15 in the school hall. Bring your exciting ideas for fundraisers this year, especially as it is our 75th birthday.
Indlulamthi Badge
Later in the year, girls may be nominated to receive an Indlulamthi (giraffe) Badge. This badge is for an exemplary VP girl and was introduced in 2021. This past week the staff reviewed the guidelines and procedures and we have made a few changes. Please note the updated information regarding our special badge. One of the biggest changes is that the badge will only be presented to girls from Grade 3-7.
Indlulamthi Badge of Excellence 2025: (Badge for an exemplary VP girl)
Duration of having badge: The recipients will have their badge until end of the current year (badge gets returned at the end of each year).
All VP girls from Grade 3-7 are eligible.
How the nomination process works: A teacher nominates and this gets final approval at a staff meeting by other staff members.
Criteria staff will use:
Displays all qualities of values promoted by VP, i.e. responsibility, respect, resilience, trustworthiness, compassion and empathy and citizenship
Displays commitment to school work. (Works to the best of their ability)
Committed to the extramural programme and displays commitment and perseverance in this area. Is a valuable team member and displays good sportsmanship.
Dresses immaculately for all occasions.
How the badge will be presented:
At assemblies where girls will be given the special badge. Names will be put into the school newsletter that week.
Additionally from this year, if a child received an Indlulamthi Badge for four consecutive years, on their 4th nomination they will receive the gold Indlulamthi Honours Badge which they may keep (ie they do not need to return it to the school at the end of that year). A child will not be re-nominated, the following year, for an Indlulamthi Badge once this is awarded.
An Honours board for the Indlulamthi Honours Recipients will be put up in the Glennie Hall or hall foyer. First recipients will be for 2025.
All girls who receive an Indlulamthi Badge or Indlulamthi Honours Badge during the course of the year will receive a certificate at the end of the year Prizegiving.
Worker of the Week
Well done to Aligugu Makeba for her lovely work in LO. What a good start to the year, Aligugu!
Assembly-Grade 7S
Our first-class assembly will be this coming Monday at 10:15. Mrs Sauls class will present. All parents are welcome to come and join us for the assembly.
Mulan Rehearsals
The entire Mulan cast will be expected to attend the first rehearsal on Saturday, 25 January from 09:00-12:00. Girls are to be dropped off at the Beaufort Street gate – on time! We will be using this rehearsal for costume measurement as well as rehearsals so it is vital that they attend.
Athletics
We received late notice of the cancellation of the original date for the scheduled zonal athletics trials. The new date for an all-inclusive event will be on Friday, 31 January 2025 at Rhodes Prospect field. Notices will be sent out next week to those girls who will participate once we receive all the details.
KC Short Course Gala
Good luck to all the swimmers taking part in the Kingswood Short Course Gala on Tuesday, 28 January. The Gala will start at 14:00 at the Kingswood swimming pool.
Tennis
Tennis trials have been completed and the lists are up on the board. Girls are to ensure that they attend their practice/s according to the extramural programme from next week onwards. Please note Feeder and Team will be done together on a Tuesday and Thursday at 14:00 till 15:25. Please ensure that your daughter has a racquet, takkies and water bottle.
Extramurals
There will be no Mathematics intervention for Grade 6s on Thursday, 30 January as Mrs Goodes will be attending a Mathematics meeting.
Help Grade 00 Collect Purity Bottles!
The Grade 00s are collecting Purity bottles—any size is welcome! If you have some to spare, please drop them off at the office.
This is an ongoing initiative, so feel free to contribute as many bottles as you can throughout the year. Your support is greatly appreciated—thank you!
Whatsapp Groups
Thanks to all the parents who sent in their cellphone number to be included in the Grade Whatsapp Groups. We are in the process of capturing all this information and hope that the groups will be active next week. Please ensure that your have the VP cellphone number as a contact on your phone so that you can be added. The VP cellphone number is 0834682706. A reminder that if you have an enquiry you must please call the office 0466224850 not the cellphone. This is for information sharing from the school side only.
Birthday wishes
We wish the following staff and girls who celebrated their birthday this week a very happy birthday: Ms Lang, Zingcwele Mangali, Isla Orsmond, Aliyah Swartz, Lune Coetzee, Rebecca Phillip, Avethandwa Hambaze, Iminathi Malusi, Lulama Joe and Obendalo Mdilitwana.
A very warm welcome back to school and best wishes for a happy 2025. We were delighted to welcome our girls back on Wednesday – the excitement was very contagious! A special welcome is extended to our new girls and their families – welcome to the VP family!
We also welcomed two new teachers in Grade 4, Ms McNamara and Mr Cassidy. They have both settled in well and are already making positive contributions to our school. We also welcomed a new intern, Ms Siyazi into our IP Phase.
This year’s theme is ‘You Belong’ as we continue to endeavour to make each little girl feel welcomed and loved at VP. We are privileged to be working with children from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and religions and have different talents and interests. Everyone’s contribution at this school is what makes it so special!
School Hours
Preprimary 07:30-12:30
Grade 1, 2 & 3 07:25-14:00
Grade 4-7 07:25-13:45
Grade 1-7 Friday school ends at 13:00
Late Collection
Please note that the FP (Grade 1-3) girls are dropped off between 07:15 and 07:20 at the Huntley Street gate. An FP teacher will be present at the gate from 07:15. If FP girls arrive before or after this time or with older siblings in the morning they must use the Beaufort street entrance.
All IP (Grade 4-7) children are to use the Beaufort Street gate and will need to be collected from there.
Grade 1-3 finish their school day at 14:00 (Monday-Thursday). The girls are then taken to the Huntley Street gate for collection between 14:00-14:15. On Friday girls finish at 13:00 and will be at the Huntley Street gate from 13:00 to 13:15.
FP children who are collected after this time must be fetched from the Beaufort Street Gate. We keep a close eye on our girls and make sure that they are safe while waiting for collection. The Huntley Street gate is not manned after these hours.
Our office closes at 16:30 (Monday-Thursday) and 15:00 on Friday. If children are still not collected by this time, they will be sent to Aftercare. They can be collected from the Aftercare facility which is accessed via the hostel entrance in Hill Street. Please note that while we understand that some days don’t run as expected, if we notice repeated late collection or the collection is later than our aftercare hours, parents will be charged aftercare fees to their account. Please ensure that you have arranged safe and reliable transport for your daughters.
Aftercare
If you would like to send your daughter to Aftercare please collect a form from the office and return it as soon as possible. If she attended Aftercare last year we still require a form to be completed this year.
Access to Campus
Please note that all visitors must report to the school office. Parents may not gain access through the side door – this is for our pupils only. This is for our children and staff’s safety. If you would like to meet with a teacher, please make an appointment either via email to the class teacher or the school office (admin@victoriaprimary.co.za) or make a note in your child’s diary. Please report to the office for the appointment. No teacher will be able to meet with parents during school hours unless there was a prior arrangement made.
If you have any questions or concerns please email the school office or call on 0466224850 and we will endeavour to assist you.
PTA AGM and Class Visits
We appeal to all parents from Grade 2-7 to attend this very informative meeting on Tuesday, 21 January @17:15. Parents are to please meet in the school hall first and thereafter they will move to their child’s classes where the Grade teachers will inform you of the expectations for the year ahead. Your daughter does not need to attend.
Absenteeism and late arrivals
Please note the following as per our school policy:
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that children arrive on time and are not disadvantaged by missing parts of lessons. Our school bell rings at 07:25 in the morning. Girls should be dropped off at least 5 minutes before this.
Absenteeism
It is the responsibility of the parents to see that their children attend school. If a child is absent, the parents need to inform the office by no later than 09:00 on the first day of absenteeism. A letter of explanation needs to be submitted on the learners’ return to the school. Medical and personal appointments, where possible, are to be made outside school hours. Medical certificates are expected if the learner is absent for tests or exams and if absent from school for more than 2 days.
When a learner is absent, a note explaining why the learner was absent must be handed to the class teacher immediately upon return to school.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may email the class teacher or the office for the reason for the absence.
A medical certificate must be provided if a learner misses an examination or a test contributing to the year mark; or is absent for three days or longer.
Illness at School
If a learner is feeling ill, she must report to the school office and her parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted to take the learner home.
Extramurals
Extramurals start on Monday, 20 January. Your daughter received her extramural programme on her first day back at school. It is compulsory for your daughter to do at least 2 hours of sport a week but she is welcome to do more (Choir is not a sport). Please read through the programme with your daughter and make sure that she has packed all she needs for her activity. Please also ensure your transport is organised accordingly.
Please note that if it rains or is extremely hot we DO NOT CANCEL. Girls will be supervised in the classrooms until their extramurals would have ended. Extramurals will start on Monday,
20 January.
Hair and Uniform
Please note the school rules for hair and jewellery and ensure that your daughter is abiding by them:
Hair guidelines
1. Hair must be neat and appropriate for girls in uniform.
2. If hair is over shoulder length it must all be tied up (no half ponies). Hair must be away from face.
3. Hair and extensions should be your natural hair colour.
4. Extensions and braids are allowed.
5. All corn rows must be neatly plaited and tied back.
6. Clips and hair accessories must be black, green or navy. (No decorative accessories, such as beads, are to be worn)
Jewelry
1. Watches may be worn, if desired. Children are responsible for their own watches.
2. Earrings – girls may have their ears pierced. Only studs or sleepers (small) may be worn. No coloured earrings are allowed. Only one earring may be worn in each earlobe.
3. No bracelets, neck or ankle-chains are allowed, unless the bracelets or chain bears a ‘Medicalert’ disc.
4. All school badges may be worn on the blazer lapel. No badges other than school badges may be worn while in school uniform.
Uniform
Please note the uniform and hair rules and ensure that your daughter is dressed accordingly. Please note that the girls are currently in summer uniform. On colder days they may wear a jersey and/or windbreaker and blazer – no winter uniform please. Please also ensure that your daughter is dressed smartly and remains in her full uniform when in town or out in public. The school flip flops can be purchased from the office and may be worn with the sports clothes. The flip flops may be worn with their school uniform at school but she will need to put her school socks and shoes back on with her school uniform once she leaves the campus.
For Grade 4-7 girls, girls may ONLY come to school in their sports clothes when they have LSPA or LSPE on their timetable for that day, UNLESS it is a Monday in which case they must come dressed in their school uniform and blazers for assembly. If they do NOT have LSPE or LSPA on their timetable, they need to change after school for any extramural.
School fees
Please make sure that the correct reference (Account number) is used when making a payment. We have received numerous payments with no reference. If you have made a payment and it is not reflected on your account, please forward the proof of this payment to Mrs Terblanche and indicate your daughter’s name and grade. Please remember that if you pay your fees in full before the end of February you will receive a 5% discount.
Stationery/workbook levy
Gr 1-3: please ensure that the amount R1750 is paid with immediate effect to ensure that your daughter can receive her workbooks.
Grade 4: please ensure that R400 is paid for your daughter’s workbooks.
Stationery (Grade 4-7)
Please ensure that your daughter has all the stationery required for her grade according to the stationery list sent. All books must be covered and any outstanding items must be purchased by Monday, 20 January.
VP Diaries
All girls Gr 3-7 received our new VP diaries this week. If your daughter loses her diary she will have to pay R50 for a replacement, however we have limited replacements so please ensure that she looks after it. No other diaries are to be used for school.
Labelling of items & Lost Property
All your daughter’s possessions from pencils to blazers must be clearly labelled with her name and surname. We cannot be expected to search for items which are not labelled. Lost items will be handed to Lost Property, either with Mrs Orsmond (FP) or Mrs Sauls (IP). We endeavour to return items straight away if they are labelled. Unlabelled items must be collected from Lost Property by your daughter during school hours.
Dropping off items at school
As we enter the second week of school, girls must please be encouraged to
get organised and not expect items to be delivered to school by parents. Our office staff is inundated with items being dropped off. Please note that only birthday cupcakes, deliveries for boarders and items specifically requested by teachers may be dropped off at the office for your daughter during the school day.
Music
All choir members are reminded to check the extramural timetable so that they know when and where their rehearsals will take place. Chamber Choir auditions will take place on Monday and Tuesday for Grade 6 and 7 girls during the school day. To audition, these girls should prepare a section of a song (one verse leading into a chorus) to showcase their voices.
Music application forms are available from the office for those girls who would like to learn to play an instrument. Once applications are received, these girls will be placed on the waiting list.
Sport
Tennis trials will take place on Tuesday, 21 January from 14:00-15:15. Girls U10-U13 are welcome to come. Please make sure you have a tennis racket and correct sports shoes. After trials we will divide girls into groups for their specific practice times.
Eye Screening
The Eye Store and Dr Davies Optometrists will visit from 3-7 February. The Grade 1s and all new girls will receive basic visual screening which will test their visual clarity from a distance, this is free of charge. The option of a more comprehensive test will also be on offer, for all parents to take advantage of should you wish to do so. A letter will be sent home next week which must be completed and returned, along with the required payment for the comprehensive test if required.
Mulan Rehearsals
It is with great excitement that we start our rehearsals for the production of Mulan. If your daughter auditioned at the end of 2024 she will have received a letter. New girls or girls that may have missed out last year are welcome to audition on Monday, 20 January, during first break. They will need to prepare a poem and a little song. The cast will be rehearsing on the following Saturdays as well as in smaller groups during the week: (Please note: Scenes required are subject to change)
Mulan Cast Camp Friday, 24 January (Moved to a later date)
Mulan Rehearsal (Scene 1-3) – 25 January (09:00-12:00)
Mulan Rehearsal (Scene 4-6) – 1 February (09:00-12:00)
Mulan Rehearsal (Scene 7-9 – 8 February (09:00-12:00)
Mulan Rehearsal (Scene 10-12) –
15 February (09:00-12:00)
Mulan Rehearsal (Scene 1-6) –
22 February (09:00-12:00)
Birthday wishes
We wish the following staff and girls a very happy birthday: Ms du Plooy, Ms le Roux, Ronay Francis, Zazi Gqamana, Lima Tukulu, Willow Hector, Ingcali-Yomso Mani, Asante Nyenzane, Lunje Peter, Likamvelihle Dyibishe, Ahlumile Vusani, Kungothando Nzuzo, Langa Mtakati, Sizoluhle Matswele, Caitlyn Bodill, Mbalentle Dyaloyi, Kulowo Msipa, Oyintando Nkatazo, Zelne Leach, Alibongwe Mthembu, Ayazi Klei, Sama Torweni, Khensani Futshane, Bongumusa Louw, Inamandla Mnyapa, Isipho Nelana, Nalu Matshaya, Giselle Peters, Owam Bebeto, Ladine van Wyk, Uzosule Kanana, Lulo Ponoshe, Konwaba Thengwa and Junaid Williams
The first initiative is a VP Recipe Book. All VP families are invited to send us their family’s favourite recipe to admin@victoriaprimary.co.za so that we can compile a cookbook of favourite recipes- remember to add your family name and a special quote. Once these are compiled and printed, we will be selling this special edition. Please keep a lookout in our newsletter for the sales.
T-shirt and a VP skirt for only R100. We will also be selling customised silicone wristbands for R20, with the words ‘You Belong!’. The girls will be allowed to wear it to school this year. 
Worker of the Week 
wonderful R4355. The generous donation of books to enhance our available stock as well as allowing the girls ample opportunity to browse and shop made it a bumper sale. The SPCA relies heavily on the generosity of donors and shoppers alike. Your ongoing support means a great deal to us.
Sport
Birthday wishes