Welcome back to another fantastic year at Victoria Park Primary School! The children have been calm and positive in their return to school, focusing on making an excellent start by demonstrating all of our school values. This week we also welcome new children and families to the Victoria Park Primary School family, joining us in Willow Class and Cherry Class. This weekly school newsletter is published every Friday and contains information and updates, as well as celebratory news from school and the community.

Curriculum Newsletters

Each term we provide a Curriculum Newsletter per year group. These are written by class teachers and give an overview of the learning that will be taking place each term in your child's class. Here are the curriculum newsletters for this term from Year 1 to Year 6. (For Reception classes, these curriculum newsletters start next term.)

Term Dates and INSET days

As we start the academic year, remember that you can see all of the term dates and INSET days on the term dates page of this website. They are also on the website calendar. Note that the next INSET day is on Monday 2nd October.

Pupil Charity Fundraiser News

During the summer holidays Toby, Seren and Tilly held a charity bake sale for Toby's cousin who sadly passed away ten years ago. They managed to raise £300 for Momentum and the Grand Appeal charities. 

Seren and Toby also completed a 26-mile walk over 2 days in memory of their cousin - visiting some of the places where he received care and treatment as well as some of his favourite places he used to visit during his lifetime.

It's wonderful to hear of their kindness and determination, and we are extremely proud of their efforts and hard work.

Toby and Seren's dad Larry particularly wants to thank the school and the PTFA for their fundraising challenge last year as this has really encouraged them to give back to the community in a positive way.

Prime Bottles

We encourage children to bring water bottles to school, particularly during hot weather, with the understanding that they are filled with water and not juice or squash. Some children have been re-using Prime Hydration bottles and it is sometimes difficult to tell if it is water or Prime in the bottle. Prime bottles also cause unnecessary competition and comparison between children. To avoid any confusion or competition over drinks we ask that children do not bring Prime bottles to school and that all bottles are filled with water, not juice or squash.

Free Book Fair

We will be holding a book fair on Friday 29th September at 3:15pm in the middle playground. You are welcome to come along with your child and choose from picture books, novels, non-fiction books and more - all for free!

We are delighted to share the news that we have achieved a Bronze level accreditation for Modeshift Stars. The Modeshift Stars scheme recognises schools, businesses and other organisations that have shown excellence in supporting sustainable and active travel. As a school we work hard to educate children about sustainability and encourage everyone in our school community to travel as greenly as possible. We are proud to be part of the School Streets scheme helping you have a safer and healthier start and end to the school day. Among other initiatives, we have run scooter skills workshops and try to use sustainable transport for our trips where possible.

Cycle September is back with Love To Ride. Love To Ride are on a mission to get the world on a bike! You can do workplace cycle challenges or just take yourself or your family out for a ride. Find out more here.

The Bristol to Bath cycle path is a brilliant place to experience traffic-free cycling with plentiful icecream stops.

Bristol to Pill - or even onto Portishead if you're feeling energetic! Mostly off road starting by Greville Smyth Park.

Some helpful local links to get you riding:

• Learn to ride a bike for all ages: Bristol Cycling Centre
• Affordable bikes - 'earn a bike' scheme from £20 including women only and 8-17 year old sessions.
• Accessible bikes for people with health and mobility conditions.

Free cycle trials, bus and train taster tickets and car club credit.

You can apply for free active travel support from Bristol City Council. Free offers include: 

• One month bike and e-bike trials
• Adult cycling to build your confidence
• Taster bus and train tickets
• Car club credit

Find out more here.

Great British Beach Clean 15th-24th September

Want to do something positive for our oceans and wildlife? Join the Marine Conservation Society on their Great British Beach Clean. Our nearest organised beach cleans are at Sand Bay, Weston super Mare, but volunteer places are going fast. Learn more here.

You can always head to your favourite beach with some friends and do your own litterpick. There are loads of resources and guides here. We have litterpickers in school you can borrow - come and see Mrs Walker.

Other Information

Here is a poster for the 37th Bristol Girls’ Brigade based at Totterdown Baptist Church, Wells Road. They are a uniformed organisation, with a primary focus of providing a safe space for girls of all ages to socialise, learn and be themselves. They currently have spaces available.

Remember that your child's classroom will be open for you to pop in after school on Tuesday next week. This is for classes in Year 1 to Year 6 (not Reception classes this time). We will open from 3:30pm to 4:00pm so you can come in and take a look as well as meet their teacher in an informal setting. We hope you can join us.