In our Monday Values Assembly, we visited one of our Lyfta Storyworlds to find out about the life of Erika a costume designer with the Finnish National Ballet. We were curious to find out where she got her inspiration for her creations, how she worked with a wider team of artists and the process she went through to take her idea through to being realised on the stage. We also reflected on how this process was the same as the one we use in school in subjects like Art and Design as well as Design Technology.

This week, Values Certificates were presented to the following children, many of whom were "caught" being examples of using curiosity to learn new things. Well done to Charlie, Isabelle, Oisin, Alex, Isla, Luna, Francesco, Maria, Willow, Kimy, Sienna and Megan. 

Art on the Hill

This week Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 all had workshops to create their pieces for Art on the Hill on Saturday 4th October. All the artwork this year is looking fabulous! A thank you once again to Lucy and Beth from ArtLab for these brilliant sessions.

Next week the following year groups will have the final workshops in this series:

• Monday 29th: Reception and Year 1

• Tuesday 30th: Reception, Year 5 and Year 6 

The children are likely to be using a lot of paint on some large surfaces during the workshops. On the day your child is doing their workshop, to prevent uniforms being covered in paint, they can bring in some old clothes (that you don't mind getting paint on!) to change into during the workshop. 

The school will be open during Art on the Hill between 10.30am and 4.00pm on Saturday 4th October. During the day, you will be able to come and view the children's art from the ArtLab workshops, buy refreshments and participate in workshops run by local community organisations. 

The PTFA have enabled this event and the children's workshops to happen. Please do come along and show your support for their hard work in providing these opportunities in our school.

Attendance and Punctuality

Our attendance last week fell slightly compared to the previous week but we have maintained above 96% which is our school target.  Last week only Willow class had no one late to school.  Please remember school starts at 8:45am.  If you are coming through the gate at 8:50am, you are already 5 minutes late, over the course of the week this adds up to 25 minutes late.

School Council Elections

On Tuesday, we held our school council elections across Y1-6.  Well done to all the children who put themselves forward for nomination.  We heard from the teachers that there were some brilliant election speeches prepared for their campaigns.  The children used our own Victoria Park polling station to cast their votes and in some classes the votes were very close.  We will be presenting the new school council to assembly on Monday where they will get their school council badges.  

Today is National Teaching Assistants' Day. The day is dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions of teaching assistants (TAs) in schools. Quite simply VPPS could not run the way it does without our brilliant TAs who support teachers and children throughout the day. We are especially proud of our TAs as so often they go even further than most- lots of them go on residential camps, run clubs, take groups of children to special events and support weekend events such as school fayres. We are very lucky to have them.   

October Census Day

Thursday 2nd October is Census Day. The number of school meals we serve that day affects the funding we receive from the government next year. Therefore it would help the school if as many children could have a school meal on Thursday. To encourage as many children to have a school lunch, Aspens will be providing a "Rodeo Day" themed lunch including a competition with the chance to win a bike! 

So even if your child normally has packed lunch, please consider signing them up for a school meal on Thursday- it will be a great help to us as it can make a big difference to the funding we get for the children. (Remember all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free lunches every day).   

Norbot Update

Our school Norbot has been at "The Greatest Dog Show on Earth" exhibition at Cribbs Causeway as part of the Grommit Unleashed Schools' Programme. The exhibition is due to end this weekend and after that he will return to Vicky Park where we will put him permanently on show somewhere within the school. 

School Governor Vacancy

We currently have a vacancy on our Local Governing Body (LGB) for a member of the parent and carer community. A letter inviting applications for the role has been emailed out to all parents and carers. In the letter you find more information about the role of the local governing body, the role of a parent governor and how to apply. Here it is again in case you missed it.

Update your child's account

Please can we ask all parents of children who attend Shine to update their account to reflect their child's new class details as this will save the office time at the end of the day. Many thanks

Important Dates for Term 1

• Friday 26th September Inset Day
• Saturday 4th October Art on the Hill
• Wednesday 15th October SEND Parents' Evening
• Tuesday 21st October PTFA Discos
• Thursday 23rd October PTFA Discos
• Friday 24th October Last day of term

South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods: Have Your Say!

Bristol City Council (BCC) needs your help to design safer and quieter streets. If you live work, visit, study or play in the BS3 area including Bedminster, Southville or Windmill Hill, have your say at: South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods consultation 2025

BCC want to get as many people involved as possible to help design safer and quieter streets, encouraging walking, cycling and wheeling for shorter journeys, improving air quality, enhancing the public realm and green spaces, and improving access to local high streets. Potential changes could include measures to reduce traffic taking short cuts through residential streets and near schools, improved crossings to help connect neighbourhoods, planting more trees, providing more benches and community activity spaces and improving lighting.

If you have any questions or concerns about the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood and how it could affect the area around the school, Bristol City Council officers will be running a flyering and drop-in session on Tuesday 30 September outside the school gates at afternoon pick up time

Smartphone Free Childhood

VPPS Parents & Smartphones: you are not alone! 

As parents, we know it’s a tricky subject that each family will navigate in a way best for them. Most importantly there are loads of resources to support you to make informed choices and not feel like you are alone 

This is a helpful blog post from 5 minute mum about her new year 7 kid and phones https://fiveminutemum.com/advice-and-tips/getting-our-child-a-phone

The Parent Pact is a way to join together with other families at Victoria Park Primary choosing not to get their kids a smart phone or access to social media whilst in our primary school: https://forms.gle/Cs3YpLmTQmdGidix7 . This is a new one for the 2025/26 academic year, so please sign again if you signed last year, or join the growing numbers and sign for the first time.

Alternatives: there are plenty of options and alternatives to keep them connected such as smartwatches or airtags

https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/alternatives

Clothes Swap - This Saturday 27th September

This Saturday: Kids' clothes swap, screen printing, patch making, and more... 

Come along to our kids’ clothes swap event this Saturday 27 September, 10:30-12:30 at Windmill Hill Community Centre (as part of Sustainable Fashion Week).

 Swap preloved kids’ autumn-winter clothing (3–11 years) in return for the things you need! And stick around for hot coffee, drop-in clothes repair and patch making, screen printing and a kids' play corner.

More info: https://events.humanitix.com/kids-autumn-winter-clothes-swap

Bristol Autism parent/carer support information

South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods: Have your say!

Council officers will be running a drop-in session at our school gates on Tuesday 30 September at the end of the day.

Bristol City Council needs your help to design safer and quieter streets. If you live, work, visit, study or play in the BS3 area including Bedminster, Southville or Windmill Hill, come and have your say.

If you have any questions or concerns about the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood and how it could affect the area around the school, the council officers will be there to help.

Bristol City Council wants to get as many people involved as possible to help design safer and quieter streets, encouraging walking, cycling and wheeling for shorter journeys, improving air quality, enhancing the public realm and green spaces, and improving access to local high streets. Potential changes could include measures to reduce traffic taking short-cuts through residential streets and near schools, improved crossings to help connect neighbourhoods, planting more trees, providing more benches and community activity spaces and improving lighting.

Ecole Francaise de Bristol - Thursday French club

Intensive Swimming lessons

Zumba Classes at VPPS

We have Zumba classes running in the main hall every Tuesday from 7.30pm, no need to book just drop by.

Munchkins Holiday Club

Fun Science Holiday Clubs

Shine Holiday Club

Weston Brick Festival