The rain stayed away (just about) for a whole day of sport on Victoria Park this week. From Reception to Year 6, all children took part in a range of activities to showcase their fundamental movement and active skills, building on everything they have learned in PE this year. Cheered on by the crowd, every pupil (and a few parents, carers and staff members!) took part in a sprint race to conclude each of the sessions. Thank you to everyone who came to show their support, and to Mr Kellow and Mrs Lucas for organising this year's event.

Piano Lessons

We are pleased to be continuing to offer individual piano lessons with Fiona Prescott from September. If you are interested in your child taking up piano lessons from September 2024, please read on. Children in Years 3-6 would be able to take up a block of 10 sessions of half an hour each for £155 and children in Year 2 would be able to take up a block of 10 sessions of twenty minutes each for £120. If you are interested in your child having piano lessons, please email Fiona directly at: prescottf69@hotmail.com (Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.)

Vacancy

Would you like to work at Victoria Park Primary School as a member of our Play Team? The play team supervise children at lunchtimes and encourage meaningful play and strong friendships, working within a team of lunchtime supervisors to develop high quality play opportunities, using our ‘playpods’ and other play equipment. You will need to be creative, have a good understanding of children’s play and be able to form excellent relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues. Click here to view the job advert and to apply.

Smartphone Free Childhood

The following message has been provided for the newsletter by a group of VPPS parents:

Thank you to those who completed the survey about their children owning smartphones.  An overwhelming 87% of VPPS parents and guardians who completed the survey would like more guidance about smartphone ownership and online safety. Over 70% agreed that they don’t want their children to have a smartphone at primary school but haven’t yet planned how or when their child should get a phone.  In year 4, parents and guardians are planning on forming a pact, agreeing to delay buying their children a smartphone.  If you’d like more information about this pact or guidance about your child owning a smartphone, there will be a short 15 minute meeting in the school community room on Friday 12th July from 8.45am.

We are delighted to inform you that in total, the 56 pupils from Victoria Park Primary School who took part in the Knight Frank Schools Triathlon 2024 raised an incredible £6584.48! They should all be immensely proud of themselves and what they have achieved. In total, across the 10 events, the series has raised an astonishing £1,198,794, which will go to support the work of Restless Development and numerous other invaluable charitable organisations - a true testament to the power of young people to make a positive change across the world.

Seaweed Research

Can you help with some citizen science seaweed research? If you're heading to the beach this summer, join in the Big Seaweed Search and help scientists find out what is happening with our UK species of seaweeds. You don't need to be a seaweed expert - all the resources are on their website. If you take part, email your photos of you doing some seaweed science to the school office!

Other Information

• Complete this survey to tell Bristol City Council whether childcare in our city is meeting your needs. It’s completely anonymous.
• During the school summer holiday, Grittleton Adventures will be running a holiday club each weekday from 8.30pm to 5.30pm at Grittleton House for children aged between 8-12yrs. This is where Year 4 children go on school camp and is approximatley 30mins drive from Bristol.

• Free summer holiday programmes (for ages 10 - 16) at Knowle West Media Centre:

• Bristol City Football Club are delivering camps at Imperial Sports Ground across the summer holidays. The Kellogs Football camps run from 9 am–3pm and are designed for children aged 5–14 years old. Please click this link for details:

  Kelloggs Football Camps - Bristol City FC (bcfc.co.uk)

• This Summer Holidays Guide for Bristol families contains a huge amount of events and activities. It is 100% free and includes a wide range of things to do. https://bristolfamilyblog.com/bristol-summer-guide.

• Love Squared is a Bristol-based charity covering the South-West and London striving to transform outcomes for children and young people impacted by mental health. Through their Glow program, they provide support for children and families who might otherwise fall through gaps in provision and are unable to access funded support. Click below for details of summer groups and parent support:

• inHope are running a fun, family-friendly activity during the summer holidays called the ‘Wild Goose Chase.’ 15 locations in central Bristol have a knitted Wild Goose to find! Each Goose has a name and it’s your challenge to find them all, discover the secret phrase and unlock a special certificate. Digital trail maps for the Wild Goose Chase are £3 and can be purchased by following this link. Your £3 could provide a hot, nutritious meal for someone sleeping on the streets of Bristol at inHope’s day centre for people struggling with homelessness, called the Wild Goose.

The sound of singing has filled every corner of the school this week, as pupils rehearse for our end of year Big Summer Sing. Remember you can come and join us at 2pm in the middle playground on Tuesday 16th July. We hope you have a lovely weekend!