Welcome to the News section of the website. I hope you find it interesting and useful in keeping you informed of the many events that happen in Victoria Park School.

• Spooks Fitness fundraising day

  Thu 25 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  A reminder that we are holding our Spooks Fitness fundraising day with Freddy Fitness on Friday. A minimum of £3 sponsorship is needed to take part as that is what he charges for each child to participate. We are aware of the financial challenges facing all of our families, particularly at the start of the year, so as we are asking for sponsorship for this event, we will not be asking for the usual school fund donation this year. The children are welcome to dress up in Halloween-themed gear but we would request no killer clown costumes so the younger pupils aren't scared. We appreciate you supporting the children’s participation in this as much as you can.

  

• Strandburn Street Gate Closure

  Tue 23 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  After witnessing cars parked on the zigzags, dangerous parking, children almost knocked down and numerous complaints from the neighbours who have been verbally abused, rubbish thrown into their gardens, hemmed into their own homes and parents refusing to move to let them out, I have been advised by PSNI and EA Health and Safety to close the gate at the bottom corner of Strandburn Street. This will take effect from Tuesday 23rd October. Please use the main entrance and car parking provided.

  

• Visit From ITV Cameraman Mark Jervis

  Mon 22 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  Our P7 classes were delighted to receive an introduction to art of being a brilliant cameraman from Mark Jervis on Friday morning. As well as being married to Mrs Jervis, one of our classroom assistants, he works for ITV News and he has shot news stories all over the world. He very kindly offered to come in on one of his rare days off and talk to the children about his job and also brought in his very expensive camera and the van he uses for outside broadcasts. The children loved seeing some of the footage he has shot over the years and asking him about the famous people he has met.

  

• New Library Books

  Mon 22 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  Look at this amazing selection of brand new books! Our librarian, Mrs Walker, has been very busy this month ordering them for the library and all the classrooms. This is thanks to your generosity at the Scholastic book fair earlier this year. As you may know, the school no longer receives books from the School Library Service so your support is vital and much appreciated.

  

• Bubbly Maths

  Fri 19 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  Our P4 and P5 classes were bubbling with excitement on Wednesday when they visited Stranmillis University College to watch a special show, ‘Bubbly Maths’, as part of Maths Week Ireland 2018. Starring Bubblz, the mathematical clown, the show used magical soap bubbles and giant balloons to illustrate the maths that is all around us. It investigated shapes including seeing how many teachers could fit in a cube and how many children could fit in a bubble! Thanks to the parents and grandparents who accompanied the children.

  

• Victoria Park Football Team

  Wed 17 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  Commiserations to our footballers who lost their first round match in the BPSFA Year 7 Cup yesterday afternoon against a very strong Saint Thérèse of Lisieux side. Well done to Mr Gullen and the team in their first game together and good luck to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux for the rest of the competition.

  

• Dropping off & Picking up of Students

  Tue 16 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  Parents, we are having a number of complaints from our neighbours, particularly around Sandbrook Park where parents are stopping cars, blocking all of the traffic and stopping neighbours getting into their homes. There is space to park, yet parents are causing congestion in the entire area by stopping in the middle of the road whilst their children get out and unload their belongings. Please show consideration to our neighbours as they are fed up and have contacted the PSNI.

  

• Eastside Learning Workshops

  Fri 12 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  Are you a P1 parent who would like some tips on how to help your child at home with their reading and homework?

  Eastside Learning are running workshops on 'He...lping with Reading' and 'Helping with Phonics' in some of our local primary schools.

  We have some spaces at the Dundela Infant School sessions, in the evening, starting next Wednesday 17th which we are opening out to all east Belfast parents.
  See below for all dates and times. Spaces are limited

  To register, email eddy@eastsidepartnership.com or FB Private Message or call 90451900

  Also keep an eye out in your own school over the coming weeks for sessions happening during the daytime.

  

• The Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal

  Fri 12 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  As usual, the school will be supporting The Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal. Our office helpers will be going round all the classrooms selling poppies, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers and reflectors. The suggested donation is 20p for a poppy and 50p or £1 for the other items. Please help support this very worthwhile cause.

  

• MacMillan Coffee Morning

  Tue 09 Oct 2018 Mr Hutchinson

  We were delighted to again take part in the recent Macmillan Coffee Morning and this time we extended it to the whole school, including parents who dropped in to have coffee and a chat. Lots of the children bought buns and cakes too. We were overwhelmed by the support and the phenomenal generosity shown. Our overall total for the morning was £390. Thank you for donating and to everyone who was able to drop in to share the morning with us.