PUPIL FREE DAYS

• Monday 2nd November, 2020

TERM DATES

• 2020 TERM 3: Monday 13th July - Friday 18th September (2:30pm finish)
• 2020 TERM 4: Monday 5th October - Friday 18th December (1:30pm finish)

It’s difficult to believe we have reached the half way mark of Term 3. In a year unlike any other, I trust that everyone is remaining healthy, sane and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! We appreciate the collective efforts of our school community and look forward to, hopefully, seeing everyone during Term 4.

Yesterday, the Foundation students and their teachers (and even a few of the Principal team!), celebrated 100 days of school with an online disco. It was great fun and really well organised by the Foundation team. It seemed a lot of families put a good deal of time and effort into setting up their own disco dance floors at home, and it was a nice response to something a little out of the ordinary, at least in recognising this milestone. Thanks again to the Foundation team, and it was lovely to see so many excited Foundation students enjoying the fun.

The Building works have just about been completed, with Saturday marking the final day on site. There may be a few other subtle touches and finishes along the way, but ‘handover’ is Monday. A significant milestone, and in a not too dissimilar fashion to the Foundation 100 days, celebrated somewhat unobtrusively. Looking forward to showing off the new buildings with everyone.

Remote learning has been supported under Stage 3 restrictions with the distribution of materials for Foundation to 2 students via collection by their parents. But, under Stage 4 restrictions, this has not been feasible.

I have asked staff that rather than making ‘packs’ available, they consider emailing the work for parents to print off at your home. Alternatively, they are pursuing alternative approaches to presenting these activities. In extremely limited circumstances, we may consider printing off some packs and mailing these or making them available for collection but this will only be judged on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your child’s teacher in these circumstances, and this will be then referred to leadership where applicable.

A reminder that if anyone has not submitted an enrolment form for a ‘sibling’ for 2021, that you do so as soon as possible. Also, if you know of anyone else living in our area that has not yet done the same, can you also give them a subtle nudge – via physical distancing of course or preferably in a virtual fashion! Actually, maybe a phone call!!!

I hope everyone has a nice weekend - walking, reading, watching the footy, a bit of housework and being grateful for health and family. Monday will see our staff planning activities for the remaining five weeks of term, so whilst there will be activities and work for students to complete, staff won’t be providing feedback during the day as they plan. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

Lockdown Stage 4 This is just a reminder that your best source of up to date information can be found at the Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus and at the Department of Education and Training for school specific information https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Mental Health Articles

Family Survival Guide https://www.acmi.net.au/ideas/read/family-survival-guide/ Published by ACMI – Australian Centre Moving Image, Melbourne

“Are you a parent or carer trying to get some work done, manage the household and help kids learn at home? That’s serious multitasking!

Relax you know what you’re doing. Think of all the knowledge and skills you’ve passed on in just a few short years. You’ve got this! But don’t think you need to suddenly become an expert on school-based learning or keep the family involve in formal learning at home from 9am–3.30pm.”

Continue reading the article at the above link (5 min read in total). Topics include:

• Focus on wellbeing
• Be positive
• Together time
• Establish a routine
• Have fun outside
• Inside time
• Stay connected

Seven ways to cope with uncertainty - what should we do when everything feels so out of control? https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_to_cope_with_uncertainty

Article published in ‘Greater Good Magazine – science based insights for a meaningful life’ University of California, Berkley.

“Living with so much uncertainty is hard. Human beings crave information about the future in the same way we crave food and other primary rewards. Our brains perceive ambiguity as a threat, and they try to protect us by diminishing our ability to focus on anything other than creating certainty.

Research shows that job uncertainty, for example, tends to take a more significant toll on our health than actually losing our job. Similarly, research participants who were told that they had a 50% chance of receiving a painful electric shock felt far more anxious and agitated than participants who believed they were definitely going to receive the shock.”

Continue reading the article at the above link (5 min read in total). Topics include:

• Don’t resist
• Invest in yourself
• Find healthy comfort items
• Don’t believe everything you think
• Pay attention
• Stop looking for someone to rescue you
• Find meaning in the chaos

Have a great weekend everyone!

Patrick

.

FOUNDATION 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS It was certainly an exciting day on Wednesday for our Foundation students and their families as they celebrated their first 100 days of schooling. Congratulations to all the students and our wonderful Foundation Team of Kelsey, Colleen, Kirsten and Amanda who put together a very special, high-energy day. From crown making to a disco party and everything in between our lucky students were still able to celebrate together in their virtual classroom.

Even during remote learning, it’s reassuring to know that although apart we are together in so many ways.

Remember…. The more you celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

Be kind and caring

Gill

Remote Learning Office Hours: The Remote Learning Office hours are from 9am to 3.30pm. To contact the school outside of these hours you may send an email to viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au or leave a message on the answering machine.

Attendance On Compass: Parents need to continue to mark any school absences on Compass as normal.

Thank you and take care

Lucy Addati

Business Manager

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Unfortunately, our Transition event for Foundation 2021 students “Storyland" has been postponed due to current restrictions. This event was scheduled to run on Tuesday, 11th August.

We thought we would begin the Transition process online as we couldn’t wait to share a fun story with you. We hope you enjoy this video.

We are still accepting enrolment forms during Term 3, please call the office once you have arrived and a member of staff will greet you and accept your enrolment form.

PHONE NUMBER: 0448 075 422

EMAIL: viewbank@oshclub.com.au

Uniforms can be purchased online at www.aplusschoolwear.com.au with one of three delivery options:

• Free collection in store during trading hours
• Postage to address of customer’s choosing, at $12.50 for two items or less, or $17.50 for three items or more
• Free delivery to school, to an existing student at Viewbank Primary. Please note, this option is not available if the customer does not already have a student at the school