Friday 3rd May - Mother's Day Stall

Tuesday 7th May - Parents and Friends AGM / Term 2 meeting, 7pm

Friday 10th May - Second Hand Uniform Sale, 8:30am to 9am (To be held fortnightly)

Thursday 16th May - Special Hot Lunch Day

Thursday 16th May - Cyber Safety Parent Session, 7pm

Saturday 18th May - Election Day Sausage Sizzle, Cake and Book Stalls

Monday 20th May - Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea, after assembly in the gym foyer

Saturday 25th May - Dolly's Disco Bingo, 7pm. Tickets now on sale.

Thursday 8th August - The Resilience Project (students)

Monday 2nd September - The Resilience Project (parents)

TERM DATES

• 2019 TERM 2: Tuesday 23rd April - Friday 28th June (2:30pm finish)
• 2019 Term 3: Monday 15th July - Friday 20th September (2:30pm finish)
• 2019 Term 4: Monday 7th October - Thursday 20th December (1:30pm finish)

CAMP DATES

• Year 3: Arrabri Lodge Camp (Mon 05Aug to Wed 07Aug)
• Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp (Mon 03Jun to Wed 05Jun)
• Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp (Tue 08Oct to Fri 11Oct)
• Year 6: Canberra Camp (Mon 27May to Fri 31May)

WELCOME BACK! A warm welcome back to the whole school community after a lovely Easter break. I trust everyone had the opportunity to relax with family and friends – certainly the weather helped, although I think everyone is praying for some decent rain.

This term offers a range of activities and highlights, in addition to our ‘normal’ instruction. Not least of these is the opportunity to host 15 students and 4 teachers from Vietnam for two weeks commencing June 3. You will recall we have established ties with Doan Thi Diem school, which is based in Hanoi, and our goal is to have our own international trip there late next year, with 15 to 20 current Grade 4 and 5 students and 5 of our own staff. The students from Doan Thi Diem will be visiting us for two weeks and will participate in a range of classroom and other activities over their two weeks here. We encourage everyone to attend a welcome assembly early in the week commencing June 3 to make our visitors feel very welcome and special, and we are also looking for families to host a student or students for a weekend in the middle of their stay. More on that next week, but please feel free to contact Gill Nicholls or myself at your earliest convenience if you can help us in that regard.

We also have the Grade 6 camp to Canberra, a Grade 4 camp to Anglesea, NAPLAN online, 3 way conferences later in the term, Education Week Open Days, school/district/regional cross country, interschool sport on a weekly basis and more, so please keep yourself updated by referencing our website, newsletters and compass advices on a regular basis.

STUDENT SUPERVISION Viewbank Primary School’s grounds are supervised by school staff from 8.50am until 3.40pm. Outside of these hours, school staff will not be available to supervise students. Parents and carers should not allow their children to attend outside of these hours. You will be aware that we offer an excellent before and after school care program. Families are encouraged to contact OSHClub https://www.oshclub.com.au/viewbank-oshclub-vic/ (0448 075 422) for more information about the before and after school care facilities available to our school community.

STAFF CAR PARK Once again, we need to advise that the staff car park is just that – a car park for staff members who are employed either centrally or by school council. For a start, spaces are limited in this designated space, but more importantly, parents who park there enter or leave with their children ‘in tow’, and create safety issues with cars entering and leaving. For the safety of all concerned, please adhere to this request.

GALLIPOLI OAK AREA You will have noticed by now that the area near the gate on Winston Road has been enhanced over the break to give greater attention to our Gallipoli Oak which was planted there last April. This will be a permanent site of remembrance and symbolism, and is a project that was wonderfully coordinated by our Buildings and Grounds Committee over the break. Many thanks to all, but especially Neralie Cadusch and Bec Deighton, along with Dani King’s gardening expertise.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MEETING The committee meets next Tuesday night, April 30 at 7pm in the staff room. All welcome.

2020 FOUNDATION INFORMATION NIGHT The Information Night for prospective families for 2020 is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, commencing at 6.30pm in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden room. The meeting is scheduled for an hour and will highlight the benefits of an education at our school. Please let others know if they are contemplating enrolling their children here in 2020 or beyond!

THINK U KNOW We have arranged for a Cybersafety Parent Information Night on Thursday, May 16, commencing at 7pm in the School Library. More information will be provided as the date nears, but please mark it in your diary (or electronic calendar) so that you don’t miss out. In preparation please check out their webpages at https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/

A ‘short’ week, but a busy one. Hope it has been productive.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

A warm welcome back to everyone. I hope you are feeling energised and ready for a busy term 2.

Changes to Music Timetable This term we begin preparations for our whole school concert which will be held on the 5th and 6th of September.

Throughout terms two and three, the students will be rehearsing their item for the concert in their music lessons each week. Ms Davey and Ms Hall will be team teaching music from Wednesday to Friday and two classes will attend each 45 minute session together. As a result, quite a few classes have had a change to their scheduled weekly music lesson. I’m sure the new music times will be communicated to families through the level newsletters for term 2.

Education Sub Committee Meeting The next meeting of the Education Sub Committee will be held on Monday May 6 at 7.00pm in the staffroom. All welcome.

Hats On Just a reminder that students are required to wear their hat outside until the end of week 2 (Friday 3 May) in line with our SunSmart policy which states:

From mid-August to end of April, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of the August to April time period, by parent or student choice.

Have a great week!

Gill Nicholls

Welcome back to Term 2!

Welcome back everyone.

We have an action packed term coming up - our association with Delta Dogs will continue this term with casual visits from Chris and/or Anne and Ice (Chris is on the lookout for a permanent Delta volunteer), NAPLAN for Grades 3 and 5, Reports, 3-Way-Conferences on Wednesday 26th June 11am to 7pm (for our new families, this means no school but your child is expected to attend the interview with you), SWPBS (see below) will be starting to be implemented, and we will be reviewing our school values.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support As mentioned in the Viewbank Voice (28th March), Viewbank Primary School is involved in the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) program. Over the course of this term, I will give an explanation of the 7 areas in the Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI). This week, I will be giving a big picture overview, before explaining each of the TFI areas. The below has been sourced from: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/management/improvement/swpbsintro.docx

What is school-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS)? SWPBS is a broad range of systemic and individualised strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes in schools while preventing problem behaviour. The key attributes of SWPBS include preventive activities, data-based decision making, and a problem solving orientation. SWPBS is a technology with four core, defining features:

Why should we implement SWPBS?

SWPBS has demonstrated:

• Reduced problem behaviour
• Increased academic performance
• Improved perception of safety
• Reduced bullying behaviours
• Increased time for instructional leadership
• Reduced staff turnover
• Improved social-emotional competence
• Increased positive school climate and culture

SWPBS is a tiered intervention framework SWPBS uses a tiered intervention framework which invests in prevention (tier I), identifies and provides targeted supports for individual students at risk for developing challenging behaviour (tier 2), and provides individualised and intensive interventions for students with significant support needs (tier 3).

SWPBS counteracts the ‘wait-to-fail’ model of other frameworks and moves schools to a prevention-based approach. We are looking to become far more explicit in how we ensure students know what is expected from them in regards to their behaviour.

Psychology service for students at Viewbank Primary School At the end of Term 1, Mrs Nicholls and I met with the Senior Educational and Developmental Psychologist from ‘DBT in Schools’ to discuss the services that they may be able to provide to our students. Department of Education psychologists do not have the capacity to meet with individual students for counselling, and we have been looking for ways to fill that gap.

We realise that for some families, attending psychology services outside of school times can be difficult, which is why this service will be available during school times. The service is bulk-billed with a Mental Health Care Plan (available from your GP) for up to 10 sessions.

DBT stands for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and it is an evidence based type of cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy tries to identify and change negative thinking patterns and pushes for positive behavioural changes.

Areas that DBT in Schools can help with (from http://dbtinschools.com.au/individual-therapy/):

• emotional stress such as depression and anxiety
• grief and sadness
• bullying
• sexuality issues
• substance abuse issues
• trauma
• family breakdown or parent problems, or
• friendship and relationship issues

“Seeing a Psychologist is an opportunity for students to talk about their problems, ask questions and develop skills to cope with these problems. Individual therapy sessions are provided at the child’s school at a time convenient with the school, and are usually 50 minute sessions. Communication about the goals and child’s progress is provided to the parent throughout therapy.”

If you would like any more information and may like to access this service, please call me (9459 1512) or send me an email at viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Parent Tips

This week, we have something from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner - Julie Inman Grant (https://www.esafety.gov.au/). This continues with themes recently discussed at school via Safer Internet Day (5th February 2019), National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence (15th March 2019), and Day for Daniel (26 October 2018 and 25th October 2019) and the upcoming ‘Think U Know’ parent cyberbullying session booked for Thursday 16th May.

“Sadly, research tells us that one in five young Australians experience cyberbullying, and only 55% confide in a parent if they experience a negative online incident. This can be confronting for many parents and carers to learn—the thought of being totally unaware of comments and images targeting their child, while it is usually highly visible to their friends and peers.

In an ideal world, being as engaged with young people’s online lives as we are with their offline lives would help us protect them from negative incidents or minimise any damage. But, as a working mum of three, I understand this isn’t always easy, especially when we’re dealing with issues we didn’t experience growing up. Our research shows less than 50% of parents feel confident in dealing with cyberbullying.

The good news is, the eSafety Commissioner was established to help young people deal with this very issue. We operate the world’s first (and still only) legislated cyberbullying reporting service for Australian children under the age of 18.

If a child or trusted adult reports serious cyberbullying to a social media service, and it is not removed within 48 hours, they can report it to eSafety and we can advocate on their behalf to get the material removed. We also have a range of powers to issue civil penalties to social media companies who do not comply with our take-down requests.”

**To continue reading this article, please follow this link: https://vps.page.link/cyberbullyinfo

Have a great weekend everyone!

​

CASH PAYMENTS MADE AT THE OFFICE As most payments are now made via Compass, we have very little cash to give as change when parents make cash payments at the office. Could you please endeavour to have the correct money when making payments at the office.

TERM 2 EXPENSES Term 2 Expenses are currently published on Compass and are due by Friday 26th of April.

COMPASS If you have any questions about Compass, please do not hesitate to contact the office or refer to the Compass Parent Guide on your Compass Newsfeed. We will also be running a parent Compass workshop early in Term 2.

CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund) is a government assisted fund which provides payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports and excursions ($125 per child). Applications for the Governments ‘CSEF Fund’ can be accessed by filling in the attached form and return to the office with a current Health Care card. To be eligible for this funding, you need to hold a current Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Card. Please note: as this funding is means tested, the Parent/Guardian MUST be the card holder, no Medical Health Care Cards in the student’s name will be accepted as it will be rejected by the CSEF system. Funds are paid to the school and will be automatically allocated to the Term Expenses unless otherwise stated by the parent at the start of the year.

Lucy Addati

Business Manger

​

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE (Every second Friday) Next sale day is Friday 10th May, 8:30am -9am (Next to the music room). Jumpers with the school logo and school dresses will be $5.00 and all other items $2.00. We are currently asking for donations of any unwanted reusable school uniform items to sell at our stall.

Election Day - Attention our wonderful parent helpers!!

Parents & Friends need your help with the upcoming Election Day Cake Sale, Sausage Sizzle and Book Stall on Saturday 18th May.

We will be seeking bakers and onion choppers as well as people to help man the stands on the day.

Mother’s Day Stall 2019 This year’s Mother’s Day Stall will be held on Friday 3rd of May, 2019. Children are asked to bring no more than $10.00 to purchase some quality goodies for their Mums, Grandparent, Aunties or Special person. Please remember to bring your money and a carry bag with you on the day. For this to run smoothly Parent helpers are required to assist with the setup, selling of gifts and packing up the stall which will run throughout the entire day…. so if you are available please contact Carol Seneca & Sarina Sherlock via email cazstar@optusnet.com.au (Mob: 0410 039 554)

Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea - Viewbank Primary School is hosting a Biggest Morning Tea to help raise vital funds for cancer research, prevention and support services. All welcome!! Monday 20th May, after assembly in the gym foyer.

Donations can also be made online to help the Cancer Council raise much needed funds that go towards vital cancer research, support services, prevention programs, and advocacy. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW

Purchase your Entertainment Membership NOW to help Viewbank Primary School raise much needed funds!

Viewbank Primary School are again fundraising with the very popular Entertainment Book or Digital Membership. You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and help our fundraising at the same time. Hurry, Entertainment Memberships sell out quickly.

ICY POLE FRIDAY Students are able to buy icy poles over the counter at lunchtime. All icy poles cost $1.00 each. We are asking for parent helpers to assist with the sale of these icy poles on Fridays from 1pm to 1:30pm.

BRIGHT STAR KIDS PERSONALISED NAME PRODUCTS We've teamed up with Bright Star Kids to help us raise funds and to decrease the amount of lost property. When you buy anything from their range of personalised name labels and school supplies (or anything else in their store) 20% of it will come back to our group.

Please remember to link up our group "VIEWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL" in the Nominate a Fundraiser checkout section. Thanks for your support!

Visit their website: https://www.brightstarkids.com.au where you can buy directly from them and get it sent directly to your home.

STRINGS, DRUM KIT, GUITAR, UKULELE, FLUTE, SINGING, KEYBOARD AND PIANO

Information and “Expression of Interest” forms are available at the general office. Alternatively, you may contact Gabriella on 0413 676 733 or gabriella@the.inter.net.au

THANK YOU!! - The students and staff of Viewbank Primary School would like to thank the Osborn family for their generous donation of Dreaming Soldiers, a book about the ANZAC’s. This fantastic story was illustrated by Shane McGrath who is Edward in 1G’s uncle, this book will be available in the school’s library shortly.

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Viewbank Primary School is excited to be participating. The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 6 September 2019. Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books. All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers. To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklists and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/prc If you would like your child to participate in this years Challenge, please complete the consent form and return to school. On receipt of the signed consent form, Usernames and Passwords will be issued to enable access to your online account. Forms are available via Compass, the Front Office or the Library.

HATS ON From 1st September until 30th April school hats must be worn outside during all outside activities.

SCHOOL BANKING Don’t forget to hand your bankbooks into your class teacher every Tuesday for banking.

RUNNING GROUP Every Thursday from 8:15am on the oval, for any students in years 4-6. All abilities welcome. Pack a spare pair of socks/shoes in case the oval is damp. Hope to see you there!

SCHOOL CHOIR Every Wednesdays, 8.30, in the Music room. Everyone from Year 2 to 6 are welcome!

Facility Hire Viewbank Primary School provides a venue for hire with kitchen facilities. Please submit a written application to the office, outlining the details of intended use via email at viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Please note that conditions do apply. At the discretion of the school, venue costs may also be waived in some instances. All applications will be considered on a case by case basis

ANZAC Appeal items are currently available for purchase from the General Office at Viewbank Primary School