PUPIL FREE DAY
- Wednesday 13th July 2022
- Monday 31st October 2022
FUNDRAISING BAKERY LUNCH ORDER DATES - Lower Plenty Bakehouse
- Thursday 12th May (Orders closing on 9th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th May (Orders closing on 16th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th May (Orders closing on 23rd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd June (Orders closing on 30th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th June (Orders closing on 6th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th June (Orders closing on 13th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd June (Orders closing on 20th June, 3:00pm)
2022 TERM DATES
- Term 2: 26th April - 24th June (2:30pm finish)
- Term 3: 11th July - 16th September (2:30pm finish)
- Term 4: 3rd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
2022 SCHOOL CAMP DATES
- Year 3: Arrabri Lodge Camp - Monday 8th August to Wednesday 10th August
- Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp - Wednesday 18th May to Friday 20th May
- Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp - Tuesday 4th October to Friday 7th October
- Year 6: Camp Coonawarra - Monday 18th July to Friday 22nd July
Almost two weeks down, and things are approaching something akin to ‘normal’ as we settle into term two. Thank you to everyone for heeding requests re drop offs and vacating the schoolgrounds quickly in the afternoons. Lots of events happening around school at the moment which is a positive thing to report. Our Grade 6 students had their first round of interschool sport against Charles La Trobe last Friday and host Banyule tomorrow (weather permitting). Our Grade 5 students had lots of fun on Monday with a Billy Carts incursion, and I trust they have regaled you with tales of the fun they had. The school cross country should have been run and won by the time you read this, although at the time of writing my ‘piece’ for this week’s newsletter the weather forecast looked a little threatening for the event (some would argue they are perfect cross country conditions nonetheless!). And tomorrow looks like fun with a ‘Crazy Hair Day’ (a reward for achieving our first goal with our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support), as well as a day of high secrecy as students purchase special gifts for Mum on Sunday.
SCHOOL COUNCIL The May meeting of School Council is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, May 10. For the first time in a long time this will be held onsite in the staffroom!
2023 INFORMATION NIGHT This is scheduled for tonight from 6.30pm in the school gymnasium. Please spread the word to any interested families you may know who are considering our school for enrolment in 2023.
NAPLAN There is much greater detail included later in this newsletter about NAPLAN online testing which commences next week.
ANGLESEA CAMP Our Grade 4 students are venturing down to the Bellarine Peninsula on Wednesday, May 18 as the first of our four school camps gets underway for 2022. These are eagerly anticipated events which take a great deal of time planning, are carefully implemented and should be a great source of joy, fun (and tiredness) for our Grade 4 students. Many thanks to the staff and volunteer parents (in advance) for committing to this event and I hope the weather is kind, and everyone enjoys the program in store for the three days.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY A very special Happy Mothers Day to all of our mums for Sunday. I hope you are truly spoiled!
Have a great weekend (especially Mums).
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Mother's Day Stall Don't forget that tomorrow, Friday 6th of May, Viewbank Primary School is having our annual Mother's Day stall please see further in the newsletter for more details.
The Resilience Project Parent Webinar On Monday the 9th of May, The Resilience Project is hosting a free webinar for parents at the schools they are working with. Please see the Compass post (Wednesday 27th April) that was sent for the link and sign-up details.
School Photos School photos have been sent home already. If you have ordered these and you have not seen them yet, please check your child's bag and if not there, please contact the office.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy - NAPLAN At Viewbank Primary School, NAPLAN is considered as just one of many things we do – a snapshot in time. Our Grade 3 and Grade 5 teachers have continued with the excellent work that they do, providing quality ‘all-round’ instruction and opportunities for our students. Due to the assessments being completed on-line, there has been some familiarisation with the technology and iPad app we are required to use.
As with any other piece of work our students do, we want them to ‘put their best foot forward’ and do their best. Sometimes, in an effort to please everyone, some students place a great deal of pressure on themselves and this can be overwhelming. To help with this, the best thing is to keep your routines the same at home. Participate in the after school activities they normally do, complete homework task as per usual (there is no need to complete extra NAPLAN homework or tasks), go to bed at normal time and eat meals as per usual. If you are running a little late (for the ‘Before Recess’ sessions), remind your child to enter the classroom quietly and listen to what the teacher has to say. If the session has progressed too far, the teacher may ask your child to go to another classroom and complete the assessment with another group or the following week during a make-up session.
As mentioned in previous newsletters, in 2022, there are 4 assessments that the students will be undertaking:
- Writing
- Reading
- Conventions of Language (Spelling and Grammar)
- Numeracy
The timetable for the above tests is as follows:
You will have noticed that except for Year 3 Writing, all tests will be completed online. These assessments are not permitted to be done at home and must be completed at school. There will be some provision for ‘make-up’ tests the following week.
If our Year 3 and Year 5 families have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance.
You can also find more information here: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment
Have a great weekend! Happy Mothers’ Day for Sunday!
Patrick
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Curriculum and Other Contributions We would like to thank families that have contributed to our voluntary contributions to date. Any families wishing to still make a voluntary contribution may do so at any stage via your Compass Payments Centre.
School Tours We run school tours on a Tue, Wed, Thu at 9.30am for prospective families. Please call the office to make a booking.
Enrolments We are currently accepting enrolments for 2023 and are happy to assist with any queries.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.
Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
It is important that funding made available in 2022 supports students to participate in school trips, camps and sporting activities this year rather than being held for future years. This funding can also be used in conjunction with any funding accrued from previous years. Please note these activities will only take place if they meet COVIDSafe requirements.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, please complete the attached application form and return to the office with a copy of your card.
You can also find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.
Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
Business Manager
Grade 3-6 Cross Country This morning 5th May, we had our Grade 3-6 Cross Country event at Price Park.
Well done to all students that participated and to everyone that cheered on their fellow friends and classmates. Everyone should be proud of themselves for trying their best and encouraging others. A massive thankyou to all the teachers and parent helpers that enabled the event to run so smoothly.
The district cross country event will be held on Wednesday 25th May at Banyule Flats.
Year 3 “Cultural Explosion” Incursion On Tuesday 3rd of May, the Year 3 cohort had an incursion to coincide with the “Finding Out” phase of our Cultures and Communities Inquiry. Christine from Workshops That Work guided the kids through a “cultural explosion” of discussion and dance, as they explored the links between dance, traditions and culture. This incursion helped many students answer their “wondering question” as we continue to gain insight into our unit key understandings.
Our unit key understandings are:
- people belong to many cultural, social and other groups
- there are a diverse range of cultures. Cultural practices/commemorations are based on values
- cultural traditions contribute to identity (personal, national, indigenous, and group identity)
- communities change over time but some aspects stay the same
All students were engaged and active participants, and thoroughly enjoyed Christine’s vibrant and dynamic display of cultural dances. We hope you enjoy looking at some of the photos of the day!
Year 3 Team
Year 5 Billy Carts Incursion According to the Year 5’s, we had one of the best Incursions EVER! As part of our design and Technology Inquiry Unit, we got to create, build and drive Billy Carts. We learnt what NOT to do when driving and that is to NOT hit all of the cones! We wore helmets when driving the Billy Carts. We also learnt how to drive “Ezyrollers” which was not as easy as it sounds. We built small models of Billy Carts using wheels, wood, aluminium, nuts, bolts & washers, and plastic seats. We also got to design our own mini carts which we then tested on a ramp. Some of them flew down the ramp. We finished off with some Billy Cart races. Overall we rate this incursion 10/10 and we would love to do it all again. From 5F
2022 Student Attitudes to School Survey
Dear Parent / Caregiver / Guardian,
This letter is to inform you about the 2022 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS), that your child is invited to participate in.
About the survey
We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of your school.
The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist your child’s school to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer and family relationships, resilience, bullying, mental health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.
This year, the AtoSS will be conducted at your school over the period Monday 23rd May – Friday 3rd June.
What are the benefits?
In our experience, young people enjoy having their say. We have been running this survey for nearly 20 years and it has been invaluable in helping schools understand student views. Your school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.
What are the risks?
While we do not anticipate many risks of participation, some students may find some of the survey questions too personal and sensitive in nature. Should you agree for your child to participate, they are still free to skip questions or to withdraw at any stage if the survey makes them upset or uncomfortable.
The survey has been approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee. The questions are selected from validated survey instruments used in Australia and around the world, are strength-based, and tailored for each year level group.
What will my child be asked to do?
Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool. It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note:
- Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time.
- The survey will take around 20-45 minutes to complete.
How is my child’s confidentiality protected?
Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey from their teacher. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used to link data for statistical and research purposes only. Personally identifiable data will not be recorded in the survey response file. This ensures that the confidentiality of your child’s responses is protected at all times.
How will results be reported?
The survey results will be reported back to the school in an aggregate form throughout the survey period. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified. Data suppression rules are used for schools with low student numbers per year level.
Your school may share the results of the survey with parents, in documents such as the School Annual Report.
Options for participation
Participation in this survey is voluntary. If you do not wish for your child to do the survey, please opt out via email to your school: viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au. Please do so before Monday 23rd May, stating that you wish to opt out of your child’s participation, along with their name and year level.
If your school does not receive a Refusal of Consent email from yourself before the survey commencement date mentioned within this letter, it means that you give your consent for your child to participate in the 2022 Attitudes to School Survey.
A copy of the survey that we are asking your child to complete is available from your child’s school. Please contact the administration office if you would like to see the survey before making your decision about whether you would like your child to participate.
If you would like more information, please speak to your child’s teacher, or contact the Department at school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au.
Yours sincerely,
The Victorian Department of Education and Training
A huge congratulations to our students for achieving their first ’small’ School Wide reward as part of our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support program. The students worked very hard showing our school values of Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Kindness earning 500 Viewbank Bees (this means 5000 acknowledged positive behaviours!!) We are so proud of our students, listened to their suggestions for a prize and have landed on a ‘Crazy Hair Day’ that will happen next Friday the 6th of May. Well done Viewbank, we can’t wait to see your creative hairstyles!
Scholastic Book Club Issue 3 catalogues will be sent home this week. The closing date for online LOOP orders is Wednesday 11th May.
Items will be priced between $2 and $10
This year’s Mother’s Day Stall will be held on Friday 6th of May, 2022. 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 via email cazstar@optusnet.com.au (Mob: 0410 039 554)
PLEASE NOTE IF CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE MONEY WITH THEM ON THE DAY THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A PURCHASE AS WE WILL NOT BE HAVING AN "I OWE YOU" SYSTEM THIS YEAR.
Due to parent request the Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every Thursday during Term 2. These lunches have been implemented via our Parents and Friends Committee. All money raised will be used towards our major school upgrade.
Our Term 2 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 12th May (Orders closing on 9th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th May (Orders closing on 16th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th May (Orders closing on 23rd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd June (Orders closing on 30th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th June (Orders closing on 6th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th June (Orders closing on 13th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd June (Orders closing on 20th June, 3:00pm
Orders need to be placed in advance via Compass Canteen. Ordering will close the Monday before the lunch date at 3pm. All of Term 2 lunch dates are now open for orders, and can be placed in advance for the whole term if you choose to do so.
Please see attached a Parent User Guide on how to order via Compass Canteen. Please note a 35 cents order fee will be charged at check out.
Parent assistance is required on Lunch Days from 10:30am to 12:30pm to assist with the packing of our orders. If you are available to assist in anyway can you please email the school at viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au so your name can be added to our roster.
Thank you for your support.
ICY POLE FRIDAY Students are able to purchase icy poles over the counter at lunchtime every Friday. All icy poles cost $1.00 each.
Lunches must be ordered online using the CLASSROOM CUISINE website.
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WEEKLY SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE - Every Friday 8:45am to 9:15am, next to the music room. Jumpers with the school logo, long and short sleeve school polo tops 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.
Instrumental Music Enrolments Can all students who would like to join our school instrumental music programs please inform the relevant teacher below of your expression of interest.
SINGING WITH GABRIELLA - Gabriella
- Email: favrettogab@gmail.com
- Phone: 0413 676 733
SINGING WITH JADE - Jade
- Email: jadefaving@gmail.com
- Phone: 0413 834 933
STRINGS - MR CAI
- Email: cai66@optusnet.com.au
- Phone: 0403 490 078
GUITAR/BASS GUITAR - Alec
- Email: alec.stalder@gmail.com
PIANO/KEYBOARD - Ella
- Email: ellac.blackburn@gmail.com
- Phone: 0410 938 840
DRUMS - Michael
- Email: michaelfindlaymcnab@gmail.com
- Phone: 0451 394 540
PHONE NUMBER: 0448 075 422
EMAIL: viewbank@oshclub.com.au
A PLUS SCHOOLWEAR Our uniform supplier is A Plus Schoolwear which is located at 41-43 Northern Road Heidelberg West. Open hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s from 9am to 4.30pm (closed on weekend and public holidays).
You can also purchase your uniform online at www.aplusschoolwear.com.au