2024 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 29th January - 28th March
- TERM 2: 15th April - 28th June
- TERM 3: 15th July - 20th September
- TERM 4: 7th October - 20th December
2024 CAMP DATES
- Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28 to 30
- Grade 4 Camp to Anglesea - May 15 to 17
- Grade 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October 9 to 11
- Grade 6 Camp - April 29 to 1 May
WELCOME A very warm welcome back, and first time welcome, to current and new Viewbank PS community members! We have a new school year and new buildings to look forward to, along with a host of activities, opportunities and learnings to take place. I trust that everyone had a great festive season and New Year and had the opportunity to holiday, relax and recharge!
January 30 saw 86 new Prep/Foundation students commence their lifelong education journey at Viewbank PS, with more than 15 students and their families commencing at different grade levels across the school. We trust your stay with us will be a long and productive one.
There are a few staffing matters to report. Claire Kielty was provisionally appointed to Yarragon PS on the last day of 2023 and this was confirmed in January. She had been set to teach Grade 4K in 2024 and as an interim measure Sally Stepowski will start the year off in that grade. We have advertised a vacancy which closes on the 7th of February and hopefully we will be able to announce the new teacher for 4K shortly thereafter. Welcome back to Kelsey Mentiplay and Jackie Rielly who will be sharing the teaching of Grade 1M this year, and to Jane McLeod who returns to us after stints at Gaayip-Yagila and Reservoir Views Primary School and will be teaching Grade 12M. Carmen Tran will be our school based Educational Psychologist this year.
As always, Term 1 offers a number of highlights with ‘Getting To Know You’ interviews, Information Nights (virtual), School Swimming Trials, Foundation Family Welcome Night, a School Community Picnic Night, Junior School Council Elections, School Council Elections, House Athletics and more.
We encourage you to keep informed by reading the weekly newsletter, bookmarking and visiting Compass and the school’s website frequently and asking any questions if still in doubt by contacting the General Office.
I’m pretty sure many of you would like to contact the General Office in person, simply because we have finally moved in to our new facilities and you’d like to have a look! For those who haven’t said hello to us there just yet, we have included a few photos to satisfy your interest.
As always, we encourage you to ‘get involved’ in any way you can in your community’s school. This might be via membership of any of the many sub-committees we have (Parents and Friends, Buildings and Grounds, Finance), membership of School Council (I will be calling for nominations in next week’s newsletter!), submitting an expression of interest to attend camps as a parent helper, attending working bees, being a ‘reading’ parent, and more.
SCHOOL COUNCIL The first School Council meeting for the year, and the last for this current School Council, will be held at school on Tuesday, February 13 from 7.00pm. To all Council members, all paperwork will be emailed out next week and also be accessible from our shared Google drive.
ACCESSING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS, CAR PARKING AND MORE There are still a few lingering aspects of the building program for completion and we are in a state of limbo with the provision of any car parking. Having said that, all entries to the school grounds are now operational for the year.
YARD SUPERVISION You will be aware that all of our staff are timetabled on for yard duty supervision at various times throughout the day. Supervision hours extend from 8.50am through to 3.40pm. Outside of those hours, if you cannot care for your child, we have an Out Of School Hours Care program (TheirCare) that can cater extremely well for your child’s supervision. At morning recess (10.40am-11.10am), there are 4 teachers on yard duty at any time. Similarly at lunch time (1.00pm – 1.50pm) there are 4 teachers on duty. The Principal Class and Education Support staff members will be at each of the entrance gates into the school grounds to meet and greet our students each morning and in the afternoon there will be two staff members on duty to ensure our school grounds are cleared by 3.45pm.
MOBILE PHONE POLICY Just a reminder of our school’s mobile phone policy. Mobile phones and any device that may connect to or have a similar functionality to a mobile phone such as a smart watch, must not be used at Viewbank Primary School during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted. Mobile phones owned by students at Viewbank Primary School are considered valuable items and are brought to school at the owner’s (student’s or parent/carer’s) risk. Students are encouraged not to bring a mobile phone to school unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Where students bring a mobile phone to school, Viewbank Primary School will provide secure storage. Secure storage is storage that cannot be readily accessed by those without permission to do so. At Viewbank Primary School students are required to store their phones. These should be handed in to the school administration office to be placed in a lockable cupboard. Classroom teachers will assist in ensuring this policy is enforced. Students who use their personal mobile phones inappropriately at Viewbank Primary School may be issued with consequences consistent with our school’s existing Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy.
NOTICES FOR APPROVAL Each year we distribute information via Compass seeking blanket permission for students to undertake a range of activities – for example, permission to undertake local excursions within walking distance of the school, permission to publish photographs in the newsletter and so on. If you did not complete your permissions online can you please do so within the week.
That’s it for me this week. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Bill Kersing
Principal
Welcome Back Welcome to the start of another exciting school year! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I am incredibly grateful to be one of the assistant principals at Viewbank Primary School. Our school is filled with dedicated teachers, supportive staff, and eager students who are ready to learn and grow together. I have no doubt that this year will be filled with opportunities for personal and academic growth, as well as fun.
Get To Know You Interviews You will be able to access Compass to book your child’s 2024 ‘Get To Know You Interview’ time from 4:30pm on Friday 2nd February. These will be held ‘in-person’ on Tuesday 20th February and Thursday 22nd February.
These 10-minute meetings are an excellent opportunity for you to share important information regarding your child, information that will help the classroom teacher best support them to ensure that they can succeed in 2024. As it is very early in the year, the teacher will be able to provide information on how your child has settled into their 2024 class. A comprehensive written report and interview regarding academic and social progress will be offered mid-year.
Times will also be available with our Specialist teachers (see information below); however, these are only available on the days that they work, and the number of slots that they have are limited. We strongly recommend that you only book a time during these sessions if there is an important reason to do so (e.g. explaining to one of our PE teachers, Mr Prell or Mrs Stuckey, that your child has a condition that may prevent full participation in PE classes).
The booking system will close to further bookings on Thursday 15th February at 12pm. If you have any difficulties booking a time, feel free to contact the office (94591512 or viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au).
I would like to thank the staff for giving up their evenings with their families and other commitments on these nights. Our staff do this because they recognise the importance of a strong school-home relationship, and that they value your input. We are fortunate to have such committed teachers and support staff at Viewbank PS!
Specialist Classes Our specialist teachers this year are:
As of Thursday 1st February, classes have the following specialist teachers:
- Green shading = staff member works in this role one or more days Monday to Wednesday.
- Gold shading = staff member works in this role one or more days Wednesday to Friday.
- Not shaded = staff member is here every day.
Additional Assistance / Support Staff Our Additional Assistance / Support Staff this year are:
Their role will evolve this year based on the needs of the students.
Parents and Friends Our first event of the year – the Welcome Back Picnic on Tuesday 13th February 5:30 – 7pm on the Tiger Turf and Year 2 Courtyard.
Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school Please be aware, the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/carers of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs.
Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. This can include mobile phones, ‘wearables’, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. As the Department does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property, students and staff are discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school.
Parents/carers can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers.
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
Welcome to all of our new and returning students and families.
I hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday break. I certainly enjoyed catching up with family, spending time in the garden and travelling interstate. Hopefully, everyone is ready for a productive year.
Congratulations to all our new Foundation students who started their Viewbank learning journey on Tuesday. They certainly looked the part in their school uniforms and seem to be confidently settling in. I’m sure as the term progresses we will hear more and more about their time at school.
As Assistant Principal, I have numerous roles with one being Student Welfare.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s wellbeing, mental health or progress please speak with your child’s teacher in the first instant (personally or via email) and/or contact me. There are many avenues for support if we know there is a concern.
The Department of Education provides many relevant Parent and Carer resources to assist with student mental health and well-being which you can access online, and I often share in the newsletter.
Tips to support your child’s health and wellbeing Tips and resources available for parents and carers to support their child’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.
- Looking after your child’s wellbeing
- Looking after your child’s mental health
- Wellbeing activities for parents of primary school students
- Wellbeing activities for parents of secondary students
Working Bee Thank You A huge thank you to the many families who came to our mini working bee last Sunday morning. Many hands meant that 20 cubic metres of soft fall was spread under the playgrounds in record time. The volunteers then moved on to clearing concrete, rocks, rubble and logs, raking up sticks and grass, moving temporary fencing and setting up the soccer goals. This wonderful display of Viewbank spirit ensured our students were able to return to a safe and inviting school yard this week.
Wearing Hats at School Just a reminder ALL students must wear a school approved hat at school each day. As outlined in our school Sunsmart Policy (available on the school website)
- From mid-August to 30 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.
- A ‘No Hat, No Play’ rule will be enforced from mid August to the end of April. Students without hats will be restricted to playing in designated shaded areas during scheduled recess breaks. During PE and sport lessons or during excursions a hat may be provided by the school for the duration of the activity if your child does not have their own.
I very much look forward to catching up with you as the term progresses.
Enjoy the week.
Gill
PARENT PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2024 Viewbank Primary School is looking forward to another great year of teaching and learning and would like to advise you of Viewbank Primary School’s Parent Payment Arrangements for 2024. We would like to thank you in advance for all your support, whether that’s through financial contributions, fundraising or volunteering your time. The ongoing support of our families assist us to broaden the educational experience for our students. The environment and resources that we enjoy today represent the contributions made by our parent community over the many years. All classroom supplies will be provided directly to the classrooms in bulk and teachers will distribute stationery and other supplies to the students as required.
Further detailed information can be found in the attached 2024 Parent Payment Arrangements and payments are welcome via Compass.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES The Term 1 Extra-Curricular Items and Activities will be posted on Compass. Please be aware a flexible payment plan for extra-curricular items and activities are available, please do not hesitate to contact me.
CAMPS, SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF) The Government assisted Fund provides payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports, incursions and excursions ($150 per child). Applications for the Governments ‘CSEF Fund’ can be accessed by filling in the application form and returning it to the office with a copy of your current Health Care Card. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply) i.e. a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card.
If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2023, you do not need to complete an application form in 2024 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
- new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2024 or you did not apply in 2023.
- changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2024.
- Funds are paid to the school and will be automatically allocated to the Extra-Curricular Items and Activities unless otherwise stated by the parent at the start of the year.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
In 2023, the P&F Committee started using WhatsApp as a way for parents to communicate. We were told how helpful this was and with that in mind have streamlined the process of joining in 2024.
If you did not join late last year, and you would like to join your child's Class WhatsApp for 2024, please go the Newsfeed section of Compass and scroll down to the post titled 2024 Class WhatsApp Joining Code - Parents and Friends. Next to each class code and teacher name is a unique link that can be used to access your class and start meeting the other parents right away. In you have already joined late last year or earlier this year, there is no need to do so again.
Please remember, these groups are used and managed by the school’s P&F committee to filter information through and to help you stay connected with others in your class. These groups proved a great resource to many families this year and we hope to make them even better next year.
There is no obligation to join, and you can exit the group at any time. There are no teachers or school staff in these groups as they are completely parent run.
Thanks,
P&F Committee
Lower Plenty Bakehouse provide the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every Thursday. These lunches have been implemented via our Parents and Friends Committee. All money raised will be used towards our major school upgrade.
Our Term 1 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 8th February (Orders closing on Monday 5th February, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 15th February (Orders closing on Monday 12th February, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 22nd February (Orders closing on Monday 19th February, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 29th February (Orders closing on Monday 26th February, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th March (Orders closing on Monday 4th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 14th March (Orders closing on Monday 11th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 21st March (Orders closing on Monday 18th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 28th March (Orders closing on Monday 25th March, 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 1 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.
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.
Entertainment Book 20% of the membership goes directly to support our fundraising at Viewbank Primary School. https://www.entertainment.com.au/current-promotion
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 $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
STRINGS - MR CAI
- Email: cai66@optusnet.com.au
- Phone: 0403 490 078
GUITAR/BASS GUITAR - Alec
- Email: alec.stalder@gmail.com
PIANO/KEYBOARD/DRUMS - Daniel Tucceri
- Email: info@banyulemusicandtutoring.com
- Phone: 0405 667 908
Our school has partnered with an independent provider called TheirCare to provide exceptional Outside School Hours Care services for our school community.
The program is available for all children at Viewbank Primary School from 6:30am until 9:00am in the morning and from 3:30pm until 6:15pm each school day.
During School Holidays & Pupil Free Days the service will operate from 6:30am until 6:15pm.
Families wishing to use this service can visit the TheirCare website: www.theircare.com.au
Families are eligible for a Government Rebate called the Child Care Subsidy which can reduce the cost per session by up to 85%.
More information can be obtained by contacting the school or ringing TheirCare Support Team on 1300 072 410.
TheirCare provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children. During sessions, children develop life-skills, friendships, confidence and creativity through play-based programs.
A PLUS SCHOOLWEAR
Shop Details:
- Unit 3/30 Heaths Court, Mill Park
- T: 9436 4005
- E: info@northernregionaluniforms.com.au
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
- Friday 9am to 3pm
- Saturday 9am to 12pm
Online Ordering Please Visit: www.aplusschoolwear.com.au