PUPIL FREE DAYS 2024
- Monday, November 4
2024 TERM DATES
- 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 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October 9 to 11
FOUNDATION ENROLMENTS I trust and hope we have all 2025 enrolments from our current families received at the General Office by now, but if not can we implore you to complete this paper work NO LATER than Friday, July 26 please?
2024 PARENT/CAREGIVER/GUARDIAN OPINION SURVEY Next week, you will receive an invitation to participate in this year’s survey. Whether you have a number of suggestions for ways we can improve, or you find us faultless (!), we would really like to hear that from you. The survey is open until Friday30 August , but you are encouraged to complete it in the first instance and then, secondly, sooner rather than later! Thank you.
VPS OLYMPICS DAY On Thursday 1 August, we will be celebrating the Olympic Games with a whole school VPS Olympics themed activity day. Families are very welcome to attend the Opening Ceremony from 9.15am – 10.40am. The remainder of the day will see students participate in number of fun, sporting activities. Students have each been assigned a ‘country’ and will stay with this multi-aged group for the day. By the end of this week, you will be informed of the country your child/ren are in and the colours they are invited to wear for the day. Our student leadership team will coordinate the Opening Ceremony, hosting the ‘parade of Nations’ and the ‘official’ opening of the VPS Games.
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS As I mentioned last week, Riley Cadusch participated in the State Cross Country at Yarra Glen on Thursday. Riley had a strong race in the under 10 division, finishing 18th out of 112 participants. A wonderful result for his first experience at this level.
Darragh Finn has been named as Vice Captain of the School Sport Victoria AFL Victorian team. This appointment certainly highlights Darragh’s leadership skills and we wish the team all the very best for the National Championships in August.
Last Friday, each of our Year 6 Interschool sporting teams played in the district finals. Unfortunately, both netball teams lost their finals match but they played extremely well. The boys tee-ball team were named District runners-up. The girls tee-ball team won their game against Heidelberg PS, becoming District Premiers. On Tuesday they played in The Banyule and Inner North/Moreland Division Tee-ball Championships against St Anthony’s PS. They lost this match but certainly tried very hard. Our AFL team won their match against Rosanna Golf Links becoming District Premiers. They played in the Banyule and Inner North/Moreland Divisions Football (A.F.L.) Championships on Monday against Watsonia Heights and Ivanhoe East, also winning these matches and becoming Divisional Champions. They will play their Regional match on August 6th.
Well done to all students, we are very proud of your achievements.
Have a great week,
Gill
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY From time to time, we are required to keep students inside during recess and lunch times in accordance with our Inclement Weather Policy. For the purposes of this policy, inclement weather is defined as extreme heat, rain, lightning, dust, wind, cold or any other condition that is considered by the Principal or Assistant Principals to be unsuitable for students to be outside. We are fortunate that we have not had many of these days in 2024.
Today, Thursday 25 July, the students were required to stay inside at Recess and Lunch due to the rain. Every time it looked like the sky was about to clear and no rain on the radar http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR023.loop.shtml#skip, it would start drizzling again! Our oval and TigerTurf were saturated, and it would not have been safe for the students to play, although I am sure some would have loved to have been covered head-to-toe in mud!
You can find our Inclement Weather Policy on our website here: http://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/forms-policies
CLASS COVERAGE As with every other employee in Victoria, our staff are entitled to sick/personal leave. Schools do not have an allocated pool of Casual Relief Techers (CRTs) that are designated to that school only, they are free to work at any school they wish (some CRTs may choose to only work at one or two schools though). If a staff member is absent, we will attempt to find a replacement teacher. We will do our best to not ‘split’ classes (that is, allocate 3 or 4 students to a number of grades for a period of time) unless it is necessary.
BANYULE COUNCIL SAFE ACCESS AUDIT I have been informed that the Safe Access Audit being completed by Banyule Council is well underway (see Compass Post sent 7th June 2024). Some of the areas they are looking at are:
- Congestion and car parking in local streets
- Volume and speed of traffic.
- Pedestrian safety when crossing streets.
- Footpath condition.
- Lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure.
They will be visiting the school at peak and off peak times.
Have a great weekend,
Patrick
WORKING BEE Term 3 working bee is scheduled for Sunday, August 25 commencing at 9am. Working bees are a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together, improve our facilities, and create a better environment for our children. Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or stay for the whole time, every bit of help makes a significant difference. From gardening to minor repairs, there’s a task for everyone. No special skills are required, just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to contribute!
EARLY LEAVERS PROCEDURES Parents are required to come to the office when collecting their child early from school. The Office Staff will ring the classroom and ask for your child to come to the office with their bag. Children are only to be collected by their parent from the front Office (not the classroom or the school yard). This will minimise disruptions to the children's learning and avoid teachers being unaware students have been collected by a parent during recess and lunch.
It would also be appreciated if any appointments for children could be made outside of school times where possible. Early dismissal and tardiness can disrupt the learning environment and create distractions for everyone in the classroom.
LATE ARRIVALS PROCEDURES Please ensure children who arrive late go straight to the office to be marked as present. If the child does not come to the office for a late pass a text message will be sent to the parent/carer notifying that the child is absent. Late arrivals can only be time stamped at the office. When Parents/carers record the late arrival in Compass it provides us with the explanation but does not mark your child as present. When your child presents at the office, staff will record your child’s actual arrival time which updates the class roll.
Arriving on time ensures that students do not miss important instructions, announcements, or the beginning of lessons. Being present from the start of the school day allows students to make the most of their learning opportunities and stay on track with their academic progress.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
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 upgrad
Our Term 3 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 1st August (Orders closing on Monday 29th July, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 8th August (Orders closing on Monday 5th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 15th August (Orders closing on Monday 12th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 22nd August (Orders closing on Monday 19th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 29th August (Orders closing on Monday 26th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 5th September (Orders closing on Monday 2nd September, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th September (Orders closing on Monday 9th September, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th September (Orders closing on Monday 16th September, 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 3 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 3:00pm to 3:30pm, 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 – Jack Cai
- Email: jack3bld@gmail.com
- Phone: 0426 665 044
STRINGS - MR CAI
- Email: cai66@optusnet.com.au
- Phone: 0403 490 078
GUITAR – Luca Brading
- Email: lucabrading@gmail.com
- Phone: 0422 690 842
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
Online Ordering Please Visit: www.aplusschoolwear.com.au