PLEASE CHECK COMPASS EVENTS REGULARLY
- Tuesday 12th December - Statewide Transition Day
- Wednesday 13th December - Grade 6 Graduation
2023 TERM DATES
- Term 4: 2nd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
2024 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 29th January - 28th March (students start 30 January)
- 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
SCHOOL COUNCIL The final School Council meeting for 2023 is set down for Tuesday, December 12 from 6.30pm. All correspondence will be sent out tomorrow. This is the final meeting for 2023 with one more meeting with this current Council scheduled for February 13, 2024 before the election process commences again. I just want to take this opportunity to thank all School Council members for their hard work, cooperation and support throughout 2023 under the astute leadership of Jason Hemingway, our School Council President.
GRADUATION The Grade 6 Graduation ceremony is set down for Wednesday, December 13 from 4.30pm in the school gymnasium and will be a celebration of the seven years of primary education for our students. It is a significant milestone in these students’ lifetime to be shared with family, teachers and classmates. Whilst the ceremony affords opportunity to reflect on all the experiences and learning that has been part of day to day at our school since 2017, I would like to acknowledge this cohort here in my weekly update. They truly have been a wonderful group who continue to live the school values in a daily fashion and have been wonderful role models for others in the school. I trust that they will also look back fondly on seven years punctuated with the highs of school camps, productions, excursions, day-to-day learning experiences and fun amidst the more chaotic events of COVID and building works. I’m sure the evening will be enjoyable and memorable.
2024 ORIENTATION DAY Tuesday, December 12 is the Statewide Orientation Day with all Grade 6 students attending their Secondary Colleges for a day’s activities in readiness for next year. In a similar vein, our Foundation to Grade 5 students will spend the morning of that day in their 2024 classrooms, with their 2024 classmates and teachers.
2024 CAPTAINS You will have read or heard previously of the School and House Captains announced for 2024. We are now in a position to complete the leadership profile for 2024 with the announcement of the final captaincy positions as follows:-
Communications Captains
- Sumaya ABDULWAHID
- Inaya BHARDWAJ
Wellbeing and Engagement Captains
- Sienna Elia
- Lennox Watt
Sustainability Captains
- Raymond Sun
- James Rance
Congratulations to all captains on their appointments. We trust they will lead with determination and commitment.
2024 SCHOOL CAPTAIN BADGE PRESENTATION We are thrilled to have the Honourable Anthony Carbines, Minister for Police, Crime Prevention and Racing attend our school assembly next Monday to present our 2024 captains with their badges. Anthony has been fulfilling this role for many years now and has always been a great support of the school in many ways. On behalf of the school, I thank Anthony for his ongoing support.
AMAZING MATHS SUCCESS Congratulations to Lucas Nan, Grade 4R, who was recently presented with a high distinction certificate for his performance in the Australian Maths Competition. Lucas placed in the top 0.3% in the Grade 5 and 6 classification, which is an amazing performance for someone so young. We wish him continued success in his maths studies – he never ceases to amaze us.
Congratulations also to George Vasiliadis of 2S who made the Top 10 in the World for Mathletics. Very proud of your efforts, George!
I hope everyone has a great weekend – just 18 days until Santa visits!
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
2024 Classes As Mr Kersing mentioned above, Tuesday 12 December is the day that the students find out who their 2024 teacher is and who is in their class.
Creating grades is a long and complicated process with teachers spending many hours (occurring at the same time as writing student reports after hours and on weekends) placing students carefully into the ‘right’ class. As asked for by Mr Kersing early in Term 4 (see Viewbank Voice 05 October 2023 https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/GtJfQNuxlKjdO) and required to be returned to school around the Melbourne Cup weekend, the many written requests have been carefully considered and acted upon as much as possible. Careful thought has gone into gender balance, and academic, social and wellbeing concerns.
Earlier this term, every student was given the opportunity to list 5 students that they would like to be in a class with. We ask for 5 friends, but it is unlikely that all friends can be in the same class. As much as possible, students will receive at least 1 friend from their list, and this has been explained in detail to all students. However, some of our students will still be disappointed that they only have ‘1’ friend from their list, declaring that they didn’t want ‘that’ particular friend, and could they be in a class with another student. This is an excellent time to help your child with their personal growth and resilience – please see the info graphic below.
As you are more than aware, as we move through life, we all have to meet new people, work with new people, sometimes do things (work and home) that we don’t want to – but we do these things anyway. Where did we learn how to be resilient in this manner? Generally, we learnt these skills at school. Those students who learn how to do this well will cope better moving into secondary school, post-secondary study and into work. The broader the friendship group, the less chance there is for mental health issues – having trouble with 1 group of friends? Change friendship groups for a while!
Most of you will have very happy children on Tuesday afternoon when you see them. Unfortunately, some of you may have an upset child. Please use this as a learning opportunity and to talk about resilience. When your child gets through the next 12 months, they will be mentally stronger for the experience – they have faced a challenge and succeeded. Just remember, it is only for 1 year and then you will likely have the opportunity to make a request (as long as it is submitted on time!) for the 2025 school year.
Parent Tips The following link is to a Facebook page that is an article from 2020 along the same lines as the above.
From Positive Minds Australia:
Worried about your child’s class placement in 2021? It’s perfectly natural to have a preference for a particular teacher and normal to feel worried or disappointed if they don’t get them. A child’s emotional adjustment to leaving this year’s teacher and preparing for next year’s teacher is interconnected with your feelings about it.
Here are loads of ways you can help make the transition smoother for your child if you or they didn’t get the news you were hoping for…. (select link for more of the article, 2-minute read)
https://www.facebook.com/positivemindsaustralia/posts/2816590495238773
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
Student Dress Code - School Uniforms At Viewbank, we have a compulsory Student Dress Code.
Our Uniform Supplier, A Plus Schoolwear provides our community with high quality, durable uniform items that contain our school logo.
Our Student Dress Code Policy outlines our uniform options and states that jumpers, polo tops and hats are to contain the school logo.
We are proud of our school, and ask that students wear the correct uniform each day.
The Student Dress Code aims to:
- foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance
- support Viewbank Primary School’s commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities
- reduce student competition on the basis of clothing
- enhance the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community
- provide instant recognition of students thus contributing to individual student safety and group security.
Viewbank Primary School’s school uniform items are as follows:
Please purchase uniform items, with the school logo, through A Plus Schoolware or at the second hand uniform sale, held on most Friday mornings before school.
Have a great week,
Gill
The office has relocated to the gym foyer/STEM room.
2024 PARENT PAYMENTS 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 continue to value and thank you for your financial contributions in supporting our school’s programs and resources. These contributions assist us to broaden the educational experience for our students.
All classroom supplies will be provided directly to the classrooms in bulk. Teachers will distribute stationery and other supplies to the students as required.
Payments can only be made on Compass from Monday the 22nd of January 2024.
Further detailed information about Parent Payments can be found on Compass and our website.
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
USED APPLE LAPTOPS FOR SALE $350 MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) 128GB
The school is selling four laptops that have now been rotated out of staff use. These Apple MacBook Airs come with a fresh install of MacOS Monterrey and a charging cable only. To secure one of these laptops, please come into the office and pay.
If you miss out this time, we expect there to be more available in the new year.
Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing 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 4 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 14th December (Orders closing on 11th December, 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 4 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.
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.
.
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 – Tiaryn Griggs
- Email: tiaryngriggs@gmail.com
PIANO/KEYBOARD/DRUMS - Daniel Tucceri
- Email: info@banyulemusicandtutoring.com
- Phone: 0405 667 907
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