- Friday 28th November - Viewbank Primary School Carols Night
- Wednesday 3rd December - STOMP Dance Showcase
2026 IMPORTANT DIARY DATES
- 8th and 10th September - School Production
PUPIL FREE DAYS (TheirCare School Holiday Program will be available on pupil-free days)
- There are no pupil free days remaining in 2025.
2026 CAMP DATES
- Year 6 Phillip Island Adventure Camp: 18 March to 20 March
- Year 5 Lady Northcote Discovery Camp: 07 October to 09 October
- Year 4 Anglesea Discovery Camp: 13 May to 15 May
- Year 3 Phillip Island Adventure Camp: 26 October to 28 October
2025 TERM DATES
- TERM 4: 6 October - 19 December
2026 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 28 January - 2 April
- TERM 2: 20 April - 26 June
- TERM 3: 13 July - 18 September
- TERM 4: 5 October- 18 December
STAFFING 2026 I am now in the position of being able to announce the staffing structure for 2026. The more eagle-eyed among you will note a few changes and returns!
Foundation
- Jessica Ellis (Team Leader) - Foundation E
- Annabell Dransfield (Transition Coordinator) - Foundation D
- Sarah McDonald - Foundation M
- Emma Sargeant - Foundation S
Grade 1
- Rhys Tegg (Team Leader) - Grade 1T
- Kylie Kirkwood – Grade 1K
- Jen Hall – Grade 1J
- Izzy Hayes – Grade 1H
Grade 2
Amanda Elliott (Team Leader) – Grade 2E Sally Stepowski/Kelsey Mentiplay - Grade 2SM Griff Gavan – Grade 2G Zoe Sakellaris – Grade 2S
Grade 3
- Ashleigh Walker – (Team Leader) - Grade 3W
- Lucas Prell - Grade 3P
- Sophie Noakes/Meredith Kearney – Grade 3NK
Grade 4
- Kim Moucha (Team Leader) - Grade 4M
- Jane McLeod – Grade 4J
- Lily Wilkinson-Beards – Grade 4W
Grade 3/4
- Phillip Byrne (Learning Specialist) - Grade 3/4B
Grade 5
- Narelle Taylor (Team Leader) - Grade 5T
- Kara Lane - Grade 5L
- Zoe Birse - Grade 5B
- Marina Gourzelas/Summer Hamwi - Grade 5GH
- Nicola Triantafillis – Grade 5N
Grade 6
- Sharon Groves (Team Leader) - Grade 6G
- Katherine Sellenger – Grade 6S
- Sandy Farley (Learning Specialist) - Grade 6F
- Kirsten Yates (Transition Coordinator) - Grade 6Y
Principal
- Bill Kersing
Assistant Principals
- Gillian Nicholls
- Patrick Walsh
Business Manager
- Lucy Addati
General Office
- Sue Wright
- Georgeina Fisher
First Aid
- Fiona Crowe
Education Support
- Louise Buissink
- Sarina Sherlock
- Thelma Rigoni
- Kelli Walker
- Melissa Enticott
- Kirtley Searies
- Bree Buszard
- Jodi Lanyon
Educational Psychologist
- Heather Gulliford
Disability Inclusion Coordinator
- Angela Roccasalva
Mental Health In Primary Schools Team Leader
- Jamie Ruddock (Learning Specialist)
Additional Support
- Suzie Doumas
- Michael Betson
- Melissa Layton
- Alyce Elmore
- Kori Stuckey
EAL
- Andrea Cleeve
Art
- Suzie Doumas
- Bec Andrew
Music
- Renee Davey
- Jackie Rielly
PE
- Darren Peters
- Michael Betson
Auslan
- Ellen Maxwell-Lopez
- Lisa Briglia
STEM
- Nat Carr
- Pete Walker
SAKGP
- Christine Andreou
Network Administrator
- Puneet Rana
General Maintenance
- Trevor Ruddock
- Christine Andreou
Our recently employed graduate teachers, Lily Wilkinson-Beards and Izzy Hayes, were mentioned in. last week’s newsletter and we also welcome back from Family Leave Kori Stuckey, Meredith Kearney, Ellen Maxwell-Lopez and Kelsey Mentiplay. As is the case in modern workforces, there are a range of full time, and part time appointments with three grade shares across the twenty-eight classes. Some staff members have sought to increase their time fractions, others to reduce them. At the end of the ‘day’, we believe we have a well-balanced and positive workforce that will continue to serve the Viewbank community and especially our students well in 2026. STATE SOFTBALL GRAND FINALS The Victorian State Softball Championships will be conducted at Waverley Softball Centre, Jells Road and Waverley Road, Wheelers Hill on Monday 24th of November 2025. With two teams in action it promises to be a big day and we are all 100% behind both teams win, lose or draw!! CAROLS NIGHT Just over one week to go until the big night! Fingers crossed for excellent weather – not too hot, not too cold. It’s not too much to ask is it? SCHOOL PRODUCTION For those of you completely organised and thinking well ahead, you may be planning that big overseas holiday for September next year. Let’s jump in early and advise you that our school production is scheduled for September 8 and 10, 2026 once again at Empower, 360 Main Road, Lower Plenty. Kind regards, Bill Kersing
2026 Foundation Classroom Session On Wednesday, we hosted our 2026 Foundation students for their first classroom session. There were many brave smiles and certainly some nerves but overall the children had a positive and fun morning meeting their teacher and new class mates for the first time. Parents and carers enjoyed the opportunity to socialise over morning tea , visit the second-hand uniform shop and chat with staff. We look forward to welcoming children and families again on Wednesday 3rd December. Library Stocktake Our school library will close for the annual stocktake from Monday 1st December so next week will be the last week for students to access the library at lunchtime and with their class. If your child has library books at home please organise for their return before 1st December. Reminder notices will be distributed to students who have outstanding loans and we ask that these books be returned as soon as possible.
Enjoy your week,
Gill
PLANNING WEEK In Week 9 (Monday 01 December through to Friday 05 December) our 2026 teams will be planning for Term 1 – exciting times. As Mr Kersing has outlined above, there are several staffing changes for 2026.
Planning days for 2026 teams
As an example of how things are a little different this time, Mrs Elliott will be planning on Thursday with the other 2026 Year 2 teachers, not on Monday with the Foundation teachers. Staff who are in a specialist or learning support position in 2026, or not with us in 2026, will have their planning sessions throughout the week, on the days that they work.
Have a great weekend.
Patrick
Dear Parents and Carers, Viewbank Primary School is looking forward to another wonderful year of teaching and learning and would like to provide you with information about the Parent Payment Arrangements for 2026. Information regarding Curriculum and Other Contributions will be available on Compass from January. You will receive an email notification once these have been published. Financial contributions from our families play a vital role in maintaining the high standard of education and resources that make Viewbank Primary School such a vibrant learning community. These contributions directly support classroom programs, specialist subjects, technology upgrades, and the upkeep of our learning spaces ensuring every student has access to engaging, high-quality learning experiences. The excellent facilities, resources, and opportunities we enjoy today are the result of the ongoing generosity and commitment of our families over many years. Your support whether through financial contributions, participation in fundraising, or volunteering makes a genuine difference in maintaining and improving the programs and facilities our students enjoy. We greatly value your continued support and dedication to enriching our students’ education and school experience. For convenience, all classroom supplies will be purchased in bulk and distributed directly to classrooms. Teachers will provide students with the necessary stationery and materials throughout the year. Please refer to the attached 2026 Parent Payment Arrangements document for more detailed information. Kind regards, Lucy Addati Business Manager
Volunteer Thank You Afternoon Tea Thank you to all the amazing parents, caregivers, and friends who have generously offered their time and support in numerous ways throughout the school year. Whether it’s helping with grounds maintenance, excursions, the library, icy pole sales, fundraising, the second-hand uniform shop, classroom assistance, or other activities, your contributions are truly invaluable. Our school simply wouldn’t be the same without your help! To express our heartfelt gratitude for everything you’ve done, we warmly invite you to a special afternoon tea in your honour: When: Tuesday, 9th December Time: 3pm – 4pm Where: Staffroom, Administration Office Please note, while we adore children, this event is best suited for adults and is not appropriate for school-aged children. We look forward to celebrating with you and hope you can join us. With thanks, Viewbank Primary School Staff
BOOK CLUB Issue 8 catalogues have been sent home this week. All orders are due by Tuesday 25th November. Every dollar you spend earns points to buy more books for the Library. Thank you for your support.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS. Viewbank Primary School Parents and Friends Christmas Raffle 2025. The prizes include three assorted hampers. Raffle to be drawn Monday 15th December at the whole school assembly. Last tickets sale date Wednesday 10th December. 1 ticket x $2 6 tickets x $10 15 tickets x $20 Purchase your tickets via Compasstix: https://compasstix.com/e/mxuqk8co9s
Lower Plenty Bakehouse proudly partners with our school to provide fundraising lunch orders every Thursday.
This initiative, organised by our Parents and Friends Committee, serves as one of our school’s major fundraising efforts. All proceeds will go towards our significant school upgrade project.
Term 4 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates:
- Thursday 27th November (Orders close: Monday 24th November, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 11th December (Orders close: Monday 8th December, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 18th December (Orders close: Monday 15th December, 3:00 PM) - Year 6 Funfields
Ordering Instructions: Orders must be placed in advance via Compass Canteen. Ordering will close at 3:00 PM on the Monday before each lunch date.
You can now place orders for all Term 4 lunch dates in advance if preferred.
A Parent User Guide on how to order through Compass Canteen is below for your convenience. Please note, a $0.35 transaction fee will apply at checkout.
All food is Halal.
Thank you for supporting our school community!
.
ICY POLE FRIDAY Students can purchase icy poles over the counter every Friday at lunchtime for $1.00 each. We offer an assortment of different icy poles each week, but always have Zooper Doopers available.This serves as a school fundraiser.
If you're interested in volunteering as a parent helper to sell icy poles, please contact the school's general office.
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.
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
PIANO/KEYBOARD/DRUMS - Daniel Tucceri
- Email: info@banyulemusicandtutoring.com
- Phone: 0405 667 908
GUITAR - Dimi Holborow
- Email: mastermusic606@outlook.com
- Phone: 0409 629 612
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.