IMPORTANT UPCOMINIG DATES
- Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th February – Getting To Know You Interviews
PUPIL FREE DAYS
- Friday 07 March
2025 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 28 January - 4 April (Students start: Year 1 to 6 - 29 January, Foundation - 30 January)
- TERM 2: 22 April - 4 July
- TERM 3: 21 July - 19 September
- TERM 4: 6 October - 19 December
2025 CAMP DATES
- Year 3 Phillip Island Camp - 27 October - 29 October
- Year 4 Anglesea Camp - 14 May to 16 May
- Year 5 Lady Northcote Camp - 08 October to 10 October
- Year 6 Urban Camp - 15 September to 17 September
SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS By 4pm on Monday, February 17, I had received the following nominations for the vacant School Council positions in the following categories:-
SCHOOL EMPLOYEE CATEGORY (two vacancies)
- Gillian Nicholls
- Jamie Ruddock
As the number of nominations in this category equals the number of vacancies, I declare that these nominations have been successful and the nominees are duly elected.
PARENT CATEGORY (five vacancies)
- Ben Bailey
- Michael Parrent
- Tham Turner
- Kate Cullen
- Ronnie Saunders
- David Filcoff
- Jason Hemingway
- Aisha Stewart
As the number of nominations in the parent category exceeds the number of vacancies, I hereby advise that an election will be required. Ballot papers will be distributed by the end of the week (to the eldest child in each family), with votes due back at school by 4pm on Monday, March 3. Instructions on voting, and the return of votes, will be included in the envelope that your child brings home. Candidates have been invited to submit statements about themselves to support their nominations if they so wish and these shall also be distributed with the rest of the information.
GRADE 6 COMMUNICATION CAPTAIN BADGE PRESENTATIONS We were graced with the presence of Melina Sarris at Assembly last Monday to present the communication captains badges to Sophie Dejdar and Sahara Tran. Congratulations to both girls on earning this honour. Melina is a Channel 7 news reporter and gave willingly of her time to attend the presentation and to answer thoughtful questions from some of our students. We are extremely grateful for her giving of her time so willingly and sharing some of her own story.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING The first meeting of this committee for 2025 is on Tuesday, February 25 commencing at 7pm in the staff room. All welcome!
STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR The annual Victorian State Schools Spectacular program is an invaluable performing arts opportunity for Victoria’s government primary and secondary school students. Thousands of students, both primary and secondary, perform at John Cain Arena in a music, singing and dancing display each year (Saturday, September 13) and this year a select group of Viewbank students will be a part of the massed dance ensemble. This requires skill, a commitment to attend a number of rehearsals throughout the year and a desire to have lots of fun. Please get behind your children if they have been chosen to perform, and regardless of whether your child is in the dance ensemble or not, it’s a wonderful show and well worth bookmarking the date so you can attend.
SCHOOL PHOTOS A reminder that School Photo Day is next Tuesday, February 25.
Have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is now firmly embedded at Viewbank PS and our students are once again collecting BEEhave points by displaying our four School Values - Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Kindness.
Each class has been busy unpacking our school values, going through the school wide positive behaviour matrix and using this matrix to develop their classroom matrix of expectations. Through discussions, role play and school based videos, students will have explicit lessons teaching the behaviours expected in the different settings of the school.
As children demonstrate these behaviours they will be acknowledged via our individual and whole school BEEhave system. Hopefully, as the term progresses, many of you will begin to receive a Compass ‘celebration email’ alerting you to the fact that your child has collected their ten positive rewards for one of our School Values. Once students complete all four Values cards they will be presented with a certificate at assembly. As students complete their Values cards they are exchanged for a BEE sticker which is added to our whole school BEEhive positioned in the breezeway outside the Year 1 classrooms, under the school values signs.
SWPBS is an approach to help all students learn to self-manage behaviour and family involvement is a key feature and important in all aspects of SWPBS.
We have recently added a SWPBS Parent Handbook to the school website under the Curriculum tab that fully outlines the SWPBS program and reward system. Please have a read if you are wanting further information about School Wide Positive Behaviour.
Climbing Trees on School Grounds Just a friendly reminder that children are NOT permitted to climb trees or hang off tree branches in the school yard, at any time of the day. We have this rule in place as a safety measure for students as well as to model respect for our school environment.
Thank you in advance for helping us to enforce this expectation.
Tuning into Tweens Parent Sessions Berry St are offering parents who reside in Darebin, Banyule, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra, the opportunity to participate in a free six-session online course titled Emotionally Intelligent Parenting for tweens and teens. Please refer to the attached flyer for further information if you are interested.
Have a great week,
Gill
Get To Know You Interviews Thank you to everyone involved in our Get To Know You Interviews on Tuesday and continuing this evening (Thursday). As a reminder, to ensure a smooth and organised schedule for everyone involved, we implement cut-off times for online bookings. These deadlines are in place to allow teachers adequate time to prepare for their interviews and for the school to manage logistics effectively.
We understand that schedules can be challenging, and we have, on occasion, extended these deadlines. However, even with extensions, we unfortunately have had a number of families who missed the final cut-off for the recent Get To Know You Interviews.
Please be aware that once the booking system closes, we cannot guarantee that additional interview times will be available. It is essential that you make your bookings well in advance of the published deadlines.
If you miss the cut-off time for booking an interview or need to change your time due to a change to your schedule, please do not contact the school office. The office staff will not be able to make or change bookings on your behalf after the system has closed. Instead, please contact the teacher you wish to speak with directly via email or phone. They will be able to advise you on any remaining availability or alternative arrangements. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these booking procedures.
Early Arrivals To School Student safety is our priority. Please be aware that school supervision (Yard Duty) is provided only from 8:50 am to 9:00 am before school, and 3:30 pm to 3:40 pm after school. Students arriving outside these hours are unsupervised.
For drop-offs before 8:50 am, we strongly recommend enrolling your child in the TheirCare out-of-hours program. They offer supervised care from 6:30 am to 9:00 am before school and 3:30 pm to 6:15 pm after school, Monday to Friday, including school holidays and curriculum days. Contact TheirCare directly for enrolment details. This ensures your child's safety and provides a structured environment.
Supervision At Recess And Lunch School staff are rostered on for Yard Duty during recess (10:40am – 11:10am) and at lunch (1pm – 1:50pm). Staff members are on duty for half before being released by another staff member.
Our Yard Duty areas are:
We also have several clubs staffed at lunchtime, including a Board Game Club for Years 5 and 6, and a Uno Card Club for all students.
Our Yard Duty staff outside will be wearing a bright yellow jacket and have a small first aid kit that can help address minor cut and abrasions. Anything more serious normally results in the student being sent to the first aid room.
Some of our Year 6 students will be trained to become ‘Peer Mediators’ soon. They too will be wearing brightly coloured jackets and are allocated to the Pirate Ship Playground to help our younger students settle minor disputes. They also learn to know when to refer situations to the staff on duty.
For more information, you can find our Yard Duty and Supervision Policy here: https://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/forms-policies
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be completing the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in the second half of March. The following table shows our *expected schedule:
Make up assessments will be provided within the assessment window (between Thursday 13 March and Monday 24 March). Make up tests will only be provided for students in line with NAPLAN administration guidelines.
If you have any concerns about your Year 3 or Year 5 child completing NAPLAN in 2025, please contact your child's teacher as soon as possible.
Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting A Department of Education requirement for schools who have Parents and Friends Committees (P&F) for the purpose of fundraising, must hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. All ‘official’ positions are to be declared vacant, and nominees will be sought for the 2025 President and Secretary. Previous holders of these position are more than welcome to nominate. The AGM will be held in the staffroom on Tuesday 25th February at 7:30pm. After the AGM, the P&F Committee will meet as normal. A huge amount of work has gone into 2025 events already so I am sure there will be a few updates provided. Please see last week’s Viewbank Voice for more details.
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
School Photos Tuesday 25th February 2025 - Online Ordering Now Open. Please note that School Saving Bonus funds are not eligible for use toward school photos.
School Saving Bonus We encourage families who have not yet accessed their SSB on the Department portal to log in as soon as possible and allocate how you would like to use your $400 School Saving Bonus for 2025. The funds will not be visible on Compass, as they are recorded in your family accounts within our school-based computer system.
At Viewbank Primary School, you have the flexibility to allocate your bonus in one of two ways:
- In-store/online purchases of uniforms at A Plus Schoolwear (AGS Prints Pty Ltd)
- School activities, such as camps, excursions, incursions, and activities
Please note once you make your selection, it cannot be changed, so ensure you are confident in your decision.
We are unable to automatically allocate your funds to Term 1 school incursions, excursions, and activities unless you first select this option through the portal. Once you designate the funds to our school, they will be automatically applied to your child/ren's upcoming activities unless you advise us in advance.
If your child/ren will be away on holidays during the school term, please email the school (Viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au) and record the absence on Compass to ensure funds are not allocated to an activity while your child/ren is away.
Please note: the School Saving Bonus cannot be allocated towards the Curriculum and Other Contributions (Parent Payments Arrangements)
To learn more about the SSB online system, download the step-by-step System guide for parents and carers (DOCX, 945KB) or watch this School Saving Bonus video. System guide translations are also available in 14 languages.
If you have only recently completed your enrolment into the Victorian government school system you can expect to receive your SSB code(s) in the coming weeks.
If you have transferred to our school from another Victorian government school, any remaining funds on your SSB code(s) will soon be available to use at our approved school suppliers. We request your patience as this change is processed.
The Department of Education has established a dedicated contact centre to support the SSB. The contact centre can be reached by:
- completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form
- calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.
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 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 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 2025 or you did not apply in 2024.
- changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2025.
- 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.
Lucy Addati
The Parents and Friends Committee is pleased to announce the return of the Colour Fun Run in 2025. This is a key fundraising event for the year, as well as a whole lot of fun for the students! The event will take place in school time, towards the end of the day and is instead of a walkathon this year. Students will have the opportunity to tackle a fun obstacle course on the oval and be showered with eco and people friendly coloured powder. When the event last ran in 2023 the school used a fundraising company to support our first delivery of a colour run. This meant that a portion of the funds raised had to be used to pay for the company’s services. This year the Committee will be delivering the event independently and so there will be a few differences. You may recall that previously students had an opportunity to win prizes for their fundraising efforts, whilst this will not feature this year, there will be lots of other things to enjoy about the day. More information will be shared shortly about sponsorship and seeking your help to make the day a success!
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 1 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates:
- Thursday 27th February (Orders close: Monday 24th February, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 6th March (Orders close: Monday 3rd March, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 13th March (Orders close: Monday 10th March, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 20th March (Orders close: Monday 17th March, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 27th March (Orders close: Monday 24th March, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 3rd April (Orders close: Monday 31st March, 3:00 PM)
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 1 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
Help Reduce Waste and Support Our School! - Purchase Your Name Labels Now Are you tired of losing lunch boxes and clothing? Please remember to always label your items so they can be returned to you, helping to reduce landfill. You can easily order labels via this link: https://www.mynamelabel.com.au/discount/VPS0515
This is a fundraising activity, and all funds raised will contribute to making our school more sustainable. You can order labels at any time throughout the year!
Our fundraising code is VPS0515.
Thank you for supporting sustainability at Viewbank Primary School!
Lunches must be ordered online using the CLASSROOM CUISINE website.
.
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: dimiholborow@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.
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