PUPIL FREE DAYS (TheirCare School Holiday Program will be available on pupil-free days)
- Friday, 6 June, 2025
2025 TERM DATES
- 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 5 Lady Northcote Camp - 08 October to 10 October
- Year 6 Urban Camp - 15 September to 17 September
PUPIL FREE DAY A further reminder that Friday, June 6 is a pupil free day at Viewbank Primary School. All day care is being offered by Their Care for that day, but please note that the program will operate out of the Music Room and NOT the gymnasium foyer on that day. For those able to, the Friday affords the opportunity for an extended King’s Birthday long weekend with family and friends – staff will be at school on Friday working with staff from Rosanna PS, Ivanhoe PS and Watsonia North PS on the implementation of the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and unpacking the various elements within.
DIVISIONAL CROSS COUNTRY Good luck to our 13 Grade 3 to 6 runners who have qualified for the divisional cross country scheduled for next Wednesday, June 4, at Banyule Flats. A great effort to get this far and we hope that some will advance to the Regional Cross Country later in the term. Nonetheless, a great effort and we are very proud of you all!!
STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR REHEARSALS Rehearsals for the State Schools Spectacular continue to ramp up with another rehearsal day for our dancers scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 at South Morang PS. As mentioned in previous newsletters, the big day (matinee and evening session) is scheduled to be held at John Cain Arena on Saturday 13 September at John Cain Arena and is absolutely worth attending, whether or not your child is performing as one of the Viewbank PS dance ensemble members. Here’s the link to last year’s performances https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=state+school+spectacular+2024
THANK YOU TO JUDY COURSE Our literacy ‘guru’, Judy Course, has flagged her intention to retire at the end of Term 2 this year. Whilst Judy has been ubiquitous in her role as firstly our Reading Recovery teacher and then later as our ‘additional support’ literacy teacher in the early years (F-2), she may not be as widely known or appreciated as other teachers in the school simply because she has worked with small groups rather than whole classes over this time – just on 20 years at our school!. Let me assure you that her contributions and expertise over these 20 years at Viewbank PS have been exceptional and those families/students who have been lucky enough to have come into contact with Judy will surely attest to this. Whilst she will be a hard act to follow, the time has come to hand over the baton and to focus on grandchildren and the pleasant distractions of retirement. Congratulations Judy on a fabulous career and we all wish you the best in the next phase of your life.
Have a great weekend and welcome to winter on Sunday. Time flies!!!!
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL SUPERVISION PARENT NOTIFICATION Student safety at Viewbank Primary School is our highest priority and the safe and appropriate supervision of students is an important element of our duty of care to students. Part of this duty is ensuring parents and students are aware of our student supervision arrangements before and after school.
Before school: School grounds are supervised by school staff from 8.50am until 9.00am. The Tiger Turf, Winston Road gate, middle courtyard and Junior playground areas are supervised.
After school: School grounds are supervised by school staff from 3.30pm until 3.40pm. The Nevin Parade gate and nearby areas as well as the Winston Rd gate and Tiger Turf area are supervised.
Please Note: the oval is not supervised before or after school.
Students on school grounds outside these times will not be supervised (unless they are attending a before or after school care program or supervised extracurricular activity).
Parents/carers are requested to ensure that students do not attend school outside of these supervised times unless they are attending before or after school care, or a pre-arranged supervised activity (i.e. sports practice).
Families are encouraged to contact the direct mobile number for our Outside School Hours Care provider: TheirCare on 0408 100 117 or visit their website at www.theircare.com.au for more information about the before and after school care facilities available to our school community or if you would like any further information about our student supervision arrangements.
A full copy of our school’s Yard Duty and Supervision Policy is available on the school website, via this link or from the school office. This policy includes Viewbank Primary School’s student supervision arrangements across the school day, including before and after school.
The Smile Squad free school dental program is coming to our school Just a reminder that if you have not already registered online for your child to visit the Smile Squad free school dental program, please do so by Friday 13th June.
ALL registered students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment at school.
How to access free dental care Parents MUST provide consent before Smile Squad can provide dental services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian, using an electronic consent form for Smile Squad, making consenting to services even easier. If your child has used this services in the past, you still need to complete the consent form for services in 2025.
Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic
Please complete and submit the consent form by Friday 13th June.
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 the 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 appear to be moving into a period of ‘traditional’ winter weather with cold temperatures, rain and wind. It is important to note that cold weather is not in itself a reason for students to be kept inside, please ensure your child is wearing warm clothes, or at the very least have a jumper in their bag. Some of you understand the challenge of getting your child to wear anything beyond a polo and shorts all year round, regardless of the temperature!
For rain, we always check the Australian Bureau of Meteorology radar http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR023.loop.shtml#skip to see what rain is coming, or not!
You can find our Inclement Weather Policy on our website here: http://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/forms-policies
Parents and Friends The most recent P&F Meeting was held on Tuesday (27 May) evening. As was done at our last meeting, we conducted this meeting as a ‘hybrid’ model. We had 7 attendees in person (5 parents and 2 staff), and a further 4 parents online. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 30 July at 7:30pm, and we are planning to use this hybrid model again.
Planning is well underway for the Trivia Night on Friday 20 June in the gym. Our huge thanks to everyone involved with getting this underway, it promises to be a great night! Also, please do not forget the Sushi Lunch Day scheduled for Tuesday 10 June. Orders close on Friday 06 June.
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.
3-Way Conferences Information about this will be distributed soon.
Have a great weekend! Rug up!
Patrick
Enrolments For Foundation/Prep 2026 Are Now Open Enrolments for the 2026 intake of Foundation/Prep students are now open. In line with the Department of Education’s Placement Policy and timeline, we will contact you in early August to advise the outcome of your child’s Foundation/Prep enrolment application.
School Saving Bonus reminder and allocation to school activities The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.
The SSB can be used for uniforms and textbooks until Monday 30 June 2025.
Any funds remaining after 30 June 2025, including online voucher amounts that have not been redeemed, will become a credit to use on school activities. However, the credit will not be available on your family account at our school until late July.
To use any remaining SSB funds to cover the cost of school activities in July, please refer to the SSB online system and allocate the funds to school activities before 30 June 2025.
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.
The Department of Education’s SSB contact centre will remain available until 30 June 2025. 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.
After this date, please contact our administration team for any SSB related questions.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).
A student aged 16 years and over who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card is also eligible to apply.
Eligible families will receive a payment of $154 per year for primary school students. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, complete the application form and return to the school office as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
VPS Grounds Group Term 2 Working Bee The Grounds Group is pleased to announce that the next working bee will be held on Sunday the 15th June at 9am to 12pm.
A Hot Chip Lunch will be awarded to the class with the most families attending! (Families that attended the washed out working bee recently will receive an extra 'entry' into the competition)
Proposed Activities:
- New Plantings around the school
- Sweeping
- Weeding
- Drain cleaning
- General Tidy Up
Come for as little or as long as you like, and remember to bring gloves (and maybe a raincoat!)
See you there!
This week the grade 3's were in the program. In the kitchen they cooked;
- Mie Goreng
- Asian Coleslaw
- Roti
- Apple crumble
Harvested from the garden was mixed herbs and chilIi.
BOOK CLUB Issue4 catalogues have sent home this week. All orders are due by Wednesday 18th of June. Every dollar you spend earns points to buy more books for the Library. Thank you for your support.
🎉 Viewbank Primary Trivia Night 2025! 🎉 - Book your tickets now!
The Viewbank Primary School Parents & Friends Association invites you to a night of fun, laughs, and friendly competition at our annual Trivia Night – all in support of our amazing school!
- 🧠 Test your knowledge across a range of exciting categories – from pop culture and history to sports and more.
- 🎁 Win great prizes through games, raffles, and brain-teasing challenges.
- 👥 Bring a team or join one on the night – it's a great way to connect with our school community.
Whether you're a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, it's guaranteed to be a fantastic night out. Best of all, your participation helps raise vital funds for our school!
- 📅 Date: Friday 20 June 2025
- 🕕 Time: 6:45 PM – 11:00 PM
- 📍 Location: Viewbank Primary School Gymnasium, Nevin Parade, Viewbank VIC 3084
- 💵 Cost: $30 per ticket
- 👤 Tables of 10
- 🍷 BYO Alcohol & Nibbles
- 💳 Eftpos Available on the night
- 🔞 Adults only – 18+ event
- 🎟 Book your tickets now! – Don't miss out on this great community night!
Let’s come together and make this a night to remember – all for a great cause!
https://www.trybooking.com/DBXSN
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 2 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates:
- Thursday 5th June (Orders close: Monday 2nd June, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 12th June (Orders close: Monday 9th June, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 19th June (Orders close: Monday 16th June, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 26th June (Orders close: Monday 23rd June, 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 2 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.
.
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