- Friday 11 October - P&F Student Disco
- Saturday 9 November - P&F Vision Portraits Photo Fundraiser
- Tuesday 12 November - Whole School Production (A-K Families)
- Thursday 14 November - Whole School Production (L-Z Families)
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 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh - October 9 to 11
- Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28 to 30
SCHOOL COUNCIL SUMMARY School Council met on Tuesday night and discussed a range of matters as well as formally accepting various reports. Longer term planning was discussed in terms of a mural on the walls outside the Grade 1 classrooms (facing our ‘new’ Tiger Turf), the out of school hours care program and Term 4 events. The Grade 5 camp to Lady Northcote, Bacchus Marsh, was formally approved with all risk assessments, the program of activities and staffing outlined and discussed. A huge amount of preparation goes into the provision of camps and we thank our staff and parent volunteers for their commitment in making these happen.
DIVISIONAL ATHLETICS Yesterday, 21 of our students competed in the Divisional Athletics carnival at the Meadow Glen International Athletics Stadium in Epping. We were thrilled with the efforts of all students. Well done to everyone.
FINAL ASSEMBLY OF TERM Next week marks the final week of term. Students dismiss for the September holidays after a whole school assembly which will commence at 2.05pm in the gymnasium.
TERM 4 EVENTS Before we know it, we will be into Term 4, otherwise known as the busiest term of the school year. With our School Review, School Production, two school camps, grade and staff selection and various end of year celebrations we will surely be flat out with the potential to ‘miss’ something. Keep your eyes open for information about parental grade requests in the first few weeks of term, please advise us if you are leaving/moving schools and above all else check the newsletter weekly for updates on a range of important matters. Newsletters are archived, so if you happen to miss one or two, just jump onto our website and do some catch up reading.
Have a great weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
SWPBS School Celebration Students and staff across the school celebrated our SWPBS ‘big school reward’ this week with Wellbeing Wednesday activities. This is our first ‘big’ reward for 2024, with students collecting 1000 bees. That is equivalent to ten thousand positive BEEhaviour points. Students celebrated their achievement with an icypole and participated in an activity of their choice during Wednesday afternoon. Students were able to choose from a range of activities including craft, singing, dancing, sport, Minecraft and Lego. Thanks to Mrs Maxwell-Lopez and staff for organising the afternoon.
R U OK? Day 2024 is Thursday 12 September and is our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.
Remember, Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day. A lot can happen in a year, a month, a week. Whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day.
By having regular, meaningful conversations, you build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.
At Viewbank we are supporting our friends, classmates and colleagues by asking R U OK? Any Day.
The R U OK? Website has lots of excellent information, videos, resources and strategies to help you ask R U OK?.
Have a great week,
Gill
ALLERGIES AND MEDICATION Spring is definitely in the air, along with pollen! This has also meant we have had an increase in the number of students attending our First Aid Room with seasonal allergies – puffy eyes, runny noses and the occasional rash. We do not have allergy medication available for students to use so if your child requires / may require allergy medication, please provide in-date medication in its original packaging and complete the Administration of Medication Policy Form here https://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/s/Administration-of-Medication-Policy-zfy3.pdf. Doing this in advance will help speed up the process if your child requires assistance and is unwell.
You can find all of our policies here: https://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/forms-policies
MELBOURNE POLLEN COUNT AND FORECAST
For those of you whom pollen can have a health impact, there is an excellent website / app called ‘Melbourne Pollen: Count and Forecast’ https://www.melbournepollen.com.au that may be able to help you manage the sneezy season. Melbourne Pollen: Count and Forecast record and make predictions on grass pollen counts as well as for thunderstorm asthma.
From their website: The service provides a daily pollen forecast of grass pollen levels in the air around Victoria for the next 3 days. Forecasts are issued at 7:30am every day. Additional forecasts for other pollen types and for longer periods are available via the Melbourne Pollen App available on the Google Play store and Apple Store. Our forecasts alert those with hay fever and seasonal asthma of the likelihood of being exposed to high levels of grass or other pollens and enables them to take preventative measures in danger periods.
The School of BioSciences (at the University of Melbourne) has the facilities to measure pollen levels across Victoria. Daily measurements are taken and combined with the weather forecast to produce a grass pollen forecast. For more than 30 years, they have been measuring the grass pollen levels in Melbourne's air. Since the epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in November 2016, the School has provided this service in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. This collaboration enabled pollen monitoring to be done at more places in Victoria and for statewide forecasts to be produced.
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
2025 School Saving Bonus In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.
The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.
The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.
Actions for parents and carers
Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:
- Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.
- Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date by logging into Compass through the web browser (not the app on your phone) as follows.
- Go to Tools – Update My Details
- Make changes as necessary
- Click Update Details at the bottom of the screen
We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:
- in October, to verify your email address
- in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.
Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.
To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
DIVISIONAL ATHLETICS Our students had an incredible day at the Divisional Athletics, showcasing their skills, dedication, and sportsmanship across a range of events. Here are the standout achievements:
- Under 9/10s Discus: Henry Carr – 2nd place
- Under 11s Triple Jump: Joachim Lai – 1st place
- Under 11s Long Jump: Joachim Lai – 2nd place
- Under 9/10s 1500 Metres: Riley Cadusch – 3rd place
- Under 11s Long Jump: Melinda Tan – 3rd place
- Under 9/10s High Jump: Zara Vasic – 3rd place
- Under 11s Long Jump: Sophie Dejdar – 1st place
Our students represented the school with pride, and their outstanding achievements reflect their hard work and dedication. Well done to all!
Footy Colours Day On the last day of Term 3 (20th September), VPS will be holding a Footy Colours Day. All students will be encouraged to wear their favourite team’s colours to celebrate. Please note that if your child does not follow or support football, they can come to school in their favourite sporting team colours. We are looking forward to seeing all of the different team’s colours, so get ready!
Written by the Year 6 Leadership team
Foundation to Grade 2 Cross Country The annual Foundation to Grade 2 Cross Country was held on Wednesday, 4th September, and it was a fantastic day filled with fun and excitement! The event took place on the oval, and students truly embraced the spirit of the race.
During last Monday’s assembly, the following students were awarded medals for their achievements:
Foundation Girls
- Sophie (FY)
- Ezra (FG)
- Meera (FG)
Foundation Boys
- Thomas (FG)
- Marley (FG)
- Mark (FD)
Grade 1 Girls
- Clementine (1D)
- Layla (1/2M)
- Sansa (1W)
Grade 1 Boys
- Cooper (1W)
- Roman (1/2M)
- Niall (1/2M)
Grade 2 Girls
- Charlotte (2M)
- Tea (2M)
- Chloe (2T)
Grade 2 Boys
- Jack (2T)
- Cyrus (2D)
- Johnny (2D)
Congratulations to all the participants and winners for their outstanding efforts!
FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT Mikael from 1 MR has been enjoying learning cello since he started at age of five.
He received a High Distinction (A+) in his AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) Grade 4 Cello Comprehensive exam this June. This is an extraordinary achievement for someone of this age, and shows his commitment and dedication to his practice.
Mikael also enjoys performing at concerts and string competitions. Here are a number of awards he achieved in the last few months this year.
In the 98th Bendigo Eisteddfod:
- 1st place, Primary school Grade 1 and 2 instrument solo .
- 1st place, AMEB/ANZCA Grade 3 & 4 Instrument solo
- 3rd place, 13 yrs and under instrument solo In 2024 Boroondara Eisteddfod,
- The only cellist in finalist for 9 yrs and under String Solo competition. In the 70th Ringwood Eistiddfod
- Hornorable Mention, 8 yrds and under string solo
- 3rd place, Grade 3 &4 AMEB or equivalent String Solo (the only cellist who receives a medal)
Dust off those dancing shoes, the Viewbank Primary School DISCO is coming up! - FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER, 2024 - Purchase your entry ticket now via Compass Events.
- Foundation - Year Two 6.00pm-6.45pm
- Year Three- Six 7.15pm-8.15pm.
Entry into the Disco is $12.00 per child.
The entry price includes the Disco as well as a Zooper Dooper icy pole to cool down on the way out. Please email the school if you do not wish for your child to receive a Zooper Dooper icy pole.
Take the night off cooking with a sausage sizzle available outside the gym from 5.30pm.
As always, we need some help to make this night a success – please sign up via the volunteer sign up sheet https://volunteersignup.org/RTP7K
- This fundraising event is hosted and supervised by the Viewbank Primary School Parents & Friends Association.
- Only registered volunteers with a current WWCC will be able to enter the School Gym during the event.
- Parents must collect their children from the school gym at the allocated finish time – see start & finish times above.
- Once they are signed in, children can not exit the gym without their parent.
- Entry will only be via the Gym's main door.
- Exit will only be via the Gym's side door located near Gate 3.
- A Zooper Dooper icy pole will be given to each attendee at the completion of the disco. Please let the school know if you would prefer your child not to receive one.
- Children are required to supply their own bottle of water on the evening.
BOOKINGS OPEN - Vision Portraits Photo Fundraiser - Saturday 9th November, 2024 - ALL WELCOME!!
We are excited to be offering Vision Portraits $30 family photo fundraising photos again this year.
- When: Saturday 9th November 2024
- Where: Price Park, Viewbank
- Booking link: www.visionportraits.com.au/fundraise
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 upgrade.
Our Term 3 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 19th September (Orders closing on Monday 16th September, 3:00pm)
Our Term 4 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 10th October (Orders closing on Monday 7th October, 3:00pm) - Year 5 Camp
- Thursday 17th October (Orders closing on Monday 14th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 24th October (Orders closing on Monday 21st October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 31st October (Orders closing on Monday 28th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th November (Orders closing on Monday 4th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 14th November (Orders closing on Monday 11th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 21st November (Orders closing on Monday 18th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 28th November (Orders closing on Monday 25th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 5th December (Orders closing on Monday 2nd December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th December (Orders closing on Monday 9th December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th December (Orders closing on Monday 16th 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. All food is Halal.
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
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.
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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
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