PLEASE CHECK COMPASS EVENTS REGULARLY
- Friday 20th October - Parents & Friends Fundraising Student Disco
- Sunday 29th October - Working Bee
- Tuesday 12th December - Statewide Transition Day
- Wednesday 13th December - Grade 6 Graduation
PUPIL FREE DAYS 2023
- Monday 6th November - Report writing day
2023 TERM DATES
- Term 4: 2nd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
2024 CAMP DATES
- Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28-30
- Grade 4 Camp to Anglesea - May 15 to 17
- Grade 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October - 9 to 11
- Grade 6 Camp to Echuca - April 17 to 19
I would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome everyone back to school after the holiday break. I trust and hope that everyone had a pleasant time over the last two weeks, in whatever shape that took. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to congratulate supporters of the Collingwood Football Club on their well earned premiership victory! The Magpie scarf will be a semi-permanent fashion accessory of mine for a number of weeks to come I’m sure. We were blessed with some excellent weather over the break, although the consensus of opinion is that this week’s rain was poorly timed with our Grade 5s currently at the Lady Northcote Camp in Bacchus Marsh. A reminder to all staff and students that hats are compulsory outside at school from now until the end of March. Term 4 will be a busier one than normal which is hard to contemplate as I write as they are always busy, but with the building works nearing completion and occupancy by the end of the school year there is that added layer of complexity. Those who have visited the office this week will note that it is a little compact (some would say claustrophobic!) with most ‘exits’ boarded up, and a reminder that we will relocate just before Cup week to the STEM room in the gym. More on that later. The ‘normal’ calendar of events sees various excursions and sporting events, the ever popular student disco on October 20, a pupil free day on November 6, a Foundation 2024 Information Night on November 9, Graduation and other end-of-year events, and much, much more. Please monitor the weekly newsletter and Compass to make sure you don’t miss out on anything!!
BUILDING WORKS I’m sure you have noted plenty of progress in the last three weeks on our administration building as it approaches lock-up in the next few weeks. The existing Administration building was largely made ready for demolition during the holidays just gone, with these demolition works to commence just after the Melbourne Cup Public holiday. The estimated time of completion for the entire project is mid to late December and whilst we have enjoyed working with both the Stokes-Rousseau construction company and the Kneeler Design Architectural firm, we will be happy when they are off site and we finally get access to all of our facilities.
SCHOOL COUNCIL The October meeting of School Council is set down for next Tuesday night, October 10 at 7pm in the staffroom.
INTENTIONS TO LEAVE Term 4 is always dominated with planning for the following year – grade and staff selection, budgets, enrolments and more. We have asked this before, (and families have been very good in letting us know), but if any other families are intending to leave our school community in 2024 because of relocation or other reason, could you please advise us as soon as possible. A phone call to the office, or an email to the school or my email account asap would be most appreciated.
ENROLMENTS And on the same ‘numbers’ theme, whilst we think we have nearly all of our current family enrolments for 2024, if there is anyone out there who hasn’t completed the enrolment process yet, please do so asap.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR GRADE PLACEMENTS 2024 Each year at this time, we seek input from families with regards to the placement of students into classes for the following year (if that is necessary). We do recognise that that there might be some limited circumstances initiating a parental grade request, but please think carefully about this and if you really do feel a need to inform us of these circumstances then do let us know.
At this stage, we have not assigned teachers to grade levels for next year, and in fact still need to select a few teachers to fill those roles next year. There are no guarantees that teachers currently teaching at certain grade levels will be teaching there next year, as leadership needs to take into consideration a range of factors including the development of our teaching staff and teacher preferences before this allocation is completed. We have also not settled on a grade structure for 2024, with the possibility of one or two composite classes in the junior area of the school, or even in the upper grades to keep class numbers down. Having said that, if there are special circumstances that we need to know about, you are welcome to let us know of these. Such special circumstances might include but are not limited to health, emotional or learning matters, peer or sibling relationships or changes in the home situation. Selecting a particular teacher does not fit within the realm of special circumstances, and if your request includes that information it will be denied. Information requiring our consideration needs to be addressed to ‘The Principal’ and emailed to the office or myself by Friday, November 3. Please title the email “CONFIDENTIAL – GRADE REQUEST’. Please note that emails received after this date will NOT be accepted.
GRADE 5 CAMP The students from Grade 5 departed for their Lady Northcote Camp (Bacchus Marsh) on Wednesday for their three day adventure. We are thrilled that we have been able to offer a camp to each of the Grade 4, 5 and 6 classes in 2023 and to extend that to include Grade 3 in 2024. We are also grateful to the Department of Education for its provision of funding to cover the time-in-lieu costs associated with staffing these camps, and thank staff and parents who ‘put their hands up’ to make them happen.
That’s it from me this week. Off to watch the replay.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Welcome back to term 4. I hope you were able to relax and enjoy the school holiday break. The weather was certainly more appealing than it is currently.
Staff Farewell This week we said farewell to Heather Gulliford, our school mental health practitioner, as she begins her family leave. Please join with us in wishing her and her family all the best as they get ready to welcome their new baby in a few weeks time.
Online Parenting Courses Mindful at the University of Melbourne is offering several free online Tuning in to Kids and the new Tuning in to Toddlers parent groups in term 4 2023.
Tuning in to Kids and Toddlers are evidence-based programs that support parents and carers to learn how to better connect with their children and support their social and emotional development. These programs help parent/carers to better understand and communicate with their children, and prevent anxiety and behaviour problems.
This is the first time that the Tuning in to Toddlers program is being offered outside a research trial. The program is aimed at parents of one- to three-year-old children and conducted online across 8 x 2 hour weekly sessions.
All groups run online weekly from 1-3pm and will commence the week of the 23rd of October (parents choose their preferred day of the week, groups run according to demand).
Please see the attached flyer for information about available start dates and registration.
Have a great week,
Gill
Welcome back everyone!
Communication in Term 4 This is just a reminder that the school has two official communication channels: Viewbank Voice Newsletter and Compass. As you know, the last part of the year is full of events: sport and social group end of year presentations, Christmas parties, work functions, family gatherings… to name just a few! It can be overwhelming trying to keep on top of the amount of events in November and December! To ensure your child/ren do not miss out on events at school, we strongly encourage you to read the Viewbank Voice carefully and to check Compass and notifications regularly. Some events may require students to be at school a little earlier for a bus trip, or payment may be required to participate with their classmates and friends.
Hats At School in Term 4 Even though we have not seen a lot of sun this week, students are still required to wear a school broad brimmed hat. This is to ensure we are meeting our obligations in our SunSmart Policy. http://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/s/SunSmart-Policy-9rp9.pdf. Hats will be required to be worn daily from Friday 1 September 2023 until Tuesday 30 April 2024. All students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities.
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
TERM 4 EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY CHARGES AND PERMISSIONS We would like to inform you that the charges for Term 4 extra-curricular activities have been uploaded on Compass. Please note that all permissions and payments are now overdue. These activities have been designed to enrich and diversify the educational experience of our students. Kindly note that these activities are offered on a user-pays basis.
For families facing financial challenges, we can arrange a flexible payment plan for extra-curricular activities to suit your needs.
Please reach out to me directly for a confidential discussion, and we will work together to explore alternative arrangements.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
Business Manager
Mad About Science Show - Tuesday 3rd October On Tuesday 3rd October we had our big ‘Mad about Science’ show that had been postponed from Science week last term. Ken was our presenter. He showed the students some really cool demonstrations including large smoke vortex rings, an air zoom assault, levitating beach balls, flying toilet paper, flour fireballs and hair-raising electricity. Have a look at the photos, and make sure to ask your child/ren what demonstration they enjoyed the most!
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BOOK CLUB Issue 7 catalogues have sent home this week. All orders are due by Wednesday 18th of October. Every dollar you spend earns points to buy more books for the Library. Thank you for your support.
Dust off those dancing shoes, the Viewbank Primary School DISCO is coming up!
Grab your $10 ticket which includes the disco and an icy pole, via Compass.
Take the night off cooking with a sausage sizzle available outside the gym from 5.30 – 7.45pm
As always, we need some help to make this night a success – please sign up via the volunteer sign up sheet here
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 12th October (Orders closing on 9th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th October (Orders closing on 16th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th October (Orders closing on 23rd October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd November (Orders closing on 30th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th November (Orders closing on 6th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th November (Orders closing on 13th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd November (Orders closing on 20th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 30th November (Orders closing on 27th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th December (Orders closing on 4th December, 3:00pm)
- 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.
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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