- Friday 31st October - Day for Daniel - wear something red
- Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day Gold Coin Donation Day
- Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th November - Viewbank PS Family Photo Fundraiser - Booking now open
- Friday 28th November - Viewbank Primary School Carols Night
PUPIL FREE DAYS (TheirCare School Holiday Program will be available on pupil-free days)
- Monday 3rd November – Report Writing Day
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
2025 CAMP DATES
- Year 3 Phillip Island Camp - 27 October - 29 October
WORLD TEACHERS DAY Friday, October 31, marks World Teachers Day and provides the opportunity to thank and celebrate the teachers at Viewbank Primary School. It has been my privileged pleasure to be the Principal of Viewbank PS these last (nearly) 19 years, and I have been in ‘pole’ position to appreciate the work and efforts of a loyal and committed staff nearly every day. I have seen a number of teachers start their careers at Viewbank PS, grow in experience and confidence, and deliver quality instruction day in and day out. I have seen all teachers go above and beyond, I have heard teachers debate and discuss methods and approaches to get the best out of their students and I am aware of how many unseen hours go into delivering the programs that are visible during school hours each day. If you get the opportunity, or make the time, to thank your child’s teacher for how they have positively influenced your child I know how much that will mean to them.
FOUNDATION INFORMATION NIGHT FOR 2026 The 2026 Information Night for 2026 will be held in the school gymnasium next Thursday night, November 6. We aim to provide a range of information for families who have enrolled their children and placed them in our care for the next seven years. I am pleased to announce the team for 2026 – all current staff but a few changes to this year’s team.
- Jess ELLIS (Team Leader)
- Annabell DRANSFIELD (Transition Coordinator)
- Emma SARGEANT
- Sarah McDONALD
The remaining staff placement will be announced in the newsletter in the next few weeks.
GRADE 3 CAMP TO PHILLIP ISLAND Students arrived back yesterday from their first camping experience, but one which will certainly hold them in good stead for the camping program that continues for them over the next three years. Many thanks to all staff and volunteer parents for your efforts these last three days, under the leadership of Kylie Kirkwood. You don’t need me to tell you Phillip Island is a great part of Victoria, and I am reliably informed that the food, accommodation, program and behaviour of all was first class. Good to hear!!
PUPIL FREE DAY A reminder that next Monday, November 3, is a pupil free day for report writing purposes and no classes will be offered on that day. Whole day care is available through Their Care.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR GRADE PLACEMENTS 2026 – LESS THAN 1 WEEK TO GO!! These are filtering in and I will acknowledge receipt of each request, so if I haven’t please let me know!
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 this will not be completed until mid November. 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 2026, but we have in the past formed some composite classes at different levels of the school to ensure grade sizes are not too large in each area. 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 bill.kersing@education.vic.gov.au by Monday, November 3. Please title the email “CONFIDENTIAL – GRADE REQUEST’. Please note that emails received after this date will NOT be accepted.
INTENTIONS TO LEAVE – FINAL REQUEST These are also being advised, which is very helpful for planning for 2026.
If any families are intending to leave our school community and won’t be returning in 2026 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 bill.kersing@education.vic.gov.au .If you have already done this … many thanks!!
Have a great LONG weekend everyone. See you next WEDNESDAY. And with regards to a flutter for next Tuesday, #4 and #23 have always been my ‘go to‘ numbers. No logic, which is probably the way to go when trying to pick a winner!
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY On Friday 31 October, we celebrate our teachers and thank them for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower learners across Australia.
Every day, Victorian teachers go above and beyond for learners and their communities. This World Teachers' Day is the perfect time to stop, reflect and say thank you to our teachers for the outstanding contributions they make in Victorian classrooms and communities.
All our teachers at Viewbank are highly valued and deserve a HUGE thank you. We certainly appreciate their professionalism, dedication and the energy and commitment they bring to their role.
We are proud to celebrate and thank our wonderful teachers and I encourage you to take the time to say ‘thank you’ to your child’s teacher.
Year 3 Camp – Phillip Island It was a pleasure to attend the Year 3 camp at Phillip Island earlier in the week. The students had a wonderful experience; developing skills, forming new friendships and building their independence. A huge thank you is extended to our amazing school staff for organising and attending the camp along with our parent helpers, Matt and Duncan.
Smile Squad six month fluoride varnish visit The Holstep Health Smile Squad team are heading back to our school in early December to complete six-monthly fluoride varnish applications for those students who have provided consent. Fluoride varnish applications help make sure students have the best chance of preventing tooth decay, so we’re excited Smile Squad are coming back.
Consent for this application was provided when students returned their initial consent forms. However, if anyone has changed their mind and do not wish to receive a fluoride varnish application, please contact the team directly at www.holstephealth.org.au or by calling 9450 2000.
The Smile Squad team look forward to visiting soon.
Enjoy the long weekend,
Gill
JILINGA CARPARK The long-awaited reinstatement of the staff carpark commenced on Tuesday morning. The removal of up to 30 staff cars off the surrounding streets will hopefully make parent parking a little easier. It will also undoubtedly help our neighbours.
There will be some disruption for those that walk through that vacant land for the time being. Once completed, a wire fence will be installed across the land, but with a gate / gap, closest to the current wire fence. There will be an approximately 30 metre asphalt path for pedestrians to use so they do not have to walk through where the cars will be. The entrance and main driveway will be asphalt, with parking bays in road base / crushed rock.
PARENTS AND FRIENDS This is just a reminder to please consider joining the Parents and Friends Committee in 2026 and potentially taking on the Presidency role (mentioned in last week’s Viewbank Voice). This is a School Governance requirement. All things regarding Parent Clubs (or Parents and Friends Committee in our context) can be found here https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/parent-clubs/policy
If you and your family are on the roads this weekend, please be safe.
Have a great long weekend - see you on Wednesday!
Patrick
Viewbank Primary School will be holding a Remembrance Day Gold Coin Donation event on Tuesday, November 11th. We kindly ask that students bring a gold coin to support the RSL Poppy Appeal.
Please note that this is not a free dress day.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Poppy Appeal brooches are also now available for purchase from the General Office from $2.00 each.
Thank you,
Viewbank Primary School - Defence Program
Day for Daniel On the 31st of October Viewbank Primary School will be participating in Day for Daniel. Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day. Students will participate in educational lessons/activities about child safety. We kindly ask that all students wear something red e.g. hat, t-shirt etc. Families are welcome to donate to the cause through the following website: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/get-involved/donate/. Fundraising helps the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to continue their free educational programs, develop educational resources and support young victims of crime.
For more information please visit: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/day-for-daniel/
Junior School Council is running a Food Drive for Rosanna Fire Station and Community House!
Please bring any non-perishable pantry items you wish to donate to school and put them in your class’s box. Your donations will go to those in need in our local community.
2 collections have been organised, with the first one coming up on the 6th of November.
Examples of items include canned fruit and vegetables, long life drinks (juice boxes), dried pasta, biscuits, jars of jam or sauce.
Thank you for your help, together we can make a difference!
Viewbank PS Family Photo Fundraiser – Now Offering Saturday 15th November and Sunday 16th November Sessions!
We are excited to invite families to participate in the Viewbank Primary School Family Photo Fundraiser.
Please note, Sunday 16th November is now sold out. To accommodate demand, we have created an additional half-day event on Saturday 15th November.
This is a wonderful opportunity to capture beautiful family portraits while supporting our school community.
- Date: Saturday, 15th November and Sunday, 16th November
- Location: Price Park, Viewbank
Bookings are essential. Please secure your preferred time slot by registering through the Eventbrite link below:
Viewbank PS Family Photo Fundraiser Booking
Don’t miss out on this special event to create lasting memories while contributing to Viewbank PS.
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 6th November (Orders close: Monday 3rd November, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 13th November (Orders close: Monday 10th November, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 6th November (Orders close: Monday 3rd November, 3:00 PM) - Year 4 Weribee Zoo
- Thursday 20th November (Orders close: Monday 17th November, 3:00 PM)
- 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 3 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.