- Monday 19 August – Book Week Costume Parade
- Tuesday 20 August - Guest Author Speaker
- Wednesday 21 August – The Great Book Swap
- Wednesday 28 August - Father’s Day Stall
- Tuesday 10 September - P&F Sushi Day
- 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
MOBILE PHONE POLICY We are currently in the process of reviewing our Mobile Phone Policy and we are inviting community consultation. Please take the time to read this policy and if you have any feedback or comments please email Gill Nicholls (gillian.nicholls@education.vic.gov.au ) by Friday 30 August. All our policies are developed using the Department templates and are tailored to our school setting. Following the consultation period, the policy will be finalised and updated on our school website.
WORKING BEE A reminder that the Term 3 working bee is scheduled for Sunday, August 25 from 9:00am- 1:00pm. As always all welcome, with the working bee affording the perfect opportunity to contribute to the landscaping around the Grade 3 and 4 classrooms at Jilinga, laying the commemorative Year 6 pavers as well as general maintenance of our grounds.
PARENT OPINION SURVEY You will have seen an invitation to participate in this year’s parent opinion survey via email on Monday. A reminder that the survey is open until Friday 30 August.
BOOK WEEK We will be celebrating Book Week at Viewbank Primary School next week. The theme this year is ‘Reading is Magic’. We love the opportunity to dress up and we’re looking forward to the book parade on Monday, August 19 from 9.00am to 9.30am in the school gym. Families are invited to attend. On Tuesday, all students will meet with Melbourne author George Ivanoff who has written more than 100 books for kids and teens and on Wednesday, students will be able to take part in the P&F book swap. Certainly lots to look forward to.
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT Congratulations to Henry Cahir, who has been selected in the School Sports Victoria under 12 boys softball team. Henry will join his Victorian teammates to play against the other state teams during a carnival in Cairns, Qld from 12-17 October.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS School Council met on Tuesday night discussing, among other things, recent NAPLAN results and future projects, including the installation of our new Tiger Turf play surface where the old administration building stood. We are hopeful that this project will begin in the next few weeks.
CONGRATULATIONS I’m very happy to share that Kori and George Stuckey have welcomed their new baby son, Ted, into their family. We send our best wishes to the whole family.
I hope everyone has been able to enjoy the sunshine this week, certainly a great way to lead into the second half of term 3.
Have a great week.
Gill
NAPLAN Results The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) released state results for the NAPLAN assessments that happened in March this year on 14 August 2024. As happens every year, there is wide media coverage, and this year was no exception. As mentioned in the first Viewbank Voice of Term 3, I was going to share updated results with you, when they were made available to us. A reminder that ‘Similar Schools’ refers to some Melbourne primary schools (about 25) that have a similar family-occupation and socio-economic status as Viewbank Primary School. Please note, we had a 97-99% participation rate in each test.
We are immensely proud of the students and staff for their achievements. That said, NAPLAN is just one of many other success indicators we look at and celebrate – the breadth of the experiences we provide for students is something we can all be proud of as a school community.
The below results are the percentage of students who received a score in the ‘Strong’ or ‘Excelling’ categories, and is a measure used by the Department of Education to track progress over time. There is some rounding of scores to the closest whole number.
Technology From time to time, students will inadvertently stumble across a website at school that is not appropriate for a primary school aged student. The Victorian Department of Education (DoE) internet filters are very good at blocking inappropriate content but, occasionally, some sites still make it through even with seemingly ‘innocent’ search terms. Fortunately, this is rare occurrence. However, when it has happened, and the school leadership team / IT team is made aware of this, we take steps as quickly as possible to ensure that sites are blocked at a DoE and school level. We regularly remind students to speak to a trusted adult (at school or parent) if they see something that makes them feel upset or uncomfortable. It is important that all students do this so that we can act quickly. You can also help us by ensuring that home accessed internet browsers have ‘safe search’ on (this term may be slightly different depending on the browser used). All school owned iPads have DoE security and app control managed by our IT staff. Apps can only be downloaded by our IT staff centrally, and internet filters are provided by DoE.
Have a great weekend,
Patrick
Bullying No Way Week, a National Week of Action This week our school participated in Bullying No Way Week. This years theme was everyone belongs. Our year 6 leadership made a video about how to stand up to bullying and shared it with each class. Here are some photos from the day.
Written by Inaya (Communication Captain)
This week in kitchen the grade 4’s whipped up;
- Potato and leek soup
- Basic Bread
- Apple and Cranberry Salad
- Banana Muffins
In the garden they;
- Watered
- Plant both native and produce plants
- Continued expanding our garden outside of our veggie garden
This is the area we will be concentrating on in our upcoming coming Working Bee on the 25th August
Father's Day Stall Are you available to help out with our Father's Day Stall on Wednesday 28th August?
All the children also thank you for your fantastic support we really can’t do it without you!!!
We thank you in advance. If you have any questions, please contact the office on 9459 1512
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 22nd August (Orders closing on Monday 19th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 29th August (Orders closing on Monday 26th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 5th September (Orders closing on Monday 2nd September, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th September (Orders closing on Monday 9th September, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th September (Orders closing on Monday 16th September, 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 3 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.
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 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.
Guitar Lessons at Viewbank Primary School! Does your child dream of playing the guitar? Enrol them in our vibrant guitar lessons at Viewbank Primary School, where they can embark on an exciting musical journey! Our dedicated teacher, Luca, is passionate about music and committed to nurturing each student's unique talent.
Why Our Guitar Lessons?
- Expert Teacher: Learn from Luca, a professional musician with years of performance and teaching experience.
- Fun & Engaging: Our lessons are designed to be enjoyable and inspiring, sparking a lifelong love of music.
- All Skill Levels Welcome: Whether your child is just starting or looking to hone their skills, our program is tailored for everyone.
- Convenient Location: Lessons held right at Viewbank Primary School for your convenience.
Program Highlights:
- Individual & Duo Lessons: Choose the format that best suits your child’s learning style.
- Flexible Scheduling: We offer various times to fit around students’ busy schedules.
Enrol Today!
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to give your child the gift of music. For more information and to sign up, please contact Luca at lucabrading@gmail.com.
Let’s make some music!
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