Viewbank Voice 06.11.2025 Term 4 2025, Week 5

• 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)

• There are no pupil free days remaining in 2025.

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

FOUNDATION INFORMATION NIGHT FOR 2026 The 2026 Information Night for 2026 will be held in the school gymnasium TONIGHT November 6 at 6.30pm. This is the opportunity for new Viewbank families and ‘existing’ families enrolling a sibling to either hear first time or refresh your memories on all of those things that make the start of a 5-year old’s school life so much easier. The classes for 2026 will also be unveiled at the end of the session. Hope to see you there. GRADE STRUCTURE FOR 2026 We have determined our grade structure for next year. In total, we will be forming 28 grades, which is one more grade than in 2025. Whilst numbers still change a little over the next 6 or 7 weeks at time of writing the ‘breakdown’ is as follows:-

The average grade size across Foundation to 2 will be 20.83, and across the whole school 23.10. SCHOOL COUNCIL The November meeting of School Council is set down for Tuesday, November 11 commencing at 7pm in the staffroom. SCHOOL CAPTAINCY 2026 One of the highlights, for me, of the school year is the presentation of speeches by our year 5 students outlining why they would be the ideal candidate to be a school captain in 2026. The pride they show in their school and the passion and poise with which they deliver their speeches is always uplifting. They have no idea how difficult they make the decision for the panel! Peers will vote on who they believe would make the best school captain and from that point on the shortlisted 6 boys and 6 girls meet with myself, Patrick Walsh, Gill Nicholls, Narelle Taylor (Grade 5 team leader) and Sharon Groves (Grade 6 team leader) as the final step in the selection process. Our 2026 school captains will be announced at assembly on Monday, November 24 with badges to be presented later in the year or at a special assembly in the first few weeks of 2026. REMEMBRANCE DAY We will be holding a short Remembrance Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 11 at 10:30am in our school gymnasium in honour of the fallen. We invite community members to join us if at all possible.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Friendships At this time of the year, with preparations underway for 2026 class placements, parents often have questions and concerns about the friendships that exist amongst their child’s peer group. Parents frequently worry about which friendships should be encouraged into next year and which friendships may need a break, if their child has enough friends or what to do if their child doesn't always get along with friends. The Raising Children Network has some great information about these questions and more. Learning how to make and keep friends is an important part of growing up for school-age children. Having friends is good for a child’s confidence and wellbeing as well as building their ability to get along with others. If you would like to find out more and put your mind at ease, you may like to read the information on Supporting your school-age child’s friendships. Friendships help children develop important life skills like getting along with other people and sorting out conflicts and problems. Children with these skills are less likely to have social and emotional difficulties later in life. Here are the answers to 10 frequently asked questions about children’s friendships. If you have further questions about your child’s friendships please organise an appointment with their teacher.

Thank you to our amazing Student Leadership Team, under the direction of Mrs Yates, for their recent contributions to our school. On Friday, our school captains and vice captains delivered a heartfelt speech to all our permanent and casual staff recognising and celebrating World Teacher’s Day. The student leaders were also busy promoting and organising our Day for Daniel activities where students were able to learn about personal safety and who in their family and community is there to help keep them safe.

Enjoy your week.

Gill

VIEWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMUNICATION IN TERM 4 This is just a reminder that the school has two official communication channels: Viewbank Voice Newsletter and Compass. Please note that the class WhatsApp groups many of you participate in are not set up or monitored by staff. Anything communicated through WhatsApp was posted there by a parent. While this is a useful tool, and we greatly appreciate the parents who post important excerpts from the newsletter or help clarify information, we strongly encourage you to always go back to the original sources – Viewbank Voice and Compass, and if not there, please call the office. Unfortunately, we have had some recent issues where students have missed out on events because ‘it wasn’t on WhatsApp’ and parents contacting the office to ask why it was not posted there as well. 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 number of these 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 or consent may be required to participate with their classmates and friends. We also have two social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) where we share some of the amazing things we do. Search for @viewbankps to follow. ALLERGIES AND THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA For those of you with children who deal with allergies, please check the dates on any antihistamines and asthma puffers you may have. This is to ensure that if we have a high pollen day that your child is susceptible to, we can act swiftly. While not perfect (highly dependent on what your child has an allergy to), the Melbourne Pollen website / app can be useful to check daily to help manage seasonal allergies https://www.melbournepollen.com.au/.

There has been an increase in the number of thunderstorms. The above website also provides an epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecast that combines the Bureau of Meteorology's forecast of a certain type of thunderstorm and the grass pollen forecast in each of the state's districts. More information about the forecast can be found here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-risk-forecast.

This Better Health website also has excellent information https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/thunderstorm-asthma. From the Better Health page:

You can find our Inclement Weather Policy on our website here: http://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/forms-policies Have a great weekend.

Patrick

Dear Parents and Carers, Viewbank Primary School is looking forward to another wonderful year of teaching and learning and would like to provide you with information about the Parent Payment Arrangements for 2026. Information regarding Curriculum and Other Contributions will be available on Compass from January. You will receive an email notification once these have been published. Financial contributions from our families play a vital role in maintaining the high standard of education and resources that make Viewbank Primary School such a vibrant learning community. These contributions directly support classroom programs, specialist subjects, technology upgrades, and the upkeep of our learning spaces ensuring every student has access to engaging, high-quality learning experiences. The excellent facilities, resources, and opportunities we enjoy today are the result of the ongoing generosity and commitment of our families over many years. Your support whether through financial contributions, participation in fundraising, or volunteering makes a genuine difference in maintaining and improving the programs and facilities our students enjoy. We greatly value your continued support and dedication to enriching our students’ education and school experience. For convenience, all classroom supplies will be purchased in bulk and distributed directly to classrooms. Teachers will provide students with the necessary stationery and materials throughout the year. Please refer to the attached 2026 Parent Payment Arrangements document for more detailed information. Kind regards, Lucy Addati Business Manager

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

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 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!

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​​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.