PUPIL FREE DAYS 2024
- Friday, April 26
- Monday, July 15
- Monday, November 4
2024 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 29th January - 28th March
- TERM 2: 15th April - 28th June
- TERM 3: 15th July - 20th September
- TERM 4: 7th October - 20th December
2024 CAMP DATES
- Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28 to 30
- Grade 4 Camp to Anglesea - May 15 to 17
- Grade 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October 9 to 11
- Grade 6 Camp - April 29 to 1 May
FINAL WEEK ARRANGEMENTS It is genuinely hard to believe that at this time next week we will have finished Term 1, 2024. Next week’s newsletter will be a shortened version which will be published on Wednesday. Term 1 concludes on THURSDAY, MARCH 28 at 2.30pm after a final assembly commencing at 2.10pm.
TERM 2 STAFFING NEWS We officially welcome Griff Gavan to our school on the first day of Term 2 as he takes charge of Grade 4K. We wish him well and hope his stay is a long and successful one with us. We thank Annie La Rosa and Alyce Elmore for sharing the classroom duties these last four weeks and know that whilst the students have had a few staffing changes this term, the transitions have been as seamless as possible and the teaching has been excellent.
In other news, I am going to be absent for 6-8 weeks next term as I am booked in for hip surgery on the first day of term. Whilst my limp may have looked really cool (NOT!) and I played it up for as much sympathy as possible (!!), my best course of action is the operation and I am looking forward to getting back to full fitness as soon as possible. Patrick Walsh will be the Acting Principal whilst I am off work. Gill Nicholls is also off for the first two weeks of Term 2 on Long Service Leave as she journeys overseas to visit her son and daughter in law and her gorgeous first grandchild. Our Learning Specialists (Sandy Farley, Jamie Ruddock and Phillip Byrne) will step up for a week at a time as acting Assistant Principals to ensure the school doesn’t ‘miss a beat’ during the busy first few weeks of Term 2.
WORKING BEE I really hope we can see as many families as possible this Sunday, March 24 from 9am as we ‘target’ the Foundation and Grade 1 playground and give it a well overdue ‘update’. It follows on a really successful mini working bee last week where the area outside the Foundation classrooms got much love and attention, courtesy of plenty of top soil and mulch in the garden beds there and general ‘love and attention’. Thanks to everyone for your support.
REGIONAL SWIMMING AND DISTRICT ATHLETICS Good luck to our teams as the swimmers compete (today) and our athletes give it a red hot go (next Wednesday). I trust we can get results and a few pictures in each of our next two newsletters.
That’s it for now. Hope to see you Sunday.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
🎉 Exciting News Alert! 🎉 We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lucas Lin of Year 4! Today, Lucas showcased extraordinary talent at the Regional Swimming Championships, securing the 1st position in the 50 meters freestyle event and 3rd place finish in the 50 meters backstroke (9/10 Year old boys category).
With his outstanding performance, Lucas has earned a well-deserved spot to represent our school at the upcoming State Swimming Championships in April. We wish Lucas the very best. Swim with pride, Lucas!
Harmony Day Celebrations It was wonderful to see so many students celebrating Harmony Day today by wearing their national dress, wearing orange or bringing along something from their cultural background. Our student leaders have done an amazing job planning and communicating a range of activities that the students have been able to engage with.
The Importance of Sleep If you are feeling tired or your children are struggling with sleep after a busy day, the following article from the Department might be worth a read.
Supporting sleep health
While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young people are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.
Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours. For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.
Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:
- low mood and irritability during social interactions
- reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
- falling asleep during the day
- difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
- changes to communicating or interacting at home.
You can help your child to improve their sleep by:
• establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
- supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
- encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
- encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.
If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or wakening unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length sleep, they should see a doctor.
For more information on sleep health, you can refer to:
- Sleep tips for children and Facts about sleep for parents and school staff, from the Sleep Health Foundation
- Why sleep is so important, from the Kids Helpline’s
- Sleep explained, from the Better Health Channel.
Policy News The Anaphylaxis Policy, available on the school website, has recently been updated to reflect DET requirements and changes at our school. Please familiarise yourself with this policy if it relates to your circumstances.
Have a great week,
Gill
2024 ANZAC APPEAL BADGES ANZAC Appeal badges are currently on sale at the school's general office, priced between $2 and $10.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC) A ‘Working with Children Check’ is just one part of creating and maintaining a child-safe environment. It is a requirement that all parents/careers who wish to volunteer or participate in school activities have a current WWCC.
CAMPS, SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF) The Government assisted Fund provides payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports, incursions and excursions ($150 per child). Applications for the Governments ‘CSEF Fund’ can be accessed by filling in the application form and returning it to the office with a copy of your current Health Care Card. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply) i.e. a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card.
If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2023, you do not need to complete an application form in 2024 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
- new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2024 or you did not apply in 2023.
- changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2024.
- Funds are paid to the school and will be automatically allocated to the Extra-Curricular Items and Activities unless otherwise stated by the parent at the start of the year.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
Harmony Day Today, Viewbank Primary celebrated Harmony Day. The theme this year was ‘Everyone Belongs'. The captains set up decorations around the school including a giant heart next to the Auslan room. Everyone had an opportunity to stick up their flag from their cultural background or native country on the heart. People also were taking pictures next to the heart! The captains created a worksheet for the students to fill out during class time. Harmony Day is a day that we celebrate to recognise different cultures, religions & beliefs. Students were able to wear a cultural dress item and share it with their class. Everyone had an awesome time sharing their culture and discovering new ones as well.
Written by Inaya (Communication Captain), Orlando (Plenty House Captain) and Jeremy (School Captain)
Year 6 Leadership Team Report Please click the link to view the Viewbank Primary School’s Term 1 News Report created by the Year 6 Leadership Team and edited by Alexandra (Sustainability Captain).
EASTER RAFFLE FUNDRAISER The Parents and Friends Committee are running an Easter raffle with all funds raised going towards ongoing school upgrades.
Tickets are available for purchase through Compass: https://compasstix.com/e/gtpsanbmni
- Tickets are $2 each
- Six tickets for $10
- Fifteen tickets for $20
There are three Easter hampers up for grabs and some other minor spot prizes. The VPS class that sells the most tickets will be treated to a hot chip lunch!
Raffle winners will be selected during the school assembly on Monday, March 25th.
Ticket sales will close 23/3/24.
Thanks for your ongoing support.
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 1 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 28th March (Orders closing on Monday 25th March, 3:00pm)
Our Term 2 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 18th April (Orders closing on Monday 15th April, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd May (Orders closing on Monday 29th April, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th May (Orders closing on Monday 6th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th May (Orders closing on Monday 13th May, 3:00pm) - Year 4 Camp
- Thursday 23rd May (Orders closing on Monday 20th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 30th May (Orders closing on Monday 27th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 6th June (Orders closing on Monday 3rd June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 13th June (Orders closing on Monday 10th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 20th June (Orders closing on Monday 17th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 27th June (Orders closing on Monday 24th June, 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 2 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.
.
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/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
- Saturday 9am to 12pm
Online Ordering Please Visit: www.aplusschoolwear.com.au