PUPIL FREE DAYS 2024
- Monday, July 15
- Monday, November 4
2024 TERM DATES
- 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 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October 9 to 11
Just a short note to say hello, and let you know I am back on deck. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Patrick Walsh and the team for managing the school so very well in my absence. From all reports, things have been running very smoothly and even with a short absence there have been a number of physical changes to the ‘schoolscape’ which indiscernible on a day-to-day basis, are very noticeable after eight weeks away. I’m now the proud owner of a healthy hip (hip-hip hooray, it’s hip to be square etc) and have been busy reconnecting and catching up and looking forward to steering the school through to the school holidays in just a few weeks. I look forward to catching up with everyone over the next few weeks.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Policies As you are aware, many policies have undergone a review in recent months. During the consultation process policies have been reviewed by staff, our year 6 student leadership group, the school community and school council, depending on the policy and target audience. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback and comment.
Policies in the areas of Child Safety; Curriculum; Welfare; Health and Medical; Operations and Extra Curricula have now been updated on the school website.
Please use these policies as a first point of reference if you require information about a particular area or topic.
If you have any further questions or you would like a hard copy of a policy please call the school office.
Statement of Values and School Philosophy The purpose of this policy is to outline the values of our school community and explain the vision, mission and objectives of our school.
Viewbank Primary School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.
The programs and teaching at Viewbank Primary School support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:
- elected government
- the rule of law
- equal rights for all before the law
- freedom of religion
- freedom of speech and association
- the values of openness and tolerance.
This policy was recently endorsed by School Council and is available on our school website.
Smile Squad The Banyule Community Health Smile Squad team arrived onsite on Tuesday. Students have begun having their dental examinations and treatments. If you would like your child to see the dental team whilst they are at Viewbank but forgot to complete the registration form please call the school office to collect a form as soon as possible.
Have a great week,
Gill
CONGRATULATIONS DARRAGH! Our heartiest congratulations to Darragh from Year 6 for making it through to the School Sport Victoria AFL Victorian team! He will be competing against the best junior footballers from around Australia at the National Championships in August. We wish Darragh and the Big V team all the best!
3-WAY CONFERENCES By now you would have received a notification that these are available for you to book a time. Please note that the booking system will be open until Thursday 27 June at 4:30pm.
Our Specialist and Additional Support teachers only have limited availability on this day - please only make a booking if you think it is absolutely necessary. They are more than happy to answer any questions you may have via email, phone, or at another agreed to time. If your child's Specialist and/or Additional Support Teacher do not work on a Monday, and are not listed, please contact them directly.
Classroom Teacher times are 15 minutes each, Specialist and Additional Support are 5 minutes each. Slots will be available between 10:30am and 6:30pm.
REPORTS will be available on Wednesday 26th June at approximately 4:30pm. I would like to thank the teachers for the huge amount of thought and work that has gone into providing these reports. For those of you who do not know, reports are generally completed after hours and on weekends. From time to time, errors can slip through into the published document. If this is the case, please speak to the staff member who wrote that comment for clarification.
PLANNING WEEK NEXT WEEK Please do not forget that it is Planning Week from 17 June to 21 June.
WALKING AND CYCLING TO SCHOOL - INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY Onemilegrid have been engaged by the City of Banyule to undertake an audit of the walking and cycling infrastructure around several Primary Schools within the municipality.
Our audit will include walking and cycling the Active Travel to School routes to review all existing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, as well as identifying needs for new infrastructure. As part of this process, we are reaching out to teachers and parents of each school to understand if there are any specific concerns with the existing walking and cycling infrastructure provided.
We would like to invite you to take part in a short online survey to express your opinions and concerns. Any information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated, and will help us to provide a thorough review to make the most out of this audit, ultimately improving the safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists within the vicinity of your school.
Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/sNmFKDxvL6
WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU I am sure you will join me in welcoming Mr Kersing back to school. Thank you everyone for your support, patience and understanding throughout the term while I kept the chair warm for him!
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
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
A message from the VPS Sustainability Committee We would like to thank the families who provided feedback via the Google Form posted on Compass recently regarding the school transitioning to being a Rubbish Free school next term. Each submission will be discussed and considered when the committee meet again in Term 3. The link to the form is still active, so if you have any extra ideas for ways to help make our school more sustainable, or ways that we can promote or educate students on sustainable practices, please feel free to share them.
We are noticing a recent uptick in student numbers who are coming with Nude Food each day, which is fabulous to see! Please just remember to write your child’s name onto their container so that any misplaced items can be returned to your classroom.
Once again we would like to thank all families for any small changes that they can make that help to keep our school cleaner, and for your ongoing support to our school programs, initiatives and Inquiry actions that have a positive impact on our schoolyard environment.
The VPS Sustainability Committee
Year 4 Kitchen and Garden This week the Year 4 students enjoyed participating in a fun and challenging quiz during Garden sessions. They also cooked up a storm in Kitchen sessions. It was wonderful to see all of the herbs and pumpkins we harvested earlier put to good use in this delicious meal.
We thank all of the superb volunteers who joined us this week.
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 upgrad
Our Term 2 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- 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.
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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/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