- Sunday 15 June Working Bee
- Monday 16 June Smile Squad returns
- Tuesday 17 June Interschools’ Chess Tournament at VPS in the gym
- Friday 20 June P&F Trivia Night in gym
- Friday 04 July Last day of Term 2 – Assembly at 2:05pm, students dismissed at 2:30pm
PUPIL FREE DAYS (TheirCare School Holiday Program will be available on pupil-free days)
- Monday 21 July - Three-Way Conference Day
2025 TERM DATES
- TERM 2: 22 April - 4 July
- TERM 3: 21 July - 19 September
- TERM 4: 6 October - 19 December
2025 CAMP DATES
- Year 3 Phillip Island Camp - 27 October - 29 October
- Year 5 Lady Northcote Camp - 08 October to 10 October
- Year 6 Urban Camp - 15 September to 17 September
Welcome back to everyone after a long weekend – long, cold but thankfully wet! I trust that everyone had opportunity to recharge and to have some quality time with family and friends.
Our Friday at school on the pupil free day focussed on some professional development around the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0. The revised VTLM (VTLM 2.0) is informed by contemporary evidence about the way students learn and the most effective teaching practices and approaches to achieve strong learning outcomes for students, including priority cohorts. It has explicit teaching at its core. Together with staff from Rosanna, Watsonia North and Ivanhoe Primary Schools, our staff took part in some core learning and practical activities before a session in the afternoon focussing on High Impact Teaching Strategies. It was an excellent day of collaboration and embedding of essential teaching practices and a good lead into the long weekend.
BUSY WEEK AHEAD Next week has a range of activities that will keep us busy. Whilst staff are spending most of their down time at the moment writing and proof reading reports (for which we are very grateful), there are a few notable activities happening at school. On Tuesday we host an interschool chess tournament for around 130 students from a number of different schools. This is an annual event, and one that is replicated at other schools in the region. It gives our chess students the opportunity to pit themselves against others in a competitive but friendly environment and for those taking part next week we wish you all the best. Wednesday sees our elite cross country runners (Lizzie Rance, Jessica Martinez, Riley Cadusch, Alexander Carnovale, Ethan Woo and Melinda Tan) taking part in the Regional Cross Country event and we wish them all the very best and look forward to noting their performances in this newsletter. And the final competitive but friendly event of the week is the Viewbank PS Trivia Night to be held in the school gymnasium on Friday, June 20. The teachers’ team is hoping to go back-to-back in all matters trivial!!
RESCHEDULED WORKING BEE As mentioned previously, the Term 2 working bee has been rescheduled to this Sunday, June 15 from 9am. It would be nice to see large numbers in attendance even if for just an hour or two, and any assistance is always greatly appreciated.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
New School Uniform Supplier Our uniform supplier, A Plus Schoolwear, has recently been bought out by Lowes Schoolwear. All contract arrangements will remain in place for a 12 month period meaning there will be no price increases, the same material will be used to make our garments and a full range of uniform options will be available.
It does however mean some changes to our uniform distribution.
Once the new arrangements are in place, our school uniform will be available from the Lowes store (near K-Mart) at Northland or online. This store is much closer than the previous store location and has greatly extended trading hours, allowing for more convenient shopping. All online orders will have free shipping for the first six months. However orders will no longer be able to be sent to the school.
Lowes will be providing further information for the school community in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.
Smile Squad final reminder Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program.
This means ALL students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment at school.
How to access free dental care
Parents MUST provide consent before Smile Squad can provide dental services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian, using an electronic consent form for Smile Squad, making consenting to services even easier. If your child has used this services in the past, you still need to complete the consent form for services in 2025.
Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic
Please complete and submit the consent form by Friday 13th June.
The Smile Squad team from Holstep Health (formerly known as Banyule Community Health) will be at our school from Monday 16th June.
Have a great week,
Gill
THREE-WAY CONFERENCES At our School Council meeting on Tuesday evening (10 June), Monday 21 July has been confirmed as our Three-Way Conference day. Interview slots being provided between 10:30am until 6:30pm. This is a student free day with the expectation that your child attends the interview with you (Theircare will be offering their services from 6:30am – 6:15pm on this day). The students have already been looking at their goals and preparing what they will share with you. You will be able to book a 3-Way Conference from Tuesday 17 June at approximately 12pm , remaining open until Wednesday 02 July at 4pm.
Some classes will need to conduct their Three-Way Conferences at the end of Term 2 due to planned staff absences early in Term 3 – this will be communicated to the families in these classes directly.
Our Learning 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 time slots are 15 minutes each, Specialist and Additional Support are 5 minutes each. Slots will be available between 10:30am and 6:30pm.
REPORTS As mentioned previously, there will be some changes to the reporting of Mathematics this semester. Ms. McLeod, our Assessment and Reporting Coordinator, will provide an overview of this in next week’s Viewbank Voice. Reports are expected to be published to parents in the last week of term.
TRIVIA NIGHT If you have not bought your tickets – it is not too late. See information below for more details!
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
Enrolments For Foundation/Prep 2026 Are Now Open Enrolments for the 2026 intake of Foundation/Prep students are now open. In line with the Department of Education’s Placement Policy and timeline, we will contact you in early August to advise the outcome of your child’s Foundation/Prep enrolment application.
School Saving Bonus reminder and allocation to school activities The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.
The SSB can be used for uniforms and textbooks until Monday 30 June 2025.
Any funds remaining after 30 June 2025, including online voucher amounts that have not been redeemed, will become a credit to use on school activities. However, the credit will not be available on your family account at our school until late July.
To use any remaining SSB funds to cover the cost of school activities in July, please refer to the SSB online system and allocate the funds to school activities before 30 June 2025.
To learn more about the SSB online system, download the step-by-step System guide for parents and carers (DOCX, 945KB) or watch this School Saving Bonus video. System guide translations are also available in 14 languages.
The Department of Education’s SSB contact centre will remain available until 30 June 2025. The contact centre can be reached by:
- completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form
- calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.
After this date, please contact our administration team for any SSB related questions.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).
A student aged 16 years and over who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card is also eligible to apply.
Eligible families will receive a payment of $154 per year for primary school students. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, complete the application form and return to the school office as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
VPS Grounds Group Term 2 Working Bee The Grounds Group is pleased to announce that the next working bee will be held on Sunday the 15th June at 9am to 12pm.
A Hot Chip Lunch will be awarded to the class with the most families attending! (Families that attended the washed out working bee recently will receive an extra 'entry' into the competition)
Proposed Activities:
- New Plantings around the school
- Sweeping
- Weeding
- Drain cleaning
- General Tidy Up
Come for as little or as long as you like, and remember to bring gloves (and maybe a raincoat!)
See you there!
BOOK CLUB Issue4 catalogues have been sent home. All orders are due by Wednesday 18th of June. Every dollar you spend earns points to buy more books for the Library. Thank you for your support.
🎉 Viewbank Primary Trivia Night 2025! 🎉 - Book your tickets now!
The Viewbank Primary School Parents & Friends Association invites you to a night of fun, laughs, and friendly competition at our annual Trivia Night – all in support of our amazing school!
- 🧠 Test your knowledge across a range of exciting categories – from pop culture and history to sports and more.
- 🎁 Win great prizes through games, raffles, and brain-teasing challenges.
- 👥 Bring a team or join one on the night – it's a great way to connect with our school community.
Whether you're a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, it's guaranteed to be a fantastic night out. Best of all, your participation helps raise vital funds for our school!
- 📅 Date: Friday 20 June 2025
- 🕕 Time: 6:45 PM – 11:00 PM
- 📍 Location: Viewbank Primary School Gymnasium, Nevin Parade, Viewbank VIC 3084
- 💵 Cost: $30 per ticket
- 👤 Tables of 12
- 🍷 BYO Alcohol & Nibbles
- 💳 Eftpos Available on the night
- 🔞 Adults only – 18+ event
- 🎟 Book your tickets now! – Don't miss out on this great community night!
Let’s come together and make this a night to remember – all for a great cause!
https://www.trybooking.com/DBXSN
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 2 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates:
- Thursday 19th June (Orders close: Monday 16th June, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 26th June (Orders close: Monday 23rd June, 3:00 PM)
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 2 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.
.
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: dimiholborow@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.
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