PUPIL FREE DAYS 2025
- Tuesday 28 January
- Friday 07 March
2024 TERM DATES
- TERM 4: 7 October - 20 December
2025 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 28 January - 4 April (Students start: Year 1 to 6 - 29 January, Foundation - 30 January)
- 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 4 Anglesea Camp - 14 May to 16 May
- Year 5 Lady Northcote Camp - 08 October to 10 October
- Year 6 Urban Camp - 15 September to 17 September
GRADE STRUCTURE 2025 We are now in a position to outline our grade structure for 2025 as follows:-
- Foundation - four classes of 21
- Grade 1 – three classes of 24
- Grade 2 – two classes of 24
- Grade 1/2 – two classes of 22
- Grade 3 - three classes of 24
- Grade 4 - three classes of 24
- Grade 3/4 - two classes of 24
- Grade 5 - four classes of 26
- Grade 6 - four classes of 23
We will announce the teachers assigned to each of those classes, as well as the specialist and additional support profile and teachers, in upcoming weeks.
AUSLAN – PARENT SESSION After assembly on the 25th November , Auslan Education Services (AES) is offering a parent information session to learn more about Auslan, ask questions, and even learn some signs. From the end of assembly, any interested parents are invited to stay behind for the session (approximately 45-60 mins) with the location in the gym foyer.
STATE SOFTBALL GRAND FINALS The Victorian State Softball Championships will be conducted at Waverley Softball Centre, Jells Road and Waverley Road, Wheelers Hill on Monday 25th of November 2024. Good luck to our school team and win, lose or draw you have already done us proud!
WORKING BEE We hope to see as many volunteers (parents, staff and children) on Sunday morning, November 24 between 9am and 1pm for our final working bee of the year. It would be nice to see lots in attendance to consolidate all of the improvements we have made to our grounds during 2024.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP Monday was our first opportunity to hear from our ‘would-be’ school captains for 2025, as many students spoke to their peers on why they would be the best candidate for the positions next year. After carefully scrutinised voting by all students, a shortlist of candidates was drawn up and those students were interviewed by Gillian Nicholls, Patrick Walsh, Sharon Groves (Grade 6 Team Leader) Narelle Taylor (Grade 5 Team Leader) and myself on Tuesday. Whilst it was an immensely difficult task, as we were spoilt for choice, we have made a decision with this decision announced at Assembly next Monday, November 25. Congratulations to all who had the courage to present in front of their peers with commitment, passion for their school and confidence!
Have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
At this time of year, many students and their families are in the process of moving schools. Preparing children and teenagers for moving schools is an important component of a successful transition. The following information comes from the Raising Children Network - Australian parenting website.
It’s quite common for children and teenagers to move schools. It’s also common for them to resist change and feel stressed about going to a new school. So if your child is moving schools, the best thing you can do is prepare your child for the change.
You can do this by involving your child in the process of choosing and moving schools. This will help your child see the exciting and positive aspects of the move. Also, your child will be happier if they feel that their needs are important to you.
Here are tips for involving your child and making the change easier:
- If possible, discuss the move with your child well in advance.
- Be enthusiastic about the move yourself.
- Ask your child to talk about, draw or make a list of the things they’re looking forward to about going to a new school.
- Ask your child to talk about, draw or make a list of the things they’re worried about. Take time to acknowledge and discuss each concern.
- Find out about the new school. If your child is old enough, talk about the pros and cons of a different school. If possible, visit the new school with your child.
- Find out whether your child knows any children at the new school. Encourage your child to talk with these children. You might be able to arrange for your child to arrive at school with these children on the first day.
- If you know family members or friends who’ve changed schools recently, encourage them to share their experiences with your child.
If you talk with your child about moving schools and let your child express concerns or negative feelings, it’ll help you see the situation through your child’s eyes. It’ll also help you know what support your child needs. And it might reassure your child to see you managing your own feelings about the move in positive ways.
Before moving schools: practical tips
You might like to write a checklist of all the things you need to do as part of moving schools. Then you can tick them off as you get them done. Here are suggestions.
Your child’s old school and community
- Make a digital journal or scrapbook of people, activities and memories from your child’s old school.
- Make a contact list of friends from your child’s old school and neighbourhood.
- If you’re moving house, share your new home address with your child’s close friends. You could give them pre-addressed and stamped envelopes so that they can write to your child. Older children can stay in touch by email, text or social media.
- Plan a farewell gathering with close friends.
- Donate your child’s old uniform to the school’s uniform pool.
Your child’s new school and community
- Talk to the principal of the new school. You could ask about the school’s strategies for helping new children adjust to the school – for example, a buddy system.
- Buy the new uniform and books if you need to. Older children might like to get second-hand uniforms so they blend in more easily.
- Walk around the grounds and buildings of the new school with your child. This will help your child get to know where the important things are. Your child might even be able to spend a day in the school before you move.
- Visit the school care facilities if your child will be using them.
- Make sure your child knows how to get to and from school – for example, where you’ll pick them up and drop them off, which way to walk if they’re walking, or where the bus stops, tram stops or train stations are.
- Talk to your new neighbours or your child’s new teacher. Perhaps your child can meet some classmates before their first day at the new school.
- If English isn’t your or your child’s first language, ask the school about support programs and services that can help.
If your child has additional needs, talk to the new school about its facilities and support programs. If you’re moving interstate or from overseas, your child’s abilities and eligibility for support might need to be checked. You can read more about school for autistic children and school for children with disability.
After moving schools: helping children and teenagers settle in
Once you’ve relocated, try to make some time to help your child settle in. Here are ideas:
- Meet with your child’s new principal, teacher or year coordinator. You might like to set up a review meeting, even within the first 1-2 weeks, to see how things are going.
- Make sure your child has the right equipment and clothes – for example, sports uniform on sports day. This can help your child feel like they fit in.
- If possible, get a copy of your child’s weekly timetable so the whole family knows what’s happening and what your child needs each day.
- Find out about the school’s homework policies and requirements.
- Find out about the school canteen, library, sporting fields and other school facilities.
- Find out whether the school offers extracurricular activities that your child might enjoy and check how to sign up for these.
You can help your child get the most out of school by building relationships with teachers and other parents from the very first day. It’s a good idea to get involved with school activities, events and functions for families whenever you can.
Children and teenagers are very adaptable, and most will manage moving to a new school quite happily. But it’s important to be aware of how your child is feeling about the move so you can give them the support they need.
Have a great week,
Gill
STEPHANIE ALEXANDER KITCHEN GARDEN PROGRAM (SAKGP) We are very grateful for the ongoing support, and patience, of our community. Last weekend, Anthony Spence and Chris Andreou installed the cabinetry in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen. As you may recall, the money raised at the Parents and Friends 2023 Trivia Night was to be allocated towards the completion of the SAKG space. So far, this money has bought ovens and rangehoods, cabinetry and some electrical upgrades.
SYNTHETIC TURF PROJECT At the time of writing, the synthetic turf project (funded by a grant from North East Link and the school, and installed by TigerTurf Australia) is nearing completion. Once again, we are grateful for the patience of our community. It has been just over 12 months since the previous admin building was closed for good, and fences went up. A special shout out to the staff and students in nearby classrooms who have had to put up with demolition works in 2023, and then the current works with dozens of trucks removing soil and bringing in the base materials.
Patrick
School Saving Bonus: On 26, 27, 28 November, parents and carers receive a second email from the Department of Education with their unique $400 bonus code. Families can start spending on uniforms with A Plus Schoolwear in store or online and allocating to school activities.
Parents and carers can use the School Saving Bonus code in store at school-nominated suppliers. Parents and carers can also choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers or for school activities.
To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au). A step-by-step user guide will be available on the webpage on 26 November.
If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au
Dear Parents & Carers,
Viewbank Primary School is excited to embark on another year of excellent teaching and learning and would like to share information about the Parent Payment Arrangements for 2025.
The arrangements for Curriculum and Other Contributions will be accessible on Compass from January. You will receive an email notification as soon as they are published.
Financial contributions from our families are essential in helping us provide the highest quality education and resources for our students. The learning environment and facilities we enjoy today are the result of the generosity and commitment of our parent community over many years. We value all forms of support, including financial contributions, participation in fundraising, and volunteering your time. Thank you in advance for your commitment to our school community.
For your convenience, all classroom supplies will be provided in bulk directly to classrooms, where teachers will distribute stationery and other items as needed.
Please refer to the attached 2025 Parent Payment Arrangements document for more detailed information.
Lucy Addati
Thank you for your generous donations to our Christmas Food Drive! We’ve had lots of food donated to the Rosanna Fire Station Community House so far (the Macleod Pantry will soon close). Please keep your donations coming until the end of November!
The JSC is also fundraising for the Cancer Council. Every year, more than 160,000 people get cancer. The Cancer Council supports all Australians affected by cancer through support, research and prevention programs and we would like to help them to do this. The JSC will be having a Second Hand Toy Sale on Wednesday 11th December, to raise money for the Cancer Council. Every donation counts, and every donation could save a life.
If you have any spare toys lying around that are in great condition, please consider donating by handing them to your class JSC representative.
Auslan On Monday 25th November, we will have a visit from Auslan Education Services, the program we have been using this year to pilot Auslan as our new language. AES is a highly recommended program and students have greatly benefited from the weekly videos on each topic, with the majority of presenters being members of the Deaf community.
After assembly on the 25th, AES is offering a parent information session to learn more about Auslan, ask questions, and even learn some signs. From the end of assembly, any interested parents are invited to stay behind for the session (approximately 45-60 mins) with the location TBC.
If you’re interested in attending, please access the Google Form below using the link or the QR code and answer the short questionnaire. We’d love to get an accurate gauge of attendees before the session so we can allow adequate space for the session so please fill this out if you’re interested.
See you there!
https://forms.gle/W6vzXzef9mMQB3ZLA
Mango Delivery Scheduled for 28th November! Exciting news! Our much-anticipated mango delivery is confirmed for Tuesday, 28th November. Get ready to enjoy your Fresh North Queensland Mangoes, delivered straight from the farm to our school!
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 4 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 28th November (Orders closing on Monday 25th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 5th December (Orders closing on Monday 2nd December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th December (Orders closing on Monday 9th December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th December (Orders closing on Monday 16th December, 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 4 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. All food is Halal.
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
Help Reduce Waste and Support Our School! - Purchase Your Name Labels Now Are you tired of losing lunch boxes and clothing? Please remember to always label your items so they can be returned to you, helping to reduce landfill. You can easily order labels via this link: https://www.mynamelabel.com.au/discount/VPS0515
This is a fundraising activity, and all funds raised will contribute to making our school more sustainable. You can order labels at any time throughout the year!
Our fundraising code is VPS0515.
Thank you for supporting sustainability at Viewbank Primary School!
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
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