PLEASE CHECK COMPASS EVENTS REGULARLY
- Tuesday 12th December - Statewide Transition Day
- Wednesday 13th December - Grade 6 Graduation
PUPIL FREE DAYS 2023
- Monday 6th November - Report writing day
2023 TERM DATES
- Term 4: 2nd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
2024 CAMP DATES
- Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28-30
- Grade 4 Camp to Anglesea - May 15 to 17
- Grade 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October - 9 to 11
- Grade 6 Camp to Echuca - April 17 to 19
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO SCHOOLGROUND ACCESS From Wednesday, November 8, the main gate on Nevin Parade (Gate 1) will be locked for the remainder of 2023 (or until further notice). There will only be three access points to the school grounds – through gate 2 (the ramp on Lascelles Avenue), through gate 3 (on Winston Road) or via the oval (steps on Winston Road, or at the Martins Lane end). The area from Gate 1 and around the Foundation – Grade 1 playground will be fenced off, and access to the Grade 6 end of the 5/6 building will also be locked off with entry to that building through Mrs Groves external doors (see diagram). From the same day, the Principal class team will be operating out of the language room, and the General Office will be housed in the STEM room in the gym. First Aid will operate out of the physical education office in the gym as well.
All of these changes will enable the safe demolition of the Administration building, with works on that commencing November 8 and expected to take the best part of five weeks. This is very much the ‘pointy’ end of the capital works program, with everything still on schedule to be completed by the end of 2023. Undoubtedly, there will be much inconvenience over these last 7-8 weeks and we can do no more than manage this as best we can and seek your support and understanding as we navigate this period.
Whilst Gate 1 will be closed, I will still continue to meet families at the ‘Kiss and Drop’ zone on Nevin Parade for morning drop offs. Students can safely exit there, and walk down the footpath to enter at Gate 2 on Lascelles Avenue. Alternatively, with good weather if there was ever a time to park further away from the school and walk the last 5 minutes to school together this would be it.
STUDENT DISCO Many thanks to the Parents and Friends committee for planning and implementing this event last Friday night. The weather was kind, if not a tad warm, and the students had the best time. It was lovely to see so many families take advantage of the opportunity to mingle and socialise on the Tiger Turf and we sold a few sausages along the way to turn a small profit for the night!
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR GRADE PLACEMENTS 2024 – ONE WEEK TO GO!! Each year at this time, we seek input from families with regards to the placement of students into classes for the following year (if that is necessary). We do recognise that that there might be some limited circumstances initiating a parental grade request, but please think carefully about this and if you really do feel a need to inform us of these circumstances then do let us know. At this stage, we have not assigned teachers to grade levels for next year, and in fact still need to select a few teachers to fill those roles next year. There are no guarantees that teachers currently teaching at certain grade levels will be teaching there next year, as leadership needs to take into consideration a range of factors including the development of our teaching staff and teacher preferences before this allocation is completed. We have also not settled on a grade structure for 2024, with the possibility of one or two composite classes in the junior area of the school, or even in the upper grades to keep class numbers down. Having said that, if there are special circumstances that we need to know about, you are welcome to let us know of these. Such special circumstances might include but are not limited to health, emotional or learning matters, peer or sibling relationships or changes in the home situation. Selecting a particular teacher does not fit within the realm of special circumstances, and if your request includes that information it will be denied. Information requiring our consideration needs to be addressed to ‘The Principal’ and emailed to the office or myself by Friday, November 3. Please title the email “CONFIDENTIAL – GRADE REQUEST’. Please note that emails received after this date will NOT be accepted. All emails will be acknowledged.
PUPIL FREE DAY A reminder that Monday, November 6 is a pupil free day. There will be no one on site, and day care will NOT be offered on that day. This is due to the safety requirement of a clear site for the removal of any potentially hazardous materials from the soon to be demolished existing administration building on that day.
Hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
WORLD TEACHERS DAY On Friday 27 October, school and early childhood communities across Victoria will celebrate the significant role teachers play in improving student outcomes and shaping learners’ lives for future success.
Every day, Victorian teachers go above and beyond for learners and their communities. This World Teachers' Day is the perfect time to stop, reflect and say thank you to our teachers for the outstanding contributions they make in Victorian classrooms and communities.
All our teachers at Viewbank are highly valued and deserve a HUGE thank you. We certainly appreciate their professionalism, dedication and the energy and commitment they bring to their role.
We are proud to celebrate and thank our wonderful teachers.
Please take the time to say ‘thank you’ to your child’s teacher.
Enjoy your week,
Gill
Lost Property With the recent spate of variable weather we have been having, jumpers, jackets and hats have been off and on, and back off again and then blown away by the wind! Please make sure all property brough to school (including school uniforms) are clearly named. It is the best way to increase the odds of the property finding its way back to the rightful owner.
Don’t forget that second-hand uniform sales take place at our school every Friday between 8:45am and 9:15am during the term. You can find our ‘shop’ next to our Music Room at the top of the Lascelles Avenue ramp.
Professional Practice Days Our teaching staff have been engaged in Professional Practice Days between 23 October and 3 November. Each teaching staff member has chosen a day where they could focus on:
- planning
- preparation
- assessment of student learning
- collaboration
- curriculum development
- relevant professional development
- peer observation including feedback and reflection.
Student Reports Our staff are right in the thick of assessing student learning and putting thoughts ‘on paper’ ready for Semester 2 Reports. These will be made available to parents and guardians during Week 11, most likely the end of that week. I will more than likely say this again in later Viewbank Voice Newsletters, but it is always worth repeating – thank you to the staff for the hours and thought that they put into these. There is not enough time to fit report writing in during normal work hours as well as continue our learning and teaching program. Report writing very often occurs after dinner at home and/or on weekends.
Have a great weekend.
Patrick
On the 27th of October Viewbank Primary School will be participating in Day for Daniel. Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day. Students will participate in educational lessons/activities about child safety. We kindly ask that all students wear something red e.g. hat, t-shirt etc and if you wish to, bring a gold coin donation or donative via this link: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/get-involved/donate/. Fundraising helps the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to continue their free educational programs, develop educational resources and support young victims of crime.
For more information please visit: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/day-for-daniel/
Written by Lily (School Captain), Gwendolyn (Sustainability Captain) and Zara (Wellbeing Captain)
Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing 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 2nd November (Orders closing on 30th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th November (Orders closing on 6th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th November (Orders closing on 13th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd November (Orders closing on 20th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 30th November (Orders closing on 27th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th December (Orders closing on 4th December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 14th December (Orders closing on 11th 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.
Parent assistance is required on Lunch Days from 10:30am to 12:30pm to assist with the packing of our orders. If you are available to assist in anyway can you please email the school at viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au so your name can be added to our roster.
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 – Tiaryn Griggs
- Email: tiaryngriggs@gmail.com
PIANO/KEYBOARD/DRUMS - Daniel Tucceri
- Email: info@banyulemusicandtutoring.com
- Phone: 0405 667 907
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