- Friday 11 October - P&F Student Disco
- Saturday 9 November - P&F Vision Portraits Photo Fundraiser
- Tuesday 12 November - Whole School Production (A-K Families)
- Thursday 14 November - Whole School Production (L-Z Families)
PUPIL FREE DAYS 2024
- Monday, November 4
2024 TERM DATES
- TERM 3: 15th July - 20th September
- TERM 4: 7th October - 20th December
2024 CAMP DATES
- Grade 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh - October 9 to 11
- Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28 to 30
FINAL ASSEMBLY The final assembly for the term commences at 2.05pm tomorrow ‘kicked’ off with a performance by our string ensemble. All students dismiss from the assembly in the gymnasium at around 2.30pm to commence a well earned school holiday break.
GRADE 5 CAMP A reminder that a term 4 highlight takes place almost immediately in week 1 when our Grade 5 students head west to enjoy three days at the Lady Northcote Camp in Bacchus Marsh. Fingers crossed for good weather, especially from Wednesday October 9 through to Friday, October 11.
FOOTY COLOURS DAY Hoping to see everyone in their footy colours tomorrow as we approach the penultimate weekend of the football year. As a Pies supporter, I’d have to say that even with our team out of action it’s still been a pretty exciting time. To those whose team are still in the race, good luck and don’t chew down your finger nails!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS And so another term draws to a close. Can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday break. Nicer weather, a few football matches, and longer days makes for the perfect ingredients for a lovely break. You will notice lots of activity at the school as the installation of the new Tiger Turf commences but as always if anything a little ‘untoward’ seems to be happening please contact the Heidelberg Police in the first instance.
Have a wonderful break.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Boredom is fantastic for children’s play, say parenting experts
A bit of boredom is not a bad thing – in fact it can actually do children some good, say experts at the Australian Government-funded parenting website raisingchildren.net.au
"When children are required to find something to do, they're forced to use their problem-solving skills, creative thinking and imagination to play," says Associate Professor Julie Green, a raising children director and Acting CEO of the Parenting Research Centre.
The benefits of boredom are outlined in a new raisingchildren.net.au video series launched for parents containing tips and information on children and play.
"It can really be worth parents holding their nerve when the kids complain about being bored. It shows children it isn’t the end of the world to be a bit bored and to work through it." Associate Professor Green says.
"It's important for parents to play with their children but they don't have to entertain them all the time."
With school holidays fast approaching that may be music to parents' ears.
Boredom can also allow children to:
- let their thoughts and imaginations roam
- explore ideas and think creatively
- choose activities that match moods – for example, if your child is feeling full of energy, they might want and need to be physically active.
"When children are bored it creates a feeling of being able to rely on themselves to be resilient; the ability to get through something that might be a little bit tough and a little bit stressful," says Cat Sewell, play specialist.
A range of play themed videos, including Boredom: how it helps children’s play and development, can be found at raisingchildren.net.au/playvideos
I hope everyone has a restful holiday break. Make sure you schedule some downtime and don’t worry if you hear the kids saying ‘I’m bored’.
See you next term.
Gill
TERM 3 RECAP I spent a few minutes today looking back at some of the things that occurred at Viewbank Primary School in Term 3. The 15th of July, while only 10 weeks ago, seems a long way from where we are now!
Some of the more notable events since the beginning of term included: 3-Way Conferences; weekly swimming lessons for Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2; Year 6 sport; Year 5s and 6s at the Viewbank College Production; Olympics Day; Years 3 & 4 and Year 5 & 6 Basketball; Foundation 100 days of school; excursions to Koorie Heritage Trust (Year 4), Edendale Farm (Foundation) and Healesville (Year 1); 2025 Foundation ‘Lands’ transition program; Science Week show; Book Week and author visit; an evacuation drill; Fathers’ Day Stall; Book Swap; Sushi Lunch; the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden program in Years 3 & 4; a Working Bee; Bunnings Eltham visiting our Foundation students and, of course, we are full steam ahead for the production in mid-November!
I hope everyone has a great September break. If you are travelling or spending any time on the roads, please stay safe!
Patrick
2025 School Saving Bonus In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.
The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.
The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.
Actions for parents and carers
Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:
- Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.
- Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date by logging into Compass through the web browser (not the app on your phone) as follows.
- Go to Tools – Update My Details
- Make changes as necessary
- Click Update Details at the bottom of the screen
We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:
- in October, to verify your email address
- in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.
Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.
To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
Footy Colours Day On the last day of Term 3 (20th September), VPS will be holding a Footy Colours Day. All students will be encouraged to wear their favourite team’s colours to celebrate. Please note that if your child does not follow or support football, they can come to school in their favourite sporting team colours. We are looking forward to seeing all of the different team’s colours, so get ready!
Written by the Year 6 Leadership team
Dust off those dancing shoes, the Viewbank Primary School DISCO is coming up! - FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER, 2024 - Purchase your entry ticket now via Compass Events.
- Foundation - Year Two 6.00pm-6.45pm
- Year Three- Six 7.15pm-8.15pm.
Entry into the Disco is $12.00 per child.
The entry price includes the Disco as well as a Zooper Dooper icy pole to cool down on the way out. Please email the school if you do not wish for your child to receive a Zooper Dooper icy pole.
Take the night off cooking with a sausage sizzle available outside the gym from 5.30pm.
As always, we need some help to make this night a success – please sign up via the volunteer sign up sheet https://volunteersignup.org/RTP7K
- This fundraising event is hosted and supervised by the Viewbank Primary School Parents & Friends Association.
- Only registered volunteers with a current WWCC will be able to enter the School Gym during the event.
- Parents must collect their children from the school gym at the allocated finish time – see start & finish times above.
- Once they are signed in, children can not exit the gym without their parent.
- Entry will only be via the Gym's main door.
- Exit will only be via the Gym's side door located near Gate 3.
- A Zooper Dooper icy pole will be given to each attendee at the completion of the disco. Please let the school know if you would prefer your child not to receive one.
- Children are required to supply their own bottle of water on the evening.
BOOKINGS OPEN - Vision Portraits Photo Fundraiser - Saturday 9th November, 2024 - ALL WELCOME!!
We are excited to be offering Vision Portraits $30 family photo fundraising photos again this year.
- When: Saturday 9th November 2024
- Where: Price Park, Viewbank
- Booking link: www.visionportraits.com.au/fundraise
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 10th October (Orders closing on Monday 7th October, 3:00pm) - Year 5 Camp
- Thursday 17th October (Orders closing on Monday 14th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 24th October (Orders closing on Monday 21st October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 31st October (Orders closing on Monday 28th October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th November (Orders closing on Monday 4th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 14th November (Orders closing on Monday 11th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 21st November (Orders closing on Monday 18th November, 3:00pm)
- 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.
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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