PUPIL FREE DAYS 2024
- Tuesday, March 12
- Friday, April 26
- Monday, July 15
2024 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 29th January - 28th March
- 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 4 Camp to Anglesea - May 15 to 17
- Grade 5 Camp to Bacchus Marsh October 9 to 11
- Grade 6 Camp - April 29 to 1 May
JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL BADGE PRESENTATION Monday’s Assembly was a very well attended event as our Junior School Council Members received their badges for 2024. The Junior School Council (JSC) provides an opportunity for students to develop leadership, communication and interpersonal skills and have empowerment in the decision making process of Viewbank Primary School.
The Junior School Council;
- provides a mechanism which opens two-way communication between school management and students.
- introduces students to the procedures involved in the democratic process of decision making.
- discuss rules and make suggestions which allow for fairness and safety of students whilst at school.
- allows representatives to foster a sense of responsibility for their role as student delegates and leaders within the school.
We congratulate the JSC Members and wish them well in their roles for this year.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND WELLBEING CAPTAIN BADGE PRESENTATION We were also lucky enough to have Anne Edgar present the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Captains Badges at Assembly on Monday. Anne is an ex-student of Viewbank PS and has been pivotal in the school having Oscar, a trainee assistance dog, at school for this past year through the Dogs For Life program. https://www.dogsforlife.com.au/information Thanks so much, Anne!
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT Buildings and Grounds met on Tuesday evening to discuss the priorities moving forward for grounds development in 2024. The very first ‘normal’ working bee for 2024 was scheduled for Sunday 24th March. More on that in upcoming newsletters and via Compass. The Buildings and Grounds Committee membership is open to any community member with a special interest in assisting us to further develop our attractive school site, generally meets once per term on a Tuesday night and is a fun and vibrant group to be associated with.
SCHOOL COUNCIL You will have received information on Tuesday with regards an election to be held for the remaining Parent Category vacancy on School Council for 2024. Ballot papers should be received by school no later than 4pm on Tuesday, March 5.
SCHOOL ATHLETICS The Viewbank Primary School Year 3 to 6 Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 7th of March at Willinda Park, Greensborough between 9:00am and 3:30pm. This event will be used for the purpose of selecting the Viewbank Primary School District team and is a highlight on the sporting calendar for our Grade 3 to 6 students!
CAR PARKING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Just reiterating my Compass post from last week and many thanks to those who have taken some of the messages on board. It remains a difficult situation that can only best be navigated by lots of commonsense, patience and courtesy. The Banyule Council is involved in discussions to try and improve the situation and I will provide updates of these discussions when I can.
LONG WEEKEND AND PUPIL FREE DAY A reminder that the Labour Day long weekend (March 11) will be extended by the addition of a pupil free day on Tuesday, March 12. All day care will be provided by Their Care with bookings made in the normal fashion.
DISTRICT SWIMMING 2024 And finally good luck to our school swim team as they take part in the District Carnival at the WaterMarc Aquatic Centre on Monday, March 4.
Enjoy your weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting Thursday 07 March at 7:30pm A Department of Education requirement for schools who have Parents and Friends Committees for the purpose of fundraising, must hold an Annual General Meeting each year. All ‘official’ positions are to be declared vacant, and nominees will be sought for the 2024 President, Secretary and Treasurer. Previous holders of these position are more than welcome to nominate. The Annual General Meeting will be held in the new staffroom on Thursday 7th March at 7:30pm. You will be able to enter the building from the Nevin Parade sliding doors. After the AGM, the P&F Committee will meet as normal. A huge amount of work has gone into 2024 events already so I sure there will be a few updates provided.
We are so grateful to our school community for the support they regularly show. The 2023 P&F started planning events for 2024 last year such as: Mother’s Day Stall, Father’s Day Stall and Disco, as well as a few others. We need to keep these a secret at the moment until details and dates are locked in. That said, if you would like to know what they are, coming along to our P&F Meetings is a great way to stay informed. All fundraising events must be approved by School Council, with the School Council having the final say on where these funds are spent.
SunSmart and Hats Just a reminder ALL students must wear a school approved hat at school each day. As outlined in our school Sunsmart Policy (available on the school website):
- From mid-August to 30 April, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of the August to April time period, by parent or student choice.
- A ‘No Hat, No Play’ rule will be enforced from mid-August to the end of April. Students without hats will be restricted to playing in designated shaded areas during scheduled recess breaks. During PE and sport lessons or during excursions a hat may be provided by the school for the duration of the activity if your child does not have their own.
Unfortunately, we have many students who do not have a hat and have been sitting in the designated shaded areas at Recess and Lunch.
A Plus School Wear
https://www.aplusschoolwear.com.au/SearchResult.aspx?Labels=VIEWBANK%20P.S
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be completing the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in the second half of March. The following table shows our expected schedule:
Make up assessments will be provided within the assessment window (between Thursday 14th March and Monday 25th March). Make up tests will only be provided for students in line with NAPLAN administration guidelines.
If you have any concerns about your Year 3 or Year 5 child completing NAPLAN in 2024, please contact your child's teacher as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend.
Patrick
School Medical Policies A number of school medical policies are available on our school website, providing detailed information about how the policy topic is implemented at our school.
The First Aid Policy details our school’s approach to first aid for students, including First Aid management, the care of an ill or injured student and how we will communicate with you if your child requires first aid at school.
Please note, in the event of a medical emergency, staff may need to contact Triple Zero ‘000’ for emergency medical services. Parents are responsible for the cost of any Ambulance Victoria intervention regardless of their ambulance subscription status. If you do not currently have Ambulance coverage for your child, you may wish to investigate this further.
The Administration of Medication Policy explains the process we follow to safely manage the provision of medication to students while at school or attending school activities, camps or excursions. The policy includes a MEDICATION AUTHORITY FORM which must be completed by a parent or medical professional and supplied along with the medication to be administered at school.
In accordance with the Department of Education policy, Viewbank Primary School will not store or administer analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol as a standard First Aid strategy as they can mask signs and symptoms of serious illness or injury.
If you require further information, please refer to the complete policy on the school website or contact the school office. Our medical policies have recently been reviewed and will be updated on the school website in the coming days.
Volunteer Induction 2024 - Child Safety Standards Thank you to the parents who attended the Volunteer Induction Session held at school last week. we will be offering another session this Friday, 1st March at 2.45pm in the Conference Room in the Administration building.
Please make sure you complete and sign the Child Safety Standards Induction Checklist and return it to the school office along with your Working With Children Card, if you haven’t already done so, so that you will be ready to volunteer throughout the year at different events.
If you were unable to attend either of the sessions, you can complete the induction process at home. All the relevant Child Safety documents as well as the Volunteer Induction PowerPoint are available on the school website.
Once you have read and viewed the required material, please complete and sign the Child Safety Standards Induction Checklist 2024 and return it to the school office along with your Working With Children Card.
Have a great week.
Gill
NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING The new administration building is located at the top of Nevin Parade. The gates around the school are locked at 9.30am and unlocked at 3.10pm.
Entry into the school between the hours of 9.30 & 3.15pm is through the new admin building and the oval side of the admin building.
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
AUSLAN Auslan has started off wonderfully! So far students have learned about everyday signs, as well as the alphabet, colours, and family signs. Students are engaged with weekly videos and games, and they have taken on the new language very enthusiastically. It’s been lovely to see students using Auslan with each other around the school and we hope they’ve been sharing their knowledge at home with you too.
Below is a reference sheet for the alphabet signs as well as this week’s topic, family. Auslan is best learned with physical examples rather than through an illustration alone so hopefully your child can help you sign correctly!
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 1 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 7th March (Orders closing on Monday 4th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 14th March (Orders closing on Monday 11th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 21st March (Orders closing on Monday 18th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 28th March (Orders closing on Monday 25th March, 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 1 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.
.
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
Winston Hills Preschool still has some vacancies in 2024! We have 4 places in our 3yo Green group (Tuesdays) and 1 place in our 4yo group (Tues/Thurs/Fri) which also includes a bush kinder program.
If you’re interested you will need to register through Banyule Council https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Kindergarten-services/Registrations-for-3-and-4-year-old-kinder who then pass on your details for the team to reach out about enrolment.