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
Hard to believe that we have arrived at the end of term! Our Foundation students are now feeling much more confident, familiar with routines and rules associated with school and feeling very much at ease at Viewbank – and learning whilst they are at it!! All other grade levels are well settled, NAPLAN is done and dusted and we now take pause for some well-earned days off before re-setting for a busy Term 2.
It has been a productive term all round with many highlights. Our school captains have settled in their roles and their highlights would surely include the presentation of their badges as well as attendance at The National Young Leaders Day early last month. Last Friday’s Colour Run was a real winner – more on that from others later in this newsletter. With athletics and swimming dominating the sporting program, and a range of excursions and events as well as the classroom programs that are the core of what we do, the holidays are timely!
We have much happening in Term 2 – the Anglesea Camp for Grade 4 in May, 2025 Foundation Information Night, Education Week, Open Day, the School Cross Country, a P & F Trivia Night and the not so insignificant Federal Election on May 3. Lots to look forward to.
FINAL ASSEMBLY OF TERM 1 Term 1 concludes at 2.30pm tomorrow after an assembly commencing at 2.10pm. The first day of Term 2 will be Tuesday, April 22.
STAFFING Our Auslan teacher, Ellen Maxwell-Lopez, will commence her maternity leave at the end of this term and we wish her and her husband the very best as they look forward to this exciting chapter in their lives together. I’m happy to report that a seamless transition will take place in the program she leaves with Melissa Layton (Mondays and Tuesdays) and Lisa Briglia (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) filling in more than capably for Ellen having undertaken professional development in their own time during Term 1 to better enable their teaching in this subject. Both ladies are well known to our students and will be in these roles until the end of the year as a minimum.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS There are potentially a few contractors on site over the holidays attending to various jobs, as well as the usual vacation cleaning and Their Care holiday program. Nonetheless, if you happen to be driving by and something suspicious appears to be happening, please don’t hesitate to contact the local police as your vigilance helps keep our school free from vandalism or unwanted trespassers.
I wish everyone a very happy vacation and Easter break and look forward to catching up with everyone again on Tuesday, April 22.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Indigenous Art Mural Project Update We are very pleased to announce that Indigenous artist, Simone Thomson has been commissioned to complete our school mural, early in Term 2. Simone is a very experienced Indigenous artist and has completed many school murals.
Simone is a Melbourne based Aboriginal artist and Traditional Owner of Victoria’s Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri and Yorta-Yorta language groups through her mother, and has Irish and Scottish heritage through her father. She draws inspiration for her art from the abundant textures and colours of the beautiful land along with the ancestral bonds she has to the Birrarung (Yarra River) and Dhungala (the Murray River). Her people are river people, so she finds that waterways are often interwoven into her art along with dreaming and creation stories of the sky. Her murals deliver stories relevant to Country helping expand non-Indigenous community's knowledge of Aboriginal Art.
We have provided Simone with our mural wish list, gathered from the staff and students and she will use this to develop the concept for the mural that may incorporate -
- History, culture, language of the Wurundjeri, Woi-Wurrung people
- Connection to the Banyule wetlands and local waterways and distant mountains symbolising the school’s ongoing commitment to caring for the environment
- Shared responsibility to care for the land and each other.
- Our school community as a meeting place where we gather respectfully and in unity, bringing together people from many different backgrounds
- We are all on a journey – educational or otherwise
- Paintings of native animals (eg. possum, cockatoo, parrots) and plants (eg.Gum trees/leaves, wattle) of the area as well as Indigenous symbols and markings
Simone visited the school several weeks ago and was able to get a good feel for the mural space and learn more about our school.
Simone will begin the mural in week 2 of Term 2 (April 28 - May 2) and it will take her approximately a week to complete this very large project, as long as the weather remains fine.
At times, she will be working from a scissor lift or ladder so we will need to cordon off the area in front of the wall for the duration of the project.
Simone will provide the Dreaming Story to accompany the artwork and this will be shared with the whole school community.
It will certainly be very exciting to watch this project unfold so keep your fingers crossed for good weather and please pop by to watch the progess.
If you would like to see more of Simone’s work, please visit her website:
https://simonethomsonart.com/collections/murals
Examples of school artwork completed by Simone Thomson
End of term It’s hard to believe Term one is done, it’s certainly been a busy start to the year.
Thank you for all that you have done to support our school. We are so lucky to have so many volunteers assisting across the school, in a range of activities.
Have a safe holiday and enjoy the opportunity to relax, recharge and eat lots of chocolate. I’m heading to the US to see my grandson, celebrate his first birthday and catch up with family. I will see you all again in week 2.
Happy holidays and enjoy Easter.
Gill
Colour Fun Run A huge thank you to all involved in organising and supporting the Fun Run last Friday. We hope your children thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Once all monies have been collected and bills paid for the event, we will share the fund-raising total. As with all money raised by P&F and other members of our community, our school council will decide where this money will be spent.
Please be safe if travelling over the next few weeks. Have a great Easter!
Patrick
School Saving Bonus We encourage families who have not yet accessed their SSB on the Department portal to log in as soon as possible and allocate how you would like to use your $400 School Saving Bonus for 2025. The funds will not be visible on Compass, as they are recorded in your family accounts within our school-based computer system.
At Viewbank Primary School, you have the flexibility to allocate your bonus in one of two ways:
- In-store/online purchases of uniforms at A Plus Schoolwear (AGS Prints Pty Ltd)
- School activities, such as camps, excursions, incursions, and activities
Please note once you make your selection, it cannot be changed, so ensure you are confident in your decision.
We are unable to automatically allocate your funds to Term 1 school incursions, excursions, and activities unless you first select this option through the portal. Once you designate the funds to our school, they will be automatically applied to your child/ren's upcoming activities unless you advise us in advance.
If your child/ren will be away on holidays during the school term, please email the school (Viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au) and record the absence on Compass to ensure funds are not allocated to an activity while your child/ren is away.
Please note: the School Saving Bonus cannot be allocated towards the Curriculum and Other Contributions (Parent Payments Arrangements)
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.
If you have only recently completed your enrolment into the Victorian government school system you can expect to receive your SSB code(s) in the coming weeks.
If you have transferred to our school from another Victorian government school, any remaining funds on your SSB code(s) will soon be available to use at our approved school suppliers. We request your patience as this change is processed.
The Department of Education has established a dedicated contact centre to support the SSB. 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.
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 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 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 2025 or you did not apply in 2024.
- changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2025.
- 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.
Lucy Addati
AUSLAN NEWS What a great term of Auslan we’ve had! So far this year, students in Years 1-6 have learned to sign about breakfast, transport, vegetables, shops and things in the backyard. They have also learned more handshapes as well as how to represent the size and shape of things using depicting signs.
Foundation students have started their Auslan journey by learning colours, farm animals, family, and everyday signs.
This week, some year 5 and 6 classes also had the opportunity to use their skills in a ‘voice off’ lesson! From the minute they walked in the door, students in these classes had to rely on their signing skills and written content from Mrs Maxlo to understand what was being asked of them in the lesson. The classroom was very quiet except for the content of the Auslan video, and students had to answer questions, follow instructions and get through the content without relying on their voices. Each class did this for about 30 minutes before the rest of the lesson involved a ‘voices on’ revision game.
This made for some very peaceful classes. The students were very successful and resilient!
Here’s some feedback from the experience:
- “I felt really calm in the silent lesson”- 5EH student
- “It was easy to focus and learn a lot when we were all quiet”- 5L student
- “That was much easier than I thought it would be”- 6B student
- “That was the best lesson ever!”- 6F student
- “Not talking was really hard at first”- 6G student
- “It made my throat hurt not talking for some reason!”-6Y student
Foundations Grandparents and Special Friends Day On Wednesday, our Foundation classrooms were filled with excitement, as students welcomed their grandparents and special friends for a wonderful morning together. Students had grandparents and special friends who had travelled from far and wide, including Adelaide, Torquay and Bairnsdale. During the morning, students read books, played games, watered our new garden beds and gave their special friends a tour of their favourite places at school. It was heartwarming to see different generations connecting, laughing and creating special memories by sharing stories and asking questions about how school was different when they were at school.
This term, students in Foundation have been looking at what a community is, and the different types that they belong to. We were fortunate enough to have some of our special visitors bring in photos, stories and materials that they used when they were in school, so that we can compare how our communities have changed over time.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made the morning so special!
Crazy Hair/Crazy Hat Day "We have some buzz-worthy news to share! At this week’s assembly, Amber and Diya took to the stage to announce our very first Beehave Points reward for the year.
By demonstrating our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Kindness, we have officially collected 250 Beehave points—that means there have been an incredible 2,500 acts of positivity within our school community! This milestone means we have reached our very first Honey Pot reward, bringing us one step closer to an even bigger school-wide celebration.
The first school reward is… Crazy Hair/Crazy Hat Day!
Students can start preparing their wackiest, most creative hairstyles or hats for Friday, 4th April (Week 10)—the last day of term! While students will still need to wear their school uniform, their hair and hats can be as wild as they like. We have already heard some exciting ideas, including brightly coloured hairspray, spikes, curls, and silly accessories. Our final assembly of the term is sure to be a memorable one!
We can’t wait to see everyone’s crazy creations next week!"
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 24th April (Orders close: Monday 21st April, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 1st May (Orders close: Monday 28th April, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 8th May (Orders close: Monday 5th May, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 15th May (Orders close: Monday 12th May, 3:00 PM) - Year 4 Camp
- Thursday 22nd May (Orders close: Monday 19th May, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 29th May (Orders close: Monday 26th May, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 5th June (Orders close: Monday 2nd June, 3:00 PM)
- Thursday 12th June (Orders close: Monday 9th June, 3:00 PM)
- 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 1 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!
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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
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
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
Credits:
Created with an image by Apiwan - "Beautiful colorful easter eggs on blue wooden"