2026 IMPORTANT DIARY DATES
- Monday 26th January: Australia Day Public Holiday
- Tuesday 27th January: Teachers start
- Wednesday 28th January: Year 1 – 6 students start
- Thursday 29th January: Foundation students begin school
- Tuesday 3rd February: Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting
- Tuesday 10th February: District Swim Trials
- Tuesday 10th February: Foundation Welcome Picnic
- Tuesday 17th February: Get To Know You Interviews
- Thursday 19th February: Get To Know You Interviews
- Tuesday 24th February - School Photo Day
- Friday 27th February Year 3-6 Athletics Day at Willinda Park
- Monday 9th March: Labour Day
- Wednesday 11th March: NAPLAN for Year 3 and 5 students begins
- Monday 23rd March: NAPLAN last day
- Wednesday 25th March: Whole school Walk-a-thon
- 8th and 10th September - School Production
PUPIL FREE DAYS (TheirCare School Holiday Program will be available on pupil-free days)
- Dates for 2026 pupil-free days remain unconfirmed.
2026 CAMP DATES
- Year 6 Phillip Island Adventure Camp: 18 March to 20 March
- Year 5 Lady Northcote Discovery Camp: 07 October to 09 October
- Year 4 Anglesea Discovery Camp: 13 May to 15 May
- Year 3 Phillip Island Adventure Camp: 26 October to 28 October
2025 TERM DATES
- TERM 4: 6 October - 19 December
2026 TERM DATES
- TERM 1: 28 January - 2 April
- TERM 2: 20 April - 26 June
- TERM 3: 13 July - 18 September
- TERM 4: 5 October- 18 December
CAPTAINS The final selections of Grade 6, 2026 captains have been completed and I am pleased to announce the following ‘appointments’:
Sustainability Captains: Ethan EMERSON and Noah KURIAKOSE Wellbeing Captains: Clara ARIYATHILAKA and Annie YE Communications Captains: Marley WALKER and Kaisan FURQAN GRADUATION The graduation ceremony for our 97 Grade 6 students takes place next Monday afternoon and evening from 4.30pm in our school gymnasium. At this stage, the weather gods have chosen to smile on us with the forecast high of 20 degrees making it far more comfortable than last year’s 39 degree scorcher! Graduation is a highlight for all and a fitting way to congratulate and celebrate our students on their achievements over these last seven years. We are all looking forward to a special night and remain so proud of all of our graduates and the wonderful examples and role models they have been to all younger students in the school. The Grade 6 cohort truly set the tone for the whole school, and this year’s students have been a credit to themselves and their teachers. FINAL ASSEMBLY The final assembly of the year will take place on Friday, December 19 commencing at 1.05pm in the gymnasium. All students will be dismissed at 1.30pm from assembly. CAROLS AFTERNOON As mentioned last week, we wish to give the opportunity for our students and families to spread Christmas cheer so a performance has been scheduled for Thursday, December 11 from 2pm where a Carols afternoon has been rescheduled. We hope many of you can make it – the same plans as for the evening spectacular, but during the school day. COUNTDOWN TO THE FINAL WEEK Next week there will be a range of activities to help ‘wind-up’ the school year. The Water Safety program that commenced today for the Grade 3s and 4s, will conclude next week on Wednesday when the Grade 5s and 6s have their very timely session reinforcing the water safety skills that are of paramount importance heading into summer holidays. With the Funfields excursion for Grade 6s on Thursday, the Hoyts excursion for the 5s on the same day and various at school or nearby activities for other grades it will be a busy final week. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Christmas is officially just two weeks away – I thought you all might need a reminder (not)! Stay calm and enjoy end of year catch ups, shopping missions and quality time with family and friends. Kind regards, Bill Kersing Principal
Transitions It was wonderful to see the confidence and excitement our students demonstrated as they trialled their 2026 grades on Tuesday morning. I’m sure there were a few nerves but there were also many smiles and lots of excited chatter as everyone got to know each other. School Uniforms During the holidays you are likely, at some stage, to begin thinking about school uniform requirements for 2026. If you are planning to purchase new uniform items please do not leave this until immediately before the return to school. Our supplier, Lowes, has informed us that late January is incredibly busy time in the shop, and you may not be able to access a full range of sizes if you leave purchasing until the last minute. A reminder, at Viewbank, we have a compulsory Student Dress Code. Our Uniform Supplier, Lowes (Northland) provides our community with high quality, durable uniform items that contain our school logo. Our Student Dress Code Policy outlines our uniform options and states that jumpers, polo tops and hats are to contain the school logo. We are proud of our school, and ask that students wear the correct uniform each day. The Student Dress Code aims to:
- foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance
- support Viewbank Primary School’s commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities
- reduce student competition on the basis of clothing
- enhance the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community
- provide instant recognition of students thus contributing to individual student safety and group security.
Viewbank Primary School’s school uniform items are as follows:
Please purchase uniform items, with the school logo, through Lowes, Northland or at the school second hand uniform shop, which will be open on a Friday afternoon from 3pm in 2025. The opening times for 2026 will be communicated via Compass in late January or please call the school office. Have a great week, Gill
PARENTS AND FRIENDS This is an early reminder that we will be holding the P&F Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 03 February 2026. At this meeting, all positions are declared vacant and nominations called for President and Secretary. We are hopeful that we will have some nominations for these important positions so that we can move forward with the events planned for 2026! STUDENT SAFETY We have had a timely reminder as we move towards the holidays, about the need to educate children about being safe in their community. Last year, there were a number of reports of alleged abduction attempts (https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/white-vans-linked-to-spate-of-attempted-child-kidnappings-20241205-p5kw2e.html). Many of us were taught of ‘stranger danger’ however, a stranger may be the person who comes to our aid. A more useful approach may be to help our children recognise what troubling or unexpected behaviour looks like, and what to do if we see this behaviour. Context is very important and it would be unwise to provide broad statements about strangers that must be adhered to strictly. One effective strategy for parents is to establish a family safe word or phrase. This is a pre-agreed code that only family members know, used in situations where a child might feel unsafe or uncertain. You can find more information about this here (2 min read): https://revvedupkids.org/safety-code-words/ LIBRARY BOOKS Do you have any Viewbank Primary School library books sitting on bed side tables at home (or perhaps still in a school bag)? We are currently completing our stocktake and are missing approximately 500 books. If you do find these at home, please send them into school as soon as possible. SAVE THE DATES There are a number of events planned for Term 1. Some Term 1 events planned are (subject to change – please check Compass / Viewbank Voice closer to the date):
Have a great weekend – stay cool! Patrick
Dear Parents and Carers, Viewbank Primary School is looking forward to another wonderful year of teaching and learning and would like to provide you with information about the Parent Payment Arrangements for 2026. Information regarding Curriculum and Other Contributions will be available on Compass from January. You will receive an email notification once these have been published. Financial contributions from our families play a vital role in maintaining the high standard of education and resources that make Viewbank Primary School such a vibrant learning community. These contributions directly support classroom programs, specialist subjects, technology upgrades, and the upkeep of our learning spaces ensuring every student has access to engaging, high-quality learning experiences. The excellent facilities, resources, and opportunities we enjoy today are the result of the ongoing generosity and commitment of our families over many years. Your support whether through financial contributions, participation in fundraising, or volunteering makes a genuine difference in maintaining and improving the programs and facilities our students enjoy. We greatly value your continued support and dedication to enriching our students’ education and school experience. For convenience, all classroom supplies will be purchased in bulk and distributed directly to classrooms. Teachers will provide students with the necessary stationery and materials throughout the year. Please refer to the attached 2026 Parent Payment Arrangements document for more detailed information. Kind regards, Lucy Addati Business Manager
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 4 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates:
- Thursday 18th December (Orders close: Monday 15th December, 3:00 PM) - Year 6 Funfields
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 4 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!
.
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
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
PIANO/KEYBOARD/DRUMS - Daniel Tucceri
- Email: info@banyulemusicandtutoring.com
- Phone: 0405 667 908
GUITAR - Dimi Holborow
- Email: mastermusic606@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.