Viewbank Voice 17.10.2024 Term 4 2024, Week 2

  • 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 4: 7 October - 20 December

2025 TERM DATES

  • TERM 1: 28 January - 4 April (Students start 29 January)
  • TERM 2: 22 April - 4 July
  • TERM 3: 21 July - 19 September
  • TERM 4: 6 October - 19 December

2024 CAMP DATES

  • Grade 3 Camp to Phillip Island - October 28 to 30

STUDENT DISCO AND VOLUNTEERS Last Friday night, the Viewbank Primary School Gymnasium was rocking as our students took part in the annual student disco. It was a wonderful night, only made possible by the collective hard work and contributions of the Parent and Friends Committee. On behalf of our students, thank you so much for putting on such a fun night. It got me thinking that one of the things that sets a school apart is the drive, energy and commitment of our volunteers – generally parents who want to be involved in their child/children’s education. We have so many volunteers who contribute in so many ways – as above with fundraising and ‘fun-raising’ events, in classroom programs by hearing reading or volunteering on school excursions or camps, at working bees, selling icy poles on a Friday, being involved in school sporting activities and so on. I recognise the balance that families try to strike between supporting school events and other local community activities, and between work and home but understand that every volunteer contribution to our school is always greatly appreciated.

SCHOOL CAMP We had plenty of volunteer support for our Grade 5 camp which concluded on Friday afternoon as well. Our Grade 5 students journeyed on Wednesday to the Lady Northcote Camp in Bacchus Marsh. The Lady Northcote Discovery Camp is owned by Sport and Recreation Victoria and managed by the Y Discovery Camps, part of YMCA Victoria. It may not be as well known that the campsite was first opened in 1937 as the Lady Northcote Farm School. Initially it housed and educated underprivileged British children, who were sent out with the initial aim of training boys for farm work and girls for domestic service. At its peak, child migration from Britain to Australia had the support of both the British and Australian governments, charitable organisations and churches. This migration subsided over time and the property was transferred in 1978 to the Department of Sport and Recreation to be used as the Lady Northcote Recreation Camp. Our school has enjoyed camping programs there for many years. I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of days with our Grade 5 students as part of the teaching team. Congratulations to Narelle Taylor, Grade 5 team leader and the rest of the teaching (and parent volunteer staff) for all of the planning and execution of a fun filled few days which included canoeing, the Giant Swing, orienteering and yabbying among other activities. Food was excellent ( one of the most important ‘must get right’ elements of a school camp) and the students behaviour and involvement was of the highest order. Makes this Principal very proud!!

OFFICIAL OPENING We will be graced with the presence of the Honourable Minister Anthony Carbines next Tuesday at 11.15am as he attends the official opening of our Administration Building and new classrooms after the building program of 2023. At this stage, we are planning on a whole school assembly in the gymnasium for the formalities which you are more than welcome to attend if you have 30 minutes spare on a Tuesday!

INTENTIONS TO LEAVE If any families are intending to leave our school community and won’t be returning in 2025 because of relocation or other reason, could you please advise us as soon as possible. A phone call to the office, or an email to the school or my email account asap would be most appreciated.

ENROLMENTS And on the same ‘numbers’ theme, whilst we think we have nearly all of our current family enrolments for 2025, if there is anyone out there who hasn’t completed the enrolment process yet, please do so asap.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR GRADE PLACEMENTS 2024 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 this will not be completed until mid November. 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 2025, but we are most likely to have two composite classes in both the junior area and middle areas of the school to ensure grade sizes are not too large in each area. 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 Monday, November 4. Please title the email “CONFIDENTIAL – GRADE REQUEST’. Please note that emails received after this date will NOT be accepted.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Smile Squad six month fluoride varnish visit The Banyule Community Health Smile Squad team are heading back to our school in early December to complete six-monthly fluoride varnish applications for those students who have provided consent. Fluoride varnish applications help make sure students have the best chance of preventing tooth decay, so we’re excited Smile Squad are coming back.

Consent for this fluoride varnish application was provided when students’ initial consent forms were returned earlier in the year. However, if anyone has changed their mind and do not wish to receive a fluoride varnish application, they can contact Banyule Community Health directly to let them know.

Please contact the Smile Squad team via: 9450 2000

Lost property With our days beginning to warm up, often after a chilly start, many children are taking off their jumpers, outside, during play times and leaving them in the playground. Please remind your child to take off their jumper before going outside, or alternatively tie it around their waist or place it by the classroom door. The volume of lost property being left around the school is overwhelming.

Responsibility is one of our school value and we’d like to see our students developing greater responsibility for their own belongings.

Have a great week.

Gill

NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Henry C from 6P has spent the last week representing Victoria at the National Softball Championships in Cairns. He has had an excellent time learning from the best coaches and then putting it all together on the Diamond. At the time of writing, Victoria are sitting third on the ladder behind Queensland and NSW and still have a chance of making the final. Well done on a fantastic job representing Viewbank Primary School, Henry!

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.

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 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