PUPIL FREE DAY
- Wednesday 13th July 2022
- Monday 31st October 2022
FUNDRAISING BAKERY LUNCH ORDER DATES - Lower Plenty Bakehouse
- Thursday 5th May (Orders closing on 2nd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th May (Orders closing on 9th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th May (Orders closing on 16th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th May (Orders closing on 23rd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd June (Orders closing on 30th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th June (Orders closing on 6th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th June (Orders closing on 13th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd June (Orders closing on 20th June, 3:00pm)
2022 TERM DATES
- Term 2: 26th April - 24th June (2:30pm finish)
- Term 3: 11th July - 16th September (2:30pm finish)
- Term 4: 3rd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
2022 SCHOOL CAMP DATES
- Year 3: Arrabri Lodge Camp - Monday 8th August to Wednesday 10th August
- Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp - Wednesday 18th May to Friday 20th May
- Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp - Tuesday 4th October to Friday 7th October
- Year 6: Camp Coonawarra - Monday 18th July to Friday 22nd July
WELCOME BACK I trust that everyone had a pleasant Easter and holiday break. The weather was kind and I certainly enjoyed my time off, although the Dunes, Gardiner’s Run and Flinders golf courses challenged my rather average golf game. Term 2 commenced with an ANZAC day ceremony, as well as with renewed enthusiasm and optimism for what promises to be a busy but ‘normal’ school term. As always, the weekly newsletter and website will keep you well informed of upcoming events not least of which includes the Grade 4 school camp, parent webinars, Mothers Day Stalls, open days, Foundation 2023 Information evenings and more. We have heard from Gill Nicholls who is overseas for the wedding of her son, and she is definitely enjoying all that Dallas, Texas has to offer and her 4 school weeks off is allowing her to pause, smell the roses and enjoy a well earned break. Her absence has granted us the opportunity to share her work load amongst a number of staff, at the same affording opportunities for these staff members to gain experience in aspects of the Assistant Principal role that may have seemed complex and distant from the classroom.
RELAXATION OF COVID RESTRICTIONS You will be very aware that most covid restrictions have now been relaxed, with masks no longer required to be worn in classrooms or buildings. We will, of course, support individual and family decisions to wear these if wanted. The latest ‘Operations Guide’ for school has enabled us to localize operations for our school, with the most salient changes as follows:-
- Face masks From 11:59 pm Friday 22 April, face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. This means students in grades 3 to 6, staff and visitors in primary schools are no longer required to wear face masks. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at-risk.
- Screening requirements Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.
- Household contacts Students and staff who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are no longer required to quarantine. They can return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period and wear face masks indoors if they are aged 8 and above unless they have a valid exemption. If any household contact returns a positive RAT result during this period, they must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.
- Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Those who volunteer, however, do need to.
- RAT screening program extension reminder The supply of RATs will continue for the first 4 weeks of this term. The screening recommendations remain the same: mainstream schools – recommended to test at home twice a week, specialist schools – recommended to test 5 days a week on each school day due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children.
Local Arrangements We continue to ask that students are dropped off in the morning and parents don’t come on site (as far as possible). In the afternoons, as has been the practice in Term 1, the open areas such as the Tiger Turf and the oval are the best places for greeting your children. We continue to ask that families vacate the school grounds as soon as possible at the end of the day, and we will continue to hold as many large group activities (e.g. assemblies) as possible in open air settings. Gates will continue to be ‘manned’ in the mornings from 8.45am until 9.05am.
BUILDING WORKS The Design Development phase of our building works was signed off on April 20, allowing the tender and contract phase to commence. By August construction will commence and I will certainly keep the community well informed as the construction phase will certainly have implications for traffic and parking around the school as well as for the location of classes, and other events.
VACCINATION CLINIC Balwyn Doctors will be running a vaccination clinic in the gymnasium foyer on Saturday, April 30 from 10am until midday. This is the follow up clinic to the one held in Term 1.
ANZAC DAY CEREMONY We held a beautiful and solemn ceremony outside on Tuesday to commemorate ANZAC Day, and as always our students were wonderfully respectful throughout. Grateful thanks to two of our house captains, Ayaan Ohri and Lily Jensen, who (without much pre-warning) helped conduct the ceremony including the reading of ‘For The Fallen’ and the laying of a wreath. Gabby’s and Jade’s singers sang ‘The Last Anzac’ and the whole ceremony was a very fitting tribute to all who have, or continue to, serve our country.
ASSEMBLIES From Monday onwards, whole school assemblies will be held outside on the Tiger Turf (weather permitting) and (as was the case in Term 1) parents of students receiving an award will be invited to attend.
FOUNDATION 2023 INFORMATION EVENING An Information Evening for Foundation 2023 families will be held in the gymnasium on Thursday, May 5 from 6.30pm until 7.30pm. Please pass this information on to families you know who may be considering enrolling here for next year.
I hope everyone has a pleasant weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Welcome Back It was fantastic to see everyone returning to school on Tuesday this week. Our Foundation students have come so far since day 1 of Term 1, and our Year 6s are down to their final three terms with us before embarking on their secondary school journey.
Parents and Friends – Federal Election 21st May A quick ‘heads-up’ that our Parents and Friends sub-committee of School Council will be hosting a BBQ on Saturday 21st May during voting hours at the Federal Election. Please keep your eye out for a notice regarding this, including helping out with the BBQ and serving.
Parking Last term, Banyule Council sent some parking infringement officers to the school in the afternoon, and a number of parents were fined. Please remember that the ‘turning-circle’ at Nevin Parade is a No Standing zone during the signposted hours. Parking in the turning circle impedes traffic flow and potentially puts pedestrians and car passengers at risk of being hurt.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy - NAPLAN In May, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). In 2022, there are 4 assessments that the students will be undertaking:
- Writing
- Reading
- Conventions of Language (Spelling and Grammar)
- Numeracy
The timetable for the above tests is as follows:
You will have noticed that except for Year 3 Writing, all tests will be completed online. These assessments are not permitted to be done at home and must be completed at school. There will be some provision for ‘make-up’ tests the following week.
If our Year 3 and Year 5 families have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance.
You can also find more information here: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
By Angela Roccasalva
How lovely to see everyone’s smiling faces this week, ready for another term of learning! We hope you all had a wonderful break, perhaps celebrating Easter, the halfway point of Ramadan, Passover, Baisakhi or just enjoying time with family and friends.
We are currently reviewing our SunSmart Policy and we are inviting community consultation. Please take the time to read this policy and if you have any feedback or comments please email Gill Nicholls (gillian.nicholls@education.vic.gov.au) by Friday 20th May. Once finalised and ratified by School Council, this policy will be updated on our school website.
Our students have jumped straight into their learning, with everyone commemorating ANZAC day on Tuesday, Grade 6 students attending an excursion to Parliament, and our Specialist program in full swing. Here’s a snapshot of some of our Specialist lessons this week:
In STEM, Grade 5 and 6 students learnt about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and designed, built and tested water filters. In PE, Grade 1 students practised their catching and throwing skills. In Japanese, students learnt about ‘hanami’ (cherry blossom viewing) and practised their kana writing skills.
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School Tours We run school tours on a Tue, Wed, Thu at 9.30am for prospective families. Please call the office to make a booking.
Enrolments We are currently accepting enrolments for 2023 and are happy to assist with any queries.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.
Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
It is important that funding made available in 2022 supports students to participate in school trips, camps and sporting activities this year rather than being held for future years. This funding can also be used in conjunction with any funding accrued from previous years. Please note these activities will only take place if they meet COVIDSafe requirements.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, please complete the attached application form and return to the office with a copy of your card.
You can also find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.
Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
Business Manager
Throughout 2022, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community.
The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.
Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids' learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers.
This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.
View the first presentation of the series here: Part 1: Meet Hugh and learn about The Resilience Project - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/
In this presentation, Hugh shares a personal experience about his sister's battles with Mental Illness.
Note: This video contains a story about an Eating Disorder that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.
We will be in touch to share the remainder of the program, including research and wellbeing activities to integrate into day-to-day life.
A huge congratulations to our students for achieving their first ’small’ School Wide reward as part of our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support program. The students worked very hard showing our school values of Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Kindness earning 500 Viewbank Bees (this means 5000 acknowledged positive behaviours!!) We are so proud of our students, listened to their suggestions for a prize and have landed on a ‘Crazy Hair Day’ that will happen next Friday the 6th of May. Well done Viewbank, we can’t wait to see your creative hairstyles!
Scholastic Book Club Issue 3 catalogues will be sent home this week. The closing date for online LOOP orders is Wednesday 11th May.
This year’s Mother’s Day Stall will be held on Friday 6th of May, 2022. Children are asked to bring no more than $10.00 to purchase some quality goodies for their Mums, Grandparent, Aunties or Special person. Please remember to bring your money and a carry bag with you on the day. For this to run smoothly Parent helpers are required to assist with the setup, selling of gifts and packing up the stall which will run throughout the entire day…. so if you are available please contact Carol Seneca via email cazstar@optusnet.com.au (Mob: 0410 039 554)
PLEASE NOTE IF CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE MONEY WITH THEM ON THE DAY THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A PURCHASE AS WE WILL NOT BE HAVING AN "I OWE YOU" SYSTEM THIS YEAR.
Due to parent request the Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every Thursday during Term 2. These lunches have been implemented via our Parents and Friends Committee. All money raised will be used towards our major school upgrade.
Our Term 2 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 5th May (Orders closing on 2nd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th May (Orders closing on 9th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th May (Orders closing on 16th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th May (Orders closing on 23rd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd June (Orders closing on 30th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th June (Orders closing on 6th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th June (Orders closing on 13th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd June (Orders closing on 20th June, 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 2 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.
Parent assistance is required on Lunch Days from 10:30am to 12:30pm to assist with the packing of our orders. If you are available to assist in anyway can you please email the school at viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au so your name can be added to our roster.
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.
Lunches must be ordered online using the CLASSROOM CUISINE website.
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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 $5.00 and all other items $2.00. We are currently asking for donations of any unwanted reusable school uniform items to sell at our stall. SORRY, CLOSED ON FRIDAY 29TH APRIL
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
SINGING WITH JADE - Jade
- Email: jadefaving@gmail.com
- Phone: 0413 834 933
STRINGS - MR CAI
- Email: cai66@optusnet.com.au
- Phone: 0403 490 078
GUITAR/BASS GUITAR - Alec
- Email: alec.stalder@gmail.com
PIANO/KEYBOARD - Ella
- Email: ellac.blackburn@gmail.com
- Phone: 0410 938 840
DRUMS - Michael
- Email: michaelfindlaymcnab@gmail.com
- Phone: 0451 394 540
PHONE NUMBER: 0448 075 422
EMAIL: viewbank@oshclub.com.au
A PLUS SCHOOLWEAR Our uniform supplier is A Plus Schoolwear which is located at 41-43 Northern Road Heidelberg West. Open hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s from 9am to 4.30pm (closed on weekend and public holidays).
You can also purchase your uniform online at www.aplusschoolwear.com.au
Our local community basketball club has opened up registration for the Term 2 Mini Hawks Program for 5 to 8 year olds.
We are very proud of our Mini Hawks program, and the kids (and their parents) absolutely love it - especially because it is a safe environment, the kids learn about basketball and, maybe most importantly, the kids make new friends and have fun running around a court with a whole heap of other children from other local schools.
The Mini Hawks program starts the week after next, so could you please put the attached flyer in your school newsletter this week and next week.
We very much appreciate your support and if you have any questions, please feel free to call me on 0423 703 446.