PUPIL FREE DAYS 2023 (TheirCare will be running their day care programs at school on all student free days)
- Monday 6th November - Report writing day
2023 TERM DATES
- Term 3: 10th July - 15th September (2:30pm finish)
- Term 4: 2nd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MEETING Just a reminder to all committee members that there is a Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting in the staffroom commencing at 7pm on Tuesday, August 1. Lots to talk about and all welcome.
GRADE 3/4 PORTABLE HUB By the time you read this, all Grade 3 and 4 students should be safely entrenched in our new Grade 3 and 4 hub in the North-West corner of the school. Whilst the builders compound is in place, the classrooms are only accessible from the northern end of Nevin Parade. We ask that parents DO NOT collect their children from this area on a daily basis, as there are agreed procedures with the builders with regards the Northern end of Nevin Parade and safe access. Students will assemble each morning, and at the end of each break on the Tiger Turf daily and will be escorted safely to their classrooms. The daily collection will be on the oval or Tiger Turf. Teachers will escort children to specialist classes to ensure when crossing the northern end of Nevin Parade it is done in a safe manner.
FOUNDATION 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL Our Foundation students celebrate 100 days of school next Wednesday – a significant first milestone. By my calculations, roughly only 2500 to go before graduating secondary school!!! I’m sure we will see a few photo highlights of the celebrations in next week’s newsletter.
ENROLMENTS Under the DoE’s new enrolment policy in zone enrolments close this Friday, so if you haven’t got these in yet please do so this week!
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Therapy Dog In Training Viewbank Primary School has partnered with the organisation ‘Dogs For Life’. You can find lots of information about the organisation here https://www.dogsforlife.com.au/
Dogs For Life provide service dogs to people who have Autism, Alzheimer’s, Seizures, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and to the elderly. A vital part of service dog training is to be around people, often.
Miss Boness (5B) has agreed to foster a dog in training for the next 12 months or so – starting on Monday 31 July. A vital component of this is that the dog will need to be at school with Miss Boness every day. Please note, this is NOT a class pet and there are a number of requirements and safety measures (for the dog and for the students) that we must adhere to.
- 5B will have a ‘crate’ and a dog ‘run’ that the service dog will remain in during the day, except if under the direct leash control of a staff member who has nominated to be a support.
- When on school property, the dog must be on a leash (except when in the crate and run) and wear a jacket with its identification clearly shown. Under no circumstances should the dog be off-leash in the yard.
- All food is provided by the organisation, no human food can be fed to it.
- The dog is not to be picked up or touched without permission.
- The dog will not go outside with Miss Boness while she is on Yard Duty.
- As part of the service dog’s training, a trainer from the organisation will be visiting the school each day, particularly early in the training.
All food, medical, insurance, toys and training are provided by Dogs For Life. The trainer will also work with the students in 5B and other classes as requested by teachers.
We understand that every student, staff member and parent will have different comfort levels around animals. No-one will be required to interact with the dog unless they wish to.
Early in the placement, the care of the dog (including toileting) will be conducted by adults.
Miss Boness will have a support network of staff at school to manage the needs of the dog so that she will not need to leave the class.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) As shared in last week’s Viewbank Voice; the 2023 NAPLAN results had been made available. Families of students in Year 3 and Year 5 should have received or be receiving the hard copy results by Friday 28th July. If you have not received them by then, please double check your child’s school bag and then contact your child’s teacher or the office.
Have a great weekend!
Patrick
This week has certainly been a big week in terms of our building project as our grade threes and fours made their final move into their new classrooms. It has been a while coming, but it was all hands on deck in order to complete the move.
A huge shoutout to Chris and Trev as well as Lucy and Henry from Wo/man With a Van who moved all the student tables, cupboards and storage units. If you are looking for a reliable and hardworking moving team then certainly give Man With a Van a call. It was fantastic to also have the assistance of past students Max and Ewan who were helping out as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award commitments.
Thanks must also go to the 3-4 teachers and students who packed up, yet again, and assisted in carrying their chairs, tubs and the smaller items to the new classrooms. Many more staff and students across the school have also assisted with the move in different capacities. It’ll take a few more days to complete the move and for teachers to have the classrooms completely set up but everyone seems to have settled in quickly.
It is wonderful to see a vision become reality.
Chris and Trev have also managed to move most of the Art resources into our new art room (formerly 4R) and as soon as the new linoleum is laid, and the furniture retrieved from the storage pod, the new art room will also be operational. In the next week or so the new LOTE room will be set up in the now spare classroom (formerly 4K) in the Year 2 block.
Have a great week
Gill
KEYBOARD TEACHER We are currently looking for an additional keyboard teacher (instrumental music teacher) for one day a week. If you are interested or can recommend a teacher, please contact Lucy Addati on 9459 1512 or lucy.addati@education.vic.gov.au
LATE ARRIVALS Please ensure children who arrive late go straight to the office to be marked as present. If the child does not come to the office for a late pass a text message will be sent to the parent/carer notifying that the child is absent. Late arrivals can only be time stamped at the office. When Parents/carers record the late arrival in Compass it provides us with the explanation but does not mark your child as present. When your child presents at the office, staff will record your child’s actual arrival time which updates the class roll.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC) A ‘Working with Children Check’ is just one part of creating and maintaining a child-safe environment. It is a requirement that all parents/careers who wish to volunteer or participate in school activities have a current WWCC. https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
Kind regards,
Lucy Addati
School Oath Recently the Year 6 Leadership Team have had a plan to update the school oath and would like the students input on any ideas they have. The school oath is an acknowledgment to our school and it should represent us. At assembly every Monday it is read aloud reminding our community of that. For our new oath we would like you to incorporate the school values and give the idea of being inclusive of all students. Any ideas would be appreciated, if you happen to have an idea it should be hand written and given to Mrs Boness or the school office.
Thank you,
Year 6 Leadership team
Year 4 Inquiry
The Year 4 students would like to thank Mayor Peter Costaldo and Councillor Fiona Mitsinikos for visiting us as part of our Civics and Citizenship Inquiry sessions.
It was a most valuable session which provided us with an insight into how the Banyule City Council operates. We thank the council for providing extra information to support our inquiry.
The students have been learning about:
- The three levels of government
- Rules and laws
- Democracy
- Active citizenship
We look forward to seeing how our students use their student voice and agency to explore ways of helping the local community… stay tuned!
Save the Date! Book Week will soon be upon us. Start planning your favourite book character costume for our Book Parade on Monday 21st August. There are other activities planned for that week including visiting Author sessions on Thursday 24th August.
Further details will the sent out in the next few weeks.
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JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING PARENTS AND FRIENDS MEETING! We extend a warm invitation to all of you for our upcoming Parents and Friends meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, 1st August at 7:00 pm in the staffroom! This short and engaging gathering aims to introduce you to the wonderful world of P&F and provide an opportunity to hear your valuable ideas.
You might be wondering if you have the expertise to contribute, but we want to assure you that this couldn't be further from the truth – everyone is more than welcome to participate! Your unique perspectives and insights are what make our school community thrive, and we're eager to hear them!
We encourage all parents and guardians to attend and actively take part in this enriching event. Together, let's make our school an even better place for our students and everyone involved!
See you there on Tuesday, 1st August at 7:00 pm!
VPS Parents and Friends Committee Father's Day Stall 2023 - Thursday 31 August 2023
We are pleased to share with the school community that the popular Father's Day Stall will be running during school hours on Thursday 31 August 2023.
All interested students will have the chance to hand-select a present to celebrate their dad, grandpa, uncle and/or special person.
Students are encouraged to bring along up to $10 on the day, as well as a bag to take their treasured gift home in.
We know how excited our student shoppers are at this event, so pop the date in your calendars now.
Opportunity for parent/carer volunteers to support on the day, details to come...
TRIVIA NIGHT is back!!! The schools fundraising Trivia Night is being held on Friday 8th Sept at the school to help raise much needed funds for the new Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden classroom. Tickets will go on sale early next month so now is the time to find some trivia friends and a babysitter. You will be able to book full tables of 10 right down to just 1 seat at a table so no one is left out. It is just as much about fun as it is about the Trivia. If anyone has any questions please contact the school office and we will pass on to P&F Committee who are organising the event.
Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing 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 3 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 3rd August (Orders closing on 31st July, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 10th August (Orders closing on 7th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 17th August (Orders closing on 14th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 31st August (Orders closing on 28th August, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th September (Orders closing on 4th September, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 14th September (Orders closing on 11th September, 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 3 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.
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.
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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 $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
DRUMS - Michael
- Email: michaelfindlaymcnab@gmail.com
- Phone: 0451 394 540
PIANO/KEYBOARD – Tiaryn Griggs
- Email: tiaryngriggs@gmail.com
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