PUPIL FREE DAY
- Tuesday 15th March 2022
FUNDRAISING BAKERY LUNCH ORDER DATES
- Thursday 10th March (Orders closing on 7th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 24th March (Orders closing on 21st March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th April (Orders closing on 4th April, 3:00pm)
2022 TERM DATES
- Term 1: 28th January (Students start 31 January) - 8th April (2:30pm finish)
- 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: Canberra Camp - Monday 6th June to Friday 10th June
PUPIL FREE DAY Our School Council met for the first time last Tuesday and, among other things, confirmed our second pupil free day for 2022. This will be held on Tuesday, March 15 (the day after the Labor Day public holiday). Staff will be undertaking a day’s activities looking at our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) program and our Professional Learning Communities (PLC) implementation. A reminder that our OSH Club will be running a supervision program all day on that day.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS Speaking of School Council, a reminder that we are seeking nominations for a position on Viewbank Primary School’s Council. There are four two-year vacancies in the Parent Member category, and one in the School Employee Member category. Nomination forms may be obtained from the General Office (please ask for them to be emailed or sent home with your child if at all possible) and must be lodged by 4.00pm on Monday, February 21, 2022. If a ballot is required, it will close at 4pm on Monday, March 7, 2022.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU INTERVIEWS (GTKY) I trust that everyone availed themselves of the opportunity to participate in our online GTKY interviews this week. As always, if there is an important need for a follow up conversation or to chat with staff at any time, please contact them using their email address to arrange a mutually convenient time.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE Our committee met last Wednesday night to discuss a range of things but most importantly to discuss works that can be undertaken preparatory to when the building program commences. Most important of these is the relocation of the green garden shed, chook pen and vegie patch to a site in the north west corner of the school. In the glory days of the 1980s and 1990s there was a house, pool and tennis court up there, and the tennis court remains (overgrown and in need of some TLC, but still the perfect base for our vegie patch). The committee has earmarked Saturday, March 19 as a working bee day (subject to public health restrictions) to enable some of the preparatory works to be undertaken (along with the clearing out of some of the furniture in our shipping containers and a ‘garage/shipping container’ sale.). We will keep you posted, but please mark this date tentatively in your calendars with a view to helping your school, getting to know a few people a little better, and potentially purchasing a bargain as well!
VACCINATION HUB A reminder that Balwyn Doctors are running a vaccination hub, hosted by Viewbank Primary School, from the gym foyer this Saturday (10am – 2pm). Access is via the turning circle gate on Nevin Parade, and those who have returned forms will be given priority over those who turn up randomly on the day.
ASSEMBLIES We have recommenced open-air assemblies (subject to good weather) on the Tiger Turf with Grades 3 to 6 at 9am on Mondays and Grades Foundation to 2 at 9am on Fridays. Parents/guardians of students receiving awards will be invited to attend, but we will continue to limit attendance of others until such time as Covid health advice changes.
Have a great weekend,
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
PRINCIPAL
The Resilience Project Partner Program This year we will once again continue our very successful partnership with The Resilience Project. (TRP)
The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools - providing practical, evidence-based positive mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness.
Through presentations, school curriculum, the TRP App, and TRP website, The Resilience Project shares the benefits of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness, as well as easy ways to practise these in everyday life. The programs also have a strong focus on Connection, Purpose, Kindness, Emotional Literacy and Physical Health.
Why is Mental Health Important?
A number of studies over the past decade have shown two clear patterns in terms of the state of Australia’s mental health.
- The number of people experiencing problems with their mental health has increased.
- The age people first experience a mental health problem has decreased.
The key to reducing these figures is prevention. We know that 50% of mental health issues begin before the age of 15. Research has also shown that current treatments for mental health disorders reduce the burden by 13% to 36%. Research indicates that prevention could reduce this burden by a further 22%.
We also know from research that when students are happy and calm they learn better. They are more focussed and can absorb the information being delivered. When students are stressed and unhappy they cannot learn in the same way.
Evidence also supports the fact that beyond preventing mental health issues in the future, quality programs that explicitly address wellbeing are likely to improve academic achievement and reduce problem behaviours in students. (Information provided by The Resilience Project)
All students at Viewbank have a Resilience Project Workbook and participate in regular lessons in the classroom focussing on Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), Connection, Purpose, Kindness, Emotional Literacy and Physical Health.
A large part of our whole school approach is building the connection between what happens at school and home.
In Term 2 we will be inviting all Viewbank PS parents to participate in a Resilience Project parent webinar. (details will be provided at a later date)
The Resilience Project recognises this connection and provides a web based resource TRP@HOME for families to access GEM activities, reflections, a parent hub and TRP blog.
Be kind and have a lovely week,
Gill
Specialist Program at Viewbank Primary School All students at Viewbank Primary School participate in 4 specialist classes per week (180 minutes in total). It is a little complicated for us as we have a 2-week timetable and some of our sessions are double sessions. Our PE and Japanese lessons are 45 minutes each; and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Music and Visual Arts are 90 minutes every second week. Music and Visual Arts swap each semester.
As an example, in Semester 1 (Terms 1 & 2) a class may have:
- In an ‘ODD’ week, PE and Japanese every Monday and a double session of Music on Thursday.
- In the ‘EVEN’ week, the same class will have PE and Japanese every Monday (the same) and a double session of STEM (may or may not be on the same day).
In Semester 2 (Terms 3 & 4), this same class’s timetable may look like this:
- In an ‘ODD’ week, PE and Japanese every Monday and a double session of Visual Arts on Thursday.
- In the ‘EVEN’ week, the same class will have PE and Japanese every Monday (the same) and a double session of STEM (may or may not be on the same day).
Our Specialist teachers in 2022 are:
- Angela Roccasalva: Japanese
- Sally Ruddock: Japanese
- Renee Davey: Music
- Kori Stuckey: PE
- Lucas Prell: PE
- Nat Carr: STEM
- Lisa May: STEM
- Jenni Hall: Visual Arts
Our other support programs teachers are:
- Sally Ruddock: Tutor Learning Initiative
- Marina Gourzelas: Tutor Learning Initiative
- Judy Course: Literacy Support
- Bec Andrew: Literacy Support / Maths Support / Maths Olympiad / Victorian High Ability Program
- Andrea Cleeve: English as an Additional Language and Students in Isolation Check Ins
If you ever have any questions about our Specialist Program, please contact the teacher.
Have a great weekend.
Patrick
Face Masks Please remember to provide masks for your children as the school only has a limited number of disposal masks available.
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
Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every second Thursday during Term 1. These lunches have been implemented via our Parents and Friends Committee. All money raised will be used towards our major school oval upgrade.
Our Term 1 Fundraising Lunch Order Dates are:
- Thursday 10th March (Orders closing on 7th March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 24th March (Orders closing on 21st March, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 7th April (Orders closing on 4th April, 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 1 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. Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, this event has been cancelled until further notice.
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.
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
- Phone: 0422 690 842
PIANO/KEYBOARD - Ella
- Email: ellac.blackburn@gmail.com
- Phone: 0410 938 840
DRUMS - James
- Email: orangejimmy@gmail.com
- Phone: 0405 845 628
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
Come and join the Diamond Valley Singers Youth production for the 7-performance season of “Shrek Jr”
Shrek is a gigantic, green-skinned, physically intimidating ogre with a Scottish accent! In the show, it is revealed that he is much smaller than the average ogre. Even though his background is something of a mystery on his seventh birthday, Shrek was sent away by his parents because it was an ogre tradition. His parents then evict him from their swamp. The rest of the story awaits you on the stage at Warrandyte High School!
From our Director, Lexi Patman: “I am excited to be directing Shrek Jr with DVS. I have previously performed in junior productions with DVS and have now come full circle. I am really honoured to be moving into a creative role with this wonderful company.”
“Acting locally and thinking Globally” Diamond Valley Singers will donate proceeds from the performances to International Needs Australia and Open House in Macleod.
Performance Details: All Performances are at the Warrandyte High School Theatre, Alexander Road, Warrandyte.
- Friday 1 April 7.00pm
- Saturday 2 April 2.00pm
- Saturday 2 April 5.00pm
- Sunday 3 April 2.00pm
- Friday 8 April 7.00pm
- Saturday 9 April 2.00pm
- Saturday 9 April 5.00pm
Web Site: www.dvsingers.org