PUPIL FREE DAY (OSHClub available)
- Wednesday 13th July 2022
- Monday 31st October 2022
FUNDRAISING BAKERY LUNCH ORDER DATES - Lower Plenty Bakehouse
- 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 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp - Tuesday 4th October to Friday 7th October
- Year 6: Camp Coonawarra - Monday 18th July to Friday 22nd July
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS School Council met on Tuesday night for the second time this year on site – makes for a pleasant change! There were a number of routine matters on the agenda, as well as decisions finalised in relation to a new school dress as part of our school uniform, and the tabling of updated Sunsmart and Inquiry policies. We also advised that we are working towards meeting the requirements of the new Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order 1359 and this will be completed by July 1, 2022. A recent financial audit was conducted at our school and we very happily reported a most positive outcome to School Council.
REPORTS AND THREE-WAY CONFERENCES The staff are currently finalising reports before they go to colleagues for proof reading and then final edits. Reports will be available for download in the final week of term with a pupil free day scheduled for Wednesday July 13 (week 1 of Term 3) for the purposes of conducting three-way conferences. Further information on these is available below.
FOUNDATION 2023 Just reiterating from last week’s newsletter that it is really important for planning for 2023 that we know of our numbers from ‘within’ our school as early as possible. Current Viewbank Primary School families are asked that if you have a child commencing school in 2023 could you please complete the enrolment information as soon as possible. Don’t forget also that we have a range of school readiness activities planned for next term including Storyland, Mathsland and PMP land. Details are on our website and are promoted in the newsletter as the dates draw near.
DIVISIONAL CROSS COUNTRY At time of writing we are very hopeful that the Divisional Cross Country will finally get ‘over the line’ this week. Due to be held at Banyule Flats today, we extend our best wishes to Inaya Bhardwaj, Joshua Cadusch, Jade and Julia Clencie, Darragh Finn, Isabelle Grant, Zach O’Reilly, Vibha Sathish, Jeremy Seletto, Summer Vasic and Harvey Woo as they compete against other students within our Division for the right to compete at a Regional and then State level later in this term. Races are over 2 or 3 kilometres dependent on age group, and traditional cross country conditions are cold, wet and slippery! We wish all students well and know they will do their very best. We are very proud of your efforts.
Enjoy your long weekend. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
3-Way Conferences As Mr Kersing mentioned above, 3-Way Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday 13th July. As it is a student free day, you will be able to book an interview time between 10am to 7pm. You will be able to book a 15-minute timeslot from Tuesday 14th June at 10am.
Student and Staff Absences Unfortunately, we are continuing to have student and staff absence due to illness, this also includes our Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) pool. Where possible, we have attempted to minimise disruption to classes. However, this has meant that I have had to use our Tutors and Intervention staff to cover grades (Mr Kersing, Mrs Nicholls and myself have also been spotted in classes helping out). We have tried not to ‘split’ classes (placing students in classes across that year level), although it has been necessary at times. Please bear with us as we try and negotiate this tricky time.
Have a great long weekend!
Patrick
Decision on our New School Dress Thank you to everyone who voted in our recent school dress survey. We certainly appreciate your views and comments.
Both parent and student surveys have returned a preference for the purple check dress. (as pictured)
We appreciate that change can be difficult and that purple was not the preferred option for some of our community however, we believe the change will be embraced and it won’t take long to see the positives across the school.
The new school dress was endorsed at our recent School Council meeting . We have notified our uniform suppliers and the new summer dress will be available from October/November 2022, ready for students to wear in term 1 of 2023. There will be a two year change over period with all students wearing the purple checked dress from term 1, 2025.
This presentation from The Resilience Project is all about Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is our ability to be calm and present at any given moment. We practise this by slowing down and concentrating on one thing at a time.
Thousands of studies have proven benefits include reduced stress, reduced rumination, increased memory, increased cognitive function and physical health benefits through improved immunity.
View Part 4 of the Resilience Project series here - Mindfulness https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/
Mindfulness can be practised through meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, paying attention to feelings and senses and daily activities such as cooking.
Have a lovely long weekend. Relax, stay warm and enjoy a mindful activity.
Gill
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
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
- year of schooling
- category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
- level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.
In our context at Viewbank Primary School, students will be included in the NCCD process if they have (amongst other things) evidence of an ILP in 2021 or 2022, notes from parent teacher interviews or emails that outline adjustments in the classroom, participation in Literacy and/or Numeracy support classes, had an educational assessment (cognitive, hearing, speech etc) that outlines particular strategies that need to be implemented, the school receives funding for students under the Program for Students with Disabilities, etc.
This information assists schools to:
- formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
- consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
- develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.
The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.
The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.dese.gov.au/about-us/resources/department-education-skills-and-employment-complete-privacy-policy-0).
Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).
If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.
The history of Viewbank Primary School If you would like to find out more about our wonderful school’s past over the last 56 Years and would be interested in purchasing a copy of the VPS 50th Anniversary book another print run of these books would be available if enough interest is shown.
Please contact the school office to register your interest – It’s quite the read!
Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Viewbank Primary School is excited to be participating. The PRC application offers a range of exciting features including:
- access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs)
- a modern user-friendly interface
- rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved
- the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review
The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 2 September 2022.
Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books.
All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.
To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge
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PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE MEETING - 9th June 2022
Become more involved in your child's school by joining the Viewbank Primary School Parents and Friends Committee. We are a social group who enjoy a dinner out while planning fundraising and social events. This is a great way to make new friends and get involved.
Some of our regular fundraising events include;
- Raffles
- Outdoor movie night
- Mothers and Fathers day stall
- Children's Disco
- Special Bakery lunch orders and icy pole sales
- Walkathon
These days don't happen without our special helpers - YOU!
The students enjoy our special events and love seeing their parents and guardians involved in our school community.
We invite new members and new ideas. This committee is open to all parents and guardians, a warm welcome is extended to all.
If you are interested or would like to know more, please attend our Annual General Meeting on Thursday June 9, commencing at 7.00pm in the staffroom.
Please contact the Office on viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au or 9459 1512 if you would like to know more.
2022 Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser - 14th July Delivery (Orders Close 4th July)
As part of our plan to improve Viewbank Primary School, we will be running a fantastic Cadbury® Fundraiser Drive.
Fundraising activities such as this make a vital contribution towards improving our facilities for the benefit of our children. In anticipation of a successful fundraising drive, we thank you for your support. All money raised will be used towards our major school upgrade.
We are pleased to announce that for this drive we have four options:
- CADBURY® FREDDO & Friends Carry Box. Selling for 50 cents an item ($60 per box),
- CADBURY® Goody Bars Carry Box Selling for $1 an item ($60 per box). The NEW Cadbury Fundraising Goody Box!
- The Natural Confectionery Co. Lolly Box. Selling for $3 a bag ($60 per box). Pre-mixed convenience!
- Make a donation only. If would like to make a donation only and not receive any chocolates.
Chocolates can be purchased or donations made via Compass Canteen. 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.
If you wish to participate in this fundraising activity please place your order by Monday 4th July.
Chocolate boxes will only be provided to families who have paid before the due date.
Purchased chocolates will be sent home with the children on Thursday 14th July.
Viewbank Primary School Parents and Friends
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 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.
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