PUPIL FREE DAY (OSHClub available)
- Monday 31st October 2022
FUNDRAISING BAKERY LUNCH ORDER DATES - Lower Plenty Bakehouse
- Thursday 3rd November (Orders closing on 31st October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 10th November (Orders closing on 7th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 24th November (Orders closing on 21st November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 1st December (Orders closing on 28th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 8th December (Orders closing on 5th December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 15th December (Orders closing on 12th December, 3:00pm)
2022 TERM DATES
- Term 4: 3rd October - 20th December (1:30pm finish)
PUPIL FREE DAY A reminder that next Monday, October 31, is a pupil free day and that there are no classes for students on that day. OSHClub will be open and operational for a whole day of care and bookings can be made in the usual manner. Staff will be finalising assessments, collating data and continuing to work on the preparation of reports on that day.
BUILDING WORKS Yesterday, we met with the building company (Stokes Rousseau), our architects (Kneeler Design) and the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) in an introductory meeting before we finally commence the project. I can report in a ‘good news/bad news’ fashion, that the good news is that the project will be condensed to nine months in total. The bad news is that the start date has been pushed back to January 16, 2023. In a nutshell, there will be no changes to parking or normal operations for the rest of the year, and I will outline as we get nearer to the end of the year the impacts on operations etc for 2023 as they pertain to all groups.
WALKATHON Many, many thanks to everyone for their contributions and efforts yesterday - staff, students, volunteers, donors and more. With the building works taking place over the next 12 months and the inevitable cost over-runs, any additional capital we can summon to finish and enhance the project will lead to amazing facilities at our school so generous donations are gratefully accepted. I’m sure there are a few photos to depict the efforts of the many yesterday.
TIME IN LIEU AND PROGRAM CUTS You may have gleaned some further information about the new time in lieu provisions that have taken effect as a result of the latest enterprise bargaining agreement between the Department Of Education and Training and school staff signed off on earlier this year. (There has been some media coverage in recent days). The new provisions are welcomed , and entitle staff working in excess of a 38 hour week to be reimbursed, either in time or money (I guess the analogy is ‘paid for’ overtime). The issue resides in a very limited funding source, so that activities such as camps, school productions, the State School Spectacular , Carols Nights and the like will need to be cut or cancelled altogether. At this stage, we are planning for a Grade 6 and Grade 5 camp next year with the inability to fund a Grade 4 or Grade 3 camp meaning the very likely cancellation of these. Activities such as parent-teacher interviews, and information nights will be able to be managed by the cancellation of normal scheduled meetings for staff. More in upcoming newsletters as we review all programs for 2023.
Finally, I’m going to do it one last time and include reminders about enrolment, intentions to leave and parental considerations for grade requests!!
INTENTIONS TO LEAVE Term 4 is always dominated with planning for the following year – grade and staff selection, budgets, enrolments and more. We have asked this before, (and families have been very good in letting us know), but if any other families are intending to leave our school community in 2023 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 2023, if there is anyone out there who hasn’t completed the enrolment process yet, please do so asap.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR GRADE PLACEMENTS 2023 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 in fact still need to select a few teachers to fill those roles next year. 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 2023, with the possibility of a composite class in the junior area of the school to keep class numbers down. 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 by Friday, November 4. Please title the email “CONFIDENTIAL – GRADE REQUEST’. Please note that emails received after this date will NOT be accepted.
I wish everyone a lovely long weekend, and look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Celebrate together
Children’s Week is a national campaign that recognises the talents, skills, achievements and rights of children.
This year, Children’s Week is running from Saturday 22 October to Sunday 30 October. The theme for Children’s Week 2022 is ‘all children have the right to a standard of living that supports their wellbeing and healthy development’, drawn from Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
There are a range of free activities being offered to families across Melbourne.
These are both in-person and online events, which celebrate childhood and showcase children’s achievements.
Children’s Week events are free to Victorian families with children aged up to 12. This gives families the opportunity to enjoy fun, engaging and educational experiences.
There was certainly lots to celebrate this week at Viewbank with a range of special activities on offer. Thank you for supporting The Walkathon, Green Team Out of Uniform Day and Day for Daniel. Each of these events allowed our students to find out more about themselves, support others and work together to build a stronger school community.
Enjoy the long weekend,
Gill
Walkathon We were so pleased that we got to complete our Walkathon on Tuesday. The weather forecast was against us, but the rain held off. Once all sponsorship money has been collected and accounted for, it will be reported to School Council and then to the community. A massive thank you to the organising committee and to everyone who volunteered their time in the lead up to the event and also today. We couldn't do it without you - THANK YOU! Our parent community is really coming together.
Once again, the behaviour of our students, your children, was outstanding.
Thank you to the staff who were out on the course supervising or walking making sure everyone was safe.
I am sure there were some who were in bed a little earlier than usual with sore feet!
Have a great week!
Patrick
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
Business Manager
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VIEWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL WALKATHON 2022 Thank you to all our students for completing the 2022 Viewbank Primary School Walkathon. We now ask that you seek your sponsorship monies from family, friends and neighbours. Each child has been provided with a wristband with holes punched at each lap's conclusion. All money raised will be going towards our major fundraising school upgrade project.
As a further incentive, the class that raises the most money per capita in Foundation to Year 2 and Year 3 to 6 will be rewarded with a Hot Chip lunch, later in the term.
Sponsorship monies can be paid via Compass (Course Confirmation and Payments) or returned to school by Friday, November 11. Thank you if you have already made a payment. If payment is made via Compass you are not required to return any forms to the school.
Please support this major fundraiser, as it is the only one of its kind in 2022, and we do rely on fundraising to support school upgrades and equipment, which in turn support your child’s education.
Thank you in advance,
The Parents and Friends Association
We are excited to be offering Vision Portraits $30 family photo fundraising photos again this year.
- When: Saturday 12th November 2022
- Where: Viewbank Primary School
- Booking link: https://viewbank22.eventbrite.com.au
All bookings welcome - click here to book.
Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every Thursday during Term 4. 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 3rd November (Orders closing on 31st October, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 10th November (Orders closing on 7th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 24th November (Orders closing on 21st November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 1st December (Orders closing on 28th November, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 8th December (Orders closing on 5th December, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 15th December (Orders closing on 12th 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.
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/UKULELE - 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