2021 TERM DATES

• Term 4: 4th October - 17th December (1:30pm finish)

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

This is my final newsletter for 2021, and as always it is time to reflect on the year that has been. We all know that 2021 was yet another challenging year. Nonetheless, I would like to thank everyone for their efforts throughout this year and for making Viewbank PS the school that it is. Thanks to all staff members , teaching and non teaching, for your tireless commitment and professionalism throughout the year. To our students, you have all done such an amazing job and we are all so very proud of you. It is always a joy to teach and guide you, to see you grow, to share in your highs and help with your lows. Congratulations to the graduating class of Grade 6 in particular. I have been privileged to have been your Principal these last seven years. As you head towards that next phase in your education, and indeed life, I encourage you to work hard, be ready for your opportunity when it comes and try and be the best you can be. A philosophy for all of us.

I trust that last night’s virtual Graduation was well received. We also had a virtual Graduation last year, but this year we were also able to have a ceremony attended by parents at school. Two ways of celebrating!! I’m sure everyone was in awe of the talents and poise of our students and, like me, wondered how they have grown up so fast! The families of our graduating students are invited onto the school grounds for their final farewell on Friday. Please check the Compass post for finer details. We still very much ask that you adhere to physical distancing measures and masks are preferred.

To our departing staff members (Bonnie Boness and Paige Deery) once again we wish you well and thank you for your contributions to our school, although as mentioned Bonnie Boness will be returning to us in 2023. When I first wrote this earlier in the week I indicated that Colleen Ottrey will also be leaving us at some stage in the near future, although that could possibly extend into 2022. In today’s final update I can report that she has secured a teaching position in Yarrawonga, and we congratulate her for that. Very handy given she is moving to Rutherglen to live!! We thank her so much for all of her efforts and contributions to our school over these last few years and also wish her well.

If anyone notices unusual activity near or about the school over the break please don’t hesitate to call the Heidelberg Police. Please note we have our long awaited power upgrade happening in the second week of January, the Tiger Turf having its biannual maintenance, and a few other minor building works requiring ‘trades’ onsite, but generally there shouldn’t be too much activity around the school.

A reminder that students will be dismissed from classrooms at 1.30pm tomorrow. As I said in my address to the graduates, I will genuinely miss all of them, am glad I have played some part in their lives and look forward to their visits over upcoming years and hearing of their successes. It is a sentiment shared by all staff. To all other students, we hope you have a very well earned break, and fingers crossed for a 2022 resembling pre-pandemic normalcy and onsite throughout the year.

Finally, please take care over the break, and enjoy time with family and loved ones. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

Well, we have made it to the end of another unpredictable and challenging year that has required us all to learn new skills, be flexible and ‘go with the flow’.

Thank you for your support, encouragement and trust throughout the year and for being your child’s home support throughout remote learning.

During the last 6 weeks we have tried to return to normal as best we could and I am so glad the students have been able to conclude the year with excursions, celebration days and for the grade 5s, an evening disco.

Congratulations to our amazing graduating class of 2021, you have so much to be proud of.

I hope you enjoyed sharing your virtual graduation presentation with your families on Wednesday evening.

As we come to the end of another challenging year navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, families and students may need additional mental health support over the school holidays. Below are several fact sheets to support mental health and wellbeing during the school holidays.

• Wellbeing support over the school holidays – for students
• Wellbeing support for students over the school holidays – for parents/carers.
• Wellbeing activities and conversation starters for parents of primary school-aged children please link the attached resources

There have been limited opportunities to assist onsite this year however we have managed to have the continued support of many parents and carers across the year at various school events and in the classroom. A huge thank you to all our wonderful parents and carers who have assisted with reading, school camps, sporting events, SAKGP, working bees, swimming and graduation setup to mention a few. Many others have shown their support through emails, phone calls and providing amazing morning teas for our staff. It is lovely to have the support of such a caring community, we appreciate it greatly. Let’s hope we can see more of each other next year.

I look forward to seeing you in the new year, refreshed and ready for 2022.

I wish you all a safe and restful holiday break. Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year.

Gill

Happy Holidays Before writing this for the final newsletter of the year, I had a look at what I wrote last year. It is all eerily similar. None of us were expecting another year like 2020. So many ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. ‘Fingers crossed’ for a much better 2022.

Congratulations to our Grade 6s - Class of 2021. I hope you take the opportunities that are presented to you, research and explore them as much as possible - you never know where you may end up!

Don’t forget to check the dates at the top of this newsletter and get them into your diary/calendar as soon as possible. On Monday 31st January, we hit the ground running again!

I hope you have a happy and safe break (particularly if spending time on the roads), and you return to school refreshed and ready to go for another year!

Have a great Christmas, New Year and January everyone!

Patrick

Second Hand Uniform Shop The second hand uniform shop will be open on Thu 27 Jan’22 at 9.30 to 10.30am. Please enter via Gate 2 Lascelles Ave ramp.

OSHClub Vacation Care This year OSHClub Vacation Care is commencing on Mon 20Dec’21.

2022 Parent Payment Arrangements The 2022 Parent Payment Arrangements letter is available to view on Compass.

Contributions can be made on Compass from Saturday 18 December 2021. Please check 'Course Confirmation/Payment' in 'My News' on your homepage and follow the prompts. If you are having issues with Compass, have forgotten your password or have no access please contact the school office as soon as possible. A Compass Recurring Contribution Option for Curriculum Contributions is also available. Viewbank Primary School understands that some families may experience financial difficulty and offers a range of support options. For a confidential discussion to make alternative arrangements please contact the Business Manager, Lucy Addati.

We continue to value your contributions in supporting our school’s programs and resources. These contributions assist us to broaden the educational experience for our students. Without your contributions some of these may not be possible.

Please note: All classroom supplies will be provided directly to the classrooms in bulk, we are no longer providing individual book packs. Teachers (including specialist teachers) will distribute stationery and other supplies to the students as they are needed.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) The Government assisted Fund provides payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports, incursions and excursions ($125 per child). Applications for the Governments ‘CSEF Fund’ can be accessed by filling in the application form and returning it to the office with a copy of your current Health Care Card. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply) i.e. a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card.

If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2021, you do not need to complete an application form in 2022 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

• new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2022 or you did not apply in 2021.
• changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2022.

Funds are paid to the school and will be automatically allocated to the term expenses unless otherwise stated by the parent at the start of the year.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

From Lucy, Sue and Georgeina

Bakery Lunch Orders - Every Second Thursday Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every second Thursday in 2022. These lunches will be implemented via our Parents and Friends Committee and all money raised will be used towards our major school oval upgrade.

Orders need to be placed in advance via Compass Canteen. Ordering will close the Monday before the lunch date at 3pm.

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.

​​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. Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, this stall is closed until further notice.

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
• 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

My Uniform Christmas /New Year Trading Period

• The Store last Trading Day for 2021 will be Wednesday 15th December.
• The store will reopen on Monday 10th January 2022. It will be open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday for the remainder of the school holidays.

Wishing you and your whole school community a very Happy Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

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

Volunteers needed for Banyule Auskick 2022:

Auskick is a great introduction to fun footy skills, drills and games for boys and girls 5-12 years old. It runs during footy season from April – August (exact dates for the 2022 season yet to be determined).

Banyule Auskick sessions are on Saturday mornings from 9am. Banyule Auskick is looking for 1-2 new co-ordinator/s (role can be shared) to get the 2022 season running.

Auskick is run by volunteers, and is a great way to get involved with your kids activities and local community. Further information can be found on the Auskick website: https://play.afl/auskick/coordinators

If you can help with this please contact Kate Cullen (out-going Co-ordinator for 2021): banyulefcauskick@gmail.com or 0404 044 675. I’ll be happy to discuss the role further, provide all the information and support needed to continue the role into next season.

Coaches are also needed so please help if you can!

Kate Cullen, 2021 Banyule Auskick Co-ordinator.