PUPIL FREE DAY
- Wednesday 13th July 2022
- Monday 31st October 2022
FUNDRAISING BAKERY LUNCH ORDER DATES - Lower Plenty Bakehouse
- Thursday 28th April (Orders closing on 25th April, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 5th May (Orders closing on 2nd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th May (Orders closing on 9th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th May (Orders closing on 16th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th May (Orders closing on 23rd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd June (Orders closing on 30th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th June (Orders closing on 6th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 16th June (Orders closing on 13th June, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 23rd June (Orders closing on 20th June, 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: Camp Coonawarra - Monday 18th July to Friday 22nd July
DISTRICT ATHLETICS Congratulations to all students who participated in the District Athletics event at Willinda Park last Friday and congratulations again to Lucas Prell, Kori Stuckey and the rest of the teaching team (and volunteer parents) for planning and implementing yet another enjoyable sporting event. Full details are included later in this newsletter but good luck to those students who have earned the right to now represent themselves and their school at the Divisional event later this year.
SCHOOL CAMPS 2022 Under strict covid protocols and risk minimisation strategies, we have full intent to run separate school camps for all Grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes this year. The first of these will be the three day Grade 4 camp to Anglesea in May. Grade 6 families will know by now that we have risk assessed the Grade 6 camp to Canberra and determined that, for 2022, we will NOT be heading interstate and will instead journey to Camp Coonawarra in Bairnsdale in July.
STAFFING Gill Nicholls is taking a well earned long service leave break at the start of Term 2 to travel to the USA for the wedding of her son. We wish you well, Gill, and enjoy all of the festivities and celebrations. We look forward to seeing her back on site on May 23.
A CHILD IS BORN It gives us great pleasure to announce that Jackie Rielly and Leigh Taggart became the proud parents of child #2, Louie Xavier born on April 1. Everyone is doing well!
FINAL DAY DISMISSAL TIME AND HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS And so we head to the school holidays. Our school was open throughout Term 1 which was a pleasant change from the last two years and whilst there were plenty of absences due to Covid isolations at least we were able to have school operations somewhat approaching normal. We will continue to modify events at school, as needs be and in line with the DET Operational Guidelines, and continue to reinforce Covid Safe practices. We will dismiss for the end of term 1 at 2.30pm tomorrow and resume on Tuesday, April 26. I hope everyone is able to take time to recharge and refresh with family and friends and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and peaceful Easter and holiday break.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
NAPLAN In May, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in the National Assessment program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). In 2022, there are 4 assessments that the students will be undertaking:
- Writing
- Reading
- Conventions of Language (Spelling and Grammar)
- Numeracy
The timetable for the above tests is as follows:
You will have noticed that, except for Year 3 Writing, all tests will be completed online. These assessments are not permitted to be done at home and must be completed at school. There will be some provision for ‘make-up’ tests the following week.
If our Year 3 and Year 5 families have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance.
You can also find more information here: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment
Term 1 Reflection I was looking back at previous end of Term 1 Viewbank Voice newsletters (available on our website at http://www.viewbankps.vic.edu.au/newsletters), looking for some inspiration about what to write today.
In the last Newsletter of Term 1 2019, I found pictures or parents in the Year 1 and 2 corridor listening to students read https://express.adobe.com/page/sQeTNQPHjcrh3/ , pictures of parents at a Working Bee, and information about the Resilience Project.
The last Newsletter of Term 1 2020 was all about preparing for lockdowns. Camps, excursions and assemblies had to be cancelled until further notice, and events such as National Young Leaders Day had been postponed.
In 2021, It was all about Operations Guides – DET’s guidelines for how schools should operate that was consistent with the Chief Health Officer orders. The Resilience Project was also high on the agenda.
Fast forward to 2022, while some modifications have had to be made, schools have almost returned to normal. Yes, it is still compulsory to wear masks inside ALL primary school buildings, and parent involvement is still limited. However, Camps and excursions (e.g. Athletics Day) are happening again, and parents are slowly being allowed to participate in some school activities (e.g. Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden). We have desperately missed parent involvement over the past 2 years, and we ask that you continue to remain patient during the next little while (also – don’t forget to have a look at your Working With Children Check to ensure it is in date!)
This term, many of our community (students, parents, staff) have been required to isolate for extended periods of time, we have had to be supported, and we have supported others. It has not been easy at all. When I have heard stories of support from staff and parents, I am grateful that I work in such a compassionate and caring community – thank you!
I hope that you find some time to reflect on how far forward we have come in the past 6 months (yes, there is further to go), so that schooling is back to ‘normal’.
Please stay safe if you are out and about on the roads these holidays. I am looking forward to seeing you on all on Tuesday 26th April at 9am!
Patrick
Thank you for all your efforts this term.
We have endeavoured to make the term as ‘normal’ as possible for the students and by and large they have settled in very well to the 2022 school year. Once again, everyone has demonstrated great flexibility and positivity.
Have a safe holiday and enjoy the opportunity to relax, recharge and eat lots of chocolate. As Bill mentioned, I’m heading to the US to celebrate the wedding of my son Matt to the beautiful Taylor, see what life in Dallas looks like and then chill out in Hawaii on the way home. I will see you all again later in May.
Happy holidays and enjoy Easter.
Gill
How to help your child manage anxiety and build resilience
Media Report February 09, 2022
New research has revealed the importance of building resilience and other coping skills in children to help their mental wellbeing and success at school.
Mental health problems can affect a child’s education and wellbeing, but there are things parents can do to support their children from a young age.
New research, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), has highlighted the need for resilience and coping-skills training to help prevent increasing mental health disorders in children, which have been on the rise since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
MCRI Professor Harriet Hiscock says about 50 per cent of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, begin before the age of 14 years.
“Prevention and early intervention are paramount if we want to reduce lifetime prevalence of mental-health disorders and allow children to live their best possible lives,” she says.
Being a role model
Along with more training and resources for school staff, Hiscock says there are ways parents can help their children as well.
“We have a big role to play in supporting our kids,” she says. “One way is to model the things we want from our children. If we want empathy, we need to model empathy.
“For example, next time you are in a traffic queue, and someone is annoying you, rather than mouthing off, maybe say, 'This is a bit frustrating, but the traffic will move, and we will get to where we need to get to.”
Learning from failure
She says allowing children to experience failure helps build resilience and teaches them that the world doesn’t fall apart if they, say, hand their homework in late or they don’t get something right.
“From an early stage, when we play games with kids, it’s about not always letting them win. That is how you start to build resilience.
“As kids get a bit older, and they have problems, rather than rushing to their defence and saying, ‘That’s awful,’ try to brainstorm with them: 'What could you do differently next time?' That all starts to build their problem-solving skills and resilience.”
Building resilience in children
The Australian parenting website, Raising Children Network, has extensive resources, including guides and toolkits, on topics such as family life, technology and school. Raising Children Network Director Derek McCormack says there are five areas that promote and build resilience in children, including self-empathy, praise and problem-solving.
1.Trying new things
Being able and willing to try new things helps build resilience. McCormack says parents can encourage children to try and master new skills, challenges and activities. “That builds up their sense of confidence and ability,” he says.
2. Encouraging self-compassion
Self-compassion and self-empathy are important for parents as well as children. “Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a valued friend,” McCormack says. “Give yourself a break. Remind yourself that it’s OK to feel the way you do and to maybe not achieve the thing you thought you would achieve.” Parents can model self-compassion and help their children do the same by not criticising themselves, acknowledging their shortcomings without negativity, and expressing gratitude.
3. Acknowledging your child's progress
It’s well known that praise helps build self-esteem, but it also builds resilience. “Praising what they do in small and big ways is another building block,” McCormack says. “It’s about letting your child know that you value what they are doing, not just their achievements, but them as a person.”
4. Creating a positive family environment
Consider your family dynamics and how that affects your child. What positive rituals and routines do you have? Are things functioning well? How are the relationships between your child and others in the family? “Keeping an eye on what is happening around the child, both in the family and at school, is an important cornerstone, because resilience is built by valued relationship with adults and others,” McCormack says.
5. Developing problem-solving skills
Teaching your child problem-solving skills involves taking the time to discuss the pros and cons of a problem or difficulty. “Even if your child is too young to do that analysis, a parent can model it for them,” McCormack says. “You can talk about a problem you’re having and say, ‘I could do this, and there are these consequences, or I could do this.’ You model it for them, and they can see it working, and then you can try it with them on a problem they might be facing, even if it’s a very small problem.”
McCormack says these strategies help children deal with day-to-day issues and build resilience even when there is no aversity.
“Children who are more resilient have good problem-solving skills and are good at learning new skills,” he says. “Over time they become more comfortable with those emotions that you might feel when you are anxious or stressed. They acknowledge the feelings, and know they are OK and that those feelings won’t last forever.”
Seeking help
McCormack says if parents are worried about their child, they should talk to their GP or another trusted health professional.
The Raising Children Network also has developed the Raising Healthy Minds app to help parents and carers support their child or children’s social and emotional wellbeing.
If you or someone you know feels overwhelmed or in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time of the day or night.
Maintain Student Enrolment Information Schools are to ensure that information held regarding a student and their family is up to date, comprehensive and accurate.
Please ensure you contact the school via email if there are any changes to your family circumstances, contact details, change of address, emergency contacts etc.
School Tours We will be running school tours on a Tue, Wed, Thu at 9.30am for prospective families from 29Mar. 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
Hello Parents/Guardians,
It has been a hectic, exciting, and successful Term 1 of Physical Education and Sporting events at Viewbank PS. We had a series of swimming, athletics, and tennis events to start the school year. Below is a recap of the highlights and accomplishments achieved by students in Term 1.
Swimming:
- At the start of term, we had approximately 50 students from Grade 3 - 6 participate in our Swimming Trials at Watermarc.
- We then had approximately 40 students compete at the District Swimming carnival.
- In early March we had 12 students represent our school at Divisional Swimming.
- At the Regional Swimming event, we were very proud to have 4 students represent Viewbank PS.
- Well done to the following students for making it to Division or Region level: Darragh Finn, Johan In, Joshua Cadusch, Harrison Kent, Luke Cullen, Jacob Clare, Brody Cameron, Luke Forbes, Lewis Stephenson, Anne Carpenter, Summer Vasic and Abbey Lewis.
Tennis:
- In late February we had 2 students from the school compete in the District Tennis trials. Well done to Lucy Li and Ava Duncan for participating at the event.
Athletics:
- On February 25th we had a number of students from Grade 3 -6 participate in our Athletics Trials at the school. Well done to everyone that competed and gave each event a go.
- On March 11th students from Grade 3 – 6 took part in our School Athletics Carnival. Students participated in a series of athletic events and cheered on their fellow classmates/friends. It was great to see everyone try their very best and demonstrate resilience, determination, and sportsmanship.
- Last Friday we had approximately 70 students compete at the District Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic atmosphere at the event, with all Viewbank students cheering on and encouraging each other. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination were displayed throughout the day. We had some sensational results from both the track and field events.
- The Divisional Athletics Carnival will be held in Term 3. Information about which students made it to Division will be announced next term.
Well done and congratulations to all students that attended/participated in the sporting events mentioned above. Everyone should be proud of themselves for their efforts regardless of the result.
Lastly, a massive thankyou to all teachers and parents for helping at the events, without your help these events would not be possible.
Kind regards,
Lucas Prell
PE and Sport Coordinator
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 28th April (Orders closing on 25th April, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 5th May (Orders closing on 2nd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 12th May (Orders closing on 9th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 19th May (Orders closing on 16th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 26th May (Orders closing on 23rd May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 2nd June (Orders closing on 30th May, 3:00pm)
- Thursday 9th June (Orders closing on 6th June, 3:00pm)
- 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. SORRY, CLOSED ON FRIDAY 7TH APRIL
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