PUPIL FREE DAYS

• Monday 17th August, 2020
• Monday 2nd November, 2020

TERM DATES

• 2020 TERM 2: Tuesday 14th April - Friday 26th June (2:30pm finish)
• 2020 TERM 3: Monday 13th July - Friday 18th September (2:30pm finish)
• 2020 TERM 4: Monday 5th October - Friday 18th December (1:30pm finish)

CAMP DATES

• Year 3: Arrabri Lodge (Monday 27th July - Wednesday 29th July)
• Year 6: Coonawarra Farm Resort (Monday 10th - Friday 14th August 2020)
• Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp (Wednesday 19th - Friday 21 August 2020)
• Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp (Tuesday 6th October - Friday 9th October 2020)

RETURN TO SCHOOL It was a bitterly cold Tuesday morning as I ventured out of the car park and headed towards the school grounds, but a very warm feeling overwhelmed me quickly as I saw the beautiful messages our school community had placed on the fence near the turning circle. I know that all staff felt the same way, so a huge shout out and thank you to you all – it really made our day!

It was lovely to greet our students, some who hadn’t been to school for 10 or 11 weeks. A few said that it felt strange, but all were excited to be back and had a great return to school. A number of grown-ups were seen skipping away from school at drop off – probably just as excited!!

SCHOOL COUNCIL Our School Council met remotely on Tuesday night via Web Ex, and confirmed a number of things moving forward. Whilst we are still in uncertain times, we are planning for a return to something vaguely normal in Term 3 and beyond. And so, with that said, School Council approved the final two pupil free days for 2020. You will recall we had to ‘shelve’ the pupil free day set down for Tuesday, April 14, when the staff were due to attend a full day’s professional development with Maths expert, Michael Ymer. This has now been rescheduled for Monday, August 17. In addition, the final pupil free day for the year which had not been set has now been set for the Monday before the Melbourne Cup – that is, Monday, November 2.

In addition, the School Council agreed to continue to plan for school camps for our Grades 3 to 6 students, subject to directions and advice from the Department Of Education and Training. The Grade 4 Anglesea camp has been postponed from Term 2 to August 19-21. The Grade 6 camp could not proceed to Canberra but instead we have found another venue in Bairnsdale – camp Coonawarra. We have a booking for August 10-14 again subject to medical and DET advice. https://www.coonawarraresort.com.au/

BUILDING WORKS The new fire service has been largely installed with works continuing to finalise that over the next week. Much progress is anticipated on the landscaping aspect of our building works over the next week or so, with the ‘landing’ of the new buildings now just a few weeks away.

Have a great weekend.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

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Thanks to parents from the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training – Jenny Atta This letter acknowledges the hard work, understanding and commitment of parents and carers during a challenging time for families.

Return to School It has been great having the Viewbank Primary School ‘buzz’ back again now that all students have returned. With this, traffic has increased markedly, and, unfortunately, some dangerous road use has occurred – some by vehicle and some on foot. This has included dangerous u-turns just metres from the crossing on Winston Road, potentially blocking the line of sight of our crossing guard, as well as families running across the road from the other side of Winston Rd in front of the bus!

Please, follow all road rules and use the school crossings. From our point of view, classes will not begin until 9:20-ish each morning. Our staggered start time remains, with students able to arrive between 8:45am and 9:20am. Please note, until the end of term, or further advice from DET, no students (except if attending OSH Club) should be on the school grounds before 8:45am.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Patrick

Thank you What a wonderful surprise awaited us all as we arrived to work on Tuesday morning. The heartfelt messages of appreciation and gratitude that were displayed along the school fence certainly hit the spot on a cold morning and bought a smile to many faces and in a few cases, tears to our eyes. It was so good to welcome back our Year 3-6 students and be greeted with smiles, cheerful greetings and a general feeling of positivity and good will.

It certainly is uplifting to be a part of such an appreciative and thoughtful community.

Student Dress Code Policy Review Below is the link to the DRAFT Student Dress Code Policy for community consultation.

Please take the time to read the policy and if you have any feedback or comments on this policy please email the school (attn. Mrs Nicholls) before the end of term. Once approved by School Council this policy will be added to our school website.

Be kind and caring

Gill Nicholls

Late Arrivals The gates will be locked at 9.20am, if you arrive after this time please go to the top of the ramp at Gate 2 on Lascelles Ave and call the office and a staff member will meet your child at the gate.

Early Leavers If you need to collect your child early please call the office and a staff member will arrange for your child to meet you at the top of the ramp at Gate 2 on Lascelles Ave.

New School Email Address Viewbank Primary School’s new email address is viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Thank you

Lucy Addati

Buisness Manager

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PHONE NUMBER: 0448 075 422

EMAIL: viewbank@oshclub.com.au

Uniforms can be purchased online at www.aplusschoolwear.com.au with one of three delivery options:

• Free collection in store during trading hours
• Postage to address of customer’s choosing, at $12.50 for two items or less, or $17.50 for three items or more
• Free delivery to school, to an existing student at Viewbank Primary. Please note, this option is not available if the customer does not already have a student at the school

Viewbank Scouts is supporting BANSIC (Banyule Support & Information Centre), who provide emergency food relief to those in our community who may be struggling. http://www.bansic.org.au

You can support this initiative by dropping off a bag of groceries to the Viewbank Scout Hall, Rutherford Road, Viewbank, between 10am – 2pm on Saturday 13 or Sunday 14 June.

Please bring non-perishable items in a shopping bag and make sure items are within the best-before-date.

We will be following recommended social distancing and hygiene practices.

SUGGESTED ITEMS

• Milk (Longlife)
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Pasta Sauce
• Coffee
• Spreads
• Sugar
• Biscuits
• 2 minute Noodles
• Cat and Dog Food
• Tuna
• Tinned Fruit
• Rice
• Baked beans/ Spaghetti
• Toilet paper
• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Tinned Soup
• Instant Meals

Brought to you by the Group Support Committee, Viewbank Scout Group.