PUPIL FREE DAYS
- Monday 2nd November, 2020
TERM DATES
- 2020 TERM 3: Monday 13th July - Friday 18th September (2:30pm finish)
- 2020 TERM 4: Monday 5th October - Friday 18th December (1:30pm finish)
SCHOOL COUNCIL School Council met for the first (and only!) time for this term on Tuesday night. The Department of Education and Training has restated the mandatory number of meetings a School Council must have each year in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, now meaning the minimum number of meetings this year should be 6 instead of 8. Tuesday night’s meeting addressed standard agenda items as well as ratifying our Student Dress Code, and an application for a grant to purchase Solar Panels for the school. Thanks to Gill Nicholls for ‘driving’ the process to update our Student Dress Code and to Kate Ryan and Emily Bieber for their work in submitting the Solar Panel Grant in a timely fashion. Fingers crossed – with this grant submission, one for the oval adventure playground (thanks Patrick Walsh and Jamie Ruddock) and one in motion for shade sails over our ‘not yet in place’ playground (thanks Beck Deighton and Neralie Cadusch), it would be wonderful to be successful in attaining all three and fabulous if we even just procured one!
TRANSITION KINDERGARTEN-FOUNDATION AND 2021 ENROLMENTS Much remains ‘up in the air’ and responsive to changing rules and restrictions. It is our intention to run our Transition program in term 4 as normal, but clearly the September 13 ‘milestone’ will go some way to determining that. At present we have over 60 Foundation enrolments for next year, and ask again if there are any families who haven’t completed the enrolment process for a sibling for 2021 to do so asap, please!
NEW BUILDINGS Finally! Tomorrow is handover day! It did get a little like Grand Designs in the end, because I did go to ‘press’ stating a July 31 handover date, but August 21 is not too shabby, nonetheless! We are quite thrilled with the outcome – ‘we’ being those of us on site this term. School Council got the ‘video’ tour on Tuesday night and there is the hope that everyone will get to see the new buildings in all their glory in the not too distant future. The area adjacent to the old ‘middle courtyard’ where many parents would congregate near pick up time, has been opened up into a wonderful central space with the decks, some artificial turf and a new playground, and lots of additional seating and we hope you concur with our views of a successful project, when you finally get the opportunity to come on site.
REMOTE LEARNING I wish to continue to congratulate staff, students and parents on the efforts and outcomes associated with the continuing remote learning this term. It hasn’t been easy, and I know there have been tears and frustrations along the way. There have also been many successes, many great projects initiated and completed at home, and growth and development for just about everyone. We haven’t ‘missed’ a term of learning – it’s just been done in a different way, and like everyone else, I just can’t wait for things to return to something vaguely normal. I hope everyone has a good weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families
On Tuesday 25 August, the Department of Education and Training is presenting a FREE WEBINAR for parents and carers by renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, on building family resilience during coronavirus (COVID-19). You can find out information about Dr Carr-Gregg at his website https://michaelcarrgregg.com/.
Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel safe through uncertain times. Dr Carr-Gregg’s webinar is aptly named Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era.
In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown and remote learning. Topics include:
- your supportive role
- setting the emotional tone
- focusing on what you can control
- how to deal with disappointment
- further resources and where to get help.
Dr Carr-Gregg’s presentation will run for 45 minutes. This will be followed by a 15-minute question and-answer session in which parents and carers can ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions.
Webinar details
- When: Tuesday 25 August
- Time: 7:30pm
- Duration: 45-minute presentation followed by 15-minute questions and answers session
- Format: online via Webex
- Cost: free
How to register To register and for more information visit:
Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era event page, or
Social Media Site Of The Week
Each week, for the next little while, I am going to share a social media / website of an organisation that may be of use to you (parents/guardians). Many of you will know these already, but it never hurts to have a reminder! Please note, as these will be external to Viewbank Primary School, we are not responsible for the content on their sites. Please use your discretion when viewing their information and advice.
This Week: Banyule Community Health Service
- Website: https://bchs.org.au/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BanyuleCommunityHealthService/
- Twitter: @banyuleCHS
Have a great weekend everyone!
Patrick
.
Student Dress Code Policy Thank you to the school community members who recently provided feedback on the Student Dress Code Policy. Your recommendations were greatly appreciated and have contributed to a revised Student Dress Code Policy that takes into consideration inclusion and diversity and reflects our school community. The policy was ratified by school council at the meeting on Tuesday night and is now available on the school website. This policy will be reviewed annually.
Take care everyone
Gill Nicholls
Remote Learning Office Hours: The Remote Learning Office hours are from 9am to 3.30pm. To contact the school outside of these hours you may send an email to viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au or leave a message on the answering machine.
Attendance On Compass: Parents need to continue to mark any school absences on Compass as normal.
Thank you and take care
Lucy Addati
Business Manager
Victory in the Pacific Day – also known as 'VP Day' – is commemorated across Australia and the world, as the anniversary of the end of World War II. It is a date that we'll never forget. 15 August. Below are some work our students did to commemorate this day.
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