Tuesday February 13 & Thursday February 15 — Get to Know You Interviews
Tuesday February 13 — School Photo Day
Friday February 23 — Athletics Day, Years 3 — 6
Friday March 16 — Parents and Friends Movie Night
Thursday March 29 — End of Term 1, 2.30pm dismissal
Annual Working Bees — Saturday February 24 (Term 1), Saturday May 12 (Term 2), Saturday August 11 (Term 3), Saturday November 3 (Term 4)
INFORMATION NIGHTS AND GETTING TO KNOW YOU INTERVIEWS Thank you to the staff for their preparation and presentation with the information nights to ensure you are well informed of the expectations we have of you in the new grade level your child is in. We hope we have answered any of the questions you were unsure about as you enter into a new grade level and the altered format of the event was suitable. Sorry to those who missed other grade levels we will ensure we address this as a staff and reflect on making changes and modify it for next year.
Thank you also to parents for your attendance at the Getting To Know You Interviews. These meetings provide a valuable form of feedback to ensure we understand your child’s educational and social/emotional needs. Please remember if you have any further information that has just arisen about your child please don’t hesitate to contact us by making an appointment with your child’s teacher.
SWIMMING SPORTS The swimming sports took place last Monday 12th February 2018 under the guidance and organisation of Mr. Blair Morton. All went smoothly and to plan to ensure the heats were completed in readiness for students to progress onto the district level. Unfortunately due to limited time constraints at the Water Marc Centre we were unable to run the novelty events which usually occurs. These events may be run during the Water Safety event in Term 4. Stay tuned for further information with this event. The students who will be going on to the next stage have been notified today and will be held on Thursday March 1st.
SCHOOL ATHLETICS Our next sporting event will be the 3 - 6 Athletics Day which will be held at Wilinda Park Greensborough on Friday 23rd February. All spectators are welcome and if you have some spare time to support the day please pop in to see Blair Morton and offer your assistance, no matter how much time you have to spare.
WELFARE AT VIEWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL During the term I will be visiting classrooms to remind our students about our School Values and to teach assertive skills to our students to empower them to be proactive when dealing with bullies rather than just relying on adults. As outlined below the approach is called High Five.
What is High 5? It is an effective strategy to develop problem–solving strategies for our students. A whole school approach that can also eradicate bullying. It is a 5 step problem solving strategy that can be used in the classroom, in the playground and for perceived bullying incidents.
You can read more about High 5 by viewing the link below.
Suzanne Kot (Welfare Coordinator)
PARENTS AND FRIENDS (P&F) It was wonderful to see so many new and returning parents attend the first meeting of the Parents and Friends group last week. If you still wish to join Parents and Friends but missed the meeting, please see Georgeina at the office or email the school. New members are always welcome. A range of business was covered at the meeting including:
- The Parents and Friends Constitution that we are required to follow as a Department association.
- The future nomination and election of office bearers and the payment of membership fees for 2018.
- The variety of ways that volunteers can assist on P&F.
- The fundraising schedule for the first half of the year.
- Accessing and acknowledging donations to our school.
This year we are required to elect office bearers (president, secretary and treasurer) and all members are required to pay an annual membership fee of $1.00. Could I please ask that all parents and friends who wish to become P&F members please pay their $1.00 membership at the school office as soon as possible.
An outline of the office bearer positions and the nomination form will be included in the newsletter in the coming weeks.
The VPS Parents and Friends Constitution can be found below. It outlines the aims and objective of the P&F, membership and fees as well as a range of processes and procedures to be followed.
INFORMATION NIGHT FEEDBACK Thank you to the many parents who attended the Information Night last Thursday evening. If you couldn’t make it, hopefully you have received the information from the appropriate year levels in a brochure or through Compass. After making some changes to the way the evening was presented, we invite parents to provide feedback via a survey link at the bottom of this newsletter.
Have a great week,
Mrs Nicholls
Term Expenses (excursions and activities) and Consents Term one expenses are currently published on Compass, if you have not already paid them can you please do so before Monday 19th February, 2018.
Term expenses are paid on Compass via Course Confirmation/Payments and consent for excursions/activities are via the Event link. All items that require action are shaded on your homepage under ‘My News’ and an email is sent when term expenses are put on Compass ready to be paid.
If we do not have payment and consent by the due date unfortunately your child/ren will be unable to attend excursions/activities. The office staff will no longer be phoning on the day of an event to chase payment or consent. If you have paid your term expenses but not provided consent, your child will be unable to attend and no refund will be provided. All activities planned for the term are part of the school curriculum and therefore it is expected that all children attend. If you are experiencing any difficulty paying term expenses, please see me.
Yours sincerely,
Lucy Addati, Business Manager
From the School Council President Last Thursday the 2017 VPS Council met for the last time. As part of the meeting, Council received two presentations from companies relating to the proposed resurfacing of the large asphalt area between the gym and north classroom wing. Following significant discussion, Council has decided to proceed with a proposal from Tiger Turf. Tiger Turf has extensive experience in laying synthetic surfaces within schools, was able to provide many examples of local projects and provide guarantees their product is safe, cost effective and will meet the needs of our school.
The decision to proceed with this project was not a decision that was taken lightly. Over the past 12-18 months Council has had extensive discussions regarding this project, visited local schools to view examples of synthetic surfaces and closely reviewed school fundraising totals. Council is confident that the decision to proceed with this project is the right one for the school and will ensure our children have a safe and fun play surface for many years to come.
Further discussions with Tiger Turf are underway to determine resurfacing dates. It is anticipated that the resurfacing will occur this year, likely over a period of 2-3 weeks and coinciding with a school holiday period.
Getting to this point has required the hard work of many, especially those parents, teachers and staff that have spent many hours fundraising over the last couple of years. Council would like to say a big thank you to all involved.
It is our pleasure to introduce Taryn, the new Coordinator at Viewbank OSHClub. Taryn has recently moved to Melbourne after working in many different vacation care environments interstate.
Taryn has a teaching background and is looking forward to becoming apart of the Viewbank OSHClub team.
We have also had a few changes to our OSHClub space. We now have a quiet library area for our avid readers and have moved the dolls house/play kitchen as it is a popular play area. The children have already given us really positive feedback and love how much space they have.
This week at OSHClub there are a variety of activities, some of these include: making slime, playing cricket, hand painting, origami, playing soccer and many more.
If you are interested, come and introduce yourself and check out our awesome OSHClub space, our door is always open.
We are all looking forward to meeting you.
Thanks,
Taryn, Coordinator OSHClub Viewbank
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM Welcome back to all returning music students and to new students! I hope everyone had a lovely break and a great start to the year. 2018 offers many wonderful opportunities for those students who would like to learn an instrument. Viewbank Primary School offers tuition in the following musical instruments: Flute – Guitar – Ukulele - Drum Kit – Violin – Cello – Piano - Keyboard and Vocals.
All instrumental tuition is offered to students from grades 2 to 6, except for strings, which is offered from Foundation to Grade 6.
Further information and Expression of Interest forms are available at the general office. Alternatively, forms can be downloaded via the school website.
Please return completed forms to the school office ASAP.
STRINGS There are a few places available for cello and violin. These fill quickly! Tuesday classes will now be taking place in the 2nd Instrumental Room.
KEYBOARD - PIANO: LATEST UPDATE We would like to welcome Ella Blackburn, our new keyboard and piano teacher, to the Instrumental Music Program at Viewbank! Lessons will take place on Mondays and Fridays. Mondays: Instrumental Room 1 and Fridays: Instrumental Room 2
DRUM KIT There are a few places remaining for those students (Grades 2-6) interested in lessons. Places filling quickly.
GUITAR / UKULELE / FLUTE Students (Grades 2-6) interested in guitar, ukulele or flute lessons can contact James directly on 0425 730 643 or email jameshmac22@yahoo.com.au
SINGING: LATEST UPDATE Singing lessons will now be taking place on Tuesdays – Not Mondays – in the Instrumental Room. Lessons begin Tuesday 20th February. Students (Grades 2-6) interested in singing lessons can contact Gabriella directly on 0413 676 733 or email gabriella@the.inter.net.au
Singing lessons with Gabriella is a different program to the school choir. The choir (grades 2-6) is run by Kara Lane. Rehearsals take place from 8.30am in the Music Room Wednesday mornings.
Gabriella Favretto, Instrumental Music Coordinator 0413 676 733
Uniform Shop The uniform shop is open every Tuesday from 9am to 10am until Tuesday 20 March. You can also leave orders anytime at the school office and uniform will be sent home with your child.
Working Bee Our first Working Bee will be held on Saturday February 24th. We'd love to see you there! Please find more information regarding our Working Bee attached below.
Parents and Friends Save the Date — Friday 16 March, for Viewbank Primary School's Movie night! If anyone has access to an industrial popcorn machine we can use for the movie night, please contact the Office.
Special Lunch Day — Tuesday 27th February 2018. Please complete the below order form and return it to school with correct money (no change will be given) by Friday 24th February, 2018. Parent assistance is required on this day. If you are available to assist in any way can you please email your details to viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) The Government assisted ‘Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund’ provides payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports and excursions. Applications for the Governments ‘Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund’ can be accessed by filling out the form available on Compass, at the office or via the link below. To be eligible for this funding, you need to hold a current Pension or Health Care Card. Please note: as this funding is means tested, the Parent/Guardian MUST be the card holder, no Medical Health Care Cards in the student’s name will be accepted as it will be rejected by the CSEF system. Funds will be automatically allocated to the Term Expenses unless otherwise stated by the parent at the start of the year.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (SAKGP) This fortnight, the Year 3 and 4 students cooked the following recipes:
Year 3 — Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls, Leafy Salad
Year 4 — Chickpea & Lentil Burgers, Tomato Sauce, Tomato & Herb Quinoa Salad
A copy of these recipes can be obtained from the Information Wall at the School Office. Happy cooking!
Hats On From 1st September until 30th April school hats must be worn outside during all outside activities.
Coles Sports for Schools Vouchers Viewbank PS is taking part again in 2018! Vouchers can be dropped into the collection bin at our school office or at Coles Warringal Mall.
Congratulations to the following students:
Year 1 – Zara (F/1D), Nalani (1R), Cory (1K)
Year 2 – Keira (2N), Sienna (2M), Aarav & Harrison (2C), Isla (2B)
Year 3 – Gary (3/4F), Olivia (3B), Jesse & Ved (3G), Emma (3L)
Year 4 – Jacinta (4R), Israel (4C), Aidan (4N)
Year 5 – Ella (5C), Jenzel (5K), Liam (5T)
Year 6 – Lachlan (5/6B), Brooklyn (6A), Jenna (6G), Mason (6D)
Bullying & Cyberbullying
What is bullying? Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological aggressive behaviour by a person or group directed towards a less powerful person or group that is intended to cause harm, distress or fear.
What is not bullying? There are also some behaviours, which, although they might be unpleasant or distressing, are not bullying:
- mutual conflict — which involves a disagreement, but not an imbalance of power
- single-episode acts of nastiness or physical aggression, or aggression directed towards many different people, is not bullying
- social rejection or dislike is not bullying unless it involves deliberate and repeated attempts to cause distress, exclude or create dislike by others.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying using digital technologies including mobile phones, email and social media tools.
ADVICE FOR YOUR CHILD
Be an active bystander If you know someone is causing problems, tell them why they should stop. If you don’t feel safe to say something yourself, tell someone who can take action. Even if the person being treated badly isn’t your friend they don’t deserve to be the victim of lies and pranks.
Create the sort of place you want to be in - online and offline It’s great to have friends and to look forward to talking with them at school or online—keep it fun by respecting yourself and others. Protect your private information. Don’t use passwords that are obvious (eg your favourite singer’s name) or tell even your trusted friends—some things should not be shared.
Ongoing teasing and spreading rumours are not ‘jokes’ Some people are mean to get a laugh from other people or to try to make themselves feel more interesting or important. They try to get your support by saying that they didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s feelings. Being a real friend is having the confidence to say when you think something they are doing is not ok, and accepting it when someone tells you that your behaviour is not ok.
Information taken from Victorian Government's Bully Stoppers. To read more information visit: education.vic.gov.au/bullystoppers
Parent Information Evening We would love to hear your feedback on the way the Information Evening was run this year. You can access our survey via the link below.
