PUPIL FREE DAYS

• Monday 1st November

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 - Wednesday 8th August to Friday 10th August
• Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp - Monday 18th May to Wednesday 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

STAGED RETURN TO SCHOOL It was lovely to see the joy on faces as our Foundation and Grade 1 and 2 students returned to onsite learning this week – and those faces were not only those of the students!!! Thank you to everyone for adapting quickly to the shifting landscape on rules, and time frames. For tomorrow (Friday) and all of next week, the timetable for face to face learning is as follows:-

• Friday, October 22 Grades 1,2,5 and 6
• Monday, October 25 Foundation
• Tuesday, October 26 Foundation, Grades 3 and 4
• Wednesday, October 27 Foundation, Grades 3 and 4
• Thursday, October 28 Grades 1,2,5 and 6
• Friday, October 29 Grades 1, 2, 5 and 6

The process for approved onsite supervision for students in other grade levels (primarily because parents are Authorised Workers) will continue with an application form emailed to families this Thursday, for return to me by 4pm on Saturday afternoon (October 23).

DISMISSAL TIMES AND GATES One of the directives of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, and therefore the Department of Education and Training is to continue to avoid congestion around schools especially during arrival times in the mornings and departure times in the afternoons. We have managed this in previous lockdowns by dismissing younger students (Grades Foundation to 2) earlier and all grades through different exit gates. Whilst we are in this phase of a staged return, ALL children will be dismissed at 3.30pm when on site for face-to-face learning.

For the next two weeks until we are all back on site for face to face teaching (Friday, November 5), the following arrangements will be in place:-

Arrival

• The top gate on Nevin Parade, and gates on Winston Road and Lascelles Avenue will be open in the morning from 8.45am and will be locked by 9.15am. Students may enter from any gate. Parents are not permitted on site.

Departure

• Foundation students will leave via the gates on Winston Road after being collected from the Tiger Turf – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents will be asked to walk in the double gates near FY and exit via the Winston Rd gate.
• Grade 1 students will leave via the ramp on Lascelles Avenue- Thursday and Friday.
• Grade 2 students will leave via Gate 1 on Nevin Parade (the main gate) – Thursday and Friday. This is a CHANGE.
• Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 will leave via the double gates leading on to the oval (plenty of space to wait there)
• All OTHER students approved for onsite learning because their parents are Authorised Workers will continue to leave via the gate near the turning circle on Nevin Parade.

All students will finish their days at 3.30pm until further notice.

FACE MASK DIRECTIONS To support the staged return of schools to onsite learning under the Roadmap, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has announced new directions in relation to mask wearing for primary school students.

These new changes came into effect from 18 October 2021 in regional and metropolitan primary schools.

• Face masks are now be mandatory for all school students in Grade 3 and above when indoors including at Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) programs unless a lawful exception applies. Face masks can be removed while outdoors at primary schools.
• Face masks are required for students in Grade 3 to Grade 6 unless an exception applies. Exceptions include students with a physical or mental disability where their disability means it would not be suitable. Parent/carers of a student/s who meet the criteria for an exception must provide their approval in writing for their child/ren to not wear a mask to the school.

Please email viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au outlining that criteria and seeking approval or preferably phone the school (9459 1512) to speak with me regarding possible exemptions.

PUPIL FREE DAY A reminder that Monday, November 1, has been approved by School Council as a pupil free day for the purposes of report writing for staff. Due to some major works being completed over the weekend and the first two days of ‘Cup Week’ (a significant power upgrade to the school), the OSH Club will not be able to provide child care on that Monday at our site. Please contact OSHClub for the alternative venues.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR GRADE PLACEMENTS 2022 Each year at this time, we seek input from families with regards to the placement of students into classes for the following year (if that is necessary). We do recognise that that there might be some limited circumstances initiating a parental grade request, but please think carefully about this and if you really do feel a need to inform us of these circumstances then do let us know.

At this stage, we have not assigned teachers to grade levels for next year, and in fact still need to select a few teachers to fill those roles next year. There are no guarantees that teachers currently teaching at certain grade levels will be teaching there next year, as leadership needs to take into consideration a range of factors including the development of our teaching staff and teacher preferences before this allocation is completed. We have also not settled on a grade structure for 2022, with the possibility of one or two composite classes in the Grade 3 to 6 area of the school to keep class numbers down. Having said that, if there are special circumstances that we need to know about, you are welcome to let us know of these. Such special circumstances might include but are not limited to health, emotional or learning matters, peer or sibling relationships or changes in the home situation. Selecting a particular teacher does not fit within the realm of special circumstances, and if your request includes that information it will be denied. Information requiring our consideration needs to be addressed to ‘The Principal’ and emailed to the office by Friday, November 12. Please title the email “CONFIDENTIAL – GRADE REQUEST’. Please note that emails received after this date will NOT be accepted.

INTENTION TO LEAVE As mentioned last week, it would be extremely helpful to us that if any family intending to leave our school community in 2022 because of relocation or other reason, advises us as soon as possible. A phone call to the office, or an email to the school or my email account asap would be most appreciated. Thank you to those who have already done this.

REMOTE LEARNING AFTER NOVEMBER 5 You will be aware that the current Roadmap (subject to change) sees all staff back on site from October 25 and all students back on site for face-to-face learning from Friday, November 5. Please note that we will continue to offer remote learning during the staged return for grades on days that they are NOT eligible to be on site.

If a family makes a decision to NOT send their child or children to school after that date, families should mark their children as absent – parent choice, on COMPASS. We cannot offer remote learning after that date as teachers will be returning to normal face to face instruction, and cannot run two programs.

I hope everyone has an especially wonderful weekend with greater ‘freedoms’ to enjoy. Expecting to see lots of haircuts in upcoming days!!

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

It was wonderful to welcome back many of our students and more of our staff this week.

To hear laughter, excited chatter and greetings being called to others as well as seeing the playgrounds busy bought a very big smile to my face and a feeling of hope as we move out of lockdown. Although we are not yet ready to open the gates to our families, it has certainly been lovely to see so many of you at the gate for a quick greeting.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Help us celebrate World Teachers' Day next Friday 29 October. This year, our teachers have continued to show their resilience, leadership and adaptability throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our teachers have adapted their learning environments and supported their students and school communities, whilst demonstrating commitment, compassion, patience and expertise.

World Teachers' Day 2021 is an opportunity to celebrate our amazing teachers who are making, or have made, an impact on our lives. I encourage families to get busy over the coming week and think about how to best show their appreciation of our Viewbank teachers. You may like to try one of the ideas below.

Easy ways to thank a teacher on World Teachers’ Day

1. Thank you note/drawing - A short note, email or drawing from you or your child will be sure to make any teacher smile. Try thinking of something the teacher might have done recently to make it more personal.
2. Personalised card - A personalised card/digital card is another easy and thoughtful way to say thanks. Click here to find some World Teachers’ Day thank you cards to decorate and add your note to.
3. Badges - Click here to check out the badge templates and choose a badge for a teacher. Or if your child is learning remotely, use them as virtual stickers to copy into the online learning space for a virtual and easy thank you on the day.
4. Send an email to the teacher/school - viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au
5. Give a virtual ‘happy’ apple

We’re aiming to share a million virtual apples with teachers to let them know they’re appreciated. Visit worldteachersday.edu.au from 14 October to add some virtual apples to our collection as a super easy way to say thanks.

At Viewbank, we are proud to celebrate being part of teaching and its bright future.

Please take the time to say ‘thank you’ to your child’s teacher.

The RCH COVID-19 and Kids Resource Hub brings together the latest research and evidence-based resources on COVID-19 and kids. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children and families. This Hub brings together the latest research and evidence-based resources on COVID-19 and children from the Centre for Community Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. It compiles emerging evidence in a range of formats that examine the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19, and provide tips for keeping children and families mentally and physically healthy during and beyond the pandemic.

Day For Daniel - Friday 29th October On Friday, 29th October, we are participating in ‘Day For Daniel’ (see https://danielmorcombefoundation.com.au/day-for-daniel )

As we have done for the last few years, Viewbank Primary School will be participating in Day for Daniel. The Day for Daniel is a National Day of Action to raise awareness of child safety, protection and harm prevention. It is about educating children and adults about keeping kids safe through child safety and protection initiatives. It aims to help empower our children to Recognise, React and Report if they feel something is not right.

We are encouraging all students to wear something red on Friday 29th October, whether they are at school or learning remotely at home.

You may give a gold coin donation or if you would like to donate, please go to https://danielmorcombe.com.au/donate and donate directly to the foundation.

We will be watching Australia’s Largest Child Safety Lesson, something that approximately 4000 schools and Early Childhood Centres will be doing as well. You can find more information about Day for Daniel at https://danielmorcombefoundation.com.au

Have a wonderful week,

Gill

Remote Learning: Limited Access

Access to school grounds is limited to:

• school staff
• students attending on-site learning
• contractors, including cleaners and maintenance workers
• outside-school-hours-care (OHSC) staff, enrolled children and their families.

If you need to collect or drop off anything at the school please call the office and a staff member will meet you at the main gate (Gate 1) on Nevin Parade.

Thank you for your understanding and stay safe.

Lucy Addati

Business Manager

Bakery Lunch Orders - Every Second Thursday - Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, these lunches have been cancelled until further notice.

Lower Plenty Bakehouse will be to providing the school with fundraising Lunch Orders every second Thursday. 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.

Due to COVID-19 Guidelines, these lunches have been cancelled until further notice.

CLASSROOM CUISINE provides lunch orders to our school on a MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAYS.

Lunches must be ordered online using the CLASSROOM CUISINE website.

Extra Curricula Clubs We have a range of weekly extra curricula activities that students are invited to participate in. Some are free and others require parent payment. If your child wishes to join please encourage them to go along on the scheduled day or you may like to contact the school office or the classroom teacher to discuss participation.

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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.

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 WITH MR CAI - Gabriella

• Email: favrettogab@gmail.com
• Phone: 0413 676 733

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

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