Wednesday 26th June - Variation to School Hours Day, Student-led three-way conferences
Monday 15th July - First Day of Term 3
Thursday 8th August - The Resilience Project (students)
Monday 2nd September - The Resilience Project (parents)
Thursday 5th September - School Production VMTV (matinee and evening)
Friday 6th September - School Production VMTV (matinee and evening)
PUPIL FREE DAYS
- Monday December 16, 2019
- One extra day yet to be confirmed in 2019
- Tuesday January 28th, 2020
- Wednesday January 29th, 2020
- Two extra days yet to be confirmed in 2020
TERM DATES
- 2019 TERM 2: Tuesday 23rd April - Friday 28th June (2:30pm finish)
- 2019 TERM 3: Monday 15th July - Friday 20th September (2:30pm finish)
- 2019 TERM 4: Monday 7th October - Thursday 20th December (1:30pm finish)
- 2020 TERM 1: Tuesday 28th January (All students start Thursday 30th January) - Friday 27th March (2:30pm finish)
- 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 Camp (Mon 05Aug to Wed 07Aug 2019)
- Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp (Tue 08Oct to Fri 11Oct 2019)
- Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp (Wed 27May to Wed 29May 2020)
- Year 3: Arrabri Lodge Camp (Mon 27July to Wed 29July 2020)
- Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp (Tue 06Oct to Fri 09Oct 2020)
FINAL ASSEMBLY AND DISMISSAL The final assembly for the term will commence at 2pm tomorrow. Featured will be Mr Cai’s strings ensemble and Ms Lane’s Choir with both groups performing for your listening pleasure. Students will dismiss from assembly at 2.30pm. The first day of Term 3 is Monday, July 15.
TERM THREE HIGHLIGHTS Everyone is looking forward to the holidays and naturally, it is time to rest, relax and recharge. When Term 3 dawns, we will have a range of activities to look forward to, not least of which will be the School Production, VMTV, in early September. As well, we have planned a Family Life program for Grade 5, The Resilience Project for all students (and a parent night as well), the Grade 3 Camp to Arrabri Lodge in early August and lots more. As always, please check newsletters and our website, as well as Compass notifications, to keep informed.
STAFFING NEWS We welcome Dana Cohen to our school in Term 3. Dana is taking over teaching duties in Grade 3G, and we trust her stay with us will be long and productive. In addition, both Judy Course (Literacy Support) and Maralyn Lamb (EAL) are on leave for Term 3, and their roles will be filled by Lynne Thomas (Literacy Support) and Rachel Richardson (EAL).
HAPPY HOLIDAYS I hope everyone has a restful break, and by the time we return from the break, the days will be a tad longer! As always, if you see anything that looks suspicious around the school during the holidays, don’t hesitate to contact the police.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
ICAS UNSW ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENTS 2019 Each year we offer students from Year 2 to Year 6 the opportunity to participate in the UNSW ICAS Assessments in English and Mathematics.
This year there have been several changes with all tests being completed online by students as well as the parent payment for the tests being completed online.
ICAS Assessments are online assessments, designed to recognise and reward academic excellence.
The assessments are based on the curricula for the relevant year. Students are asked to demonstrate a deeper, integrated, and thorough level of learning. The ICAS Assessments series is designed to assess a students' ability to apply classroom learning in new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
To ensure an engaging and beneficial experience for all students, new ICAS assessments are developed annually for each subject in every year level.
Each participant receives a printed certificate of achievement. Students with the top score in each subject in each year level are also awarded a medal and a medal winner’s certificate at a presentation ceremony.
ICAS Test Dates at Viewbank Primary School
- English - Monday 16 September
- Mathematics – Thursday 19 September
Permission and Parent Payment System The cost of each ICAS assessment is $15.95. If you wish your child to participate please complete the online payment by WEDNESDAY 31 JULY as well as giving permission via Compass.
Visit www.unsw.global/parentpay and enter the unique access code for Viewbank Primary School: 5449b9ce44 to make a direct payment to UNSW Global.
Using the new ICAS Parent Payment System, parents will be able to make direct online payments for ICAS until the end of July 2019.
POLICY CONSULTATION AND FEEDBACK As part of the ongoing review process of school policies, I am this week inviting members of our school community to provide input into the review and update of the following policies-
Please email me any feedback or print off and alter a hard copy of the policy and return to the school office by Friday, 12 August.
Thank you for contributing to this valuable process.
Finally, have a safe and enjoyable holiday break and I look forward to seeing you in Term 3.
Mrs Nicholls
3 Way Conferences Thank you for your attendance at 3 Way Conferences with your child yesterday. The staff have worked extremely hard over the past few weeks to provide reports to you and to help prepare your child for the conferences. We are looking forward to a big second half of the year!
Recess and Lunch Break in Winter - Mud I am not telling any of you something you don’t know already – winter is here! Coupled with the cold this year has been something rather unusual over the past few years – rain! This has led to our oval being wet and soggy with not enough heat or wind to dry it out. When the oval is too muddy and has been rained on earlier in the day, we have kept the oval closed. However, even though the oval is closed, there are some students who just look at mud and somehow end up covered in it! Parents – you know your children and who I am talking about! We have a large number of students who love being on the oval – rain, hail or shine. These same students will at some stage fall over resulting in being covered in mud.
If you know that your child is one of those children who love being on the oval, or are one of those children who seem to get muddy without falling over, can you please help us out by having a spare set of clothes in your child’s bag – pants, shirt and jacket/jumper. If particularly bad, we will endeavour to contact you so you can bring a spare set of clothes, but it is not always possible for you to leave work or get here. Being wet and muddy in class is uncomfortable for your child. It would be preferable to have the spare set ready to go.
This is an interesting article I came across ‘Back to nature: Children reap benefits of braving the cold’ published in The Age newspaper at the following address https://www.theage.com.au/education/back-to-nature-children-reap-benefits-of-braving-the-cold-20190622-p520bj.html and is well worth a 2 minute read – being prepared for inclement weather conditions.
Psychology service for students at Viewbank Primary School We have had confirmation from DBT in Schools that this service will be starting early in Term 3.
Areas that DBT in Schools can help with (from http://dbtinschools.com.au/individual-therapy/):
- emotional stress such as depression and anxiety
- grief and sadness
- bullying
- sexuality issues
- substance abuse issues
- trauma
- family breakdown or parent problems, or
- friendship and relationship issues
Up to 10 (6 + 4) sessions are funded by Medicare, with sessions conducted discreetly at school during school hours.
If you would like any more information and may like to access this service, please call me (9459 1512) or send me an email at viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Have a great winter break! I hope you have a great holiday, and if you are out and about on the roads, stay safe! See you all next term.
CASH PAYMENTS MADE AT THE OFFICE As most payments are now made via Compass, we have very little cash to give as change when parents make cash payments at the office. Could you please endeavour to have the correct money when making payments at the office.
TERM 3 EXPENSES Term 3 Expenses will be published on Compass tomorrow afternoon and are due by Thursday 18th of July.
COMPASS If you have any questions about Compass, please do not hesitate to contact the office or refer to the Compass Parent Guide on your Compass Newsfeed.
Lucy Addati
Business Manger
Foundation — Angad, Harper, Manuel, Pippa & Whole Foundation Y Class
Year 1 — Darragh, Selene & Victoria
Year 2 — Samuel, Will & Whole Grade 2K Class
Year 3 and 4 — Ivy, Evie, Amelia, Clem, Lily, Harrison, Lammy, Olaine & Elizabeth
Year 5 and 6 — Alannah, Maddy, Jai, Rohan, Nancy & Whole 5M Class
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE (Every second Friday), 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.
Purchase your Entertainment Membership NOW to help Viewbank Primary School raise much needed funds!
Viewbank Primary School are again fundraising with the very popular Entertainment Book or Digital Membership. You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and help our fundraising at the same time. Hurry, Entertainment Memberships sell out quickly.
ICY POLE FRIDAY Students are able to buy icy poles over the counter at lunchtime. All icy poles cost $1.00 each. We are asking for parent helpers to assist with the sale of these icy poles on Fridays from 1pm to 1:30pm.
STRINGS, DRUM KIT, GUITAR, UKULELE, FLUTE, SINGING, KEYBOARD AND PIANO
Information and “Expression of Interest” forms are available at the general office. Alternatively, you may contact Gabriella on 0413 676 733 or gabriella@the.inter.net.au
HATS ON From 1st September until 30th April school hats must be worn outside during all outside activities.
SCHOOL BANKING Don’t forget to hand your bankbooks into your class teacher every Tuesday for banking.
RUNNING GROUP Every Thursday from 8:15am on the oval, for any students in years 4-6. All abilities welcome. Pack a spare pair of socks/shoes in case the oval is damp. Hope to see you there!
SCHOOL CHOIR Every Wednesdays, 8.30, in the Music room. Everyone from Year 2 to 6 are welcome!
Facility Hire Viewbank Primary School provides a venue for hire with kitchen facilities. Please submit a written application to the office, outlining the details of intended use via email at viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Please note that conditions do apply. At the discretion of the school, venue costs may also be waived in some instances. All applications will be considered on a case by case basis