Friday 13th September - Foundation to Year 2 Cross Country
Tuesday 17th September - Walkathon Fundraiser
Friday 20th September - JSC Footy Colours Day / Special Lunch Order Day ORDER NOW
Friday 18th October – Student Disco
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October - Vision Portraits
PUPIL FREE DAYS
- Monday December 16, 2019
- Tuesday January 28th, 2020
- Wednesday January 29th, 2020
- Two extra days yet to be confirmed in 2020
TERM DATES
- 2019 TERM 3: Monday 15th July - Friday 20th September (2:30pm finish)
- 2019 TERM 4: Monday 7th October - Friday 20th December (1:30pm finish)
- 2020 TERM 1: Tuesday 28th January - Teachers start (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 6: Canberra Camp (Mon 14May to Fri 18May 2020)
- 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)
SCHOOL PRODUCTION I’m sure you will agree with me that this year’s school production, VMTV, was an outstanding success and a wonderful showcase of the talents and abilities of all of our students. From the energy of ACDC and KISS to the wonderful innocence and cuteness of ‘When I’m 64’ the show captured a range of musical genres for all musical tastes and ages and was choreographed and arranged with precision. More than 1400 people attended over the two days and nights, with matinee and evening sessions on Thursday and Friday. Again, special recognition is due to Renee Davey and Jen Hall, the creative geniuses behind the show, and to Kathryn Harvey who worked tirelessly backstage at each performance and in costume design and creation over many months. Without the support of all staff members, of course, none of this could have happened so ‘hats off’ to all too numerous to name. Thank you for all of the emails and words of commendation after the shows as well – you have no idea how much they mean to us all.
DIVISIONAL ATHLETICS Our very best wishes and good luck goes to all 18 competitors as they journey out to the Meadowglen Athletics track next Wednesday, September 18, for the Divisional Athletics Championships. These serve as the qualifiers for Regional Athletics next term.
WALKATHON The annual walkathon to raise money for a targeted initiative (the oval redevelopment, in this instance) is set down to take place on Tuesday, September 17. Please come along to help out or to cheer the students on if you can make it – the kids would appreciate it.
SCHOOL COUNCIL A reminder that the September meeting of School Council is scheduled for 7pm on Thursday, September 19 in the staffroom.
STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Congratulations to Lachlan Deane (Grade 6) who is one member of a thirty five strong Victorian State Schools Choir singing at this weekend’s State Schools Spectacular at Melbourne Arena. This is a great honour and well deserved, Lachlan, and we know he will sing and perform beautifully. Interestingly, two ex-students, Nichola Ingvarson and Jack Carter have major singing and performance roles in this year’s performances and we wish them all the best as well.
That’s it from me for this week.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
ICAS UNSW ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENTS Just a reminder that the ICAS English and Mathematics assessments for registered students in Years 2-6 will be held next week. The English assessment will be conducted on Monday 16th September and the Mathematics assessment will be conducted on Thursday 19th September. Mr Kersing and Mrs Nicholls will supervise the online tests.
LOST PROPERTY Please check the purple lost property bin in the Year 3 breezeway for any uniform items your child may have misplaced this term. Named items will be returned where possible but please assist us by checking for missing or unnamed items yourself.
ASSISTING YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING
Creating a literacy-rich home Creating a literacy-rich home gives your child every opportunity to engage in reading, writing, speaking and listening. This kind of environment encourages your child to see these skills as an important and normal part of every day.
Here are some tips to create a literate home:
- Books. Lots of books. With lots of books your child will see reading as a normal activity and will always have something new to read.
- Create a language-rich bedroom and home for your child, with alphabet and word posters, and labels.
- Organise a bookshelf to display your child’s books.
- Create a comfortable space for your child to read, perhaps with cushions and blankets, to encourage your child to see reading as a relaxing and fun activity.
- Provide writing materials and a writing desk. Having different pens and pencils, and a place to write, encourages your child to write more often. Creating a special ‘writing box’ to store your child’s pens and pencils helps your child see writing as an important activity.
- Collect props for imaginative play, and materials for craft projects. These can form the basis for practising speaking and writing.
- Set aside a time each week for ‘family reading time’ when every family member is reading, either individually or together.
- Regularly discuss what your child is reading or writing.
- Very importantly, read yourself. One of the most important ways to get your child reading is to model reading for your child. Children are encouraged to read – and to see reading as a normal part of the day – if they see their parents reading often. Siblings, grandparents, and other relevant persons in a child’s life can also be reading role models.
Have a great week
Mrs Nicholls
School Values Update Thank you to everyone who cast a vote for the School Values Survey. The results have been tallied and will be presented to School Council next week.
NAPLAN Results The 2019 National Assessment Program – Literacy And Numeracy (NAPLAN) results have been published. The parents of the Year 3 and Year 5 students who participated in the tests will be receiving an envelope in the coming days with their child’s results. It is important to understand that these results are a ‘snap shot’ in time in 5 specific areas, your child’s teacher is always the best resource for you to access to know exactly where your child is ‘at’ academically. We were also a school that experienced difficulties with the NAPLAN Online platform, switching completely to paper tests on day 2 of the assessment period.
We need to remember that, while NAPLAN is important, Viewbank Primary School offers so much to those who are not as academically minded in areas that are not directly linked to a NAPLAN outcome with opportunities available in the Performing Arts, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, Hooptime Basketball, visits to local kinders and retirement homes, Choir, Running Club, Chess Club, Coding Club, Creative Club, Instrumental Music to name just a few….
If you would like more information about individual student reports, please click the following link:
Parent Tips This week, I have a number of resources available from The Resilience Project.
- Web: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resiliencep/
- Instagram: @theresilienceproject
- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-imperfects/id1476501557
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theresilienceproject.android
- App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-resilience-project/id1299575189?mt=8
- Martin and Hugh’s presentation slides: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/presentation-slides/
Have a great weekend everyone!
Patrick
Save the Dates!
- Friday 20th September – Footy Colours / Pie Day - Order Now
- Friday 18th October – Student Disco
- Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October - Vision Portraits
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.
VMTV Concert Viewbank students and staff revved their “Ren-Jens” for a well-oiled, smooth, yet exhilarating performance at the VMTV School Concert. And what a ride it was! Listening to all those boppy tunes made it difficult for me to keep still on my seat! Congratulations to all students involved, I was blown away by the talent. Special shout out to all my singing students, who sang beautifully. There were a few nerves backstage, but once students were on stage, it was all systems go! Give yourselves a pat on the back and be proud.
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
Foundation — Shun, Kaiah, Whole Foundation R Class, Whole Foundation Y Class
Year 1 & 2 — Whole Grade 1D Class, Thejas, Whole Grade 2C Class, Whole Grade 2K Class
Year 3 & 4 — Owen, Pippa, Cara, Whole Grade 4N Class
Year 5 & 6 — Lucas, Whole Grade 5M Class, Avah, Ashleigh, Adrian
We are currently looking for a volunteer to coordinate the Walk To School program for our school. If you are interested in this role can you please email the school. viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Foundation Fire Brigade Classroom Incursion - Fire Truck Visit (12th September, 2019)
Thank you to Greensborough Toyworld for the donation of Footy books!
Psychology service for students at Viewbank Primary School This is just a reminder about our new psychology service that may be of use to you - DBT in Schools.
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
If you would like any more information and may like to access this service, please contact the school (9459 1512) or send an email to viewbank.ps@edumail.vic.gov.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!
The program is scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Of course, volunteers are essential to the success of the program, so we are always looking for anybody willing to work with a small group, in the kitchen or garden. You do not need to be a ‘masterchef’ or have a green thumb! Enthusiasm is the only requirement. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the Volunteer Information form and return it to the school office. Once you have completed the form please book in to volunteer via one of the program staff.