Friday 21st December - 1:30pm finish
Tuesday 29th January - Teaching staff return
Thursday 31st January - All students return to school
Tuesday 12th February - 2019 School Photos
Saturday 4th May - Parent Fundraising Event - Disco Bingo (Save the date).
TERM DATES
- 2018 TERM 4: Monday 8th October - Friday 21st December (1:30pm finish)
- 2019 TERM 1: Tuesday 29th January (All students start on Thursday 31st January) - Friday 5th April (2:30pm finish)
- 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)
CAMP DATES
- Year 3: Arrabri Lodge Camp (Mon 05Aug to Wed 07Aug)
- Year 4: Anglesea Recreation Camp (Mon 03Jun to Wed 05Jun)
- Year 5: Lady Northcote Recreation Camp (Tue 08Oct to Fri 11Oct)
- Year 6: Canberra Camp (Mon 27May to Fri 31May)
GRADUATION Tuesday night’s graduation was a wonderful occasion and a great celebration of the end of primary school for our 84 Grade 6 students. This was the first occasion that we have used Viewbank College’s Performing Arts Centre for such an occasion, and it was a beautiful setting and a fitting one as 75 of our graduates head there next year. Many thanks to Viewbank College for making this available to us, and especially to Principal Judith Craze. As many will be aware, Judith is retiring tomorrow after 37 years in education and on behalf of our school I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her on a wonderful career and wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement.
STAFFING I am happy to announce that Sharon Groves has been appointed to the vacant classroom teaching position for 2019. Sharon will be teaching Grade 5/6G, and based on extensive CRT work at our school this year, she is already a hit with staff and students!!
SUMMER BREAK Over the summer break, there will be much activity at school with watering of gardens, gutters being cleared, windows cleaned, air conditioners installed, carpets replaced, toilets renovated and the school cleaners at work. All of these activities will tend to take place during normal school hours, but if you see any unusual activity, please don’t hesitate to call Heidelberg Police on 9450 8000.
FINAL ASSEMBLY AND DISMISSAL We dismiss for the end of the school year at 1.30pm tomorrow, December 21. Our final assembly commences at 1.05pm. The choir will be singing a few songs, and there will be a few farewells for staff and students. The assembly concludes with our graduating students singing ‘All Stars’ and leaving through a guard of honour. We hope you can make it.
THANK YOU I would like, in closing, to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their efforts in 2018 and for making Viewbank PS the school that it is. To the staff, thank you for your tireless commitment and professionalism throughout the year. To Bec Andrew (nee Gurney), all the best as your career takes you to Geelong East. To Emma Dove, best wishes on the impending birth of your first child. To Ruth Panaccio, we wish you a restful and enjoyable year as you take leave for all of 2019. All of you will be missed, but you know you are all welcome back at any time for a visit and a catch up. To our students, it is always a joy to teach and guide you, to see you grow, to share in your highs and help with your lows. A special farewell and best wishes to our graduating grade 6 students - we will miss you. To our parents and guardians thank you for your support in so many ways. Best wishes to all for the festive season.
Kind regards,
Bill Kersing
Principal
YEAR IN REVIEW - THANK YOU!
As the year draws to a close, it is the perfect time to reflect, celebrate and think towards 2019.
This year has certainly had many highlights including our School Dance at La Trobe, our Family Maths and Science nights, the JSC fundraising days and special lunch days, our midyear Three Way Conferences and a range of camping experiences and excursions the students have experienced. Inquiry learning has provided many amazing ‘finding out’ experiences and there has been a variety of positive actions including the Year 6 market day, the Foundation kindness rock garden and the Year 1 garden planting and continued development of the Pocket Park to name a few.
There has also been many academic, sporting, arts, chess and student leadership activities and achievements that we have been able to proudly celebrate throughout the year.
Recently, we have had special events to acknowledge the contributions of our parent helpers, School Council and Parent and Friends. Earlier this week we celebrated the wonderful achievements of our graduating Year 6 students at Viewbank College. And this week across the school there have been a range of end of year student activities and class parties to celebrate 2018.
All of these wonderful achievements and events could not possibly occur without the contributions and support from our Viewbank school community – staff, students, parents, carers and local community members.
So, thank you for helping to make 2018 a year to be proud of.
I wish each of our families has a safe and relaxing holiday period and I look forward to a busy and successful 2019.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year,
Gill Nicholls
I can't believe that I have been at Viewbank Primary School for only a term - so much has happened in a short time. The students, parents and staff have been incredibly understanding and supportive since I began here in October - thank you!
Congratulations to our Class of 2018, I hope you take the opportunities that are presented to you, and you explore them as much as possible - you never know where you may end up!
I hope you have a happy and safe break (particularly if spending time on the roads), and you return to school refreshed and ready to go for another year!
Merry Christmas!
Regards,
Patrick Walsh
2019 SCHOOL CHARGERS Payments can be made via Compass online from Saturday 22 December 2018 and are due by Monday 28 January 2019. Please be advised there are alternative payment options for families who may be experiencing financial hardship or who would prefer a regular payment plan. Please contact me if you wish to discuss these arrangements.
Regards
Lucy Addati
Business Manager
2018 VIEWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Congratulations to the following winners
- 1st PRIZE - $100 Coles Myer gift card & $60 Cadbury pack - Emily Powell (1R)
- 2nd PRIZE - $50 Coles Myer gift card & $60 Cadbury pack - Watt Family (FE)
- 3rd PRIZE - $30 Coles Myer gift card & $60 Cadbury pack - Lachlan White (5/6B)
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.
MERRY CHRISTMAS ON BEHALF OF ALL THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STAFF! Students have worked beautifully this year and have achieved wonderful results! Make the most of the school holidays by practicing your instruments. Perhaps you can even give a little Christmas performance for the family ;) We look forward to seeing most of you in 2019! We wish the grade 6 students all the best for High School and congratulate you on a super start to your instrumental music education!
Students interested in learning an instrument in 2019 can do one of the following:
- Contact Gabriella on 0413 676 733 or favrettogab@gmail.com
- Pick up an expression of interest form from the office.
- Keyboard/Piano – contact Ella ellac.blackburn@gmail.com
- Guitar/Ukulele/Flute – contact James jameshmac22@yahoo.com.au
STEM Space! Next year, the Science room will be relocated and transformed into a STEM Space! We will be exploring science in an integrated way with technology, design, engineering and maths approaches. We would love it if, over the holidays, you collected materials like plastic bottle tops and cardboard rolls (no toilet paper rolls though). We'd also love any donations of Lego, especially the large base plates.
Much appreciated,
Your 2019 STEM teachers,
Mrs Carr and Mrs Roccasalva
LOST PROPERTY As the year draws to a close, please find the time to come and see if there is any lost property that belongs to your child/ren. Lost property is stored in the wheelie bins in the breezeway of the office building. There are many un-named jumpers in lost property at the moment and unless claimed, they will be washed and resold at our next second hand uniform sale early in 2019. We will endeavour to return all named items of clothing before the end of term.
We have been collecting summer pyjamas and children’s toiletries for Big Group Hug. Within one week we filled our donations bin thanks to the generosity of our Viewbank Families. You can see just some of our fabulous donations in the photo. We will continue to collect until the end of the year so if you haven’t had time to donate yet, the donations bin is in room 18. Thank you for your ongoing support.'
SCHOOL BANKING The last day of school banking REWARDS order is 30 Nov 2018. Students that have 10 tokens can order their rewards by 30 Nov 2018. Ps: Secret Scratch Notepad is out of stock
HATS ON From 1st September until 30th April school hats must be worn outside during all outside activities.
RUNNING GROUP Every Thursday from 8:15am on the oval, for any students in years 3-6. All abilities welcome. Pack a spare pair of socks/shoes in case the oval is damp. Hope to see you there!
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
All Big Group Hug donations can be left in the Grade 3/4F classroom.