Thursday 2nd May - 2020 Foundation Information Night

Friday 3rd May - Mother's Day Stall

Tuesday 7th May - Parents and Friends AGM, 7pm

Friday 10th May - Second Hand Uniform Sale, 8:30am to 9am (To be held fortnightly)

Thursday 16th May - Special Hot Lunch Day - Order Now (orders close Monday 13th May)

Thursday 16th May - Cyber Safety Parent Session, 7pm

Saturday 18th May - Election Day Sausage Sizzle, Cake and Book Stalls

Monday 20th May - Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea, after assembly in the gym foyer

Tuesday 21st May - Education Week Open Day

Saturday 25th May - Education Week Open Morning

Saturday 25th May - Dolly's Disco Bingo, 7pm. Tickets now on sale.

Wednesday 26th June - 3 Way Conferences, 11am - 7pm

Thursday 8th August - The Resilience Project (students)

Monday 2nd September - The Resilience Project (parents)

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)

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)

STATE SWIMMING Congratulations to Jesse McLeod who placed 5th in Victoria in the 9/10 years backstroke event last week. An outstanding achievement!

NAPLAN Whilst NAPLAN testing is an annual event for our Grade 3 and 5 students, NAPLAN online is a first for our school as all schools in Victoria transition to the online platform over a three-year period, commencing in 2018. Patrick Walsh will outline in detail later in this newsletter the testing schedule for 2019. Writing will ‘kick us off’ on Tuesday, May 14.

2020 FOUNDATION INFORMATION NIGHT The Information Night for prospective families for 2020 is scheduled for TONIGHT Thursday, May 2, commencing at 6.30pm in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden room. The meeting is scheduled for an hour and will highlight the benefits of an education at our school.

THINK U KNOW We have arranged for a Cybersafety Parent Information Night on Thursday, May 16, commencing at 7pm in the School Library. More information will be provided as the date nears, but please mark it in your diary (or electronic calendar) so that you do not miss out. In preparation, please check out their webpages at https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/.

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

HOST FAMILIES REQUIRED Planning for our upcoming visit from the staff and students of Doan Thi Diem Primary School is well underway.

An important part of the experience, for the students, is getting to spend a night and a day with a host family.

We are currently looking for 7 or 8 host families who would accommodate two student visitors for the night of Friday June 7 and throughout Saturday June 8.

Host families would be required to pick the students up from school on the Friday afternoon between 3.30pm and 4.00pm and return the students to the Bell City Hotel between 6.30pm and 7.00pm on Saturday evening. We kindly ask that families take the visiting students out on Saturday to experience Australian culture and also provide them with dinner before returning them safely to the Bell City Hotel. Saturday family activities could include an AFL match (Carlton v Brisbane?) or other sporting event, a shopping adventure, a picnic at one of our parks, a trip to the Yarra Valley, a visit to Melbourne Zoo or the Melbourne Aquarium or whatever takes your fancy.

Host families are required to have a current Working With Children Check.

We also understand that families may not have two spare beds in their home so ‘sleepover’ style bedding (inflatable mattress, camp stretcher) is appropriate. To assist, the school does have numerous camp stretchers available for families to borrow.

We are certain that the home stay will be a highlight of their time with us.

A short information session for participating families will be held prior to their arrival date.

PLEASE let Bill or Gill know at your earliest convenience whether you might be able to help us with this – it would be greatly appreciated by all.

Thank you.

FIND MY SCHOOL WEBSITE The Department has launched a new website that visually represents all school zones throughout Victoria. Findmyschool.vic.gov.au will make it easier for parents to find their local neighbourhood school and locate other public school options.

Parents considering enrolling their children in public schools will, for the first time, be able to use findmyschool.vic.gov.au to identify their designated neighbourhood school from the residential address they provide.

The Viewbank Primary school zone online

Findmyschool.vic.gov.au shows every school zone across the state. The new website highlights the choice of public schools available to the Victorian community.

If your child is preparing to enter Year 7 and you want to know more about the public secondary school options in our area, or you know someone who is interested in enrolling at our school, try findmyschool.vic.gov.au

HOW TO USE THE FINDMYSCHOOL.VIC.GOV.AU WEBSITE

The website has been designed for simplicity.

1. Begin by visiting www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au
2. You can find a designated neighbourhood school by residential address OR searching using the name of a school.
3. The result will show:

• where the school is located within the zone and the residential address (if provided)
• information about the school, its region and a link to the school website.

4. To refine results to the type of school, select ‘Primary’ or ‘Secondary’. There is the option to filter results by year level for secondary schools.

To start a new search, simply replace the address or school name.

The website also includes a link to the School Zones page on the Department’s website for more information. This includes the list of frequently asked questions.

NOTE: If a property is intersected by a school zone line, the child residing at that property has the right to attend the school in either zone.

Have a great week everyone

Gill Nicholls

School Values Currently, Viewbank Primary School has the following school values:

1. Respect
2. Responsibility
3. Honesty and Trustworthiness
4. Doing Your Best

Australian Values were at the forefront of the John Howard led Liberal government agenda in the mid-2000s, and schools were expected to adopt core values that represented what it means to be Australian, values that also reflected expectations as a member of the Viewbank Primary School community. While we believe the current school values have served us well, the world we live in has changed and what we value as a community may have changed. That said, there is no reason why the current school values can’t be chosen again. Your feedback is vitally important to ensure the school priorities are aligned with community expectations.

The process for reviewing our school values will be as follows:

• All students in Grades 4-6 will have the opportunity to select 3-4 school values
• All staff will have the opportunity to select 3-4 school values
• 2 workshops to look at our values will be offered to parents, one at 2:45-3:30pm (some Grade 5 and/or 6 students may be involved in this session) and another at 6-6:45pm. The day and date will be confirmed
• A final list of values (approximately 10) will be provided to all staff and parents via an online survey for you to vote on and provide feedback
• The results of each step of the process will be discussed with staff and at School Council
• A final list of 3-4 values will be endorsed by School Council and communicated to the community via the Viewbank Voice.

It is likely that this process will take most of the year to complete.

There will also be an opportunity for you to have input into our school mission/purpose statement.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) - Essential Feature 1 Essential Feature 1 (EF1) is primarily concerned with ensuring there is a common language around behaviour expectations, a school vision (mission statement) and clearly stated school values (see last week’s Viewbank Voice).

We are looking to include in our school vision, a statement that:

• should incorporate academic and behavioural learning
• is stated positively
• focuses on all stakeholders and all settings in the school
• encompasses expectations
• is easy to remember and understand

As we move through the school values process, we will also be looking at our vision statement and purpose.

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) The 2019 NAPLAN assessment for Grades 3 and 5 are almost upon us. Viewbank Primary School will be completing these assessments between the 14th and 17th May. As you can see in the timetable below, the majority are ‘online’ with the Year 3 test being handwritten. 1000 schools are completing the assessments online this year, with all schools in Australia doing so from 2020 onwards.

Parent information regarding NAPLAN can be found here: https://nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support/ . If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me viewbankps@edumail.vic.gov.au

At this stage, the timetable for this will be as follows:

Tuesday 14th May

• Before recess Year 3 (paper) & Year 5 Writing (online)

Wednesday 15th May

• Before recess Year 3 Reading (online)
• After recess Year 5 Reading (online)

Thursday 16th May

• Before recess Year 5 Language Conventions (online)
• After recess Year 3 Language Conventions (online)

Friday 17th May

• Before recess Year 3 Numeracy (online)
• After recess Year 5 Numeracy (online)

There will also be some catch up sessions offered in the following week.

SWAN SONGS - Parent Support Group

Do you have a child that you are concerned about? Do you feel like you may be the only one? Do you feel like you need an opportunity to debrief with other parents who may have, or be still going through, the same thing without being judged? If so, the Viewbank Primary School SWAN SONGS parent support group may be for you.

SWAN SONGS stands for Students With Additional Needs - Share, Open-up, Natter, Gather, Support.

Your may have a child or children that you are concerned about their development and/or behaviour, or they may have been diagnosed with a medical or psychological problem. This is the group for you!

The group is for you to share your concerns, joys, supports available, share resources, discuss NDIS and other funding sources, and more.

This is a trial for Term 2. The meetings would be held at the Lower Plenty Hotel on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday 15th May 10-11am
• Tuesday 11th June 10-11am

If there is a need, we will look at organising times after school as well. From time to time, we may organise a guest speaker related to an issue the group would like information on.

I will attend most meetings, but generally not for the entirety of the meeting. I am hoping that my attendance will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about what is occurring in the school to support students who have challenges, or to pass on feedback.

There is no need to register your interest, just turn up on the 15th!

Have a great weekend everyone!

​

TERM 2 EXPENSES Term 2 Expenses are currently published on Compass and are now overdue.

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. We will also be running a parent Compass workshop early in Term 2.

CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund) is a government assisted fund which provides payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports and excursions ($125 per child). Applications for the Governments ‘CSEF Fund’ can be accessed by filling in the attached form and return to the office with a current Health Care card. To be eligible for this funding, you need to hold a current Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs 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 are paid to the school and will be automatically allocated to the Term Expenses unless otherwise stated by the parent at the start of the year.

Lucy Addati

Business Manger

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Foundation — Isaiah, Blake, Kate, Dominik & Whole Foundation Y Class

Year 1 — Angus, Tiana, Lauren & Harry

Year 2 — Whole Grade 2C Class, Whole Grade 2K Class, Ella & Lexi

Year 3 and 4 — Summer, Darcy, Ishara, Whole Grade 3B Class & Whole Grade 4B Class

Year 5 and 6 — Sasha, Will, Grace, Sam, Korey & Theodore

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE (Every second Friday) Next sale day is Friday 10th May, 8:30am -9am (Next to the music room). Jumpers with the school logo 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.

HOT LUNCH DAY - SAUSAGE IN BREAD - ORDER NOW

ELECTION DAY SAUSAGE SIZZLE, BAKE & SECOND HAND BOOK SALE

Your help is needed...

In conjunction with the Election polling day Viewbank Primary School will be running a fundraiser sausage sizzle, bake sale and second hand book sale on Saturday May 18th. All money raised at this event will go towards future school improvements such as the oval area renovation.

We are looking for some bakers that can help fill the bake stall with some delicious home baked goods. Home Baked goods can be any type of home baked goods, such as whole cakes, muffins, slices, biscuits etc. that are ready (paper plates, boxes, plastic bags) for sale either whole plates or smaller/individually packaged goods. Goods cannot contain ingredients that require refrigeration (ie. fresh cream), as these facilities are not available. All items will need to be labeled with ingredients.

We are also seeking donations of second hand books. The books need to be in good condition, no textbooks or encyclopedias or magazines.

Books and home baked goods can be dropped on Friday 17th May to SAKG room 8.30am-9.30am and 3pm-4.30pm (room next to old canteen).

We are also requiring volunteers to help with the organising of the goods on Friday 17th and people to man the cake stall, book stall and sausage sizzle on Saturday 18th.

If you are able to help in any way even an hour or two of your time or the donation of baked goods or books we would be very grateful for your support.

Election Day Volunteer Sign up - volunteersignup.org/BWED3

Bake Sale pre-register and additional information - https://forms.gle/kfPWdWcVrK9czeQj9

For any queries please contact Brooke - brooke@smoiled.com or or see the school office.

Thank you

P&F Committee

Mother’s Day Stall 2019 This year’s Mother’s Day Stall will be held on Friday 3rd of May, 2019. Children are asked to bring no more than $10.00 to purchase some quality goodies for their Mums, Grandparent, Aunties or Special person. Please remember to bring your money and a carry bag with you on the day. For this to run smoothly Parent helpers are required to assist with the setup, selling of gifts and packing up the stall which will run throughout the entire day…. so if you are available please contact Carol Seneca & Sarina Sherlock via email cazstar@optusnet.com.au (Mob: 0410 039 554)

Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea - Viewbank Primary School is hosting a Biggest Morning Tea to help raise vital funds for cancer research, prevention and support services. All welcome!! Monday 20th May, after assembly in the gym foyer.

Donations can also be made online to help the Cancer Council raise much needed funds that go towards vital cancer research, support services, prevention programs, and advocacy. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW

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.

DISCO BINGO Come join us for a fun night of Disco Bingo & help raise money for our major Oval upgrade.

Instead of numbers, Dolly will play well known tunes from all the era’s for you to mark off on your bingo sheet. There will be great songs from the 70’s, 80’s, pub rock, morning melodies & Top 40 that will have you dancing and singing the night away as you socialise with Viewbank families.

Come dressed in your coolest 80’s gear, or just come dressed as you are…………the night is about having fun, meeting new & old school parents & letting your hair down (kid free!)

There are whole tables of 10 available or just grab a friend or 2 & book together via trybooking & we’ll allocate you seating with your friends & other Parents from the same year level.

We have an amazing selection of Auction items too so Grab your tickets via the Trybooking link ASAP so you don’t miss out.

https://www.trybooking.com/BBXFE

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.

BRIGHT STAR KIDS PERSONALISED NAME PRODUCTS We've teamed up with Bright Star Kids to help us raise funds and to decrease the amount of lost property. When you buy anything from their range of personalised name labels and school supplies (or anything else in their store) 20% of it will come back to our group.

Please remember to link up our group "VIEWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL" in the Nominate a Fundraiser checkout section. Thanks for your support!

Visit their website: https://www.brightstarkids.com.au where you can buy directly from them and get it sent directly to your home.

ANZAC Assembly At last Wednesday’s special ANZAC assembly, Gabriella’s singing students and Miss Lane’s choir joined forces to give a powerful rendition of The Last ANZAC. We always receive wonderful feedback on both the performance and the song.

The Last ANZAC was written by Mick Travers and the song aims to perpetuate the memory of Alec Campbell, the last surviving ANZAC, who died in 2002.

After Alec experienced the tragedy of war, he hoped it could be avoided in the future. His favourite saying was “Peace at Home” and “Peace to the World”.

This song looks to a peaceful future in a changing world.

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

Nepal School Build During the April school holidays, I (Miss Boness), travelled to Nepal to volunteer in partnership with This World Exists (http://www.thisworldexists.org/mission) to assist in the rebuilding of a school in the village of Tanahun. In addition to this, we completed a trek in the Langtang area. The school we volunteered our time at and raised money for is called Sindhu Primary School. Sindhu is a school for students with a disability. Our group was the final group of volunteers to work on this project. Whilst there, we assisted with sanding, painting and landscaping and on completion saw 5 classrooms open to children of the Tanahun area. Collectively our group raised over $12,000. I would like to say a big thank you to those who supported me and helped raise funds to support education in Nepal. This is an experience I’ll never forget. Here are some photos from the project:

BOOK CLUB catalogues have been sent home this week. All orders are due by Friday 10th of May. Every dollar you spend earns points to buy more books for the Library. Thank you for your support.

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