PUPIL FREE DAYS

• Monday 2nd November, 2020

TERM DATES

• 2020 TERM 3: Monday 13th July - Friday 18th September (2:30pm finish)
• 2020 TERM 4: Monday 5th October - Friday 18th December (1:30pm finish)

BUILDING HANDOVER There was no bottle of champagne smashed against the side of the building, or any ribbon cutting, but simply quiet satisfaction this week when we officially signed off and took possession of our new classrooms. As mentioned previously, there are still a few final touches happening (installation of heating/cooling at the school’s expense being one of these), but those of us onsite concur that we very much love the final product! With case numbers continuing to trend downwards, we hope that our Grade 5 and 6 students will get to appreciate their new classrooms during Term 4.

WELLBEING WEDNESDAY Next Wednesday, September 2, has been earmarked as wellbeing Wednesday, with time for everyone to take a less frenetic approach to teaching and learning. Students will have a grid of activities to choose from on the day, but we will pause the daily webEx meetings and feedback on that day only. Classroom teachers will advise of arrangements prior to that day.

VICTORIAN STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR They say necessity is the mother of invention. This year’s State Schools Spectacular had been planned to showcase the musical and performing talents of thousands of Victorian school children at Rod Laver Arena with matinee and evening performances, and large audiences in attendance. Sadly, not to be. However, this year’s arena event will be replaced with a made-for-TV show not contingent on large gatherings of people. We have 15 of our senior students performing in this new format, with their dances pre-recorded separately in adherence to health and physical distancing guidelines and restrictions. The performances will be combined into a new-look show and televised. I congratulate our students for ‘staying the distance’, continuing to rehearse at home and playing a part in this venture and to their teacher, Renee Davey for supervising and coordinating everything. Details of when this production airs on television will be provided as they become available.

A brief piece from me this week. I trust and hope that everyone continues to keep well. Spring is literally just around the corner, and there’s lots of spring fragrances and increasing hope and optimism in the air!

Kind regards,

Bill Kersing

Principal

The Resilience Project – New Episode Callout I am sure many of you have been aware of GEM TV, a daily half hour session streamed over the past few weeks. Even if you have not seen the episodes, you may have heard your child in a slight ‘frenzy’ due to the antics of Martin Heppell (he introduced us to the The Resilience Project in 2019). A number of our students received a ‘shout out’ from Martin on the show, including music suggestions being provided to him and turned into a playlist! Unfortunately, Season 1 has concluded. But, Season 2 is about to begin and The Resilience Project is looking for your help!

From an email I received earlier this week:

“We would love your students' involvement in Season 2 of GEM TV. Here’s what you need to do;

• Watch and share Martin’s video - Click Here
• Ask your students to create their own videos capturing themselves practising GEM
• Submit their clips to education@theresilienceproject.com.au as soon as they can along with a signed media release form (attached)
• Tune in to season 2 of GEM TV from the 7th of September at 11am.”

If you choose to participate, you must provide the Media Release form directly to The Resilience Project. It will be an agreement between your family and The Resilience Project – please read all information carefully.

Social Media Site Of The Week Each week, for the next little while, I am going to share a social media / website of an organisation that may be of use to you (parents/guardians). Many of you will know these already, but it never hurts to have a reminder! Please note, as these will be external to Viewbank Primary School, we are not responsible for the content on their sites. Please use your discretion when viewing their information and advice.

This Week: Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria

• Website: https://www.adavic.org.au/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adavic.org.au/
• Twitter: @ADAVIC
• Instagram: @adavic_official

From: https://www.adavic.org.au/PG-adavic-about-us.aspx

“The Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria is a not-for-profit, self-funded organisation. We provide support, information and resources to individuals suffering from or affected by anxiety, depression, and related issues.

ADAVIC exists to:

• Reassure people that they are not alone in their distress and that assistance is available
• Provide a friendly and supportive environment where people can share their feelings and experiences with fellow sufferers
• Challenge and encourage people to overcome their fears and sense of isolation by providing support group meetings and group activities
• Provide low-cost and practical resources such as phone and email support, support groups, courses and workshops, lectures, and information kits
• Promote awareness, and de-stigmatise anxiety, depression, and related issues, in the general community”

Parent Webinars – Kids Helpline There are a number of webinars being offered at the moment. Most that I will forward to you will be free but, some are being put forward as a fundraiser.

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. They are holding a session that is focusing on cyber safety. Please note, as it is a fundraiser, there is a $10 ticket cost to attend. Please see the information in the link, or view their Event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/607981053235351

Have a great weekend everyone!

Patrick

.

The last couple of weeks have certainly been challenging for most of us, in many different ways, as we continue with stage 4 lockdown.

Please be assured that we are extremely grateful to all our families for the ongoing support of your children during remote learning. I’m sure you have a routine in place by now but every day is different and children as well as adults are often on an emotional rollercoaster. Take each day as it comes and be ready to make changes if learning isn’t going to plan. Now more than ever we need to have a growth mindset, be flexible and remain positive. If it all becomes too much, taking a break to reset is often the best answer.

Also, a very big shout out to our students who continue to ‘soldier on’, completing their daily learning tasks to the best of their ability and submitting work to their teacher on time for feedback. It can’t be easy but we are proud of the resilience and determination our students are demonstrating.

Remember every day you make a difference.

Gill Nicholls

Remote Learning Office Hours: The Remote Learning Office hours are from 9am to 3.30pm. To contact the school outside of these hours you may send an email to viewbank.ps@education.vic.gov.au or leave a message on the answering machine.

Attendance On Compass: Parents need to continue to mark any school absences on Compass as normal.

Thank you and take care

Lucy Addati

Business Manager

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MATHS GAMES & MATHS OLYMPIAD There has been a change of date for the final Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) contest. The contest was suppose to be held on Wednesday 16th September, however will now be on Thursday 17th September (online).

MY STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT - YEAR 6 During sitting weeks, Members of Parliament get the opportunity to make statements on matters of interest and concern to them. Often that includes matters arising in their electorates that they wish to bring to the attention of Parliament.

Please see below videos from some of our Year 6 students who entered a competition voluntarily. These videos containing statements that they would make to Parliament if you were an MP.

2021 TRANSITION PROGRAM Unfortunately, our second Transition event for Foundation 2021 students ‘Mathsland' has been cancelled due to the current restrictions.

We have recorded a virtual Mathsland so we can still share a great story and fun activities with you - please follow the link. We hope you enjoy the video! Incase you haven’t seen our first Transition event ‘Storyland’ this can be found on our school website.

We are still accepting enrolment forms during Term 3. Please email your enrolment form or drop it to us by calling the office (9459 1512) once you have arrived and a member of staff will greet you and accept your enrolment form.

PHONE NUMBER: 0448 075 422

EMAIL: viewbank@oshclub.com.au

Uniforms can be purchased online at www.aplusschoolwear.com.au with one of three delivery options:

• Free collection in store during trading hours
• Postage to address of customer’s choosing, at $12.50 for two items or less, or $17.50 for three items or more
• Free delivery to school, to an existing student at Viewbank Primary. Please note, this option is not available if the customer does not already have a student at the school