From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

IPS' Wonderful Walk-a-thon!

(See the Walk-a-thon page for more photos and videos)

What an amazing morning we had at our Walk-a-thon today! Our students were raring to go after a rousing motivational introduction from Mr McKay, and they set off at a lightning pace, eager to complete as many laps as possible and earn valuable House points along the way!

Even our youngest students, accompanied by family members to help keep them safe, weren't going to let a little distance slow them down. Lap after lap was completed with determination and enthusiasm, as students were cheered on by staff, and families who joined us to help ensure everyone stayed safe and offered plenty of encouragement along the way.  

The weather was kind to us, with beautiful morning sunshine warming our walkers without making conditions too hot although it did warm up towards the late morning so walkers were cooled by teachers offering them a refreshing water spray! Everywhere you looked, there was excitement, encouragement and plenty of school spirit, as our community came together to make the morning such a wonderful success.

A big thank you to Annette in the canteen, who generously provided every student with a free icy pole. They were certainly appreciated after all that hard work! The morning finished with a few slurps of icy poles and great excitement as everyone gathered in the hall for the announcement of our winners. They were greeted by plenty of enthusiastic cheers, culminating a huge hat throw which was fabulous to see such enthusiasm.

Thank you to all our students, staff and families for your wonderful support and for helping create such a memorable morning. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved, giving their best and cheering one another on and demonstrating our school values. What a wonderful celebration of our school community!

Working Bee

Our term 4 working bee is planned for this Saturday. However, heavy rain has now been forecast for the afternoon.  Please check the weather before setting out.  If it is raining at 1pm on Saturday 24th November, consider the working bee to be postponed.  If we have to postpone because of poor weather, we will reschedule another working bee for later this term and keep everyone updated.

If the weather is kind to us and the rain holds off, we look forward to seeing you!

Please use the link to view and add your name to the jobs list.

Jobs List

Italian Day

Giornata italiana 2026 a IPS

2 Weeks to go !!!!

We are looking forward to seeing you all in your Italian colours and costumes for this year’s Giornata Italiana.

Our day will start with a parade showcasing our wonderful students.

We will then enjoy the amazing sounds and dance movements of traditional southern Italian dancing with Rosa Voto and her performers.

Rosa will also bring along traditional musical instruments form the regions of Calabria and Puglia.

It's not too late for families to order an Italian lunch from the canteen and gelato will also be on offer!

We look forward to another great Giornata Italiana!

Grazie mille, Maestra Isabella.

Student Art Exhibition

Families are invited to visit the year 5 & 6 student Art exhibition from 4th -  6th November from 3.30-4pm in the Collaboration Space.

Our students have been working very hard on pieces for the Women in Art exhibition for months and I know you will be amazed and what they have created. Thank you for your continued support in this wonderful exhibition. 

Class formation for 2027

The creation of balanced classes that best meet the needs of all our learners, be they wellbeing, academic, support, social or otherwise, is a complex task and one that our staff invest a great deal into. As part of this process our students have the opportunity to have a voice in their class placement for the following year. This takes the form of naming five others in their year level who they consider to be good learning partners for themselves (rather than simply listing friends).

This year, the process of selecting these other students will be a 'take home' activity to be completed with parents or carers and then returned to school.

The rationale is multifaceted: it allows a degree of parental input into a child's thinking in terms of both differentiating between friends and study partners, as well as helping a child reflect in a calm, secure environment on who are their long-term social supports as opposed to the current 'flavour of the week'.  Depending on how you  approach this task as family it will also allow you as carers to gather insights on how your child learns and the factors that they consider the most important in achieving successful outcomes at school. Your child's class teacher may also have information to support this process.

Please support your child to make good choices and remember, that they must put down five choices, if they are unable to do this with your support, then teachers will need to help them complete the form based on their knowledge of who children work well with in the classroom. 

Please note, we are unable to accept requests relating to specific teaching staff.

Age Appropriate sexual health Conversations

Not sure how to start conversations about puberty, body safety, consent and respectful relationships? Don't feel confident to have "the chat" about sex, puberty, and body safety? You're not alone. 

If you missed the IPS Talking the Talk parent/carer information session in July, Banyule Youth Services are offering one that you can attend (online) later this month (27/10).

Join award-winning educator and registered nurse Vanessa Hamilton for an engaging parent information session designed to give you the knowledge, confidence and practical language to have age-appropriate conversations with your child. Aimed at parents of 5 - 17-year-olds, Topics include:-

• Body and protective safety
• Puberty and reproduction
• Online safety and exposure to sexual content
• Consent and respectful relationships
• Inclusion and diversity-Gender-based violence prevention

DATE: Tuesday 27 October   TIME: 8pm-9.30pm   WHERE: FREE - online (you must register - details below) (a recording will be made available for those registered)Bookings Essential: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/talking-the-talk-how-to-have-age-appropriate-conversations-tickets-2002677810241?aff=oddtdtcreator

More information: Jess Sayers 0468 753 812 jessica.sayers@banyule.vic.gov.au

PFA Upcoming Events

TRIVIA NIGHT

Tickets to TRIVIA NIGHT are ON SALE NOW!

https://www.trybooking.com/1653016

Teams of 8 to 10.

Purchase a whole table, or individual tickets ($30pp). 

Tables are numbered, so feel free to let other parents know to purchase tickets on the same table as you!

Drinks available at bar prices.

BYO food / dinner / nibbles.

Adults only event. 

Trivia questions on a variety of general topics, followed by music and dancing.

Join us for a very fun night! Tickets are selling fast, don't miss out!

SILENT AUCTION 

Our 2026 IPS Silent Auction is now LIVE: https://www.32auctions.com/IPS26

Please visit and bid generously!

With over 100 items there’s something for everyone. From early Christmas shopping, to summer holiday plans, to health and fitness, to nights out with friends, and MUCH MORE... let’s support the businesses who have supported us while raising money for our wonderful school.

Together with Trivia Night, this is our major fundraiser for the year. Funds raised this year will help support an extensive outdoor play space upgrade to be located near the Grade 2 classrooms. This project will include the creation of retaining walls, landscaping and play equipment. Your generous support will help us create a welcoming environment where children can play, explore and connect for years to come.

Please share our Auction site within the school community and beyond.

Also, it’s not too late to donate! If you would like to donate an item, voucher or experience to be included in our Auction, please email silentauctionips@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for your support.

HAPPY BIDDING!

Check out more of the PFA's exciting upcoming events on the PFA page.

Footpath Works

Footpath works are due to start in Dudley St on Monday 9th November, which it is estimated, will take approximately a week to complete.  Once complete, works will commence in Ailsa Grove.  It anticipated this will be around Monday 16th November. The company doing the works will keep the school in the loop and we will let families know of any changes as it will impact traffic around the school.  

Finally

We look forward to welcoming Mr Kent back to school next Wednesday!

I know lots of families and students have been asking about when he will be returning to school.  I know he has had a lovely time travelling around Europe and making sure his broken leg is mended.  I look forward to resuming sharing the Principal role with him again from next week.

Thank you for your continued support.

Pam Wright

Co Principal

http://www.ivanhoeps.vic.edu.au/ 

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.