Welcome to IPS

R u OK?

There's no doubt that this year has been challenging for everyone. With one more week to go until the end of this term, we can all feel like our reserves are low. It is a good time to recognise that some in our community might be struggling.

Thursday 10th September is R U OK? Day. You don't need to have answers, you just need to start a conversation. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, you can still ask. Families can watch the video below to help children to look out for one another and lend support. Children can be encouraged to listen to what their friend is saying, show they care and tell a teacher or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend.

The year 3 team have a Wellness Incursion for RU OK? Day on Thursday 10th September in partnership with the Peter Mac Wellbeing Centre as part of the compassionate work they have done about community where they showed our health care workers that they care.

Gerri (the Director), Belinda, (the Infection Control Professional) and David, (the Surgeon) hosted an engaging virtual incursion. Students got to ask lots of very thoughtful questions about Coronavirus, the spread of infection and how to look after themselves and each other especially during challenging times like this. Gerri talked to the students about RUOK? and how they can tell a parent or teacher if a friend isn't ok.

Thank you to the staff at Peter Mac for taking time out of your very busy days to talk to us. We really are grateful and I know the students are looking forward to receiving the replies to their letters next term.

Story time with Cara

It's Cara's turn to listen to Janet read a lovely story about called 'Boo Loves Books'. In the book Phoebe overcomes her anxiety and shows amazing resilience! Isn't Phoebe a trooper? She is living the Ivanhoe Primary School values.

We have a student from FDL who has shown remarkable resilience too today. Cahaya tells us in her writing how she has been resilient. You've also done a great job with hand writing and spelling. Well done Cahaya, it shows how much you've been learning from your literacy lessons remotely!

Story Box Library

Families might like to participate in Activity Time from Story Box Library. We have a subscription so it is free for all our students.

Random Act of Kindness

It was lovely to receive a message of thanks this week. Thank you to the Loft family!

2021 Foundation enrolments are now open.

Reminder, that 2021 enrolments are open. To assist us with planning and staffing, please get your enrolments in as soon as possible for next year.

Look what fun our Foundation students have. Enrol now and join the fun!

Contact us for an enrolment pack or to book a virtual tour.

Tel: 9499 1880

Email: ivanhoeps@education.vic.gov.au

Kinder to Foundation Transition Program

We provide a comprehensive transition program in Term 4 so that new students and their families can become more familiar with the learning environment.

Our Foundation Transition program includes:

Virtual tours of the school and classrooms.
Transition information session for parents and carers
3 transition sessions for children and concurrent information sessions for parents and carers

For many families in 2020 transition to school will look different than it has in previous years due to COVID-19. At this point in time we will be planning for two Transition session settings. The first will be that Transition sessions and information sessions will occur onsite. The second will be that Transition sessions and information sessions will occur online. We will communicate this to our families when decisions are made.

Transition Orientation Dates:

Session 1- Wednesday 14th October – 9:10-10:00am

Session 2- Thursday 12th November – 9:10-10:00am

Session 3- Tuesday 15th December – 9:10-10:30am – MEET THE TEACHER for 2021!

Evening Foundation Information/School Readiness Session where you will meet your child’s teacher on Monday 14th December at 7:00pm.

We look forward to connecting with you, as we prepare for the start of your child’s learning journey with us.

Transitions

We now know that remote learning will continue for all IPS students in week 1 of term 4. Foundation, grade 1 and grade 2 students will return to onsite schooling in week 2 of term 4, while grades 3-6 will continue with remote learning for a while longer. With this in mind, we aim to create opportunities for positive transitions back to school. Beyond Blue has gathered some useful resources below to assist in creating smooth transitions, including moving from online back to onsite learning.

Fact Sheets can be downloaded below:

iSpy a bear...

Someone has spotted two IPS house-colour bears out and about this week. If you spy one, take a photo and send it to the IPS gmail account we can publish it in the newsletter. I wonder which house will win?

This week, iSpy a CONDOR bear in Preeti's house!

Support for Families

Raising Learners podcast

The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.

Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.

These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.

The first three episodes will be available on 1 September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.

Managing the Coronacoaster webinar

Renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is back by popular demand to repeat his Coronacoaster webinar.

On 15 September, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will again present Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era. His first webinar in August booked out in three days, with more than 12,000 registrations.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown period and remote learning. Topics include:

your supportive role
setting the emotional tone
focusing on what you can control
how to deal with disappointment
more resources and where to get help.

Webinar details

When: 7.30pm, Tuesday 15 September

Duration: 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session

Format: online via live stream

Cost: free

Register for the Managing the Coronacoaster webinar via Eventbrite

More advice, tips and resources for parents to support your child’s continuity of learning from home.

The Department of Education has put together some resources you may find helpful which I have organised under the following headings.

About learning from home

Supporting your child with additional needs

Support your child's learning

Screentime, health and wellbeing

Resources and tips

Advice in your language

Finally...

I want to take this opportunity to thank the IPS community for their continued support.

Stay safe and look after each other.

Pam Wright

Acting Principal

Physical Education