From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

Last night I received the latest set of school operational guidelines. The main points that address change that affect our community are organised under headings below. The entire document can be downloaded via the button below the dot points if you want to read every detail. Changes to drop off and pick up, school entry for adults are outlined below and are effective from next Monday 30th November.

Health Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces and service provision in schools

• Support staff working with vulnerable students such as Koorie Education Support Officers (KESOs), Navigator and Lookout program staff can now also resume standard delivery.
• Other Department staff, including Area and region-based school improvement staff, can also resume regular activities and visits to schools
• There is no longer a requirement to reduce work across different sites.

Students with underlying conditions (such as hay fever or asthma)

• If a student has persistent symptoms due to an underlying condition such as hay fever or asthma, the student should still be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) if they develop symptoms that are different to or worse than their usual symptoms.
• Parents/carers should also consider getting a medical certificate from the child’s treating GP to confirm that it is safe for them to attend school with persistent symptoms that may overlap with some of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as cough or runny nose.

Young children with persistent mild symptoms

• Younger children (in grades Prep to 2) who have had a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test that was taken after they developed symptoms, the decision about return to school should be made in conjunction with the child’s treating GP. If the GP is satisfied the child has recovered from their acute illness, is otherwise well, and does not need a repeat coronavirus (COVID-19) test, the child can return even if they are not completely free of symptoms. Any worsening of symptoms will require review and repeat coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, if considered appropriate by the doctor.
• Students with a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test whose symptoms have completely resolved do not need a medical certificate to return to the school.
• For further information for schools and to distribute to families see: Managing illness in schools and early childhood services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Drinking fountains

• Drinking fountains and taps should be reopened for normal use.

Face masks in schools for staff

• Face masks must be worn indoors, unless an exemption applies. This includes school classrooms and while travelling on public transport. Face masks are not required outdoors except where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so, can. Teachers and education support staff must wear face masks in other indoor areas of the school when not teaching.

Face masks in schools for students

• Students who are aged 12 or over by Year 6 who are attending primary school are not required to wear face masks at school. However, students over the age of 12 must carry a face mask at all times when they leave the school grounds.

Safe school arrival and departure 

Schools must implement actions to reduce the congregation of adults around the school and reduce congestion. Schools can do this through strategies such as the use of multiple entry/exit points, creating spaces for egress in different areas of the school and appropriate signage to communicate expected behaviours.  

• Staggered start and finish times in order to reduce congestion will cease from Monday 30th November. HOWEVER, STUDENTS WILL ENTER AND EXIT SCHOOL FROM THE GATES THEY ARE CURRENTLY REQUIRED TO USE. (THESE WILL BE STAFFED)

Visitors to schools and school tours 

• Limitations on who can visit school premises no longer apply from the Last Step, however school activities involving visitors must comply with gathering limits for community facilities (group limit of 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors).
• Schools can conduct on-site school tours for prospective students and their families during operating hours, in accordance with gathering limits.
• Adults entering school premises must wear a mask.
• Adults can enter the school grounds for a maximum of 10 minutes unless they have an appointment.

State-wide Orientation Day (YR 6 TO YR 7)

Orientation Day events can go ahead in an adapted form. Programs must be adapted, with all arrangements in line with public health advice:

• There are no limits to the total number of groups on site at each school. Groups may include students from more than one school. However, these groups must not mix.
• All students attending Orientation Day are required to wear face masks indoors (some exceptions may apply). This will be a new experience for Grade 6 students, who are not required to wear face masks in primary school.
• Peer support or ‘buddy’ programs are permitted from the Last Step and students from other year levels may take part in Orientation Day programs.

Mixing between groups and creating workforce bubbles.

 Schools are no longer required to consider how students can be grouped together (for example, in classes or year levels) and how to best minimise mixing between different groups of staff (for example, by site layout or year level). Schools, however, may wish to continue established good practices for the remainder of Term 4.

We will continue to adapt, modify or defer higher-risk activities. (IPS will ease into this)

• Face-to-face year level assemblies, graduations and other school gatherings can occur at full capacity if they are exclusively attended by students and staff only.
• Graduation ceremonies, assemblies and other school gatherings (e.g. school sports) on school sites involving external guests are subject to a gathering limit (including students, staff and visitors) of 150 indoors, with a density quotient of one per 4m2 applicable to staff and visitors/parents.
• All schools are required to follow public health directions and apply the operational health and safety advice to schools during large events. This includes adults and secondary students over the age of 12 years wearing face masks indoors, practising physical distancing and practising hand hygiene.
• Face masks can be removed briefly for photos or giving a speech.

Sport and recreation 

• Indoor and outdoor contact and non-contact sport for students can resume.
• Interschool activities, in addition to interschool sport, can now resume.

Singing and voice projection 

• Only individual tuition and small ensemble groups (five or fewer participants indoors; no limits outdoors)

In summary - quick  reference changes

It is clear that we are doing well but let's not get complacent. Next week school begins for every child at 9am and finishes at 3.30pm. They must enter and exit using their current gate. These gates will be staffed and we will endeavour to answer your questions if you have any.

This is a fantastic step forward and once again I thank you for your support.

Big IPS Community (Socially Distanced) Hug

What a year we have had! 2020 will definitely go down in the history books.

Covid-19 has impacted families across the world, across Australia, and in our own community at IPS.

At this festive time of year, we would like to give some extra warm, fuzzy hugs to those in our community who need it. We considered supporting an outside group, but in this Covid year we are bringing it to our own. With the upheaval some have experienced, so unexpectedly, we want to reach out and assist those impacted.

Donations can be brought in by students, and left in the boxes outside the staffroom. (Gift cards to be left with office staff) Download the flyers below.

Foundation Teddy Sleep Over gets out of hand

Last week the Foundation students brought their teddys / toys to school for a sleepover. See the mischief the toys got up to when we all went home. It is fabulous to see the “fun” and engagement returning to school. 

Events like these underpin much of the learning and encourages students to do their best.

Day of Democracy

In previous years we have held Night of Democracy in the Hall and invited the community to visit the students' displays and ask them questions on their knowledge of government. This year's audience are teachers, staff and peers. However, the effort the year 6s have put in to the work is testament to their commitment to their learning as well as their  enthusiasm.

New Play Equipment and a Cricket net is coming

In case you missed the news last week part of the scope of works for our capital works project is the replacement of some of our worn out play equipment. Shortly the play equipment near the new building site will be removed but rest assured it is being replaced with new and more exciting structures.

Also on the horizon is a brand new shade sail that will be installed near the OSHC program and a new Cricket net will go in along the edge of the oval.

Lowe Street River Red Gum arborist report

In case you missed the news last week we take a great deal of pride in our flora at IPS and in recent times groups of students, staff and teachers have taken it upon themselves to help manage the health and development of our  grounds. Our garden beds have been the subject of teaching and learning in science and biology, even winning an educational award last year.

Sadly the large River Red Gum is in poor health and while it is deemed safe the recommendation from the arborist is that it be removed within the next three months.

This tree has been weight reduced in the past and has multiple synthetic cables supporting the poor structure of the tree which is situated in a small garden bed. The canopy spreads over the asphalt play space frequently used by students and therefore presents a risk that cannot be effectively managed in the long term.

As this will require a crane and significant time the removal will occur during the school break. In its place will either be a more easily manageable mature tree or the stump may be turned into outdoor seating or a table for community use. A factor under consideration is the sewerage system that runs below that garden bed.

2021 Planning is nearing completion

Leaving?

ARE YOU TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL IN 2021?

Planning for the 2021 school year is fully underway.  To assist our planning, parents of current students who will be transferring to another primary school in 2021 are asked to either email or telephone the school office as soon as possible. 

Email:               ivanhoe.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Telephone:        9499 1880

Enrolling?

HAVE YOU ENROLLED? DON'T LOSE YOUR PLACE.

The 2021 enrolment information can be downloaded from the school’s website.

Our Transition Program is well underway and if you are yet to enrol a younger sibling we need you to do so now.

http://www.ivanhoeps.vic.edu.au/community/join-ips

2021 Parent Payment Arrangement & Booklist Information

Please be on the lookout for a hardcopy notice that has been sent home with each eldest student in the family. It contains important information regarding Parent Payment arrangements and the ordering of your child's 2021 booklists. Please ensure that you complete your booklist order by 30th November to avoid a late fee. 

The link for the 2021 booklist is: www.ambaofficenational.com.au

Click on BOOKLIST, you will be taken to the ordering site.

Access code – IVASCH

PICKING UP YOUR BOOKLIST

School Booklist Pick Up Day will be at the Ivanhoe Primary School Hall

Saturday January 23rd 2021 - 9am - 4pm

Sunday January 24th 2021 - 9am - 2pm

CHANGES TO PICK UP DAY DUE TO COVID 19

We are requesting that for Pick-Up Days, children do not attend. This will reduce the chance of unnecessary mixing of potentially hundreds of children and parents at a time when we will still be required to socially distance and minimise contact. Running Pick-Up Days on the weekend should allow families to send 1 parent / representative only to pick up.

We thank you for your understanding & co-operation.

The Cleaning Squad 

Today, Maddie, Asiya and Sohana from 3HK decided they would like to clean up the back of the Grade 3 classroom area. They had already started the clean up yesterday and decided they wanted to continue today! They did it to help clean up the environment and make our classroom outside area look clean and tidy. 

They would like to encourage others to keep the area clean for wildlife and so our school doesn’t look dirty and messy. They don’t want rubbish getting into the sea and getting into the animals environment. 

Today Thomas, Bruce, William, Ray, Anton (3HK), Eli (3U) decided to help out the Cleaning Squad and did an amazing job around the Grade 3 building.

Cleaning Squad Goal – To clean up the whole school by the end of the year! We need your help too!

Finally

In next week’s edition of "Inside Ivanhoe" will be the class structure and teachers for the upcoming year. Unlike some schools IPS does not use an algorithm in an app to create grades. Rather we have a clearly defined, collaborative process for the placement of students into classes that leads to improved opportunities for learning while taking into account student opinions about who they work well with. Generally speaking students are assigned to classes and then teachers are assigned to grades. 

We are currently finalising our workforce plan for 2021.

Stay safe, look after each other and thank you for supporting our great school.

Mark Kent

Principal