Year 5 and 6

We are now well into Term 4 - the last term of Primary School for our Year 6's! It is always a busy term so please keep updated via Compass and our newsletter.

GRADE 6 TEA TOWELS

A reminder that the Year 6 Tea Towels are available for purchase on Compass. The tea towels include cartoon characters of everyone in Year 6 and are a great keepsake of their final year of primary school. You may even like to see if they know how to use them properly. Proceeds go towards our Graduation, and orders close midday Friday 25 October.

GRADUATION PHOTO

Year 6 students will be having an official whole grade photo taken on Monday morning. Please ensure you child is on time on Monday so they don't miss being a part of it. Clean uniforms would be appreciated!

A2B TRANSIT PROGRAM

On Thursday October 31, Year 6 students will be visited by representatives from Whitehorse Council as part of the A2B Transit Program, which uses the transition to secondary school as a catalyst to encourage students and parents to consider how they will travel to secondary school, and whether it will include active and sustainable travel options. It also explores personal safety and road safety, as it is often a time when students will start to travel independently. The students have enjoyed travelling by train on a couple of excursions, and this will give them tips for travelling safely as they build their independence in the coming years.

INTERRELATE - Moving into the Teen Years

This year, all Grade 5 and 6 students will again take part in the 'Moving into the Teen Years' program, run by Interrelate. There will be 3 sessions for each class, to take place on Thursday November 21, 28 and December 5. Expert teachers will run the classes, and we are lucky enough to have the same presenters as previous years. 

We will shortly send an email with more information about the program, and permission and payment requirements will be on Compass. 

THINK U KNOW

Unsure how to talk to your child/ren about staying safe online? Then come along at 7pm on Tuesday 29th October to the school stadium as VPS will be hosting a ThinkUKnow parent night

ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

The night will be hosted by Michelle Zhao from Australian Federal Police and Graham Higgerson from Neighbourhood Watch. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology.

Please click here to register your interest in attending this presentation.

For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au or contact julie.hall2@education.vic.gov.au

FOUNDATION TRANSITION SESSIONS

The Year 5 classes were very excited to learn that they will be assisting the Foundation teachers during the kinder to foundation transition sessions this term. Two classes have already worked with our newest Vermont students and we could not have been prouder of them. The Year 5's were attentive, patient and caring in their interactions with the transition students and worked hard to ensure that their first experiences of primary school were positive ones. The other Year 5 students will have their opportunity to assist over the next few weeks.

CAPTAINCY APPLICATIONS

The Year 5 students now have the opportunity to apply for captaincy roles next year. As a level, we have discussed the expectations and procedures, and the staff are looking forward to reading the applications and listening to the students' speeches. Please note that written applications are due next Friday (25th October), and the speeches will take place in the week of the 4th November.

DATES

Monday October 21 - Year 6 Graduation Photo

Wednesday October 23 - District Tennis Final

Thursday October 24 - Region Athletics

Friday October 25 - Orchestra & String Group visit to Box Hill Salvos

Monday October 28 - Year 3-6 Assembly

Tuesday October 29 - Think U Know Parent Night

Thursday October 31 - District Cricket Final

Thursday October 31 - A2B Transit Program for Year 6

Monday November 4 - Professional Practice Day (no students at school)

Tuesday November 5 - Melbourne Cup Day (no students at school)

Thursday November 7 - VPS Art Show

Monday November 11 - Year 6 IMAX Excursion