From the Principal

*All unclaimed lost property will be donated to the swap shop at the end of the year*

Welcome to Ivanhoe Primary School

On Monday, junior Principal Christian and junor Assistant Principal Alexander replaced Mr Kent and Mrs Wright and lead the day. A focus group of students were asked what are the roles of school principals. 

On Monday, our two new Principals arrived early for work then set about the following tasks: 

Arrive at school looking smart, collected their fluro vests and name badges,  ready for a photoshoot. (Their photos are up on the staff photo board outside the office.)

Christian did yard duty and greeted students and parents while Alex set up for assembly.

Christian co presented assembly with Mr Kent and Alex co presented Star of the Week with Mrs Wright. Both principals directed other assembly business.

After assembly Principal Christian and Assistant Principal Alexander attended a Year 6 class meeting followed by a catch up with Mrs Wright and Mr Kent.

Principal Christian and Assistant Principal Alexander read a story with two Foundation classes and took questions before meeting in the office for more Principal business -  including making announcements. 

After recess Principal Christian and Assistant Principal Alexander distributed notices to all classes before relaxing with well earned hot chocolates.

After lunch they made some more announcements over the PA. They took some phone calls and, of course, gave out awards and stickers.

2024 Classes

The following are the classes, teachers and support teachers for 2024.

2024 Class Placement

Please remember that teachers work on the very complex task of creating classes. Teachers and education support staff have input into how classes are made up, taking into consideration students telling us who they work well with in the classroom.  

That information, along with information from reports etc, ensure classes are inclusive and fair.  We have highly skilled, passionate and professional teachers who care about student learning and wellbeing.  Whilst we understand that parents know their children, we ask you to trust in our professional expertise.  We therefore cannot take requests for particular teachers, but please rest assured that we all work together so that each and every child gets the best possible placement.

Students will meet their 2024  teacher on the 13th of December.

Planned Maintenance

A great deal of work will be happening across the school between now and the start of the next school year. Shortly the Foundation playground will be out of action while drainage issues are resolved. The rubber surface beneath the Foundation play equipment will also  be replaced, or repaired. 

In the Christmas break, new bitumen will be installed near the rear of the Waterdale Rd building, where the Year Fours currently exit, and the popular rubber mounds will be replaced.

Some of these works will prove challenging to our current operations, but in the long run well worth some temporary inconveniences.

Celebrations and Sharing Food

For reasons relating to food allergies, health and safety, as well as the significant financial impost, families are respectfully requested that under NO circumstances are you to supply birthday cakes, cupcakes, sweets, gifts and toys etc. on school grounds – including at the OSHC program.

I apologise in advance if this seems harsh, but the wellbeing of every student must be our primary concern. Consider celebrating birthdays and other events at a local park or in your own home. Be mindful that many of our students are anaphylactic and food allergens pose a very real threat. Thank you for your support.

FAIR Thank You

I thank the PFA and all the volunteer parents, staff and teachers for working to make the IPS Fair a success. 

Organising the fair required hard work and dedication, and the PFA led by Andrea,  Cat and Elena, along with the “can do” energy and dedication of Sue and Mollie really brought  the event home. The behind-the-scenes organisation managed by the school’s admin team was nothing short of above and beyond.  Everone who helped gave up their time, donated produce and expertise with a smile and a laugh. They were truly amazing. It was nothing short of humbling that people gave so much for our wonderful school.  We are just waiting on a couple of invoices before we can publish the final amount.

We couldn’t have asked for a better team or a more successful event.

Finally

We have been fortunate over the years to have maintained a strong and engaged School Council. Every year, half the School Council is renewed creating room for new community members to join. Likewise, Sub Committees of School Council open their doors to new members. Our Sub Committees of School Council include: Finance, Education, Facilities, Out of School Hours Care and in odd years, the Fair.

The School Council is responsible for assisting the Principal and staff in supporting the school, in particular it is responsible for offering advice on the school’s educational programs, administration and expenditure of school funds as set out in the annual budget. 

The overseeing of the long-term development of the school and the current maintenance of facilities is a task that rests primarily with the Principal and School Council.

Elections for School Council are held in February each year with the Council of our school comprising of 10 members elected by the parents of the school and 4 members of staff. The Principal is a member by right of office.

Please consider nominating, or agreeing to be nominated, for school council. We meet on Wednesdays and the proposed dates are on the Some Dates For The Fridge page in this edition of Inside Ivanhoe.

Thank you to those parents who have completed their 2 years or final term of office on School Council. Thank you to our outgoing student leaders who have served the school and done so much to make IPS a great school. We will miss you all.

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER :-(

Thank you for your support.

Mark Kent

Principal