From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

Lifelong Learning

The Ivanhoe Primary School mission is to provide a positive, vibrant and inspiring environment where students are valued and encouraged to succeed in becoming lifelong learners.   It is our firm belief, that being a  lifelong learner applies to everyone and not just our students. 

Today the leadership team attended the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership to undertake a course focussing on Understanding the Science of Learning and Leading.  

We gained a deeper understanding of the science behind how the brain processes and retains information and how as leaders, we can use this knowledge, to inform the design of learning environments, effective teaching strategies and strengthen our instructional leadership.   We intend to use our deeper knowledge of neuroscience to suport our teachers to apply cognitive and behavioural science to better motivate, engage and stretch learners, through student-centred approaches in calm, curious and joyful classrooms. 

Ride2School

Last Friday, students ditched their polluting gas guzzlers and came to school on foot, bike, scooter or skateboard for National Ride2School Day.  We had an amazing 80% of all students arriving under their own steam, which meant that they could enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and have a leisurely catch up with their friends.  It was great to see so many parents arriving on two wheels too.

All students were treated to an array of fresh fruit which was donated by Woolworths (Ivanhoe and Heidelberg).  Also, special thanks to Anita and Jordan (parents of Athena in 4K).  As the owners of Biviano and Sons in Fairfield they donated delicious fruit from their local business.

We have many initiatives planned to encourage more physical activity during 2025.  In the meantime, please take every opportunity to make your way to school by foot or pedal power, enjoying quality time with your friends and family.

From Rhianna Critchley and Paul Roast our Ride2School Coordinators

Students, a parent reported today that one our students was riding to school yesterday wearing a school hat. A school hat is not a helmet and will not save you from a fall. Ride to school - think smart - wear a helmet.

Parents, when you next drive to school, don't devalue your child's commitment to a cleaner future. Turn your engines off, stop leaving engines idling - you can do your bit too!

Our students are working on new reminders which will go up on the fences at pick up spots next term. "Young Lungs at Work" will be just one of those messages.

Student Voice and Agency

On Wednesday evening, our Junior School Council made history!  Three of our year 6  JSC reps; Jed, Issy and Amelia presented their Junior school council report from their last meeting to to the IPS school council.   

They confidently informed the school council of the JSC improvement ideas, iniatives such as time on the soccer pitch for just females and their advice on where PFA could best spend profits from the Trivia night and other events.

The school council members were extremely impressed with their maturity, confidence and communication skills.  Each school council meeting will see JSC representatives present a report to the School Council.

Corelli Strings

Corelli Strings perfomed two pieces to the whole school at assembly on Monday morning. Each one of them demonstrated our school values of persisence, confidence and indepence.  Their perfomance was polished and so very impressive.

For our Foundation Students, this was the first time they were treated to such a performance and they were in awe.

For more information and photos head over the Strings News page

House Lunch

Our House Captains proudly announce the first House lunch of the year on Thursday 3rd April.  Don't forget to wear your house colours and join in the games.  For more information see the Student Voice page.

ICAS

We know our students are amazing, so we’re giving them the opportunity to showcase and celebrate their talents in the world-renowned ICAS competition this year.

What is ICAS?  

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies.

Every student who participates is celebrated and recognised with a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year. Top performers are eligible for one of the highly coveted ICAS medals.  Head over to the ICAS page for more information

Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Ivanhoe Primary School is excited to be taking part!

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 and aims to help young readers develop a lifelong love of reading. 

It is not a competition; it is a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 5 September 2025.

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

This year, the Challenge is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme ‘20 years of words and wonder’ and a year of special activities. For details, follow the Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge Facebook

Since it began in 2005, more than 4.5 million young readers have taken part and together read more than 63 million books!

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge 

You can also contact our school’s Challenge coordinator, Francine Stroud with any questions.

Happy reading!

2025 Parent Contributions reminder

The ongoing support of our families ensures that our school can offer the best possible education and support to our students.

We’d like to thank those families that returned their forms at the end of last year. 

We want to thank you for all your support, whether that is through fundraising or volunteering your time. This has made a huge difference to our school and the programs we can offer.

We also understand that life can be very busy. Families have a lot to juggle and for those families that may have overlooked returning their contribution forms we have added the opportunity to contribute via the Course Confirmation section of Compass.

We’ve attached a guide on how to use this option and the office team are always available to guide you through if this helps.

Kind Regards

Lisa Cascun | Business Manager

Class Rep Q & A - Every Class needs a rep

Find out a little more about being a class rep from Emily, who has done this a few times!

Emily's Q & A 

Is it a lot of work?

Like most volunteer roles, you completely control how much time you commit to being a class rep at IPS. 

Even just assisting in setting up a class WhatsApp group for all of your class’s parents and carers to join is a fantastic way of connecting the parent and carer cohort. 

Wait a minute. It’s a Fair year – doesn’t that mean there will be SO much to do?!

Not at all! There is one extra task added to your responsibilities in a Fair year (more on this below), but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Fair Committee to run and organise the Fair.

So what is this extra “Fair responsibility” you speak of?

Your class will be assigned a stall to run at the Fair by the Fair committee. There are many ‘how to’ guidelines and instructions relating to your particular stall which the Fair Committee will provide you and guide you through, however the main duty you will be responsible for is liaising with all parents and carers in your class to create a roster of who can help run the stall on the day. If there are enough volunteers, it is possible to be allotted only 30 minutes of stall duty – plenty of time remaining to enjoy the Fair with your family. Quite often, two classes are assigned to run the one stall so you have plenty of people to support with what needs to be done.

What about producing an artwork masterpiece with the class for auction at the Fair?

 Not this year! The Fair Committee has decided that this is no longer the responsibility of the Class Rep but do not fear! Each class will still be producing wonderful pieces of art to raise extra money at the Fair, however, creation of each masterpiece will happen under the guidance and leadership of the class teacher (with any parent assistance entirely optional).

Hmm, ok, I’m thinking about it…

Excellent! We would love you to be a Class Rep this year. Please reach out to your class teacher on Dojo to let them know. It is a wonderful way to connect with, and assist in connecting, the IPS community; something we all value and may it long continue…

Please help.

Each class needs a class representative to help get things done!  Contact your child's teacher if you are interested.  If you're happy to help out every now and again, or you're interested in social get-togethers, you might want to consider adding your contact details to your child's class rep list.  Keep a look out for the request coming soon!

We welcome and value families who would like to volunteer with us.  Take a look at our classroom helpers information along with our Child Safe Volunteer information and please do volunteer. You'll find it really rewarding.

Annual PFA Trivia Night 31st May

Any profits from the IPS Trivia Night will go toward the purchase of a new portable stage for music events, graduations and celebrations. This was considered to be a number one priority by our Junior School Council.

Building positive relationships between home and school

Parents/carers and school staff have a relationship that can last many years. This is an opportunity to work together to create a positive relationship in the best interests of the child.

When this relationship is built on respect and trust, students learn better and feel like they belong in the school. The foundation of a good collaborative relationship is based on:

• open and honest communication
• trust and respect
• working together
• fair and reasonable expectations by all.

To understand more about how to build a positive connection to your school, access the Family Engagement in Learning (PDF, 343KB) resource.

Positive relationships are built on a shared responsibility of members of the school community to behave respectfully.  Positive school environments are important because everyone has the right to be safe and play a shared role in being respectful. Everyone at school, particularly staff and parents/carers, play a role in making school a better place for learning and work.

Respectful behaviours are important in building strong, healthy and thriving school communities.

Holiday Program Bookings 

Finally

Our final assembly of the term on Monday morning will be a very special event as it will also be Mrs Morrow's final assembly with us.  She will be retiring at the end of this term.

We are truely thankful to have had Marie's passion and influence on the Music program here at IPS for so many years.  She has been integral to the IPS community.  Speak to any past or present student of IPS during Marie's time here and I'm sure this is what they'll say...

Here's somethings that personify Mrs Morrow from our staff and students:

• She is a whirlwind of energy, determination and passion.
• She is a fun teacher.
• She makes Battle of the Bands something we all really enjoy.
• She works incredibly hard.
• She has an ability to engage students with a shared love of music 
• She is a talented leader and an inspiration.
• She's a gem!
• She is creative, tireless, caring, supportive and generous.
• She has a smile and passion for music that is contagious.
• She will be sorely missed at IPS.

Some things you might not know.....

• She plays many different instruments.
• She has a little dog.
• She loves to travel.
• She has been teaching for 32 years!
• She has been the IPS President of the Australian Education Union.
• She is the best Mango Chutney maker!
• She is a Trivia Whizz! Invite her to your next trivia quiz and you'll be guaranteed to win!

Marie has dedicated over 20 years to Ivanhoe Primary School and has shaped the exceptional Music program into what we see today.  

Please join us in a special farewell to Mrs Morrow at assembly on Monday 31st March at 9am in the hall.

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.