From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

It's hard to believe that we are getting close to the end of another school year. Here are some cover shots from back issues of Inside Ivanhoe in 2025.

Student Leadership

Next week we hope to announce our House Captains and Vice Captains for 2026. These roles are an important part of student leadership at IPS, and the students who take them on are expected to develop their leadership skills, represent our school with pride, and promote our school values in everything they do.

House Captains and Vice Captains are leaders in the truest sense. They model positive behaviour, support others, and help students across the school participate fully in activities. They play an important role in helping their peers understand their rights and responsibilities as members of our IPS community.

Most importantly, they set an example for our younger students. They show what it means to be respectful, responsible and resilient. They contribute to the life of the school and look out for others in the yard.

These student leaders help make our school a safe, welcoming and vibrant place to learn. We look forward to announcing the 2026 House Captains and Vice Captains in the near future.

Principals for a Day

On Monday our Principals for the Day, Charles P from FM and Ivy C from FD were extremely busy “principalling”!

They helped deliver the assembly and took on several other very important responsibilities, including visiting classrooms, assisting with yard duty, and making sure teachers and office staff were performing their roles to the high IPS standard. 

They presented certificates in recognition of the recent Australian Maths Competition as well as ribbons to our Students of the Week.  

Principal Ivy and Principal Charles visited all the Year 5 and Year 6 classes recognising some good writing as well as popping into the Library to see Miss Ella and borrow some "big kids" books

They also did an excellent job of keeping Mr Kent and Ms Wright on their toes!

Summer Strings Celebration Concert

The Strings Program has been a part of IPS  for 29 years. Started by Liz Bonetti the program has gone from strength to strength – even online through COVID there were very few students who withdrew from the program.  In 2023 Liz passed the conductors baton to  Margaret Butcher who stepped seamlessly into the role of maestro and has continued a fine tradition of excellence.

The Summer Strings Celebration Concert showcases IPS musicians from beginner to accomplished. The entire school was treated to a preliminary performance at Monday's assembly.

Your thoughts on the Fair

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to our school fair! We loved having you there and hope you had a great time. A big shout out also goes to all the volunteers who gave their time to help make it happen, we seriously couldn’t have done it without you. 

The Fair Committee would love to know what you thought of the day. What did you like, what could be improved, or do you have any considerations for next time?

 We’d appreciate your thoughts via this completely anonymous Ivanhoe Primary School Fair Feedback Form which should take no more than 4 minutes of your time.

Thank you  from the IPS Fair Committee

2026 School Council Election 

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

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 in 2026 include: Finance, Education, Facilities and Out of School Hours Care.

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.

Please consider nominating, or agreeing to be nominated, for School Council. We meet on Wednesdays and the proposed dates for 2025 are on the  Dates For The Fridge page in this edition of Inside Ivanhoe as well as below.

2026 School Council Meeting Dates

Venue: Collaboration Space / 6.30 pm correspondence tabled / Meeting Time: 7 pm.

* 6.30 pm correspondence tabled for 7pm meeting start.

Finally

Thank you to those parents who will have completed their 2 years or final term of office on School Council.  Hamish Wood, Paul Morland, Adrian Biasi, Dan McLaughlan, Joanne O’Hara and Michelle Tieman. 

On behalf of the school community, I extend sincere appreciation to all School Councillors for professionally carrying out their governance role at IPS. On a personal note, I thank all council members for supporting Pam and I as Principals. We have very much enjoyed working with each of you.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mark Kent

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.