From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

It has been a wonderful week at IPS. 

Cold mornings with frost on the oval leading into fine sunny days.

Just perfect for outdoor education week activities. Enrolments for 2026 are coming in and Mrs Wright, Mr King and I are conducting two tours for new families each week. 

Our students are our best ambassadors and we have been visiting classrooms and learning spaces. The most common feedback from visitors is how delightful the classes are and the general "vibe" of the school.

If you have a child of a current student beginning next year, please don't wait to enrol as early accurate figures allow us to plan classes and staff appropriately.

Education Week 

Education Week is an annual celebration of public education in Victoria.

In 2025, Victoria will celebrate Education Week from Monday 19 May to Friday 23 May.

All children deserve a place to learn and thrive in. This year’s theme Celebration of Cultures highlights the diversity of our communities and the importance of every child feeling safe and welcome at school.

Throughout Education Week, students, parents/carers, teachers, and school communities are encouraged to celebrate and share ideas to promote the wide range of cultures and cultural connections in Victorian schools.

Join me and read through this issue of Inside Ivanhoe as we look back on some of the activities that have been going on in our school this week.

Working Bee This Saturday

The term 2 working bee is on Saturday 24th of May from 3pm - 5pm.  We need lots of helpers to keep our school looking beautiful. Mrs Wright will be turning the snags on the barbie! 

Join us to keep our school safe and beautiful for your child/ren and then enjoy a lovely chat and a sausage afterwards.  We really need your help!

Please click the document link below to see the job list and add your name to a job.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_4wz1sJ8pzXmwMI2JB9Zeyk958RXsqk3ZKYAkByAaMA/edit?usp=sharing

Liquid-filled fidgets to School are a 'no-no'.

Students are not to bring liquid-filled fidgets to school. We had one explode last week, luckily in the toilets, and we just don’t know what’s in them. If it happens in the classroom the goop and soft beads that look like popping pearls/sweets go everywhere. 

Fidget toys are generally fine but not those filled with fluids or beads.

Not attending Trivia Night? No problem! 

You can still support our fundraising initiative by purchasing tickets in our Trivia Night Raffle. 

Please keep an eye out for our ticket sellers around the school grounds at drop off and pick up times over the next couple of weeks. 

Amazing prize packs to be won! All funds raised will be added to our proceeds from Trivia Night and go towards purchasing a new portable stage for the use of all IPS students at music events, graduations and performances.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

National Sorry Day

Our student leaders will be attending the National Sorry Day Healing ceremony on Monday 26th May at Malahang Reserve.

School Tour Dates

Are you looking to join us for Foundation in 2026?  

Bookings are now being taken for school tours with a Principal in Terms 2 and 3:

All tour times are from 12pm to 12.45pm. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning the office on 9499 1880.

Kew High School Performance 

Two weeks ago I met with Andrew Moffat, Principal of Kew High School who toured me through his school. It was lovely to be greeted by so many of our previous IPS students.

Andrew reciprocated with a visit to IPS where he met with the Principal Team and our School Council President.  On the 21st of May, students from Kew High School  entertained our Year 3 to 6 students with their choir, and various musical items along with some wonderful classical guitar and violin pieces. Many of the musicians had been students at IPS and were excited to return.

The audience was also treated to Luca in Year 6R ripping his version of a Metallica number.  Video below.

It was inspiring for our students to see the opportunities available to them in Secondary School should music be a chosen pathway.

Needless to say, the students were very impressed by the entire event.

Video 1 - Luca

Video 2 - Kew High School Students

Thornbury High School Q & A 

On Tuesday the 6th of May the Principal of Thornbury High School, Dr Lars Andersson attended an online Parent Information Session hosted by IPS and led by Mr Pearce. The THS Principal talked about what his school offers to students enrolling in the 2026 intake.

PFA Trivia Night 31st May - ONE TABLE LEFT

Tickets are on sale via TryBooking now! https://www.trybooking.com/1374314

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.

Chess Tournament

Northern Star Chess are hosting an interschool chess tournament at Viewbank Primary School on Tuesday 17th June.  (See details on our Community Page.)

We will be hosting another interschool chess tournament on 14th August, here at IPS.  Keep an eye out in forthcoming newsletters for details.

Talking the Talk - a parent seminar

Based on more than 25 years experience as a Sexual Health Nurse & over 18 years as a Sexuality Educator, Vanessa and the team have designed inclusive education presentations and resources to suit a large variety of ages, diversity and situations.

Based on current research, literature and resources, combined with real life experiences of the tens of thousands of conversations Vanessa has had with people about sex and sexuality, TTT sessions provide a foundation for positive child, adolescent & adult sexuality.

Finally

Do you recycle your bottles and cans. IPS has partnered with CDS Vic for some time and has raised  $524 just by recycling bottles and cans. You can download the AP join up and have your recycling contribute to the IPS total. All money goes to student programs including camps and excursions. 

CDS Vic is part of the Victorian Government's $515 million investment to transform the state's waste and recycling sector. Funded by contributions from the beverage industry, the scheme contributes to Victoria's target of diverting 80% of all material away from landfill by 2030 and represents a significant milestone in our journey towards a circular economy.

Victorians use more than 3 billion drink containers every year. Sadly, many are not recycled, ending up in landfill and as litter in local communities across our state.

CDS Vic aims to:

• Increase recycling and reduce litter, cleaning up our environment
• Be convenient and accessible with many types and locations of refund points across Victoria
• Bring new jobs and economic opportunities for individuals, charity and community groups

Find out how to get involved at https://cdsvic.org.au/donating  search Ivanhoe Primary School in teh search donation partners box under the category of education.

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.