From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

In Term 1, 2025, Ivanhoe Primary School completed their 4 yearly school review to inform the development of the next School Strategic Plan (SSP). The review was facilitated by an independent, external school reviewer with input from the school’s senior education improvement leader and two challenge partners. 

The co-principals and key staff members were also part of the school review panel. Feedback was sought from parents, students and other relevant stakeholders. The executive summary will be presented to School Council at its next meeting and then shared through the newsletter.

One of our goals has been to create empowered and engaged students who are inquiring, creative, critical thinkers. For students to display and uphold behaviours and attitudes that reflect school values. To enable students to have a say and a hand in the direction our school is heading.

Student Voice and Agency: Students enjoy taking an active role in their school. They set their own learning goals and are encouraged to participate in leadership opportunities such as the Junior School Council. More recently the JSC has provided  feedback directly to School Council. Our Year 6 students' latest initiative has been the  implementation  of  lunchtime peer tutoring.

At IPS, we are committed to creating a community where every child feels valued, supported, and connected—laying the foundation for lifelong success.  

This weeks edition of Inside Ivanhoe showcases aspects of our students voice, agency and initiative. 

House Captain Tutoring Initiative

To end my report on a positive note. The House Captains ran a tutoring club at lunch time for the first time this week. Students were welcome to bring work that they wanted support with,  quiet reading or a writing project. I asked Mr Pearce how it had gone, and his response was 

“A wonderful mix of students from each level… by the end we had approx. 30 students visit to have help with work, silent reading and mindful activities. A dozen captains helped facilitate the entire lunch time session. It was wonderful.”

What Is OUTRAGEOUS? 

Firstly, what is That’s Outrageous? 

That’s Outrageous is student run newspaper previously exclusive to Grade 6. However, now, after the principal and vice principal’s approval, we are now preparing to expand it and sell it to raise money for the school. 

This week, we have made it free so you can have a taste of That’s Outrageous. Then we aim to sell it (it will need to cover printing costs)...

However, we cannot write a newspaper for the entire school without help. Currently, we have fourteen people writing, interviewing, and editing, but, as we are expanding to the whole school, we need more volunteers.  

Open the attachment on the Student Voice Page to read more.

Election Day BBQ and Cake Stall Fundraiser Result

Last Saturday 3rd May IPS was a polling place for the Federal Election.

The PFA, teachers, staff, students and volunteers held  a Cake Stall and a BBQ to raise funds for the Year 6 annual camp to Canberra. 

We would like to thank you for your support and generous contributions on the day. 

The Cake Stall raised $1,324.80 and sold out before 1pm. The BBQ raised $4,524.05 and we had to buy more sausages and bread to meet up with demand.

After expenses the total profit was $3,896.83. Fantastic effort everyone who pitched in!

Year 6 Fundraiser - ARCADE GAMES

Our Grade 6s have been working hard on creating their Arcade Games which will be raising money for their Canberra tour Term 4. 

Classes are invited to come along with their teacher and play our games with pricing between $1-3 per station. 

They will be set up on the top floor of the Beehive space on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th May. 

Year 2 Student Voice in letters to Mr  Kent

Some Year 2 students were given the opportunity to write letters to me sharing their big ideas on how to improve the school. The letters were very persuasive  and convincing.

Augmented with wonderful illustrations, their ideas ranged from new play equipment, keeping chickens (and selling the eggs), adding more vegan items to the canteen and even a new sandpit for the preps.

I wrote back to each of them acknowledging their voice, explaining that some ideas were impractical, some could require more thought and some could actioned sooner rather than later. I have shared their ideas with the Facilities Committee of School Council and I hope to be able to share the results soon.

IPS Open Morning 14th May - 9.30am to 11.30am.

What is happening.

Education Week  19th to 23th of May

Education Week Theme : "Celebration of Cultures".

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.

Mother's Day Stall Success

The sun rose warmly over Ivanhoe Primary School, casting a cheerful glow over our school. The stalls in the Collaboration Space  buzzed with laughter and chatter as parents, who had volunteered to run the stall ensured that every child left feeling like they had found that special gift for an equally special person in their life. 

The Mother’s Day stall raised over $3.000.

Thank you to the PFA who organised the event and all the volunteers who made the day a memorable one for the IPS community. 

Specifically; Gabi, Nina, Aneka, Tim, Julia, Adrian, Jacinta, Emily, Veron, Jacey, Kasia, Hamish, Ebby, Kath, Lisa, Elena.  We would be lost without you.  It is these community focussed events and opportunities that make our community special.

Mother's Day Breakfast Extravaganza

Another great PFA event. Firstly thank you to Annette and her team who were in at school at 4am cooking over 350 breakfasts. Thank you to the team of dads who made sure all ran smoothly. Arriving early and setting up the hall, setting up the drinks, help serve food, ushering our V.I.Ps in, and cleaning up after breakfast. The Coffee truck was also a hit. 

Here are some pictures from this morning. There are a lot more photos on the Mothers Day Celebration Page.

Annual PFA Trivia Night 31st May

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

IPS Trivia Night is always a really popular and fun night. Don't be put off by not having a team. Just contact our PFA and they can help you to join a team.  

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.

Year 1 Crayon Collection

National Walk Safely to School Day - 16th May

National Walk safely to school day on Friday 16th May.  Our Ride2School leaders will be hosting an exciting morning to celebrate those who walk, ride or scoot to school safely. Each Wednesday, leaders collect Ride2School data and there will be prizes for the most active classes.  Keep active!

2025 Student Attitudes to School Survey

In this newsletter you will find the Department of Education's advice to inform you about the 2025 Student Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS), which all government school students in Years 4 to 12 are invited to complete. Read the ATSOS page.

About the survey

The AtoSS is a voluntary student survey offered by the Department of Education every year to help schools and the department understand students' experiences of school. 

We will ask your child about their thoughts and feelings about their school, their learning, relationships with other students, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

ORIMA Research Pty Ltd has been contracted by the Department to manage the collection of the online survey. This year, the survey will be conducted at Ivanhoe Primary School from 19th May to 13th June.

What are the benefits?

Young people enjoy having a say! This survey has been running for nearly 20 years and helps schools plan programs and activities to improve your child's engagement with school, their wellbeing and their learning. The survey data also helps the Department of Education understand how to improve student learning.

Opting out

This survey is voluntary. If you do not want your child to do the survey, please opt out by emailing your school at ivanhoe.ps@education.vic.gov.au before the survey period commences on 19th of May 2025.

Finally

Jackie Chan responded to a journalist's question about whether he was satisfied with his life with these words:

"Your hard work is the dream of every unemployed person;

Your restless child is the dream of every childless person;

Your small home is the dream of every homeless person;

Your meager capital is the dream of every debtor;

Your ill health is the dream of every patient with an incurable disease;

Your peace, your sound sleep, your accessible food are the dream of every person in a country at war.

You must cherish everything you have. After all, no one knows what tomorrow will bring."

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.