From the Principal

Welcome to Ivanhoe Primary School, 

Australia will celebrate the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day on Friday 25 October 2024.

The leadership team here at IPS will be thanking our teachers for the wonderful job they do and celebrating their professionalism, their caring attitude towards their students, their expert teaching knowledge and skills and for helping to shape the IPS school culture.

David Howes, the Deputy Secretary for Schools has recognised the extraordinary work of Victorian teachers.  See exerpts of his message of thanks to all teachers in Victoria...

"This year in Victoria, World Teachers’ Day is on the same day as the Victorian Education Excellence Awards. This is entirely appropriate because it is the excellence of teachers that should be most acknowledged on World Teachers’ Day. 

This is not narrowly defined excellence as, say, measured only by the academic outcomes achieved by students in a particular teacher’s class or in a particular school – although it is also worth noting that we have that in abundance in Victorian government schools. 

It is excellence reflected in the multiple and complex aspects of the role of teacher. It is the excellence evident in the capacity to show care for a child that changes the way that child sees the world. It is excellence in the deft way in which a teacher can work with community organisations to ensure families in distress are supported. It is excellence in the ways hundreds of thousands of students are supported to pursue diverse interests, from coding to chess to fashion to farming. "

"I think it’s vital that we acknowledge when our staff go above and beyond in their roles. In a time when it is increasingly difficult to be a teacher, these teachers, and this school, are showing exceptional work across the board. I want that to be recognised at the highest levels.  "

"To every one of those teachers, please know that your hard work is recognised, seen, valued and appreciated. 

Today, we say thank you."

David Howes, Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services.

Tomorrow we will be celebrating World Teachers' Day!   

World Teachers’ Day honours the dedication, hard work, and passion of teachers who play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of our children.

Let's celebrate our teachers!

World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the incredible work teachers do every day. By celebrating this day and showing our appreciation, we can help create a supportive and encouraging environment that allows teachers to thrive and continue making a positive impact on our children's lives.

The theme for this year is; Hats off to teachers this World Teachers’ Day!   We will be treating our teachers to a Mad Hatter's Morning Tea at recess on Friday.   

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Ltd are encouraging families to celebrate by sharing a “hats off” selfie on social media, either on your own or with family or friends. Grab your hat – beret, beanie, bucket, bowler – and remember to tag #WorldTeachersDay2024 @aitsl 

Here at IPS we are also encouraging students to make a card for a teacher that includes a pun.  Create your 'punniest' card and give it to a teacher!

Students become the teacher

I'm always pleased when teachers send their students to the office to demonstrate the exceptional learning they have done.  

This week, Angus from 3J came to show me his writing. He also managed to squeeze in a teaching moment too and very articulately explained the role gravity pushing down and water density pushing up plays in making objects float or sink.

Foundation  Fire Education Visit

The Foundation students had such an exciting day when the firefighters came back to IPS for a second visit.  This time they brought the firetruck and students got a chance to use the fire hose too!  

Have a look at all the wonderful writing the student have done and more pictures on the Student Voice page.

Kinder Visits

A couple of weeks ago kinder children and their educators came to visit from Guardian Childcare care centre.  

Last week we hosted a visit from another one of our local kindergartens (Nino ELA).  Early years educators and teachers supported the kinder students to come to IPS to learn and play.  

All the kindergartens that have managed an excursion with their children have been impressed and we plan to organise many more! It's all part of supporting student transition as well as recognising the role of IPS in the community!

Trivia Night is Saturday 26th October!

The annual PFA run Trivia Night is always a fantastically fun community night!

Spaces are running out fast!  Get your booking in soon and don't forget to choose a theme for your table - prizes awarded for best theme!  

Don't forget, you can still bid on the online auction items even if you can't make it to the best night of the year!  See the QR code below or you can even scan it from the posters on near school gates!

Cat Atkinson has worked so hard getting this event and the auction organised.  She would love some help setting up tables, chairs and prizes - no heavy lifting.  If you can help her around 2.45pm this Saturday please call her on 0421 176 673.

2025 Booklists

The 2025 booklist is available to purchase now.

Instructions will be sent home with students tomorrow and are also available in the below...

Booklists need to be ordered prior to November 17th to avoid late fees and ensure the school receives delivery in time for the start of next year.

Be sure to select their Year Level for 2025

Your child’s books will be delivered to their classroom prior to the start of school ready to use on their first day of school.

Smile Squad

The Smile Squad are currently at school providing a free dental program to our students and giving them advice on good dental health.  Many of our students took up this opportunity.  

Smile Squad are asking for families to provide feedback about the service by completing a 5-10 minute survey.  https://abtassoc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bf6YJUMs3NkfHWm 

Talking the Talk

Parents needing help or support with speaking to your children about topics such as; where babies come from, puberty preparation, protective and online safety and much more? IPS have engaged Vanessa Hamilton who will be presenting 'Talking the Talk' to interested families. Use the QR to sign up for the free ONLINE event

Don't forget the School Saving Bonus

Important information about the school saving bonus

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.   

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

• Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School. 
• Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. : A letter came home on the last Friday of Term 3 with your youngest child – Please send back the attached sheet if your contact information need updating.

You need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

• in October, to verify your email address
• in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus. Translated information will also be available on the School Saving Bonus website in the next few weeks.

Please reach out to our Business Manager, Lisa Cascun should you have any questions.

Many of our students are anaphylactic and food allergens pose a very real threat to life and safety!

Families are respectfully requested that under NO circumstances are you to send your child to SCHOOL, to CAMP, on EXCURSIONS, to OHSC with  ANY foods containing NUTS.

Nor are you to supply birthday cakes, cupcakes, sweets, gifts of 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 to life and safety.

School Uniform

Our school has a dress code that we believe provides a range of choices for students and is cost effective for families. This is clearly set out in the School Uniform Policy available on the IPS website.

The Student Dress Code aims to:

• foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance. 
• support the school’s commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities.
• reduce student competition on the basis of clothing 
• enhance the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community. 

Students are expected to comply with this Student Dress Code while traveling to and from school, during school hours and when attending school activities. 

Uniform and appearance

Uniform items and appearance requirements meet human rights and anti-discrimination requirements as well as health and safety considerations. 

Jewellery and cosmetics

Students are not permitted to wear decorative jewellery to school. Stud earrings and sleepers worn in the ears, and watches, are acceptable .

Cosmetics may not be worn at school. Only clear nail polish is permitted.

Lost Property

We've had some glorious weather this week and it has been lovely see the smiles that the sunshine brings out in everyone.  It also makes us want to get outside more.  This is great but students tend to warm when they are playing outside and often take off layers of clothing.  In turn, our lost property box begins to overflow! 

If your child is missing a jumper or a jacket, please come and check the lost property box under the old canteen.  It makes it much easier to locate missing items if they are labelled.

Primary Open Chess Semi-final 

IPS had five students who had qualified throughout the year in the area tournaments for the Open Primary semifinals, held at Doncaster Gardens Primary School today. 

There were over thirty schools represented and IPS came 7th.

Well done to Max W (6P), Harvey W (6P), Ethan S (6P), Allan C (4C) and William L (3M) who qualified to part today. 

Congratulations to Harvey W from 6P, who has qualified for the Victorian Open grand final to be held on Nov 11.   We wish you the best of luck Harvey in the finals!

Finally...

Once again, I'd like to thank all the teachers at IPS for the highly skilled and compassionate work they do in supporting all our students to thrive and learn.  

One of our families who have been part of the IPS community for many years have been much better at putting into words their experience of IPS teachers and the school;

"I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge how grateful we have been for the level of education, support and care that our children have received over their years at IPS.    

We have been so impressed with IPS during our time here – from the many committed teachers our children have experienced, to the wonderful music program, excellent OSHC program, the strong leadership of Mark and Pam, and, above all, the brilliant school community – there is a lot for the IPS team to be proud of."     

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.