*All unclaimed lost property will be donated to the swap shop at the end of the year*

Welcome to Ivanhoe Primary School

As we approach the end of another remarkable primary school year, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the journey we’ve all taken together. This year has been filled with moments of growth, resilience, and achievement, which is a testament to the incredible spirit of our school community.

Reflecting on Achievements

This year, our students have truly shone, demonstrating curiosity, creativity, and determination in their learning. From impressive academic progress to breathtaking performances on stage and spirited participation in sports, the accomplishments of our young learners have been inspiring. Each achievement, big or small, represents hard work and a willingness to grow.

We’ll never forget highlights like Athletics Day, Book Week Parade, Italian Day, Night of Strings, Battle of the Bands, Art Show, Student Discos, Year Level Expos, years 4, 5 and 6 camps, and incredible NAPLAN results. These moments remind us not just of what our students can achieve but also of the joy and pride that comes with working together toward a shared goal.

Celebrating Community

The strength of our school lies in the partnerships that make it thrive. Parents, teachers, and staff all play vital roles in creating an environment where students feel supported and valued. Together, we have cultivated a community where everyone’s contributions are celebrated, whether it’s through volunteering, attending school events, or simply cheering on our students from the sidelines.

This year, we’ve seen our community come together in extraordinary ways; from the Welcome Picnic, Mothers' and Fathers' Day Breakfasts, Trivia Night, Strings Concert, Walk-a-thon, Year 6 Graduation, and Working Bees, to daily acts of kindness and collaboration. Thank you for your unwavering support, which has helped shape the vibrant, nurturing environment that allows our students to flourish.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we also look forward to the next chapter. For our graduating students, this marks an exciting transition to new opportunities and challenges. We are confident that the skills, values, and friendships they’ve developed here will serve them well as they step into the next phase of their journey. To those continuing their primary school adventure, we can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish next year!

DLT Contribution

We rely heavily on parents making the DLT contribution each year. Through this contribution, students this year have been able to access a set of iPads to learn how to create code to control robots such as the Blue Bots and Dash and Dot along with the Foundation students having their own dedicated set.

Students in the middle years have been able to use Little Bit kits and their class laptops to create STEM projects and learn about electronics. Senior students have used micro:bits to learn how to create programs and digital projects and year 4 students used them for a STEM project to create their own safety lights for their bike helmets as part of the Bike Education program.

Next year we really hope to be able to purchase another dedicated set of iPads for our year one students so that they can have improved technological access and learning opportunities. Additionally, some of our classroom projectors are reaching the end of their working lives and we are having to replace these.

Please consider making the DLT contribution as this enhances digital skills and learning opportunities for our students.

House Lunch

2025 House Captain Election Results & House Points Winners

This afternoon the whole school celebrated nearing the end of the school year with a House Lunch on the oval. Students interacted with their peers within their houses. They joined in with singing, competitions and cheering for their houses as the winners for the year were announced.

Next year's House Captains were also announced at the lunch. The 2025 captains and the vice captains will receive their badges at assembly next year. We thank the valued contribution that this year's house captains have made and look forward to collaborating with an influential student leadership team next year.

2025 Classes

The following are the classes, teachers and support teachers for 2025.

26 Grades
Foundation
FC FM FS FD	Emily Chau Mollie McCormick (Team Leader) Sue Kelly (Learning Specialist) Rosemarie Di Francesco (Team Leader)
Year 1
1AJ 1L 1G 1R	Ashleigh Kegele & Jordan Hayns
	Lusia Di Giovine & Vicki Lamont
	Georgia Groves
	Megan Richardson
Year 2
2N 2A 2S 2M	Maria Nedelkovski
	Eda Aslan
	Dan Sutton
	Sarah Murphy (Team Leader)
Year 3
3J 3M 3O	Jo Kittler & Jo Harford
	Fiona Millar
	Steven O’Callaghan (Leading Teacher, Team Leader)
Year 4
4K 4O 4T 4F	Liz Kennedy (Team Leader)
	Ozlem Oflay
	Jeremy Tottenham (Team Leader)
	Kirstie Fray
Year 5
5M 5R 5B 5T	Kieran McKissack
	Paul Roast
	Penelope Blanas & Matt O’Brien
	Chrissy Temple (Learning Specialist, Team Leader)
Year 6
6H 6P 6R	Rhonda Harvey (Team Leader) & Jo Anderson
	Leighton Pearce
	Rhianna Critchley
Specialists
Art	Cendrine Rodriguez
Art	Lauren Ward
Music	Marie Morrow (Specialist Team Leader)
Music	Matt O’Brien / Jordan Hayns
PE	James Bull
PE	Sarah Emerson
Italian	Beth Kimber
Italian	Steve McKay
Support	Luisa Di Giovine (Support Team Leader)
Support	Jo Harford
EAL/Support	Vicki Lamont
Tutor	Jo Anderson
Disability Inclusion Coordinator Jo Kittler

Leapkids Summer Holiday Program

Leapkids will offer an action packed summer holiday program starting on 30th December 2024 to 24th January 2025. Don't forget to book your place!

Celebrations and Sharing Food

For reasons relating to food allergies, health and safety, as well as the significant financial impost, families are respectfully requested that under NO circumstances are you to supply birthday cakes, cupcakes, sweets, gifts and 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. Thank you for your support.

Planned Maintenance

Over the Christmas break the arborist will be in to trim our trees and keep them healthy.

IPS School Highlights (LAST CHANCE)

As part of our School Strategic Plan Review, we are inviting parents/carers to identify highlights of Ivanhoe Primary School over the last 4 years (2021-2024).

The leadership team has brainstormed a list from which you can select up to five (5) highlights as well as there is a box at the bottom of the form to add what may have been overlooked. Please use the QR Code or link below to access the for

https://forms.office.com/r/Gnq2xyAEMF

When the school review begins in early March there will be invitations to join forums and discussions to assist the school to develop its next School Strategic Plan.

2025 School Council Election

Elections for School Council are held in February each year with the Council of this school comprised of 10 members elected by parents of the school and 4 members of staff. The 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 2025 include: Finance, Education, Facilities, Out of School Hours Care and Fair & Fundraising.

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.

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

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

2025 School Council Meeting Dates

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

Term 1

26th February

26th March

Term 2

30th April - single agenda item Annual Report

14th May

25th June

Term 3

13th August

10th September

Term 4

29th October

26th November

10th December SC Dinner

(Single agenda item *draft budget presentation)

* 6.30 pm correspondence tabled for 7pm meeting start.

Thank you to those parents who will have completed their 2 years or final term of office on School Council. Jing Ren Wu, Anton Wolmarans, Justine Convery, Mehran Ahmadi, and teachers Marie Morrow and Miranda Stott.

Last Day of Term

Friday 20th December - 1:30pm Dismissal

Finally...

To our students who are leaving primary school: it is the end of an era for you and for us. It is has been an honour to see you mature and grow as you reach the end of your primary schooling. Commencing high school in 2025 will see the start of a new chapter for you that will be filled with hope, challenges that will build your resilience and no doubt successes. We wish you all the very best in your future schooling.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To our students: thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. You are the heart of our school, and watching you grow is a privilege.

To our parents: your partnership and trust are invaluable. Thank you for being our collaborators and supporters.

To our teachers and staff: your dedication, creativity, and care inspire our students and community every day. Thank you for giving your all to make this school a special place.

As we close out this year, let’s carry the memories, lessons, and connections we’ve built together into the future.

Wishing everyone a safe holiday season and a bright start to the new year ahead!

Thank you for your continued support.

We very much look forward to co-leading the school in 2025.

Mark Kent and Pam Wright

Principal Co-Principal

http://www.ivanhoeps.vic.edu.au/

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