From the Principal

Welcome to Ivanhoe Primary School, 

I was doing some reading this week on the importance of primary education and I came across the following UNICEF literature.

"Primary education forms the bedrock of development. It is in primary school that children learn foundational skills that prepare them for life, work and active citizenship. Quality education empowers children and young people, safeguards their health and well-being, and breaks cycles of poverty. It also empowers countries, ushering in economic prosperity and social cohesion. These benefits come not just from getting children in school, but from getting them learning to their full potential."

Quality education is a non-stop learning journey and while improvement is always our objective and there is no finish line. it is so important to celebrate the successes and milestones, no matter how small, of every child, of every grade, group, team, family etc.

I thank you, families, carers, teachers and staff for your support. As the African proverb says - it takes a village to raise a child.

"In low-income countries, only two thirds of children are estimated to complete primary school. Inequitable access exists across other divides: Children living in emergency and fragile settings, including refugee children, have fewer chances to complete primary school. Gender also plays a role, as girls who grow up in poor households are more likely than their male peers to have never attended or to have dropped out of primary school.

Even for students in school, far too many are not learning the critical foundational skills (literacy and numeracy, but also digital and transferrable skills) they need to thrive."

I often find myself in awe of our students and their capacity to articulate our world. The following poem is from Daniel in Year 6K. Daniel is 12 years old.

Nature’s Generosity 

In the realm of life, where verdure thrives, 

A place of vegetation, where plants and animals contrive. 

The skies embrace the earth, a new fate arrives, 

Nature’s generosity vigorously brings back the earth revived. 

The sun, a radiant orb of light, vibrant and vivid, 

Brings confidence and growth but cannot become rigid. 

It's warm embrace, a gentle caress on the skin, 

Igniting happiness, a new day to begin. 

But as day succumbs to the moon’s cradle, 

A transformation cuts the day short, like cutting the cable. 

The stars arise, like displayed jewellery,    

As night unveils its true beauty. 

So let us celebrate nature’s gifts, 

For in its reward, we find our bliss. 

Between life and death, we will still thrive, 

By being blessed, with nature’s drive.  

By Daniel R

Fairy garden

In recent years our much loved fairy garden (begun by a local family) has fallen into disrepair. The fairies have left, and their magic dust seems to have all but vanished.

Next Term, there will be a special fairy garden box outside the school office for donations of fairy materials to encourage our fairies to return to IPS.

In the past many children have enjoyed creating and managing the garden. 

Let's see if we can encourage the fairies and their friends to return.

Works during the holidays

In the holidays our Hall Floor / basketball and netball court will be resealed and recoated.

It takes five days for the the surface to cure but it will be ready to go for the start of Term 4.

Australian Boys Choir comes to Ivanhoe Primary School

We are pleased to have representatives from the Australian Boys Choir visiting IPS as a  part of their School Visit Program. Boys in grades 1 and 2 are invited to take part in a series of musical games with Choir representatives, with the opportunity to be invited to audition for membership. 

The Choir offers an exceptional program of music education, leading to opportunities to perform choral music at the highest standard locally, nationally and internationally. 

Auditions for boys aged 7-9 are held online throughout the year. Please visit www.australianboyschoir.com.au/joinfor more information and to book an audition.

Australian Maths Competition

At last Monday's assembly the community acknowledged the participation of our students who participated in the 2023  Australian Maths Competition. 

It was no surprise that our students put in an exceptional effort in this very difficult assessment. Every student can be very pleased with their results. We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to Jasmine B who was awarded the Middle Primary Division "Best in School" certificate as well as the certificate of excellence which places her in the top 3% of the State for mathematical excellence.

IPS Chess Champs

Congratulations to Adam H, Collin H, Max W and William L who represented IPS and competed against 12 other strong schools in a NSC tournament yesterday at View Bank Primary School.

IPS came in 4th place which is exceptional given the top three schools had more than 10 chess players in their teams. Fabulous effort everyone!

Thank you Emma (William's mum) for coordinating our participation.

REFERENDUM BBQ - Volunteer request 

This is an easy fundraiser. Please come and turn some sausages with me and raise money for the school. All money goes towards your children's programs, resources etc - basically all the stuff that is not funded by the department and helps make our school one of the best schools in Australia. 

Extension of the Tutor Learning Initiative

The Victorian Government has announced a further $442.2 million investment to extend the Tutor Learning Initiative for the 2024 and 2025 school years. This funding will allow Victorian government schools to continue to provide students with intensive small-group tutoring support. 

It will enable every student identified as ‘Needs Additional Support’ in the 2023 and 2024 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessments to be offered this additional support.

The extension highlights the outstanding work tutors are undertaking to support literacy and numeracy. Our tutor program has had a strong and positive impact, not just on learning outcomes but on engagement and wellbeing. Thank you Christine and Jo for your exceptional commitment to our students.

The Tutor Learning Initiative will play a key role in building on the progress demonstrated by Victoria’s excellent NAPLAN 2023 results, and will help to ensure that we continue to close the achievement gap for disadvantaged students.

Unfortunately for IPS, our funding has been cut by 3/4s so fewer students will be supported by this program in 2024. However, we are confident that the program will continue to provide value to our community.

R U OK? Day is everyday but celebrated yesterday

FAIR Cleaning - can you help?

At previous Fairs we have employed a small company to handle our cleaning requirements. The school Fair is on the 25th of November from 12pm - 5.30pm and we are looking for a team of cleaning staff to make sure the toilets remain clean and the bins are emptied. (The previous people will be overseas at that time). 

If you are a small business who might quote on this small job, or know of someone who might be interested please call me through the school office on 9499 1880 or by email ivanhoe.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

FAIR Silent Auction

Our biennial IPS Fair is on 25th November (from 12pm-5.30pm) - please put this date in your calendars. This is our major fundraiser, and it plays a pivotal role in supporting various academic and extracurricular programs for your children, so there is an expectation that your family will get involved in some way.

Here are some options below;

- the Silent Auction is probably the biggest fundraiser at the Fair. If a business or organisation you have a relationship with has goods or services we can auction off in our Silent Auction, we would love to hear from you. 

Please contact the Fair Committee (ivanhoeprimaryschoolfair@gmail.com) with a description and value of the donated goods/services, specific conditions and/or dates (note that vouchers should be valid for 6 months from the Fair date), and where applicable, pick-up arrangements

- if you would personally like to donate cash, contact the Fair Committee (ivanhoeprimaryschoolfair@gmail.com). 

Rest assured the funds will be allocated wisely towards ensuring our IPS Fair is a roaring success

- each class at school is running a stall. Put your name down with your Class Rep to help out beforehand and at your stall on the day of the Fair

- each class is also required to do a piece of class art to auction off at the Silent Auction so we need helpers to assist with running this (again, see your Class Rep for more details)

- required donations of

*good quality 2nd hand books (to be left at school in the hallway outside the Staffroom in the main brick building)

*good quality and clean 2nd hand toys (to be left at the School Office). No soft toys please

*good quality and clean 2nd hand bric-a-brac items (to be left at the School Office). 

Examples include crockery, pictures, ornaments, arts & crafts, jewellery, DVDs, vintage records, tools.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to support our school and make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students.

Andrea Thomas

Fair Co-ordinator

Ivanhoe Primary School

ivanhoeprimaryschoolfair@gmail.com

Books, plants, toys and bric-a-brac 

Having a spring clean these holidays? IPS would love your donations!                                        

Books, plants, toys and bric-a-brac are all welcome. Please save any of these items and drop them off to the IPS school office during opening hours next term.

IPS FAIR - STUDENTS STALLS 

(now flat rate cost of $20 )

On Saturday 25th November 2023, Ivanhoe Primary School will be holding our school fair. Students at IPS are welcome to organise to have their own stall on the day from 12.00pm to 4.30pm. They may like to have their own individual stall or make a combined stall with other students. Table set up can begin from 11:00am on the fair day and must all be set up by 12.00pm. 

Information regarding the exact location of student stalls will be posted closer to the event. Stalls can pack up prior to 4.30pm.There is a now flat rate cost of $20 for any students wanting to have a stall, which will include the space for one or two trestle tables. 

Please click on the following link for further information and to register your stall.https://forms.office.com/r/qrJvGQfbrw

For further information or any queries please contact:

Miss Kelly - sue.kelly@education.vic.gov.au

Miss McCormick - mollie.mccormick@education.vic.gov.au

Smile Squad is coming to this school

Dear Ivanhoe Primary School families,

The Smile Squad team from Banyule Community Health are coming to our school in term four.  Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program.

This means all students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment at school.

How to access free dental care

Smile Squad will need your consent before they can provide services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian.

Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic 

OR use the below QR code:

Please complete and submit the consent form by 6/10/2023 

Ride 2 School Day fundraiser - 15th of September

We have been notified by the Ride2School Network that the program is no longer being financially backed by the Victorian Government, and they are looking into alternative sources of funding, e.g. community donations etc. There is more information in the attached flyer below.

Our incredible Ride2School leaders, Jimmy S, Allegra T, Amelia P, Rithvika R, Luka B and Ava P are determined to keep Ride2School alive at IPS. Mrs Richardson and the Ride2School leaders are planning a Save Ride2School Day on the last day of Term 3 (Friday 15th September) where children can wear free dress and bring in a gold coin to donate to the cause. 

Given that September is also peak magpie swooping season, Ride2School leaders are keen to invite students in Foundation to Year 6 to enter a crazy helmet competition. At home children can create an elaborately decorated helmet that is designed to deter the swooping magpies. The crazy helmet competition will also be held on Friday morning 15th September, outside the Treehouse, where Mrs Richardson and the Ride2School leaders will select a winner from each Year level and award house points.

Idling cars and air pollution - 'Billy never idles and neither should you'. 

Leaving the engine running in cars idling outside school drop-off and pick-up zones should be banned, say experts, who believe the toxic exhaust fumes could make children sick. “It’s really important that school communities and local councils work closely together to work out strategies for good pick-up and drop-off arrangements,” said Parents Victoria chief executive officer Gail McHardy. While the video is amusing the message is serious.

Lost Property - last chance

All unclaimed, un-named lost property will be donated to the swap shop.

Finally

I'd like to acknowledge the families and individuals, who behind the scenes,  donate time, money, care, expertise and the love to ensure that every student can participate in every activity at our wonderful school. 

I would like to thank you for all your continued support as we work together as a  community in the best interests of every child. I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable break and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready to learn.

Have a wonderful holiday, stay safe.

Mark Kent

Principal