From the Principal

Welcome to IPS 

This year the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) celebrates 80 years of Children's Book Week with the theme: Book an Adventure.  The purpose of Book Week is to celebrate and encourage children's reading, by promoting children's literature and fostering a love of books. 

Each year at IPS we hold a Book Week Parade.  Children and staff alike dress up as their favourite characters from books and proudly show off their costumes.  Students arrive at school with such excitement and get to find out about the books and characters their peers and teachers are dressed as.

Head over to the Book Week Page to see more photos.

Promoting a Love of Literacy at Home

Fostering a love of books starts at home.  When you read to, or with your child, it promotes curiosity about stories and an interest in words and pictures the stories have to tell.  

The benefits of reading to your child are not just isolated to reading, they include overall cogitive and social development. Reading to your child builds language skills and literacy, empathy, and also helps children learn how to handle challenging feelings.

Here's 10 things to think about when you read to your child...

1. Make reading to your child feel like a treat.
2. Make it a special quiet time away from others. (Cuddle up on the couch where you can both see the book)
3. Show curiosity in what you're going to read. (Excitedly asking, "what's next?" or "This should be funny, it's about...")
4. Read the whole story the first time all the way through without stopping too much. (If you think your child might not understand something, you could say, " I think what's happening here, is...")
5. Chat about the story. (You can ask questions like, "I wonder why she did that?" or "Oh No! I hope he's not going to ..." or "Would you have done that?")
6. Link stories to your own and your child's experiences and link these experiences to stories. (You could say, "This reminds me of when dropped the ice creams on the ground at the park!" or "Isn't this like that time we chased the hamster around the garden?")
7. Read favourite stories over and over again. (Encourage your child to join in with the bits they know. Build the suspense each time, hesitating so they can jump in with the next world or line. Avoid saying, "Not that story again!")
8. Read with enthusiasm.(Try out different voices. You're child will love it!)
9. Read with enjoyment. (If you're not enjoying it, you've chosen the wrong book.)
10. Don't stop reading to your child when they can read for themselves. (Select some books that are at a higher level than they can read on their own or choose a series of books that you're both interested in.)

House Athletics Winners

Congratulations to McCubbin, the overall winners of the years 3-6 House Athletics Event!

Corelli Strings Performance at Assembly

The Corelli Strings group performed two pieces at the start of Monday's assembly in preparation for Night of Strings on Saturday 6th September.

Night of Music

House Captains Treat

Every Monday morning, the House Captains arrive at school early and set up cones and chairs for assembly.  This year's captains have been incredibly responsible and respectful. They diligently get things done with a smile on their faces and without a fuss. I've been so impressed with their work ethic and maturity, that I treated them all to a hot chocolate at recess on Monday.  On such a chilly morning, it was especially appreciated!

Thank you to our House Captains. They consistently display the school values and their work is very much appreciated. They show a level of maturity beyond their years and are excellent role models and leaders.

Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey 

 We want our families to tell us what they think.

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. 

The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 18th of August to Friday 19th of September 2025.

A random sample of parents / caregivers / guardians will be selected to participate in this year’s survey. The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The survey results will be communicated to parents / caregivers / guardians through the annual report.

2025 Ivanhoe Fair External Stall Holders

Are you a Local Maker?  

We are now seeking external stall holders that are interested in holding a market stall at our 2025 Ivanhoe Primary School Fair! 

This is your chance to sell your locally crafted goods while helping raise vital funds for student wellbeing and educational resources at Ivanhoe Primary.

Seeking sellers of handmade goods and hobby/craft makers for market stall spots available at our school fair. 

Limited 3m x 3m outdoor spots available

Ivanhoe Primary Fair

 Email andreaabroad@hotmail.com for an Application Form by 29th August.

More on the Fair Page click here

Use of Smart Watches at school

As outlined in our school expectations, smart watches and similar devices are not to be worn at Ivanhoe Primary School. This is due to the capacity of these devices to connect with the internet and the potential to infringe on the privacy of others. 

Please leave them at home OR give it to the teacher at the start of the school day. (Same as the rule for mobile phones)!

Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping your school a safe and respectful environment.

Personal and Mobile Devices Policy click here 

Fathers Day Stall and Fathers Day Breakfast

We Need Your Help for Two Special Father’s Day Events!

We’re excited to be celebrating Father’s Day with two wonderful events, and we’re calling on our amazing community to help make them a success.

1. Father’s Day Stall – Wednesday, 3rd September (during school hours)This is a lovely opportunity for children to purchase a gift for a special person in their lives. Volunteers are needed to help run the stall and assist the children with their purchases.

2. Father’s Day Breakfast – Thursday, 4th of September 

We’ll also be hosting a Father’s Day breakfast, and we’ll need plenty of hands to help cook, serve, and set up. The dads set a high bar for the Mother’s Day breakfast—let’s make this one just as special!

If you’re available to help with either event, please get in touch with the relevant contact listed in the posters below.

2026 Year 6 Uniforms

Mr Pearce and Emily Fraser have begun the process of coordinating Grade 6 clothing for 2026. Grade 5 families have already had the chance to view design options, and the hoodie and polo pictured will be available for purchase later in the year from Noone, our school supplier in East Ivanhoe. In the coming weeks, students will be able to try on sample items to find their best fit. After the fitting session, Grade 5 families will be able to place their orders for Grade 6 clothing through the Noone website.

Click the link - Design on the Grade 6 Clothing 2026 page

Pups & poop

While it's nice to see parents and children with their dogs around pick up time but please remember to keep them on their leads and their faces away from those of the children. 

Also please pick up after your dog because a miss step can lead to a stinky classroom and upset learners.

Finally

Another plea to take care when driving around the school.  A neighbour called the school this week to report a near miss involving a child and a vehicle in Lowe Street.  

Primary school children have not yet fully developed their peripheral vision and are often distracted and unpredictable around roads.  It is the responsibility of families to be extra cautious and look out for the children in our community.

Please make a concerted effort to be vigilant around our roads to make this a safe community for everyone.

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.