From the Principal

Welcome to Ivanhoe Primary School,

Friday 26th May is National Sorry Day which is recognised as a day of healing to commemorate the Stolen Generations. It marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week from 27th May to 3rd of June.  The theme for this year encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation. 

To begin the week, Rondelle from 4F presented the acknoweldgement of country in Yorta Yorta followed by an English translation from the whole of 3M.   Rondelle and Fatah eloquently presentd their speeches about Reconcilation Week to help explain to everyone what it is and it's significance.

This week and into next week our students will be involved in learning more about First Nation's knowledge and culture.  They will be involved in learning a little Woi Worrung language and particpate in activties that promote understanding of our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

Students in 3H worked together to create this fabulous artwork and the year 4 students created their own artwork stemming from reading a variety of texts about The Stolen Generation.  You can see their work and read more about it on the Student Voice page and expect to see more of our students' work in next week's newsletter.

Enrolments for Foundation 2024 Closing Soon!

If you are interested in enroling your child for Foundation in 2024, please note: 

All enrolments for Foundation must be submitted by Friday 28th July 2023.

You can download an enrolment form from our website or you can drop in to the office and collect the form in person.  

School Tours

If you'd like to book a school tour, please call the office on 9499 1880 to organise.  

We have tours available each Friday at 11am for the whole of term 2.   

Bookings are essential as places are limited.

Cold and Flu Season

We all want to be as healthy as possible but coming into winter, that can be tricky.  We have had an increased number of both students and staff who are sick and it seems there are a few nasty bugs going around.  

If your child is unwell, please don't send them to school.  Our bodies respond well to rest and recuperation.  Keeping your child at home for a few days will allow them to get the rest they need and this will help prevent any viruses spreading within the school community.  This Victorian State Government patient fact sheet provides some exellent advice.

In the 19 May 2023 Media Release  the CHO reminds us that COVID-19 cases are also rising. 

Steps to protect yourself and others:

1. Wear a mask: a high-quality and well-fitted mask can protect you and others from the virus.
2. Get your 2023 booster: new bivalent vaccines targeting Omicron variants are available at your GP or local pharmacy. To find out if you’re eligible for your next booster, visit the Coronavirus website. Flu vaccines are also now available.
3. Let fresh air in: open windows and doors when you can – it reduces the spread of the virus.
4. Get tested: if you have symptoms, take a rapid antigen test. 
5. Stay at home: if you have COVID, you should stay at home for at least five days and until you have no symptoms.
6. Talk to your doctor: if you are at risk of falling very sick, you may be eligible for COVID and influenza medicines – and early testing and diagnosis are important. With expanded criteria, more people are now eligible for COVID medicines. 

Join the PFA and / or the FAIR  - we need you!

This is going to be an exciting year for our community. Please join us by contacting our PFA Coordinator, Andrea Thomas on 0431 953 720. 

Volunteers are needed. We'd love to be able to quote Jenny from the Block ...

"we used to have a little now we have a lot.."

Please volunteer your time to help us make it a fantastic fair! 

Many hands make light work!  

Rescheduled Term 2 Working Bee

The working bee for term 2 has been rescheduled and the new date is Saturday 17th June from 3pm-5pm.

 We are very grateful to the volunteers who give up their time to help keep the school looking as good as it does.  It's what makes us such a wonderful community!

Mr Bull will publish a list of jobs that need doing shortly.

SAVE THE DATE! 

IPS Student Disco: Friday July 21st 

Hi IPS families,

Time to dust off those dancing shoes because the much-anticipated 2023 student disco is coming up in July and this year we have a Winter Wonderland theme!  Stay tuned for more details on what that means 😊. 

All our PFA volunteers put in a lot of effort to give the kids a great night, and everyone attending (including parents at drop-off and pick-up) have a part to play in making it fun and stress-free for all.  

We simply can’t do it without parent helpers, so please let us as know if you can help with any of the below:

First Aid - if you have any first aid experience, we need someone for each of the sessions (or one person willing to do both).

DJ / Audio Setup - our DJs need help with setup and pack-up, if you know what a banana plug is (or are willing to find out) we need you!

General Monitoring and Canteen crew - If you have a fear of band aids and audio equipment but know how to herd cats - you can help with supervision or selling icy poles 😊.

If you can help with any of the above, please contact me asap, and please also indicate:

• Do you have a Working With Children check?
• What times / sessions can you volunteer for?
• Anything specific you want to help with (Audio Setup / Canteen / First Aid / don’t mind)
• Include your email and mobile number (so I can contact you if needed)

Many thanks,Lance Greenwood – Disco Co-ordinator

Lance.greenwood@initiative.com.au | 0410 660 196

Digital Wellbeing and Cyber Safety Parent Sessions

The last session was held on Wednesday evening and well attended.  Bec from Evolve gave us all some really positive tips to support our children's digital wellbeing and safety. 

Here's a quick tip to support you to help make Roblox safer for your children.

Coming soon...

Dr Andrew Wake will be presenting a 'Parenting Talk' session for our families.

 When:

1st August from 7.00pm-8.30pm

Where: 

Collaboration Space

Use the QR code in the poster to book

Prep Bag Survey

Have your say about this year’s Prep bags in a short survey, closing Sunday 9 July.

Each year, the Department of Education gives every Prep student attending a Victorian government school a bag full of goodies to celebrate this milestone in their education journey. The information and educational resources in the bags are designed to help Prep students and their families thrive from the start of Term 1.

The department is inviting parents and carers of current Prep students to participate in a short survey about the 2023 Prep bags, by 5 pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.

Your feedback will help the department learn what families liked about the Prep bags and what can be improved in 2024. 

You can have your say at 2023 Prep Bags – Evaluation Survey.

The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. For more information on this year’s Prep bags, refer to Prep bags.

Celebrating Student Achievment

Well done to Sonny, Ivy, Leo, Max, Violet and Maddie who displayed our school values of confidence, persistence, resilience and independence to get  through to the next round of the regional cross country event.

Fantastic effort!

Strings Performance at assembly on Monday

Start up strings will be performing at assembly on Monday at 9am.  

We welcome families to come along to see them perform.

Finally - Year 2 Excursion to Bundoora Farmstead

Year 2 students were excitedly waved off on their excursion to Bundoora Farm this morning as part of their History unit.   Look out for photos in next week's newsletter!

In the meantime, thank you to our parent volunteers who got into the spirt of the day.

Have a great week!

Pam Wright

Acting Principal