From the Principal
Welcome to IPS
As we move into the the final two weeks of this term, I want to take the opportunity to congratulate all our students and their families for the hard work everyone has put in to ensure learning not only moves along but does so in a creative and innovative way .
I also want to thank our wonderful teachers too, who are now perfecting virtual learning techniques and are also being creative in their teaching. Over the past few weeks, I've seen virtual excursions to museums and zoos around the world, I've seen collaborative virtual play sessions, I've seen virtual dress-up days, virtual cooking sessions and virtual genius hour. I've seen virtual incursions where experts have been available to work just with our students on topics ranging from wellbeing, to science, to life education. Students are beginning to perfect virtual collaboration techniques as well as independence and critical thinking skills.
Let's take a moment to take stock and celebrate the success of our whole school community. We value your support and look forward to seeing you all in the near future!
Here's some grade 2 environmental work to celebrate!
Community Spirit
Thank you so much to Nathan C and his dad for mowing the side and front garden. You are superstars! IPS is so lucky to have such a generous and supportive community.
It is looking so good, Nathan could invite Manchester City over for a kick about on our front garden now!
2021 Foundation enrolments are now open.
Reminder, that 2021 enrolments are open. To assist us with planning and staffing, please get your enrolments in as soon as possible for next year.
Look what fun our Foundation students have. Enrol now and join the fun!
Whilst the current restrictions prevent us from conducting school tours we are now conducting Virtual tours for students enrolling in Foundation for 2021.
There are 4 tours available on Tuesday the 8th of September at:
2.00-2.30pm
2.30-3.00pm
3.00-3.30pm
3.45-4.15pm
Contact us for an enrolment pack or to book a virtual tour.
Tel: 9499 1880
Email: ivanhoeps@education.vic.gov.au
Kinder to Foundation Transition Update
Our transition program will begin in term 4 and will still need to be guided by the Chief Health Officer for Victoria and the Department of Education and Training. If we aren't able to hold onsite sessions we have an exciting program that we can still do remotely.
Our comprehensive transition program in Term 4 will support new students and their families to become more familiar with the learning environment.
Our Foundation Transition program includes:
- Transition information session for parents and carers
- 3 transition sessions for children and concurrent information sessions for parents and carers
Transition Orientation Dates:
Session 1- Wednesday 14th October – 9:10-10:00am
Session 2- Thursday 12th November – 9:10-10:00am
Session 3- Tuesday 15th December – 9:10-10:30am – MEET THE TEACHER for 2021!
- Evening Prep Information/School Readiness Session where you will meet your child’s teacher on Monday 14th December at 7:00pm.
We look forward to connecting with you, as we prepare for the start of your child’s learning journey with us.
New Building Progress
The new building is coming along nicely. Here's a peek of what's happening inside...
Support for Families
Raising Learners podcast
The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.
Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.
These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.
The first three episodes will be available on 1 September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.
Managing the Coronacoaster webinar
Renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is back by popular demand to repeat his Coronacoaster webinar.
On 15 September, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will again present Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era. His first webinar in August booked out in three days, with more than 12,000 registrations.
In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown period and remote learning. Topics include:
- your supportive role
- setting the emotional tone
- focusing on what you can control
- how to deal with disappointment
- more resources and where to get help.
Webinar details
When: 7.30pm, Tuesday 15 September
Duration: 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session
Format: online via live stream
Cost: free
Register for the Managing the Coronacoaster webinar via Eventbrite
More advice, tips and resources for parents to support your child’s continuity of learning from home.
The Department of Education has put together some resources you may find helpful which I have organised under the following headings.
Supporting your child with additional needs
Screentime, health and wellbeing
Story Box Library
Story time with Fonzie
Over the past few weeks, we've had Rigby and Hamish listening to stories. This week it's the turn of Fonzie, Signora Garzarella's Guinea Pig! Here he is listening to a story, wondering if he will be the Best in Show!
Letters of Gratitude from Grade 3
You can read more of our grade 3 students' letters of gratitude to our health workers. This week's letters are from Lily and Panagiota.
Look out for more each week....
Update on the response from our health care workers...
Geri McDonald, the Director of Prevention and Wellbeing at Peter Mac Wellbeing Centre in Melbourne and the Year 3 team are planning an incursion and hoping to tie it in with RU OK? Day on the 10th September. They will be doing some great wellbeing activities around resilience, smiling mind and looking after ourselves. What an amazing opportunity! Well done to our grade 3 students too.
Keira F from 4T shows us how to care for others
Random Act of Kindness
Khoi from Gloriosa Gardens flower shop sent the IPS staff these beauties to brighten our week. Thank you!
Also thank you to Zoe from 4L for her very thoughtful gift to staff who are onsite. You are very clever to make such yummy food Zoe and what a lovely surprise for us!
We also received a lovely supportive message from Danielle B's family this week and I wanted to share with you as it does mean a lot to us. Thank you.
You must have heard it a thousand times but I wanted to personally thank you and all the teachers for doing truly amazing work with our kids. I believe that IPS is outstanding during this difficult time.
Teacher Assistant Appreciation Week
This week we acknowledge and thank all our Integration Aides who do a wonderful job supporting our students and our teachers. We couldn't do it without you!
A Message from our Junior School Leaders
House Points
House Captains Message
iSpy a bear...
Someone has spotted two IPS house-colour bears out and about this week. If you spy one, take a photo and send it to the IPS gmail account we can publish it in the newsletter. I wonder which house will win?
This week, iSpy a SUTHERLAND bear and a MCCUBBIN bear!
Finally...
I want to take this opportunity to thank the IPS community for their continued support.
Stay safe and look after each other.
Pam Wright
Acting Principal
