From the Principal

Welcome to Ivanhoe Primary School,

The week began a little differently than usual.  Instead of students coming to school, we had all sorts of professionals turn up!   

It was so good to see how inspired our students are by their parents and teachers but even more so by their own imagination and aspirations.  Students dressed as astronauts, artists, musicians, scientists, engineers, zoo  keepers, chefs, vets, builders, sports people, doctors and of course, teachers.

We saw students who aspired to be authors, lawyers, designers, actors, presenters and even influencers.   

If you look closely, you'll even see that teachers got in on the act too (although I know most only ever wanted to be teachers but that would have been a really boring dress up!)

Won't it be interesting to look back at this issue of the newsletter with your children in another 15 years time? I wonder what sort of careers they will have.  Perhaps some are yet to even be thought of. 

Change of Assembly Time this Monday

To accommodate Special Group Photos taking place on Monday morning, our assembly has been temporarily moved to the new time of 2.45pm.  If you would like to come and see your child receive awards or speak at assembly, please come to school via the office for 2.40pm and you can make your way to the hall.

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 recouperation.  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. 

Special Group Photos

Advanced Life Photography will be returning to school on Monday 29th May to photograph students belonging to the following groups this year:

• Graduation                                                                                                                                
• Environmental Leaders Semester 1                                           
• Environmental Leaders Semester 2                                           
• Junior School Councillors Semester 1                                                  
• Junior School Councillors Semester 2                                                  
• Peer Leaders                                                                                      
• Corelli Strings                                                                                     
• Start Up Strings                                                                                 
• Orchestra                                                                                        

Make sure you're in full uniform for the photos!

Enrolments for 2024

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 9440 1880 to organise.  

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

Bookings are essential as places are limited.

Parent/Carer Online Safety & Digital Wellbeing Session 

Wednesday 31st May

Ivanhoe Primary School is hosting the final free face-to-face Online Safety and Digital Wellbeing session for this year.

The session for parents/carers of students in years 3-6 will be delivered on Wednesday 31st May at 7pm in the Collabroation Space, by Evolve Education, who are a trusted e-safety.gov.au provider. The session will be full of practical strategies and resources to help improve online safety and promote digital wellbeing for your children.

Dates/Times:  

Year 3 - Year 6: Wednesday 31st May at 7pm

To ensure your place, please book: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6lEOi3M2u8P8G_Ec-47N98JBayC3s0vNxqykxFKInERmnSw/viewform

Places are limited, so please book early to avoid missing out!

*Please note, these sessions are not suitable for children to participate in.

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.  

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

Many hands make light work!  

Celebrating Student Achievement

Cross Country

Well done to all the students who particapted in the Ivanhoe District Cross Country Event.

Congratulations to the following students who made it through to the next round:

• Ashley (3J), 
• Violet (3J), 
• Maddie (4T), 
• Sonny (4K), 
• Leo (4F), 
• Ivy (5SB), 
• Jude (5M), 
• Max (6HB), 
• Fred (6P), 
• Rhys (6K).  

All the students did an amazing job both running and supporting their peers and as a bonus, the weather was kind to us!

Read the full report on the Sport Page!

Congratulations also go to Oisin in 6P who has made it through to the third and final round of the School Sport Victoria U12 Team Vic hockey trials on Sunday May 28th.   Good luck Oisin, we hope you get selected for the state Under 12's hockey team. He has also been selected for the under 12s zone team for the Grass sports Junior State Championships in July.

Coming soon...

Dr Andrew Wake will be presenting a 'Parenting Talk' session for our families on 1st August from 7.00pm-8.30pm in the Collaboration Space.   Keep an eye out for more information!

Finally - 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.

Have a great week!

Pam Wright

Acting Principal