From the Principal

Welcome to Ivanhoe PS

Dear parents

Parent / Teacher conferences will be held online in week two of next term. Online bookings will be open at the beginning of the term with parents having the flexiblity to arrange times that suit all parties. 

End of Term dismissal is 2.30pm on Friday.

A reminder that visitors can enter school grounds, however they must  check in using the QR codes.

Reports will be available on COMPASS on Friday afternoon. It is a great time to reflect on student achievements and set goals both at home and at school to support those children who are excelling, those who are working well and those who might benefit from some additional encouragement.

Education is not a linear journey. There are peaks and troughs, periods of acceleration and periods of slow growth. Holidays provide time to pause and reflect, before moving forward again.

Midyear is a good time to talk to children about goal setting for Semester 2. Encourage your child to talk to you about what they feel they  are "good" at and what they might want to "get better at".  Positive language often reaps positive results. 

Remember that we are all partners in learning, parent, teacher and student/child. When we are all on the same page, travelling in the same direction we create and maximise opportunities for achievement and excellence.

At IPS our objectives are:

To provide an educational program that develops students’ curiosity and creativity.

To develop responsible and engaged learners.

To foster tolerance, respect and acceptance of others.

To build each student’s resilience and self-esteem.

To provide a curriculum that is rich and relevant and allows all students to succeed.

To promote a strong, supportive partnership between home, school and the wider community.

To have high expectations of ourselves and others.

Building removal

After significant negotiating with the Dept of Education one of our relocatables has now been removed to make way for the reinstatement of our half court basketball / netball court and another 4-square court.  We are  looking in to new backboards.

Basketball / netball re-instatement

Beautification works to the Waterdale Rd Building

Next term there will be a six week period of works where the rotting windows and deteriorating west facing facade of the Waterdale rd building will be repaired. There will be some minor disruptions to classes and the library during this period but the outcomes will be well worth it. Additional works to the roof, gutters, skylights and brickwork will stop the leaks that we curently have to contend with in poor weather.

I was reflecting on some of the major physical works and improvements we have embarked upon over the last five years and I'd like to acknowledge the work of the varous school councils, sub committees, staff, parents and volunteers who have helped to make these projects happen. Below are some of them.

• Built the Treehouse - four open plan classrooms and  a wet area.
• A new kitchen in OSHC and an ncrease in OSHC capacity to 150 from 80 places.
• Introduced a Vacation Care Program.
• Removed several demountable buildings.
• Installed eleven reverse cycle air conditioners.
• Painted the front of the school.
• Redeveloped the Collaboration Space to include additional AV units and screens.
• Introduced robotics, coding and 3D printing.
• Built the Beehive - eight classrooms including wet and outdoor learning areas.
• Re carpeted the Waterdale Rd building and safety re pointed all stairs.
• Introduced COMPASS as our primary management system.
• Introduced Class Dojo as a window into learning.
• Redeveloped the school website.
• Ashphalting - around gates and school entryway.
• Replaced the main sewer.
• Installed exhaust fans in the student toilets.
• Removed a 30 metre river gum that had begun to drop branches.
• Replaced the old timber stairs to oval.
• Replaced and automated the oval watering system and turfed sections of the oval.
• Installed a new playground.
• Installed three sheds along Ailsa Grove for chairs and stage storage.
• Currently reinstating the outside basketball / netball court.

These are just the physical changes. There are just as many changes to our teaching and learning programs and practices that are making a positive difference to every child's learning. 

Our greatest resource are our people. 

Our staff are the most important element in our school. It's the quality of the relationships between the staff, the students and the parents, and their skills that make IPS great. Together  with you we generate ideas, solve problems, make decisions, and generate the learning and the momentum that keeps us on the improve journey.

You are invited to celebrate

Join us to celebrate Edwina and Monika's retirement from OSHC. For almost 30 years Edwina, with Monika by her side have run an outstanding program for the children that attend the IPS Before and After School Care program.

Grade 5 Camp

This week, Year 5s have been at Camp Coonawarra in Gippsland enjoying cold but mostly sunny weather. The students have been having a marvellous time, participating in various adventure activities and problem solving initiatives requiring the development of cooperation and the acquisition of new skills.   The flying fox and giant swing proving popular, along with bush cooking  and archery among many other activities.

Of course we could not run the camping program without the dedication and support of teachers and parent volunteers. Thank you Lewis Piera, Peter Hillman, Lisa Dal Pos and Serge Barshtman.

Camp leadership and management is a 24/7 proposition and the adults will be just as exhausted as the students when they return Friday.  So I take this opportunity to thank them on behalf of the community now as they will all leave for a well deserved break shortly after their return. Thank you to teachers; Ms Temple, Miss Romeo,  Mr Bull, Miss Millar and Mr McKissack.  

On pick up tomorrow...

Please do not park at the end of Tate street near the school at pick up so the buses can enter. A teacher will be there with a STOP sign to help the bus drivers.

I suggest you park in Ailsa Grove and enter through the OSHC gate. 

Year 6 Robotics and Football

Melbourne City Reflection by Cleopatra

Over the past few weeks we have been doing robotics as well as handball and soccer with the Melbourne City Football Club. I have really enjoyed this experience as it has pushed my technical abilities to the limit and as for the sport it really gets me going and I get really competitive when I’m playing. 

My favourite part was probably the Robotics World Cup because it has parts of competitiveness and also some skill are required. I’ve had a really fun time doing this with Melbourne City. 

I’m also really happy that our team came 3rd in the Robotics World Cup.

• read more reports on the Student Voice page of this edition of "Inside Ivanhoe"

Semester One Junior School Council & Environmental Leaders "Thank You!"

Your work on JSC and Enviro leaders has been fabulous. This week marks your final week in your leadership position.  You have really made a difference in your school. Although some of the time has been in remote learning you have come up with great ideas and got things done. 

Things we can look forward to that you have been keen about include a new playground, the old portable being taken away, a newish basketball court, free dress days and more.

NAIDOC WEEK

NAIDOC WEEK is  in the holidays (4th -11th July).

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Here’s a link you may find useful:

https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week

Seeking Supporters and donations for Ivanhoe Primary School Fair 2021

Ivanhoe Primary School is a learning environment of students, teachers and parents that has been a central part of the Ivanhoe community for over 160 years. Our school’s mission to provide a positive, vibrant and inspiring environment where our 600 students are valued and encouraged to succeed is not only reflected within our school but the wider Ivanhoe community as well. Please read the attached letter and IPS Fair donation form..

If you would like to contribute to our fair or discuss your options as a Supporter or Friend of the Fair, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly on 0421 176 673 or climbatree1@gmail.com. 

Like and follow us at www.facebook.com/IPS2021Fair

Please read the School Fair News page in this edition of "Inside Ivanhoe"

Can you help?

School Council is looking for a parent or friend of IPS to help us pro bono manage our social media presence as well as some of the more technical aspects of our school website in relation to the promotion of the school fair.

If you think that might be you please phone me or get in touch with a member of School Council. 

Bookweek is coming next term

During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. Classroom teachers, teacher librarians and public librarians create colourful displays, develop activities,  and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading. This year the theme is.

Finally

 I would like to wish all of the students and families a well-deserved break. 

Please remember not everyone is aware that it is school holidays so sadly drivers are not always  on the lookout for children.

Next term we welcome Kieran McKissack who has replaced Fiona Millar as a Year 5 teacher for term 3 until the position is filled. Sabina Harrington who joins us as an Italian teacher working with Signor McKay.

I take this opportunity to thank all of my staff for their dedication to the school which is integral to making IPS such a great school.

I hope you all are able to take some time out from your busy schedules and find some downtime for simple pleasures and to enjoy the company of family and good friends.

Stay safe everyone.

Thank you

Mark Kent

Principal