From the Principal

WELCOME TO IPS - PICNIC

We’d love you to join us TOMORROW (from 5pm to 8pm) on the School Oval – entry via Ailsa Grove.

You can 

• bring your own food and drink
• buy food on the night from the onsite food trucks
• get food from Annette in the canteen by pre-buying through the MySchoolConnect app (under the heading of Ivanhoe Welcome Picnic March 18) or on the night

The Foundation to Grade 2 classes will be clearly sign-posted near the entry to the oval so that you can meet other families in your child’s class, otherwise, just pick a spot to lay your picnic rug down and relax with other school families.

There will be bands, a singalong, and a sports clinic!

Don’t forget to bring a mask to use in cases where you can’t socially distance, and adults, please only attend if you are fully vaccinated.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

IPS Parents and Friends Association (PFA).

Masks at the picnic?  Wear a mask when not socially distancing etc but there will be plenty of space to spread out. Some teachers and staff will no doubt attend for a while so please say "hello". (We don't bite :-) Please make sure you supervise your own children as we all appreciate being able to relax and talk to you too.

First Whole School Assembly

Our first whole school assembly (including Foundation) was the Monday before last. Our students continue to do a remarkable job of joining in and working together regardless of the circumstances. There were presentations and information sharing, all managed from our classrooms and learning spaces.

Here are some of our Stars of the Week.

Our school values its staff

We often talk of  resilience in our community, our students and families but we must remember that everyone employed at IPS  is a member of the community too. We could not do without them.

A resilient school staff means a resilient school. The following is an adaptation and sections of an article in The Educator Australia by Brett Henebery that deals with building  a culture of resilience in schools.

Across Australia’s education, there is a glimmer of hope that 2022 could be the year that the word “Covid” begins to fade from the public vernacular and things return to normal for students, parents and school staff.

Higher rates of vaccination, the strengthening of public health measures and a gradual decline in case numbers could very well mean that Australian kids end the year celebrating ... and looking to the future with a newfound sense of optimism. 

In the meantime, schools ... are working hard to ensure that teaching and learning routines return to normal as quickly as possible.

The power of resilience in leadership is that it acknowledges things aren’t always smooth sailing and prepares you to bounce back from situations with focus, decisiveness and purpose, rather than sending you into a permanent state of distress. This goes for teachers, administration, education support staff etc.

School staff can foster resilience both on a personal and a community level by focusing on the ability to accept ongoing change and to rise to the challenge of finding new ways to operate. 

Miss McCormick, Mrs Makoni and Miss Emerson have taken it apon themselves to organise several social events and bring everyone together again. Miss Emerson graciously offered up two of her famous white chocolate cheesecakes to share with us all in the front garden. They have arranged for a breakfast and a bbq later in the Term.

IPS staff  take time to meaningfully connect.  Maintaining healthy and emotionally stimulating relationships with your personal network and family takes teachers and staff  out of the demanding ‘pastoral care’ role they so often take on.  

No doubt, things will change a lot as the year progresses. Leaders and staff who are ready to set carefully made plans aside and collaborate to build new ones  will be well placed to bounce forward.

By leading the charge in rebuilding and maintaining resilience in our community, we have aimed to begin the new school year with strength and with the power to manage whatever challenges may arise.

Caught you being great!

Miara, Cahaya and Zara caught filling a bag with rubbish and cleaning up our school. Yesterday we hosted some visiting Principals from Keilor Downs Primary School who were very interested in our programs, but equally impressed by the students and the clear sense of pride they have in their school.

Harmony Day (21st of March)

Next week Ivanhoe Primary celebrates Harmony Week.

The Australian Human Rights Commision reports that "...Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries. Since 1945, almost seven million people have migrated to Australia."

It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone with its key message being ‘Everyone Belongs’.

Australia is an incredibly diverse country that people from many different backgrounds call home. Considering that nearly half of Australians are either born overseas, or have one or more parents that have been born overseas, it is no wonder that Australia is considered one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. 

I consider myself extremely lucky to be a principal in such a vibrant, school and acknowledge the responsibility of celebrating multiculturalism at our school. Celebrating the rich diversity of all students is something that we embed into our classroom practices each day. Harmony Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the rich diversity of our amazing country.

This year Harmony Day is Monday the 21st March.

Students are encouraged to wear a splash of orange, bring their favourite food from their cultural background and be ready to share some traditions their countries have/hold.

Our Kitchen Garden Takes Shape

OUR NEW KITCHEN GARDEN NEEDS A SIGN & ENTERIES CLOSE MARCH 28TH 2022! THE CHOSEN DESIGN WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN

You have all probably seen the  signs for The Beehive, The Treehouse, The Cubby House and The Play House?  Well, our new kitchen garden needs a sign too! Get creative and design a sign that will showcase our magnificent kitchen garden to the school community. The template is in the attachment.

More details on the Student Voice page of this newsletter.

Weekly Literacy and Numeracy Tips

Research shows that families are the most significant influence on their children’s learning, development, health, safety and wellbeing. Your family can play a key role in helping your child prepare for school, and then succeed when they reach school.

These practical activities will help your child develop excellent reading and writing skills and help them speak well and be a good listener.

Through everyday activities at home you can also help them develop their numeracy skills, such as calculating and using numbers, recognising patterns, and using language to develop mathematical understanding.

These literacy and numeracy activities are excellent opportunities for you to model key learning values such as enthusiasm, persistence and curiosity.

These tips and activities can also be used by a child’s older siblings and grandparents, or other relevant people in a child’s life, to help develop their literacy and numeracy skills.

HELPING YOUR CHILD TO READ

Reading the world together

The world is full of letters and words you and your child can read together.

Activities could include the following:

• It is important to show your child the value of reading for everyday purposes. Include your child when you read recipes, greeting cards, calendars, shopping lists, food labels, instructions, maps, newspapers, emails, signs, weather forecasts and websites. For example, you could read a recipe together and follow the steps to make your child’s favourite meal. Or you could ask your child to read and tick off each grocery item on a shopping list as you buy or unpack them.
• Cook alphabet soup and say letters together as you eat them.
• Play a word hunt. Write random words on bits of paper and place them around a room. Say one of the words and ask your child to find the right word.

Finally

Some dates for the fridge and perhaps ideas for dinner table conversations.

Friday 18th of March is National Day of Action against bullying and there will be various activities going on in classrooms to build kindness and community.

Monday 21st of March is Harmony Day  so wear a splash of orange in recognition of all the cultures that make up our special community.

Tuesday 29th of March is House Colours / Dress Up Day and a House lunch on the oval.