From the Principal

Welcome to IPS

This week Version 11 of the  School Operational Guidelines was released. The full document can be accessed below . However, I have provided a summary of changes since the release of the previous document on the Operational Changes Page of this edition of Inside Ivanhoe.

Last Day of Term

The last day of Term is Friday the 18th and the students will be dismissed at 1.30pm. Should you require the services of OSHC you are reminded to book early. Due to the obvious issues around congestion and social distancing parents are asked to wear a mask and stay no longer that 15 minutes (otherwise you will need to sign in).

Bebras Highest Possible Score 

Congratulations to Callum C (Yr 6) who has received the highest possible score amongst the Year 5 and Year 6 students in the Australian Computational Thinking Challenge.

Callum received full marks in Round 2 of the 2020 Bebras Australia Challenge!

 Students placed on the Honour Roll  receive a special certificate signed by CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall and their name placed on the Bebras Australia website.

Strings before School

A rather impromptu but lovely get together for our strings musicians. After so many months in isolation they still sounded magnificent. It was great for the students to have an opportunity to play before their parents (socially distant) on the oval in the morning sunshine.

Parent and Carer Education

These  events  may be of interest to you. (One is tonight)

Headspace Schools is running two sessions for parents from DET schools. Sessions are being facilitated by the Mental Health Education Program, which sits alongside the Be You team. 

• Thursday 10th Dec at 7pm: Supporting a young person (Notice, Ask, Connect) for parents
• Tuesday 15th Dec at 7pm: Supporting a young person from Primary to Secondary School for parents

Both sessions are for parents/carers, not for students. While both sessions are open to parents of all school ages, the second session about transition from primary to secondary may be better suited to families with children in upper primary. I have attached flyers below. For more information, contact  MHEP@headspace.org.au

Change and Transition

People are not always comfortable with change but once it has happened we often wonder what it was we were worried about. As all students are moving up, changing grades and transitioning in one way or another this little video might prove a good conversation starter if anyone is feeling a little worried. 

 Class Structure and Teachers for 2021

The students find out their classroom and teacher for 2021 on Thursday the 17th  December and will spend some time in their new classroom with their teachers and new classmates. This is a very exciting day for the students and usually, nearly all are more than happy with their placement. We ask that parents please respect the decisions made by the school with regard to placement of students and do not ask for changes to be made after the students are informed. We know that parents know their children better than the teachers in an all-round sense. However, teachers know the students better than the parents in the school setting. 

Below are the teaching staff for 2021.

Safe School Arrival and Departure 

Schools must implement actions to reduce the congregation of adults around the school and reduce congestion.  Students will enter and exit school from the gates they are curently required to use. (These will continue to be staffed)

Visitors to Schools and School Tours 

Please read the Operational Changes page of this newsletter.

ISO Chooks

Joan Denison is an Eltham Artist who made ISO Chooks to cheer up people in Lockdown.

Abigail P (1M) and her Grandma have donated one of these for the school grounds. 

We have not put it up yet but keep your eyes peeled for this ISO Chook. It is sure to provide you with a smile :-). Thank you!

Big IPS Community (Socially Distanced) Hug

We are no longer accepting donations for the IPS Community (Socially Distanced) Hug.

There has been an overwhelming response to this initiate and it is heartening to see this level of community action and strength of voice. Thank you.

2021 Parent Payment Arrangement and Booklist Information

 Booklists ordered after the 30th November will now incure a late fee. Please make sure that you submit your order via the link below to ensure your child is prepared for the start of the school year.

The link for the 2021 booklist is: www.ambaofficenational.com.au

Click on BOOKLIST, you will be taken to the ordering site.

Access code – IVASCH

PICKING UP YOUR BOOKLIST

School Booklist Pick Up Day will be at the Ivanhoe Primary School Hall

Saturday January 23rd 2021 - 9am - 4pm

Sunday January 24th 2021 - 9am - 2pm

CHANGES TO PICK UP DAY DUE TO COVID-19

We are still requesting that for Pick-Up Days, children do not attend. This will reduce the chance of unnecessary mixing of potentially hundreds of children and parents at a time when we will still be required to socially distance and minimise contact. Running Pick-Up Days on the weekend should allow families to send 1 parent / representative only to pick up.

We thank you for your understanding & co-operation.

School Council 2021

Our outgoing School Council President, Kelly Toghill,  has thanked  the members of School Council in her report. I add my thanks to hers and also  say a huge thank you to Kelly for  her leadership and collegiality through some particularly rough times this year.  Her passion for the school and her desire to see the best for every student and family is inspiring. Her capacity to listen and find compromise sets a great example for us all.

There will be at least six vacancies on School Council in 2021. There will be more information regarding these positions and the process for election in the next issue of Inside Ivanhoe. Please consider joining School Council and being part of a remarkable team

Finally

Each term we are required to practice one of the following drills.

1. Evacuation off site (Bryant reserve)
2. Evacuation onsite (School oval)
3. Lock down (shelter in place)
4. Staff simulation

Wednesday's drill was an evacuation to the school oval. You might like to speak with your child(ren) about the drill and the importance of following instructions. If this exercise caused distress please let your child's teacher or myself know and we will address it. 

Stay safe, look after each other and thank you for supporting our great school.

Mark Kent

Principal