From the Principal Class

Dear College Community,

The first two weeks of term have been fairly hectic.  Students and teachers have jumped back into the learning program, as well as engaging in a range of extra-curricular activities.  It is great to see students back and refreshed after the break. 

Production rehearsals have continued, many sporting teams have competed and we have had some fantastic successes to celebrate.  In particular, we had students compete at State Swimming titles and had a number of students win medals.  Congratulations to all who have competed – please read more in the sports report.

Parent/Student/Teacher conferences:

It has been wonderful to see so many parents and students onsite, engaged in conversation with teachers during the last two weeks at our conferences.  After last year’s lockdown, we felt that it was important that we resume face to face conferences this term.  I am happy to hear any feedback in regards to running our Term 3 conferences via Microsoft Teams if parents feel this meets your needs better.  

Feel free to send me an email if you want to provide some feedback.

Anzac Day Assemblies:

On Friday, April 23rd, we held our annual ANZAC Day ceremonies - one for our Senior school students and one for our Middle school students.  Our student leadership teams led the assemblies and we had the Symphonic Band and Viewbank Voices provide music and vocals for the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.

Our State member for Ivanhoe, Mr Anthony Carbines, was our special guest and engaged students with some stories of some past local residents who served at Gallipoli.  

Marie Trevithick accompanied Mr Carbines and represented him for the Middle school assembly.

Students shared their own reflections of what ANZAC day means to them.

The Last Post was played by Dawson Conceicao (Senior Assembly) and Gabby Shortis (Middle Assembly).  Leadership Teams laid a wreath at the front of the school as a mark of respect for those who have sacrificed so much in the Defence Forces over many military and peace-keeping campaigns.

2021 ANZAC Day Poetry Competition winner

Congratulations to Neha Hiremani of Year 9 for her entry and being the winner of the 2021 ANZAC Day Poetry Competition.

War, Remembrance and Freedom 

Flanders’ Field it all began 

Unified soldiers marching with such pride for their country 

Fighting so bravely side by side 

On the beige beaches, fields, in trenches 

Having the courage that glistens like a star  

Bright red blood drips down soldiers’ hands 

All but leaves a deadly scar 

A cacophony of gunshots 

Causing agony to their eardrums 

The pain, the sorrow, the agitation felt 

Yet their souls still haven’t given up 

Fighting, struggling, brawling 

The determination, the eagerness to fight for their country will never be forgotten. 

Such brave soldiers don’t deserve tragedies in their reckless lives 

Death; a permanent, irreversible action  

Causing one’s life to be wretched, feverish and filled with misery 

Nations mourning the loss of their loved one’s tragic deaths in the line of duty 

Anxious families suffering from burdens,  

The feeling of doubt about if they’ll get to see their faces again 

A symbol of remembrance.  

Planted in a foreign field 

A generation buried 

We remember with, 

Poppies 

Swaying in the same direction as the crisp wind agitates the soft bright red petals 

Above the fields, stars reflect off of my eyes. 

And the southern cross glistening proudly across the sky 

Freedom 

Lest We Forget   

Respectful Relationships Program:

There has been much media coverage around the issues of consent and sexual harassment. Viewbank College has committed to engage further with students in education around consent, sexual harassment, racist and homophobic language and attitudes. We are currently reviewing our Launch curriculum, Senior Overlay sessions and our Health curriculum and engaging students to find out what are the burning issues for them.

The Respectful Relationships program provides us with many great resources we can use to help students to develop their understanding of these important society-wide issues. We have also been working with staff to develop their knowledge and skills teaching in this space as well as in ensuring a positive learning environment.

Parents and students will be notified in advance when sensitive topics may be discussed.

Senior students will begin compulsory Respectful Relationships awareness workshops in overlay time starting in two weeks time in house and year level groupings.

Uniform:

There are a number of students attending school with incorrect uniform – particularly black socks, black tracksuit pants and hoodies. As the weather gets cooler, please ensure that students have layers underneath their jackets that are appropriate (white t-shirts or long sleeve tops that are not visible). 

The uniform suppliers are now selling College beanies and scarves that have House logos.

We definitely encourage students to grab a scarf and beanie!

Viewbank College Covid Safety Plan:

This term the College is maintaining our approach to hygiene according to our Covid-safe plan.

A reminder to all parents and students that masks still need to be worn on public transport.

Victorian Chief Health Officer message to Victorian schools and their communities

I would like to take this opportunity to thank students, staff, teachers, parents and carers for ensuring a safe and successful start to the 2021 school year and to thank you for your cooperation during the short period of remote learning in February during the circuit breaker restrictions. 

As Term 2 commences, schools continue to be able to operate with a largely normal program of activity, enabling important on-site activities to return, such as school open days and working bees, with appropriate health and safety measures in place. 

Throughout the pandemic, Victorian schools have rapidly and successfully adapted to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, embedding COVIDSafe principles by reinforcing good behaviours, creating safe spaces, adapting activities, and responding quickly to COVID-19 risk. 

While we have seen outbreaks emerge in Victoria, we have also witnessed our capacity to respond quickly to limit the impact of these outbreaks.

Given the current very low risk of COVID-19 transmission in the community, continued high rates of testing and wastewater monitoring, and continued observance of health and safety measures in schools; those with medical vulnerabilities or their carers can feel reassured to continue to safely work and learn on school sites, and enjoy the benefits of doing so. 

It is crucial, however, for everyone to remain vigilant by staying home when unwell, performing regular hand hygiene, wearing a mask when required and maintaining physical distancing from others when practical. 

Should cases of COVID-19 increase again in the community, I am confident that with COVIDSafe plans in place, alongside our ability to quickly identify and respond to cases, schools remain safe places for all staff and students. I also continue to be reassured by evidence that children are less impacted by the virus and are less likely to develop severe illness. 

The school community continues to have an important role to promote COVID-19 testing when a student or staff member has any symptoms, no matter how mild, and ensuring they remain home until they are well. Getting tested and staying home until results are known is critical to limiting community transmission.

Adj Clin Prof Brett Sutton

Victorian Chief Health Officer

Parenting Session: Healthier Gaming and Screentime

Have you registered for our upcoming parenting session: Healthier Gaming and Screentime? 

Join Parentzone and Gambler’s Help for this interactive session focussing on the role of gaming for young people covering: 

- How to recognise and manage harmful gaming

- How to manage healthy screen time in your home. 

Key Details:

Date: Monday 3 May

Time: 6-7.30pm 

Location: Online (zoom)

Cost: Free 

To register head to: www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Events/Healthier-Gaming-and-Screen-Time

This online parenting session is delivered by Nillumbik Shire Council and is suitable for parents, carers and grandparents of children and teens. 

Staff v Student Cricket - Day 2

Based on the Duckworth Lewis system, the staff won the staff v student cricket (clearly) due to a rain delay.

So after 7.3 overs the staff were on 46 runs while at the same time the students were only 31. 

Vale - Brooke Coskun

Over the April school holidays we had the very sad news that a former Viewbank College student, Brooke Coskun, had passed away. Brooke had a long-term battle with cancer and was a member of our current Year 12 cohort until she left to pursue VET and VCAL courses. We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Brooke's family and friends on behalf of the College community.

Many students, staff and students have wonderful memories of Brooke’s warm smile and passion for life. Brooke had a love of make-up and fashion and pursued these fields in VET courses. Brooke endured health issues in her years at Viewbank but she did not let these define her. Her life, passion, spirit and determination will be remembered by us all.

The College will be contributing to fundraising for the Children’s Cancer Centres at the Royal Children’s hospital as requested.

Principal Class Team 

Sharon Grimes, Principal

Emma Ford, Assistant Principal

Rachael Smith, Assistant Principal

Darren Murray, Acting Assistant Principal