From the Principal

Dear IPS Community,

The following is an excerpt from yesterday's media release from the Premier.

"Due to the ongoing level of community transmission and the continued number of unlinked cases popping up across the state, Victoria’s lockdown will be extended.   

Victorians cannot afford to open up and let this virus run free – our hospital system would be overrun, our frontline staff would be placed under too much pressure and quite simply, people would die. We need to continue to slow the spread of the virus until more of us are vaccinated. "

The entire media release and table of restrictions is attached below.

2021 BOOK WEEK VIRTUAL PARADE - The Movie

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for our Virtual Parade. Check out the video!

Also check out the staff dress-up on the Staff at IPS Book Week page in this newsletter.

NAPLAN Results

Victorian schools and students have cause for celebration this term. In the face of the considerable disruptions of the past year, we have recorded the nation’s highest NAPLAN results. This news reinforces the crucial role of high-quality teaching and learning – whether it be remote or face-to-face – in attaining positive student outcomes.

In a year of adversity and challenges Ivanhoe Primary School students achieved excellent results. The table below shows a basic summary of how the school fared compared to the state.  The slightly indistinct headings are: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation and Numeracy.

We want to emphasise that, especially in the current context, our NAPLAN results, while they are very positive, are far from all that matter. The wellbeing of all our students, as always, is our priority. However, it is always great to be able to share positive news.

The individual student reports will help teachers plan for differentiation of instruction and teaching that will help those in need of catch up along with those who can be extended.

From this afternoon parents will be able to access their child's individual NAPLAN report under the Semester Reports tab in COMPASS. A hard copy will be available on request when we return to school. 

Year 6 Camp

More great news. I am thrilled to be able to report that we have been able to find an alternative to the cancelled Canberra Camp. The team have worked tirelessly to source an alternative that provides an engaging program. It is in Victoria, is cost effective and at a time that will fit with other critical aspects of the Year 6 program. E.g., Secondary transition and Graduation.

The school believes the camping program is an important part of the curriculum and the Year 6 experience (particularly as these students missed out last year).

This year's Grade 6 Camp will be held at Murray Life Adventures Camp from the 29th November to the 3rd of  December 2021.

Indigenous Literacy Week

Wednesday  21st of September was Indigenous Literacy Day as a part of Indigenous Literacy Week. Please take some time to explore the Indigenous Literacy Resources attached below.  

Or you can start exploring here.

Deadly Story Website

Deadly Story - Aboriginal Culture, Country & Community

Where's Wally? or Gold Wally Hunting

We have talked a lot about engagement and getting out and away from those screens and getting some fresh air. We talk about staying together as a community and finding fun things to do. We have a new activity that you can choose to engage with (or not) and at any time. 

Once upon a time Wally embarked on a FANTASTIC journey around Ivanhoe looking for a local primary school to enrol his child, Waldo, in. He was informed by locals of a popular high performing primary school that really cared about its students. However, he was informed by the very polite office staff of this school that they could only provide an education to those for whom IPS was their closest local government school. 

(See boundary map from "find my School")

Wally searched high and low for elusive rentals and properties for sale within the local  boundary. All the while stopping here and there to leave his business card attached to fences, play grounds, signs, shop windows etc.  From next Monday there will be over 200 Wally cards out in our community. Some of these are gold Wally's recognisable by the golden stripe of his jumper and hat along with his jaundiced yellow eyes.

A regular Wally is worth 10 house points.          A Gold Wally is worth 20 house points.

Should you come across a Wally you can contact your teacher through class dojo and provide an accurate description of its location OR send a photo of yourself with the Wally in the background to ivanhoeprimaryvic@gmail.com which will not only get you your house points but your photo in the newsletter and bonus 5 points. Remember if you email your photo, add your name, grade and most importantly your school house.

From next Monday the 6th there will be over 200 Wally cards out in our community. DO NOT REMOVE THEM so other students in your school house might find them and claim their points to add to yours.

There are a few Wallys already out in Ivanhoe (within the map boundary) so here are a few photo clues. Points cannot be claimed before Monday and will be open until September 17th. 

Other challenges.

1. Create a map and mark where all the Wally's you find are.
2. Create a grid on a map to show the greatest population of Wally's.
3. Measure the distance between your home and the nearest / farthest Wally.
4. Work as a team with other house colour members to find the most Wally's.
5. Write a story about Wally's search for a home close to IPS.
6. Create a montage of Wally's and the places you find them.

I'm sure you can come up with your own special challenges.

More out of the box engaging activities.

This one has an Artist focus  combined with mental health. Choose an activity from the choice board - do it alone or with someone else.  Underneath the social - emotional art choice board there is an example of inspiring sidewalk messages from some of our students.

Giant Chess and Checkers for everyone

While you are away we are constantly thinking how we can improve opportunities for students who might be interested in more passive activities. We are considering gardening, purchasing new play equipment, new books in the library and now giant board games.

You don't have to be learning chess at school to enjoy playing. Inside one of our spare learning spaces in the Waterdale Rd building you will soon find and be able to play giant chess.

This combo comprises of a giant chess set, a giant checkers set and a nylon mat. The mat is suitable for either the chess or checkers which can be used either indoors or outdoors.

(Subject to staff availability for supervision)

Next Thursday 9th September  is "R U OK Day?"

R U OK? Day - Dress Up in Yellow!

R U OK? Day is on Thursday 9th September, and is our National day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs. 

To support and recognise R U OK? Day, Ivanhoe Primary School will be dressing up in YELLOW on Thursday 9th September. Wear a bright yellow outfit or item to your class morning check in, and remember to check in with your friends and family by asking “R U OK?”. A conversation could change someone’s day.

Junior School Councillors and Enviro Leaders

Now we know we will be in remote school for another two weeks. Mrs Wright and I will hold an online meeting of the JSC next week.  There will be a similar meeting of the Environmental Leaders organised shortly. We will send out the online meeting invitation soon.

Update - The Fair - Will it be on? 

The answer is yes.

Tips

As part of our commitment to learning catch up and extension there is now  a page dedicated to tips to help your child learn. Not all will be relevant to your child or your circumstances, but if you find just a few ideas to help you help your child engage with their learning then it will have been worth it.

Finally

Thank you to Shane and Emily Clayton for the generous donation of furniture to IPS.

Shane’s company Dekro is moving offices and gave us the opportunity to choose some furniture for the school. The staff planning room in The Beehive now has a fantastic new boardroom table and chairs while a room upstairs, which is going to be our student wellbeing centre, has two couches, some smart tables and comfy chairs.

Have a fabulous day.

Mark Kent

Principal

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

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