From the Principal

Dear IPS Community,

Welcome back to school. Not quite the way we had all hoped, but it is important to stay positive knowing that from the 18th of October there will be a staggered return to school for all students. 

No Hat, No Play

Term 4 is the Term when all students must wear a hat outside. Ideally this should be an IPS School Hat. A wide brimmed hat will suffice if the school hat is yet to be found. Caps do not protect the face from the sun and are therefore considered inappropriate.

Students without hats will be directed to the shaded area where they will be supervised.

Face Masks - updated

The following information regarding face masks at school is current as of 14/10/2021.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer directs school staff to wear  face masks while teaching wherever practicable, except where removal of a face mask is necessary for effective communication.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer strongly recommends  primary school students in Foundation to Year 2 wear face masks when inside at school except where there is a lawful exemption.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer mandates primary school students in Year 3 to Year 6 wear face masks when inside at school except where there is a lawful exemption.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer states there are a number of lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask, including for staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or a mental health condition. 

If this applies to your child I invite you to phone or email me to let me know and I in turn will alert staff so that your child is not needlessly requested to put one on. This may help alleviate anxiety and help the return to school be a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Face masks are not required to be worn outside by students.

IPS will be employing a number of strategies to limit transmission which may no longer be relevant by the time we are back onsite as there are frequent changes to the operations guide for schools. Please note the following are responses to questions raised by members of the community,

• Where possible, we will minimise mixing of classes indoors during school hours.
• Classes will eat in their classrooms or outside but not in clusters of grades.
• Shared areas will be cleaned every day. Cleaners hours have been extended by 4 hours per day.
• Specialist programs will be in their Specialist rooms, but sanitising stations and hand hygiene will be encouraged.
• The Canteen will be operational for online orders only. Employees are double vaxed and do not work across sites.
• Once all children return to school we will implement specific gate drop off and staggered dismissal (subject to Department of Education advice and regulations).
• Out of School Hours Care will operate on all days except planned Curriculum Days.
• Any school that receives notification of a positive case and/or is required to implement a site closure will be provided with a key Regional Contact. The process is managed through the regional Office and the Department of Health.

There will no doubt be other questions and I trust you understand that we are doing our very best to provide a wonderful educational experience for your child(ren). 

I strongly encourage communication with the school to enable us to work together to manage the current circumstances without needlessly causing distress.  Please remember that neither I or my staff make the rules but we are expected to follow them.

Any updates will communicated via COMPASS, Class Dojo and this newsletter.

Please see coronavirus.vic.gov.au for the latest information.

Year 4 School Camp

Unfortunately, the Year 4 Adventure Camp has had to be cancelled. While we have held out for restrictions to be lifted the Department of Education has stated clearly that camps, excursions and incursions for Victorian schools cannot take place at this time.  Furthermore, that school events, gatherings, and assemblies , and non-essential meetings should be deferred or held remotely.

This is very disappointing news, but the class teachers are already putting together a school based program that will be fun and engaging for the students at school.

2022 Foundation enrolments are closing

We have extended our enrolment period for a short time due unforeseen delays in processing transition information. If you intend to enrol at IPS please get in touch as soon as possible.

On Wednesday a Storytime event was held for next year's Foundation students.  It was a privilege to see so many of next year’s foundation students listening attentively to stories read by our teachers and participating in school activities.

Curriculum Day is 1st November

All Curriculum Days are approved by the School Council at the beginning of the school year. The Curriculum Day on the 1st of November is focussed on Assessment, Data and Reporting.  This is a student free day and OSHC will not be operating.  

MAKING IT - the theme is Community

Have you seen the new TV show on channel 10 called Making It? It’s a bit like a Maker/Crafting version of MasterChef.  In each episode competitors, are given a theme that draws its inspiration from popular trends in crafting and DIY and they must come up with a brilliant creation that is judged.  In the end, only one hopeful will have crafted and DIY’d enough to earn the title of Master Maker.

We thought the IPS community could have some fun and do it better! So, we are running the IPS Does Making It Competition! 

Interested?

• To join in, form a team.  We want parents/carers to work with their children and form a Family Team.  Only one family per team and teams must comprise of kids and parents/carers.
• Each family team has 20 days starting from 8th October to Make It!
• The theme is ‘COMMUNITY’
• Each family team will create, build, make or invent something that relates to the theme of ‘Community’.   You can use any materials you might have at hand. Recycling and upcycling bits and bobs would be amazing!
• As you work on your creation, send through ‘sneak peek’ or ‘teaser’ pics to ivanhoeprimaryvic@gmail.com and see if you can spot yours in our newsletter.

We hope when restrictions ease that we will be able to hold a Covid-safe Expo Afternoon where creations will be on display and everyone will be able to come and view the creations of our talented families.  Of course, we have an alternative up our sleeve if this isn’t possible.

Oh!  Did we forget to mention that there may be PRIZES?

Most of all, have fun working together and watching others as you all become Makers and Inventors!

OSHC 

In the holidays significant works were completed and our Out of School Hours Care program now has NBN services and a telephone. The mobile telephone number will be phased out over the next few weeks so please take not of their new details:

Phone 9499 5226

Email  iposhc@ivanhoeps.vic.edu.au

Capital Works

During remote learning we were able to complete a number significant works including the repointing and repainting of the outside of the Waterdale rd building as well as the repainting of our beloved library and five classrooms. The sprinkler system on the oval and the lack of use has meant that the new grass has had the opportunity to establish itself and is looking fabulous.

Finally

While it reads like not so great news the reality is: children are returning to school, planning is underway for community gatherings when we are able to do so lawfully and safely and we have learned a lot about caring for each other.

We will continue to navigate the challenges but we will all come out the other side together.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mark Kent

Principal