Infectious Disease

COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged, and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.

If your child does test positive for COVID-19 it is recommended that they isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved.

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff:

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
• If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
• If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

Rapid Antigen Tests are also available from the front office, please don’t hesitate to come in and collect as needed. Furthermore, they are available from local council sites. People can get 2 free packs (10 tests) for themselves and 2 free packs (10 tests) for each of their household members.

Cyber Safety

This year, our school is partnering with the Cyber Safety Project team to work with our staff, students, and their families. Their mission is to EMPOWER every young Australian to self-manage their own cyber safety and digital wellbeing through proactive education. Their whole community approach also aims to EQUIP educators with the latest resources and ENGAGE parents to create safe digital environments at home.

All student workshops align to the Cyber Safety Project Curriculum Framework values of Responsibility, Integrity, Strength, and Empathy with a focus on either Cyber Safety or Digital Wellbeing.

Please refer to the graphics underneath the Assistant Principal’s corner for more information around the Parent Webinars that are on offer. We encourage all families, especially our Year 3-6 families to attend these sessions as they will provide knowledge and skills of how to navigate the online world in a way that is best for your child and our students.

New Timetable & Introduction of Fruit Snack

At the end of last year, we communicated that there would be a change to our timetable in 2023. A normal school day here at IEPS runs as follows:

8.55am – Students lining up at their designated spot
9.00am – 10.50 am – Session 1&2
10.50am – 11.00am – Recess Eating Time
11.00am – 11.30am – Recess Playtime
11.30am – 1.30pm – Session 3&4
1.30pm – 1.40pm – Lunch Eating Time
1.40pm – 2.30pm – Lunch Playtime
2.30pm – 3.30pm – Session 5

We are also introducing a fruit snack at 10.00am where students will be offered the opportunity to get some fruit from their lunchtime and continue their learning. Therefore, we ask that you pack a little extra fruit for this optional fruit snack.

Naplan

Today the level 3 and 5 students will be bringing home some information regarding the upcoming NAPLAN testing. The testing window this year has moved forward to March. All the tests (except Level 3 writing) are online.

The testing window is open from March 15^th – March 27^th. Our school will provide exact testing dates closer to March when all the technical aspects are ready. If you know in advance that your child will be absent or if you have any concerns or questions regarding this test, please speak to Ben Phillips (either call on 9499 2171 or email Benjamin.phillips@education.vic.gov.au).

Fair/Colour Run Fundraiser Update

Our 2022 Fair and Colour Fun Run fundraising objective was aimed at improving the school’s ‘Physical Environment.’ Over the course of December and January we have been busy engaging with a range of companies who will be working with us to enhance the physical environment of IEPS. Our proposals of works were shared with and voted on by our 2022 School Council.

Over the coming weeks we will be sharing in our bulletin what projects we have finalised to commence in Term 1/Term 2. The first project which has just been finalised is a new ‘inclusive’ playground addition to the junior school playground. This will feature 5 interactive sections and a rubberised pathway for students to engage and interact with. We expect the completion of this project to be early in Term 2. Photos are attached below.

We will feature another project that is in the works in next week’s bulletin.

School Houses – Renaming process

In consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage, we are renaming our IEPS School Houses. We are involving all members of our community to vote on the best names that will represent our 4 houses. Students will vote in the coming weeks. If you would like to vote, please click the following link:

https://forms.gle/FueBSDjjHFdGgp3X8

Principal Advisory Group

For 2023 the Principal Advisory Group leadership positions will be available for Year 4 – 6 students. There will be 2x PAG representatives for each grade. The PAG representatives will work collaboratively throughout the year, however they will each participate in a semester’s worth of meetings. The PAG representative selection process will occur throughout week 5.

Lunchtime Clubs

Lunchtime Clubs will be finalised at our first PAG meeting in week 6. Therefore, our first week of lunchtime clubs will, be in week 7.

Student Pick up’s

We ask that you inform your child’s classroom teacher via compass/email by 8.30 am if they are going to picked up early and specify what time of the day this will be. If your child is going to be picked up between 11.00 – 11.30am or 1.30 – 2.30pm they will be required to bring their bag to the office prior to heading out for playtime.

Mobile Devices

If students bring mobile phone devices to school, they are required to place them into a class satchel at the start of the day that is then sent to the front office and placed into the school safe. At the conclusion of the day students will collect the satchel and their devices will be returned to them. Mobile phone devices are defined as any device that has a cellular connection and/or includes application where photos/videos can be taken. Please refer to our Mobile Phone Policy via our school website for further information. Even though it is not stated in our policy we strongly encourage students do not use their mobile devices until they have left the school grounds. 

Reminders From Last Week’s Bulletin

PTFA

We need an active community of parents, to take on roles such as:

• PTFA President
• PTFA Treasurer
• PTFA Secretary
• PTFA Class rep liaison
• PTFA committee members across the year levels

The time commitment is a committee meeting each term and assistance with planning for events you nominate to help with.  You can also get involved in specific events and fundraisers such as: Welcome bbq, School disco, Gala function, Mothers and Fathers’ Day stalls and events, or as a class rep.

Please fill out the following google form if you are interested in being part of IEPS’s PTFA Committee. There will be a separate form coming out via compass to share your contact details and register for the class representative role for your child’s class.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNUyu_2yrJESc0vyG3F4kNDKw02F7If4t3Qg3fvLCFEGX0jg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Thank you in advance and we greatly appreciate our community being involved with our school events.

Entry into School Buildings

All parents and visitors must sign in at the school office when entering school buildings during the day. At the beginning and end of the school day, all parents are asked not to enter the school buildings. This reduces congestion, prevents distractions to our students and is essential to our Child Safety practices.

Getting to Know You Interviews

Our getting to know you interviews are an opportunity for you to meet your child’s 2023 classroom teacher and discuss anything that you would like your child’s classroom teacher to know related to your child’s social, emotional and academic learning.

These interviews have a 10-minute time slot and will be held over two Wednesday evenings on the 1^st of March and the 8^th of March from 4pm – 7pm. The bookings for these interviews will open closer to the date and will be communicated with the wider community over the coming weeks.

2023 Parent Payments Reminder

Parent payments help the school to operate effectively. IEPS provides a significant range of programs, resources and learning opportunities that cannot be delivered without the optional support of families. We would like to thank the parents that have already made these payments. Payments are still being processed and can be made through the Compass App and/or directly at the office.

For Your Diaries

Sports Diary for Term 1 – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vJkXVbjAZnkcPsgpBou4GGNeP9crYsqI_R4ydkw-FOw/edit?usp=sharing

February 9^th  – Year 6 camp parent info 8:30am (Webex)

February 10^th  – IEPS Swimming   Tryouts @ Fitzroy Swimming Pool 11.30-2.30

February 16^th – Parent Cyber Safety Webinar

February 17^th  – Open Afternoon – Welcome Picnic 2.30pm onwards (more information to come next week)

February 21^st – 24^th – Year 6 Camp @ Lorne

March 1^st – Getting To Know You Interviews 4 – 7pm

March 2^nd - IDSSA District Swimming Championship @ Watermarc
March 8^th - Getting To Know You Interviews 4 – 7pm
March 8^th - IDSSA Girls AFL Chelsworth
March 10^th – Professional Practice Day (Pupil Free Day)
March 14^th - Division Swimming Carnival - Oak Park Aquatic Centre
March 15^th – 22^nd – NAPLAN
March 30^th - NMR Swimming Carnival @ Watermarc

Follow Us

A reminder that we now have a community Instagram account, this account is used to connect with our wider community, promote school events and give an insight into our facilities, incursions, excursions, and all of the wonderful teaching & learning that is happening at IEPS. You can follow our movements by networking with us @ivanhoeeastprimaryschool on Instagram.

Regards,

____________________________________________________________

IEPS Second Hand Uniforms is located upstairs in the gym!!

The Second Hand Uniform shop will be open starting from this Friday 10th February from 8.30am - 9.30am and will be open each Friday morning for you to purchase any items you might need.

Items are $5 each and payment is strictly card only.

We can also accept any clothing donations at this time - our only ask is that donated uniform items are clean and in good condition (i.e. no tears, holes, animal hair etc!).

As we have been inundated, we are not accepting school bags at the moment.

Please use the stairs next to the entrance to the Hall/Gym. 

Dear Parents,

Please note, violin lessons are available for students in 2023.

If interested, please collect a form from the office area or visit www.polygon.ws/lessons to enrol your child.

Regards,

Ian McCulloch