​ASCOT NEWS
28th October 2022, Term 4 Issue 1

Ascot Vale Primary School
‘Unique Learning Community’
Where we value:
RESPECT      RESPONSIBILITY      EXCELLENCE      EMPATHY      GRATITUDE
"Hands up, hands down. We are on Wurundjeri land."

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Enjoy more pics below
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CANBERRA CAMP
Click this link to access a fabulous video prepared by Kiedo
Please click on the headings below to discover more. 
REMINDER: You can change the language at the top left hand corner of the webpage
FROM THE PRINCIPAL TEAM 
Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Welcome to Issue 1 of Term Four's Ascot News.


Kind regards 
Sue  &  Michael 
​
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Sue Osborne, Principal
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Michael Downing, Assistant Principal
KEY DATES & EVENTS 
Access our AVPS Key Dates & Events page AT THIS LINK.

Term 4- IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Mon 31st Oct - Cup Eve - Pupil Free Day - Report writing day  - Please make alternative arrangements ​for the care of your child/children on this day.
Tue 1st Nov - MELB CUP DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY - School Closed. 
Fr 9th Dec - Pupil Free Day - Self Evaluation - Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your child/children on this day.

​​THE RESILIENCE PROJECT (TRP) parent and carers hub
TRP UPDATE
Parent/Carer Support (click this link) 
Families can learn about Mindfulness as well as gain some insight into devices, online safety and the use of family tech agreements from the eSafety Commissioner.

The Education Team
The Resilience Project


This following information is a repeat of TRP family parent/carer resources sent via Compass Alerts throughout the year. 
​If you havent had a chance to visit the links, we highly reccommed you take a moment to do so. This program has benefits for the adults of the school community,  as well as children. 
Parents / carers may wish to change the language at the top left corner of the web page.

The Resilience Project - Parent & Carer Hub - Part 1
Throughout 2022, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community. 
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The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.

Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community. 

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids' learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers. 

This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.

View the first presentation of the series here: Part 1: Meet Hugh and learn about The Resilience Project - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/

In this presentation, Hugh shares a personal experience about his sister's battles with Mental Illness.
Note: This video contains a story about an Eating Disorder that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page. 
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Parent & Carer Hub | Part 2: Gratitude​
This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude. 
Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking, and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

View Part 2 of the series here - Gratitude https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/
There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a Wellbeing Journal.

Source: Psychology Today

For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page

Hugh's Parent & Carer Hub | Part 3: Empathy & Kindness​
Empathy is our ability to put ourselves in the shoes of others to feel and see what they do. We practise this through being kind and compassionate towards other people.

Brain imaging data shows that being kind to others registers in the brain as more like eating chocolate than like fulfilling an obligation to do what’s right (e.g., eating brussel sprouts)!
Research shows that practising empathy, such as performing acts of kindness, taps into our brain’s ‘mirror neurons’, builds compassion and our behaviour becomes more social and community-based. 

View Part 3 of the series here - Empathy https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/
Here’s an activity to practise empathy and kindness:
  1. Reflect on someone in your life who could benefit from an act of kindness today. It could be a friend who would love some affirmation about their work, your pet who deserves an extra treat, or a family member who would love a phone call or text message. 
  2. Make a plan for who you are going to show an act of kindness to, and what you are going to do. 
  3. If you want to add accountability to your plan, share it with someone else and encourage them to do the same thing.
  4. Follow up with each other in a few days time, to ask how it went! 
Sources: Psychology Today, UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science
For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.
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Hugh's Parent & Carer Hub | Part 4: Mindfulness​
View Part 4 of the series here - Mindulness https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/
Mindfulness can be practised through meditation, yoga, flow-states and daily activities such as cooking. 
Source: UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science, American Psychological Association
For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Hugh's Parent & Carer Hub | Part 5: Final
In the final part of The Resilience Project's digital series, Hugh shares an important message about allowing our children to experience adversity. 
The key to building resilience in our children is allowing them to experience failure, hardship, disappointment etc. As parents, we can be too quick to resolve our children's challenges which can deprive our children of enormous growth opportunities. These typically happen when we experience failure and uncertainty. As parents we should be there for our children when they fail, but not fight their battles for them.  
View Part 5 of the series here - Summary https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/

​Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Presentation series. You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub. 

You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.

The Education Team
The Resilience Project
(03) 9113 9302 (option 1) [email protected]
CANBERRA CAMP
Students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding of $45.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards our tour costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the tour and submission of requested documentation.
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Our year 5/6 students who attended the camp were outstanding ambassadors for our school, their families and themselves. Our very busy schedule allowed us to attend a wide variety of attractions, exhibitions, and landmarks.

A big thank you is extended to our wonderful students, the tour company World Strides and to our amazing staff/adults who attending along with me: Jamie, Bridie, Kiedo, Rozeena, Annie and Bree.

The staff/adults gave up their time to be on duty 24/7 across 5 days to ensure our students had an amazing time together in Canberra. 

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world teachers' day 2022
Express your gratitude to a teacher today in honour of World Teachers’ Day. 

World Teachers’ Day is held internationally on Tuesday 5 October. As it usually falls during the school holidays in many parts of Australia. In Victoria, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day on 28 October 2022.

It is a chance to recognise and celebrate the teachers who are making, or have made, an impact in our lives.
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THANK YOU to our exceptionally talented and dedicated AVPS teachers - enjoy this special day.
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Happy World Teachers' Day 2022 to this awesome bunch of teachers.
2023 PLANNING - STUDENTS LEAVING
If you and your family (current year Prep to Five students) are leaving at the end of the 2022 school year, could you please contact the office now, by phone or in writing via email [email protected] ​

This information is important for us as we are now planning 2023 units and class structures. 
​2023 UNIT PLACEMENTS AND A NOTE ABOUT REQUESTS
Staff will begin placing students in classes for the 2023 school year in the coming weeks. As always, when the structure is confirmed, this will be communicated via the newsletter or Compass alert  later this term.

In the meantime, please note we are now seeking requests in writing for siblings to be placed together (or not). To ensure requests can be met, these are due by no later than Friday 11th November 2022. Please address this information to Michael Downing at this email: [email protected]   Requests after this date may not be able to be met. 

Also, please be aware that the school cannot accept requests for teachers or units. The reason being, it is impossible for the school to satisfy such requests from everyone if this was to become usual practice across the school. It also sets parents/carers up for great disappointment if requests are made that cannot be accommodated. This is a situation we would prefer to avoid and therefore ask parents/carers to refrain from requesting a particular teacher or unit.

During Term four, AVPS staff go through a complex and comprehensive process of determining individual and social needs of students in developing unit groups for the following year, noting our multi-age structure also encourages students and teachers to be together for more than one school year where possible. 
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Students and their families will be informed about their 2023 Unit placement in the final week of term 4 and it is planned that all students will have the opportunity to meet with their 2023 unit and teacher (where possible/available) before the end of the school year.
KINDERGARTEN - YEAR PREP TRANSITION  
The following orientation visits have been planned for 2023 Year Prep students to meet teachers and get to know our school. Families will be contacted to confirm the gate to drop their child at prior to each visit.   
  • Orientation Visit #1 - Thursday 3rd November 3:45-4:45pm
  • Orientation Visit #2 - Tuesday 22nd November 9:15-10:45am
  • Orientation Visit #3 - Tuesday 29th November 9:15 - 12:15pm
  • ​Orientation Visit #4 - Tuesday 13th December 9:15-10:45am

2023 Prep students and their families will be informed about their 2023 Unit placement in the final week of term 4. 
Please contact the school or refer to the attached  New Families Handbook for more information about starting school at AVPS.
new_families_handbook_2023_docx.pdf
File Size: 2429 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
END OF YEAR MVIMP CONCERT - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10th 2022
We are delighted that, for the first time since 2019, the  Annual MVIMP Combined Concert will be held in the Celebrity Room at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Thursday November 10th, 2022 at 7.00pm. All families of MVIMP students are encouraged to attend.

By now families should have received a message about this event and raffle ticket books to sell (thank you). We are also happily accepting donations for the raffle hampers; please drop donations to the office (thanks again).

All children who have participated in the program this year will perform in an ensemble at this concert. Many items will feature groups of children combined from the four MVIMP schools.
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Tickets are available for purchase online at a cost of $25.00 adults and $17.00 concession. Children under 5 are free. Children performing at this concert do not require a ticket.  Please use the link sent via Compass alert to purchase tickets or contact the office for assistance.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS UPDATE
School Maintenance
Please expect some disruption in the coming weeks as we attend to maintenance priorities. Tasks include: 
  • Deck maintenance 
  • Painting, 
  • Asphalting, 
  • Roof & gutter maintenance 
Some areas of the school will be taped off to enable  these tasks to be completed. 

Garden Beds
The weeds in our garden beds (like everyone’s) have been growing rampantly due to the recent rains. We therefore invite parents to attend rolling Working Bees on the following dates on Friday afternoons from 2:30pm- 3:45pm:  
  • 11th November
  • 18th November
Thank you, this will assist the Environment Team and maintenance staff keep up with this growing problem. 

​See future Compass alerts for details.
OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE (oshc)
OSHC phone:​​ 0423 795 247
Coordinator:​​ Dee Seneviratne
How to get started ​​before using our programs you must register online for an account. Registering is quick and easy. Visit our website to begin www.campaustralia.com.au​​

Once registered you can make bookings and cancellations, view your statements and manage your details anytime of the day online. Keep in mind we are able to take bookings at short notice to help busy families. ​

Save on Care. ​You can save 50% or more on Before and After School Care fees with the ​non-means tested Child Care Rebate. Almost all families are eligible. To find out more, call our Customer Service Team on 1300 105 343 Monday to Friday
​Please access files below to view the OSHC fortnightly report and/or the Camp Australia Holiday Program.
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Dee and the OSHC team
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS - members
2022 AVPS School Council Members:

PARENTS:
  • Annalise De Mel 
  • Meredith Ross 
  • Lela Drakulic 
  • Richard Moody
  • Scott Miller
  • Kate Mohay
  • Melinda Morpeth
  • Melanie Quin
STAFF:
  • Michael Downing 
  • Rozeena Sen 
  • Ben Kline 
  • Jason Simpson​
EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
Principal:  Sue Osborne ​
OCTOBER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Our school council last met face to face on Monday 24th October.

Please find highlights of this meeting in the sections below.
POLICY SUB COMMITTEE
The following policies have been approved and are available to view on this website: https://avps.vic.edu.au/policies--standards.html

  • Asthma
  • First Aid
  • Administration of Medication
  • Duty of Care
  • Camps & Excursions
  • Personal Property

Community Consultation
Parents and Students will be invited to provide feedback on the following policies in the coming days.  

  • Student Wellbeing and Engagement  Policy 
  • Dress Code​
​OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE (OSHC) SUB COMMITTEE
​The School Council takes responsibility for the oversight of the OSHC program at AVPS, which is run by Camp Australia at Ascot Vale PS. An important part of this is seeking parent and carer input periodically. We will be seeking community feedback to review the provision of OSHC at AVPS in the form of a survey to be distributed next week. We recognise the experience of the last two years may have impacted the way families manage their day to day commitments. Therefore, this survey will address covid impacts on OSHC usage.
​PUPIL FREE DAYS 2023
​Schools have four pupil free days available to them; School Council approval is required for these. 

The following dates were approved at the October School Council as Pupil Free Days at Ascot Vale PS  in 2023, where parents and carers are asked to please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on these dates.

All pupil free days for 2023 (below) are adjacent to a public holiday or school holiday, in an attempt to achieve minimal disruption to the school community.

TERM 1
  • Friday 27th January 2023 - 'Teaching Writing' Professional Development 
  • Monday 30th January 2023 - Start of Year Pupil Free Day 
TERM 2 
  • Monday 24th April 2023 - Staff Professional Development - focus TBC
TERM 4 
  • Monday 6th November - Report Writing Day 

START OF TERM DATES - TERMS 1 & 2 2023
The first school day in Term 1 for Year 1-6 students will be Tuesday 31st January 2023. 
The first school day in Term 1 for Year Prep students will be Wednesday 1st February 2023
The first school day for all students in Term 2 will be WEDNESDAY 26th April 2023.
​VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AGREEMENT (VGSA) 2022
The School Council discussed information presented about the changes to the 2022 VGSA that will impact practices at  all schools, including Ascot Vale Primary School. Information includes: 

In 2023 the maximum face-to-face teaching hours will be reduced by 1 hour to 21.5 hours face-to-face per week.
  • We are currently consulting with staff about the best way to provide an additional hour of non face to face teaching time in 2023. eg, an additional specialist hour per teacher p/w. 
Time in Lieu for teachers has been strengthened in recognition of the unpaid work undertaken in previous agreements (e.g. on school camps). Noting:
  • Teachers start duty at 8:50am and finish at 3:50pm. 
  • An additional hour is allocated on three days, where the finish time is 4:50, taking the working week hours to 38hours. 
  • It is acknowledged that teachers typically and often work beyond these hours. 
  • Time in lieu was previously arranged for required activities such as parent teacher interviews or school events by pooling the three additional hours on one day. This will continue.
  • Time in lieu must be provided for school camps  from 2023 to teachers.  This may come in the form of payment for extra time worked, or days off for extra time worked. 
  • Future school events will be arranged to take into account time in lieu arrangements in the context of teachers’ working hours. For example, the recent Beyond the Classroom event was organised within the teachers’ working week; time in lieu was organised by pooling the three allocated additional after school working hours on one afternoon/evening, extending teachers’ finish times to a later time on that day.
PREPARING FOR THE SCHOOL REVIEW AND PRE REVIEW SELF EVALUATION (PRSE)
The School Council had input into the planning and timelining of the PRSE at the October meeting. Members were invited to familiarise themselves with the terms, timelines and ideas of the School Review and the PRSE. School community members will be invited to participate in the School Review & PRSE processes, mostly to be held in term 1 2023.  Click here to discover more about the department's arrangements for school reviews and self evaluations.

SCHOOL REVIEW & PRSE Key information and dates for AVPS: 
  • AVPS’s Reviewer: Leslie Tulloch
  • AVPS - Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL) - Alex Artavilla (acting)
  • Friday 9th December 2022 - Staff Self Evaluation day 
  • 30 November 2022 - Minimum Standards & Child Safe Compliance due
  • TBC dates up to March 2023 - parent /student forums and /or surveys 
  • 28th February 2023 - PRSE document, approved by SC President due to reviewer
  • Tuesday 28th March 2023 - Review Validation Day
  • Thursday 30th March 2023 - Review Field Day 
  • Tuesday 4th April 2023 - Review Panel Day
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 ENVIRONMENT TEAM NEWS  and SRC NEWS
Hi AVPS Community.
Walk to school month starts on Wednesday 2nd of November, straight after our long weekend! The SRC and Green Team would love to see as many students walking to school as possible for the month of November. 
Walking, riding, skating or scooting to school not only benefits our physical health and saving on petrol costs but also our environment!  When we drive, the petrol we use creates fumes, which releases more greenhouse gases into our atmosphere which is SO bad for our environment! So please try to walk at least part of the way to school each day this November. 
Students will be given a ‘Challenge Card’ that will be checked off in class to show they have walked/ rode to school that day. There’re some amazing prizes for the school with the most checked off days, but remember, there’s no better prize than saving our environment!
Don’t forget to bring your umbrellas! 
 
From the SRC + Green Team.
Written by Emma, Ruby and Freya 
 ENVIRONMENT TEAM NEWS
The Environmental Team are also looking into creating an indigenous garden and will be researching plants native to our area. The plan is to plant out an area along Bank street.

GARDEN BEDS
We have silver beet, mint, parsley and tomato plants growing happily in our garden beds. The rain has certainly given them a boost. If anyone would like some produce, it will be available Friday afternoon on the decking outside the library…donations welcome!
If you are looking for an easy, nutritious recipe for silver beet, try this.
In a large saucepan, add olive oil and 2-3 cloves of garlic. Stir for a minute or two on medium heat. Add silver beet (plenty, it wilts down a lot). Keep stirring and adding extra olive oil if required. Don’t add water, there is plenty of moisture in the silver beet. To spice it up, add some soy sauce too!
Gardening group is running Fridays (weather permitting) and there have been a steady stream of volunteers tending to the garden beds, weeding and rubbish collecting.

Keep it green, The Environmental Team.
HEALTH & PE NEWS
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Congratulations:
A huge congratulations to Lucy Walkom, Gizelle Leoni and Sophie Waters for their recent participation in the Regional Track & Field Championships. Gizelle did her very best in the discus event, while Sophie set a new personal best time in her 800m race. Lucy won her 1500m event and came second in the 800m which means she will progress to STATE level in both events! Lucy will head off to Albert Park on Wednesday 2nd November to compete against the state’s best athletes. We wish her all the best! We also acknowledge David Lubanksy who qualified for the regional event, however had to withdraw due to injury. An amazing effort by all. We’re so proud of you!
 
P, 1, 2:
This term, the P-2 classes will be developing their skills sets through the sports of soccer, tennis and tee-ball. Over the course of the term, we hope to see students learning to pass, dribble and defend during soccer; serve, apply a forehand and backhand shot in tennis, as well as attempt a volley. They will develop their teamwork and cooperation skills during modified tee-ball games, while also working on their overarm throw, catching and striking techniques. Lots of fun ahead!
 
3/4:
Our 3/4 students have already shown significant improvement in their gross motor skills this term. Unit 2 have just completed a three-week block of tee-ball sessions. Cooperation and communication proved to be a vital component to the success of their fielding during game play. Units 4 and 6 have recently commenced a four-week hockey clinic with an external coach, Sally, each Friday. This opportunity was made possible through a Sporting Schools grant, enabling us to hire a coach for two sessions each week AND purchase a hockey kit worth over $500 for our school! With only one session underway, it appears that we may have some very talented hockey players in our midst! By the conclusion of the term, all three classes will have participated in hockey, tee-ball and tennis.
 
5/6:
As the year draws to an end, the Year 5/6s have been given the challenge to step up into leadership roles during their weekly P.E. sessions. In our first session this year, students grouped themselves with like-minded peers, choosing a sport of interest to them – some of which included badminton, athletics, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, AFL & European Handball. Students then planned a one-hour session which they will facilitate with their class over the course of the term. The sessions are structured, including a warm-up, two to three skill-based activities/drills and a game/modified game of their chosen sport. With two weeks of sessions underway, it is pleasing to report that students are really stepping up into these roles. Their organisation, communication and interpersonal skills are really shining, as are the respectful attitudes of the peers being taught. There is a tremendous level of fun and encouragement in each session. 

Please enjoy these additional  Beyond the Classroom photos
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ASCOT VALE COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Please peruse the community notices in the files and slideshow below:
ascot_vale_yoga_flyer_2022.pdf
File Size: 2326 kb
File Type: pdf
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ascot_kindergarten_flyer_1_2022.pdf
File Size: 332 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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