ASCOT NEWS
25th June 2021, Term 2, Issue 2
ASCOT NEWS
Celebrating
Japanese Artist
Yayoi Kusama
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hi everyone,
School Council met on Monday June 21st. Given Covid-19 restrictions, we met by videoconference this time – but we’re hopeful we’ll be back to face-to-face meetings in time for our next meeting.
Council heard from Sue and Michael about Child Safe Standards, and the central importance of these for every school. You can read the seven AVPS Child Safe Standards on the school website: http://avps.vic.edu.au/child-safe-standards.html.
We reflected on the impact of the recent Melbourne lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions. These have slowed some plans for new community connections at school, but we reaffirmed the importance of taking these initiatives forward now that restrictions are easing (see below).
Council’s four subcommittees (Finance, Buildings & Grounds, OSHC, Education & Policy) are working hard on their respective projects. More on these next time.
Finally, please do come along to the (rescheduled) Annual Report Meeting in August (details below). It’s a great chance to have input on the school’s new eLearning Plan and approach to student ICT devices in the classroom.
Happy school holidays!
– Meredith (parent of Anna (Unit 6) and Iona (Unit 2))
SCHOOL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
ANNUAL REPORT MEETING - INVITATION
A public meeting will be held in person on Monday August 16 from 7:00pm in the AVPS Hall (please note date change due to term 2 Covid-19 restrictions). This meeting will facilitate the following:
We welcome AVPS parents and carers’ attendance at and participation in this event. Please note ticket numbers are limited to ensure CovidSafe density limits are adhered to. Please register to attend the AVPS Annual Report meeting at the following link. Get in quick to avoid disappointment: https://compasstix.com/e/irj6xohx54
PUPIL FREE DAY
A friendly reminder that the AVPS School Council approved two additional pupil free days at the May meeting, as follows:
Please save these dates on your family calendars, noting alternative arrangements for the care of AVPS students will need to be made by families on these days.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The recent Melbourne lock down has provided a stumbling block to our plans to strengthen community connections in person. However, we look forward to putting our plans in place, albeit on a delayed time schedule starting next term with FACE TO FACE parent teacher interviews.
Here are some more plans we look forward to putting into action from next term:
Hi everyone,
School Council met on Monday June 21st. Given Covid-19 restrictions, we met by videoconference this time – but we’re hopeful we’ll be back to face-to-face meetings in time for our next meeting.
Council heard from Sue and Michael about Child Safe Standards, and the central importance of these for every school. You can read the seven AVPS Child Safe Standards on the school website: http://avps.vic.edu.au/child-safe-standards.html.
We reflected on the impact of the recent Melbourne lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions. These have slowed some plans for new community connections at school, but we reaffirmed the importance of taking these initiatives forward now that restrictions are easing (see below).
Council’s four subcommittees (Finance, Buildings & Grounds, OSHC, Education & Policy) are working hard on their respective projects. More on these next time.
Finally, please do come along to the (rescheduled) Annual Report Meeting in August (details below). It’s a great chance to have input on the school’s new eLearning Plan and approach to student ICT devices in the classroom.
Happy school holidays!
– Meredith (parent of Anna (Unit 6) and Iona (Unit 2))
SCHOOL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
ANNUAL REPORT MEETING - INVITATION
A public meeting will be held in person on Monday August 16 from 7:00pm in the AVPS Hall (please note date change due to term 2 Covid-19 restrictions). This meeting will facilitate the following:
- 2020 Annual Report to be presented and summarised by current AVPS school councillors, outlining achievements of the 2020 school year and plans for current/future improvement.
- Community input into the development of the AVPS eLearning plan and subsequent proposal for student ICT devices for 2022 and beyond.
We welcome AVPS parents and carers’ attendance at and participation in this event. Please note ticket numbers are limited to ensure CovidSafe density limits are adhered to. Please register to attend the AVPS Annual Report meeting at the following link. Get in quick to avoid disappointment: https://compasstix.com/e/irj6xohx54
PUPIL FREE DAY
A friendly reminder that the AVPS School Council approved two additional pupil free days at the May meeting, as follows:
- Monday 2nd August - staff professional development day - (week 4 term 3)
- Monday 1st November - report writing day (week 5 term 4- ‘Cup Eve’)
Please save these dates on your family calendars, noting alternative arrangements for the care of AVPS students will need to be made by families on these days.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The recent Melbourne lock down has provided a stumbling block to our plans to strengthen community connections in person. However, we look forward to putting our plans in place, albeit on a delayed time schedule starting next term with FACE TO FACE parent teacher interviews.
Here are some more plans we look forward to putting into action from next term:
- A Parent Rep meeting will be scheduled in the first week of term 3 to plan the return of cupcake stalls, Fresh Fruit Fridays and Special Lunch days.
- An update to the unit contacts list early in term 3. If you wish to add your details to be shared (and for more information) click here.
- Parents teacher interviews to be held in person
- ‘Parents as Tutors’ program to be held early term three to pave the way for parent helpers in classrooms.
- Working Bee scheduled early term three - Sunday 18 July.
- Open classroom event - term 3
- An Art or Curriculum open evening event - term 4
- Parent Social Event - term 4
RECENT LOCK DOWN ART CREATIONS @ AVPS
Aren't they EXCELLENT- please enjoy
CONGRATULATIONS to our wonderful budding artists
who were inspired by art teacher Lucy's fascination with
92 year old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama,
as well as our own 'resident' illustrator, parent Danni
- thank you all for the inspiration
FROM THE PRINCIPAL TEAM
It has been a great pleasure to have all students back at school following the recent May-June Melbourne lock down. Thank you to all children and their families or carers, as well as our AVPS staff for putting in best efforts all round to get through this stumbling block of term 2.
Were you as amazed as we were by the talents of our AVPS artists? These pieces in the slideshow above were completed during lockdown by students drawing from three (major) sources of inspiration. Firstly their highly talented and creative Art teacher, Lucy. Secondly, the amazing 92 year old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and thirdly, AVPS parent, illustrator Danni (mum of Lydia and Nicholas), who jumped on board and produced an amazing video, demonstrating her drawing abilities for the children to mimic. Thank you Danni, Lucy and, of course, Yayoi.
We look forward to continued easing of restrictions that will, once again, allow our school to strengthen community connections in person. Please find more information in the School Council ‘Strengthening Community Connections’ section of the newsletter for plans afoot to increase involvement in the school.
Please find below, the latest departmental updates pertaining to ease of restrictions.
EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS - 24th June 2021
The Victorian Government has announced further easing of restrictions under COVIDSafe Settings, effective from 11.59pm Thursday 24 June 2021.
On the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will remain in place for at least two weeks.
Key changes in the easing of restrictions include:
Density limits:
In metropolitan Melbourne, a density limit of 1 person per 4 square metres still applies to these areas.
Importantly, over the school holiday period there has been no change to the face mask advice, which will continue to apply to all Outside School Hours Care holiday programs.
A reminder that parents, carers, and visitors can enter school grounds, however they must adhere to density limits and check in using the QR codes.
SWIMMING
In case you missed this news, as outlined in a recent compass alert, unfortunately the AVPS swimming program, planned for the start of term 3, has been cancelled due to current departmental School Operations advice. This states, swimming can go ahead where there is exclusive use of a pool facility by a single school. The facility booked by AVPS have confirmed that we will in fact NOT have exclusive use of the pool, due to the general public having access during our program dates, therefore our program cannot go ahead.
Please note also, there is unfortunately no availability for this program to be rescheduled in 2021, due to heavy demands placed on such facilities following the Melbourne lockdowns.
Our PE teacher Neville Stevens has been working hard behind the scenes to try to make this important program happen and we apologise that a solution has not been forthcoming. Thank you Neville for these efforts.
Thank you in advance for your understanding about this predicament we have found ourselves in due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Mental health support, resources and advice are available for students and families to access over the holidays. Two fact sheets for students and families have been developed to support the mental health and wellbeing of students during this time.
These have been developed to support school students and families over the school holidays to:
Please find fact sheets for students and parents/carers attached below and please access translated versions by clicking on the link below and scrolling down:
Translated fact sheets for parents and carers. Wellbeing support over the school holidays
Were you as amazed as we were by the talents of our AVPS artists? These pieces in the slideshow above were completed during lockdown by students drawing from three (major) sources of inspiration. Firstly their highly talented and creative Art teacher, Lucy. Secondly, the amazing 92 year old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and thirdly, AVPS parent, illustrator Danni (mum of Lydia and Nicholas), who jumped on board and produced an amazing video, demonstrating her drawing abilities for the children to mimic. Thank you Danni, Lucy and, of course, Yayoi.
We look forward to continued easing of restrictions that will, once again, allow our school to strengthen community connections in person. Please find more information in the School Council ‘Strengthening Community Connections’ section of the newsletter for plans afoot to increase involvement in the school.
Please find below, the latest departmental updates pertaining to ease of restrictions.
EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS - 24th June 2021
The Victorian Government has announced further easing of restrictions under COVIDSafe Settings, effective from 11.59pm Thursday 24 June 2021.
On the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will remain in place for at least two weeks.
Key changes in the easing of restrictions include:
Density limits:
- In regional Victoria, a density limit of 1 person per 2 square metres applies to staff areas, such as staff lunchrooms, and areas accessed by the public, such as reception areas.
In metropolitan Melbourne, a density limit of 1 person per 4 square metres still applies to these areas.
Importantly, over the school holiday period there has been no change to the face mask advice, which will continue to apply to all Outside School Hours Care holiday programs.
- Secondary school students aged 12 or older must carry a face mask at all times and wear a face mask indoors when at school, including when attending an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program, unless a lawful exception applies. Face masks are recommended to be worn outdoors where physical distancing of 1.5m cannot be maintained.
- Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school, or when attending an OSHC program.
- Face masks are mandatory for all school students aged 12 or older on public transport and when in taxis or rideshare vehicles. This includes travelling to and from school on public transport or in a vehicle with others not from your household.
- Visitors and parents must also observe face mask requirements.
A reminder that parents, carers, and visitors can enter school grounds, however they must adhere to density limits and check in using the QR codes.
SWIMMING
In case you missed this news, as outlined in a recent compass alert, unfortunately the AVPS swimming program, planned for the start of term 3, has been cancelled due to current departmental School Operations advice. This states, swimming can go ahead where there is exclusive use of a pool facility by a single school. The facility booked by AVPS have confirmed that we will in fact NOT have exclusive use of the pool, due to the general public having access during our program dates, therefore our program cannot go ahead.
Please note also, there is unfortunately no availability for this program to be rescheduled in 2021, due to heavy demands placed on such facilities following the Melbourne lockdowns.
Our PE teacher Neville Stevens has been working hard behind the scenes to try to make this important program happen and we apologise that a solution has not been forthcoming. Thank you Neville for these efforts.
Thank you in advance for your understanding about this predicament we have found ourselves in due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Mental health support, resources and advice are available for students and families to access over the holidays. Two fact sheets for students and families have been developed to support the mental health and wellbeing of students during this time.
These have been developed to support school students and families over the school holidays to:
- support positive mental health and wellbeing of students
- identify signs students may need mental health support
- access available support.
Please find fact sheets for students and parents/carers attached below and please access translated versions by clicking on the link below and scrolling down:
Translated fact sheets for parents and carers. Wellbeing support over the school holidays
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ENROLMENT REMINDER
Parents are reminded to please enrol pre-school children in the family who are eligible to start school in 2022. Please drop into the office or contact office staff to collect an enrolment form and endeavour to return these by the end of the first week of term three - Friday 16th July 2021. Thanks.
HOLIDAY SECURITY REMINDER
Close neighbours and visitors to the AVPS playground are asked to please keep an eye out on our school grounds over the holiday period and to please report any suspicious activity to police on ‘000’.
Thank you for a wonderful term and have a safe and happy school holiday.
Sue Osborne and Michael Downing
AVPS Principal Team
Parents are reminded to please enrol pre-school children in the family who are eligible to start school in 2022. Please drop into the office or contact office staff to collect an enrolment form and endeavour to return these by the end of the first week of term three - Friday 16th July 2021. Thanks.
HOLIDAY SECURITY REMINDER
Close neighbours and visitors to the AVPS playground are asked to please keep an eye out on our school grounds over the holiday period and to please report any suspicious activity to police on ‘000’.
Thank you for a wonderful term and have a safe and happy school holiday.
Sue Osborne and Michael Downing
AVPS Principal Team
PS,
40KM ZONE ASCOT VALE ROAD - great news
We are delighted that new illuminated 40km zone lights have been installed recently along Ascot Vale Road. AVPS lobbied VicRoads persistently for a change to the speed limit during school drop off/pick up times, dating back to 2016, following a string of dangerous incidents and very lucky near misses at the pedestrian crossing. We are most grateful that the illuminated signs requested have been installed.
See images in the slideshow below of the flyer announcing the installment of the lights and some images we wish not to re-visit from circa 2016-2017.
40KM ZONE ASCOT VALE ROAD - great news
We are delighted that new illuminated 40km zone lights have been installed recently along Ascot Vale Road. AVPS lobbied VicRoads persistently for a change to the speed limit during school drop off/pick up times, dating back to 2016, following a string of dangerous incidents and very lucky near misses at the pedestrian crossing. We are most grateful that the illuminated signs requested have been installed.
See images in the slideshow below of the flyer announcing the installment of the lights and some images we wish not to re-visit from circa 2016-2017.
REMINDERS
BEING ON TIME at 9
Being late to school impacts the child, the teacher and the class, not to mention sets bad habits that in some cases can be hard to break. If punctuality patterns for individual students occur, we will seek individual meetings with families, and together developing attendance improvements plans. Please ensure your child is at school on time. DET Every Day Counts - http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/principals/participation/everydaycountsprimparent.pdf
STUDENT MEDICAL INFORMATION
Medical documentation is important to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our students. From time to time it is necessary to update student medical and home contact information. If this is the case we ask you to come to the office or write to us to alert us of any change.
ASTHMA CARE/MANAGEMENT PLANS
The Asthma Care/Management Plan tells the school how to manage your child’s asthma and what to do if their asthma gets worse. This should be updated and signed by the doctor on an annual basis. Please forward these to your classroom teachers as soon as possible. A reminder was sent home yesterday. Thank you to the parents who have already presented these.
Asthma Checklist for parents
1. Does your child have an up to date Asthma Action Plan (Asthma Care Plan)?
2. Does your child carry their reliever puffer and spacer with them at all times? Or is it readily available to their Carers?
3. Are you and your child aware of their asthma triggers?
4. Do you listen to what your child says?
5. Does your child take their asthma medication correctly
BEING ON TIME at 9
Being late to school impacts the child, the teacher and the class, not to mention sets bad habits that in some cases can be hard to break. If punctuality patterns for individual students occur, we will seek individual meetings with families, and together developing attendance improvements plans. Please ensure your child is at school on time. DET Every Day Counts - http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/principals/participation/everydaycountsprimparent.pdf
STUDENT MEDICAL INFORMATION
Medical documentation is important to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our students. From time to time it is necessary to update student medical and home contact information. If this is the case we ask you to come to the office or write to us to alert us of any change.
ASTHMA CARE/MANAGEMENT PLANS
The Asthma Care/Management Plan tells the school how to manage your child’s asthma and what to do if their asthma gets worse. This should be updated and signed by the doctor on an annual basis. Please forward these to your classroom teachers as soon as possible. A reminder was sent home yesterday. Thank you to the parents who have already presented these.
Asthma Checklist for parents
1. Does your child have an up to date Asthma Action Plan (Asthma Care Plan)?
2. Does your child carry their reliever puffer and spacer with them at all times? Or is it readily available to their Carers?
3. Are you and your child aware of their asthma triggers?
4. Do you listen to what your child says?
5. Does your child take their asthma medication correctly
PARKING REMINDER – DROP OFF ZONES
Parents/visitors are reminded to please follow the Moonee Valley City Council’s (MVCC) rules and regulations pertaining to parking and the drop off zone near our school. Some parents/visitors have been observed leaving their cars in the drop off zones, which impacts the efficiency of the drop off system and deems drivers at risk of being fined. MVCC parking officers regularly monitor these zones and issue fines for breaches of the rules. To ensure the zones work effectively, drivers should:
NEW UNIFORM SALES
Online uniform sales arrangements will continue in 2021.
Please be reminded that school uniform is not compulsory at AVPS but is available as a practical and attractive choice. This is available from Primary School Wear (PSW) who have been unable to operate a uniform shop at the school as usual twice per month, due to Covid-19. Instead, orders can be placed on-line ( www.psw.com.au ) for home delivery.
PRE-LOVED SCHOOL UNIFORM
A second hand uniform option is also available. This is run by a parent volunteer, Nicole, who can be contacted on 0417 522 761.
Parents/visitors are reminded to please follow the Moonee Valley City Council’s (MVCC) rules and regulations pertaining to parking and the drop off zone near our school. Some parents/visitors have been observed leaving their cars in the drop off zones, which impacts the efficiency of the drop off system and deems drivers at risk of being fined. MVCC parking officers regularly monitor these zones and issue fines for breaches of the rules. To ensure the zones work effectively, drivers should:
- remain in your vehicle at all times
- move forward to join the queue so that other cars can move into the zone
- use the handbrake when the vehicle is stationary
- not double park
- not park across a pedestrian crossing or driveway
- not undertake a U-turn in close proximity to the school
NEW UNIFORM SALES
Online uniform sales arrangements will continue in 2021.
Please be reminded that school uniform is not compulsory at AVPS but is available as a practical and attractive choice. This is available from Primary School Wear (PSW) who have been unable to operate a uniform shop at the school as usual twice per month, due to Covid-19. Instead, orders can be placed on-line ( www.psw.com.au ) for home delivery.
PRE-LOVED SCHOOL UNIFORM
A second hand uniform option is also available. This is run by a parent volunteer, Nicole, who can be contacted on 0417 522 761.
KEY DATES
Term 2, 2021
Fri 25th June - Last Day Term 2 - Early Finish 2:30pm - (as reported in an end of term compass alert on 24/06)
Term 3, 2021
Mon 12th July - First Day - Term 3 - See you On Time at Nine
Wed 14th July - Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:45-7:30pm - See compass alert to book - or contact office for help
Mon 19th July - Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:45-4:45pm
Mon 26th July - AVPS Athletics Carnival - weather permitting
Mon 2nd Aug - Pupil Free Day - Staff development. Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on this day.
Tue 3rd - Fri 6th Aug - MVIMP Camp - Music camp for selected students
Thu 5th Aug - District Athletics Carnival - weather permitting
Sun 8th Aug - Working Bee - 10:00-12:00 midday
Mon 16th Aug - Annual Report and eLearning Community Meeting - 7:00pm tickets limited BOOK HERE
Thu 26th Aug - Winter Inter School Sport Gala Day - weather permitting
Thu 2nd Sep - Winter Inter School Sport Gala Day - weather permitting
Thu 9th Sep - RUOK Day
Fri 17th Sep - Last Day term 3 - early finish - 2:30pm
Term 4, 2021
Mon 4th Oct- First Day - Term 4 - See you On Time at Nine
Wed 13th - Fri 15th Oct - Year 3-6 camp - Portsea
Mon 1st Nov - Pupil Free Day - Report writing day. Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on this day.
Tue 2nd Nov - Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday - School Closed
Fri 17th Dec - Last Day term 4 - early finish- 1:30pm
Victorian School Term Dates Click button below:
Term 2, 2021
Fri 25th June - Last Day Term 2 - Early Finish 2:30pm - (as reported in an end of term compass alert on 24/06)
Term 3, 2021
Mon 12th July - First Day - Term 3 - See you On Time at Nine
Wed 14th July - Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:45-7:30pm - See compass alert to book - or contact office for help
Mon 19th July - Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:45-4:45pm
Mon 26th July - AVPS Athletics Carnival - weather permitting
Mon 2nd Aug - Pupil Free Day - Staff development. Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on this day.
Tue 3rd - Fri 6th Aug - MVIMP Camp - Music camp for selected students
Thu 5th Aug - District Athletics Carnival - weather permitting
Sun 8th Aug - Working Bee - 10:00-12:00 midday
Mon 16th Aug - Annual Report and eLearning Community Meeting - 7:00pm tickets limited BOOK HERE
Thu 26th Aug - Winter Inter School Sport Gala Day - weather permitting
Thu 2nd Sep - Winter Inter School Sport Gala Day - weather permitting
Thu 9th Sep - RUOK Day
Fri 17th Sep - Last Day term 3 - early finish - 2:30pm
Term 4, 2021
Mon 4th Oct- First Day - Term 4 - See you On Time at Nine
Wed 13th - Fri 15th Oct - Year 3-6 camp - Portsea
Mon 1st Nov - Pupil Free Day - Report writing day. Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on this day.
Tue 2nd Nov - Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday - School Closed
Fri 17th Dec - Last Day term 4 - early finish- 1:30pm
Victorian School Term Dates Click button below:
Pupil Free Days 2021
Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your child or children on the following dates, as students are not required to attend school on Pupil Free Days.
Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your child or children on the following dates, as students are not required to attend school on Pupil Free Days.
Pupil Free Days 2021 |
TERM 1 Wed 27th Jan - Staff Dev Thu 28th Jan - Staff Dev |
TERM 2 - NIL |
TERM 3 Mon 30 Aug * - Staff Dev *updated |
TERM 4 Mon 1 Nov - Report Writing |
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE (OSHC)
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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
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.
Dee and the OSHC team
Dee and the OSHC team
| rocketeers_winter_2021_flyer.pdf |
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please click on the heading above to access important reminders for AVPS parents and /or guardians, which are updated fortnightly.
OPTIONAL/ EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES @AVPS
Please click on the heading above to discover how your child / children can become involved in extra curricular programs at AVPS.
Please click on the heading above to access important reminders for AVPS parents and /or guardians, which are updated fortnightly.
OPTIONAL/ EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES @AVPS
Please click on the heading above to discover how your child / children can become involved in extra curricular programs at AVPS.
