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VIEWBANK CALENDAR

February 2 Year 8 and 9 students commence 7 Second Hand Uniform Shop 10am - 12pm 9 Leadership Camp depart 10 Leadership camp return Friends of Viewbank (FOV) Meeting 7.30pm 11 School Photos 12 Year 7 Cricket VCE Study Skills (Period 1-4) Friends of Music (FOM) Meeting 7.30pm 16 Senior Round Robin ICT Meeting 5.30pm Buildings & Grounds Meeting 6.00pm Finance Meeting 6.30pm Year 7 Music Information Evening 7.30pm 17 Year 10 Assembly re Work Experience Friends of Performing and Visual Arts (FOPAVA) Meeting 7.30pm 18 College Council Meeting 7.30pm 19 General Assembly Year 8 Cultural Enrichment (Period 5 & 6) 23 School Photo catch up day House Meetings

Number 1 January 30 2015

Viewbank College Warren Road, Rosanna, 3084

Phone: 9458 2811 Fax: 9459 0512

Website: www.viewbank.vic.edu.au Email: viewbank.co@edumail.vic.gov.au

STUDENT ABSENCES

Please be advised that Student absences are to be reported to Attendance Officer at

absences@viewbank.vic.edu.au not viewbank.co@edumail.vic.gov.au

or by accessing Compass by clicking on the

following link

Jo-anne Jones Humanities Learning Area Leader

School Term Dates 2015

Monday 9th March - Labour Day Public Holiday Term 1: 30th January - 27th March Term 2: 13th April - 26th June Term 3: 13th July - 18th September Term 4: 5th October - 18th December

Principal’s Report

Welcome to 2015

I warmly welcome all students and their families to

Term 1. Of course, 2015 actually began for our stu-

dents on the 24th November so today has been very

much getting down to business with only interruptions

for locker allocation. To our Year 7 students and their

families we give a special welcome. We have 208 stu-

dents at Year 7 and while Year 8s and 9s will join us on

Monday, today the Year 7s have had the space to ex-

plore their new environment. They looked splendid in

their new uniforms and very grown up. It was a pleas-

ure to welcome them this morning and to urge them

to make sure they get involved in all the extra-

curricular activities during the year and not be shy.

We have many new students and their families who we

welcome to our community. We hope that they settle

in quickly and soon find that this is a College that

strives in every way to live up to its motto: ‘Caring for

Excellence’.

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Number 1 January 30 2015

A Growing College:

Our enrolment for 2015, currently sits at 1192 which is our biggest enrolment to date. The College

has just had a handover for the two new 5 Mod relocatables which have been repainted and refur-

bished so that they are light, airy and attractive spaces. I am sure these classrooms will be greeted

favourably.

With our increased numbers we have the happy challenge in ensuring that while we are in much

greater in number, we need to operate like a small school to ensure that no student gets over-

looked and their needs fly under the radar. Communication is the key. Parents need to feel confi-

dent that their concerns will be followed-up.

The College Leadership Team:

There has been only one change to the College Leadership Team this year. As a result of Mrs Nao-

mi Hart taking parental leave, Ms Georgia Goonan is now Year 7 Assistant Level Leader. The Lead-

ership Team is as follows:

Principal: Mrs Judith Craze

Assistant Principals: Mr John Munro and Mrs Maree Gaffney

Director of Teaching and Learning: Ms Rachael Smith

The Senior School Management Team: Years 10-12

Assistant Principal: Mr John Munro

Senior School Leader: Ms Sue Calder

Year 12 Well-Being Leader: Ms Di Allan, Assistant: Mr Dean Bettiol

Year 11 Well-Being Leader: Ms Samantha Sissons, Assistant: Mrs Asha Dey

Year 10 Well-Being Leader: Ms Tamara Thatcher, Assistant: Mr Sean Hiller

Middle Years Management Team-Years 7 to 9:

Assistant Principal: Mrs Maree Gaffney

Middle Years Leader: Ms Kate Butler

Year 9 Well-Being Leader: Ms Lisa-Marie O’Connor, Assistant: Ms Jessica Budge

Year 8 Well-Being Leader: Mr Andrew Blair, Assistant: Mrs Margot Schmidt

Year 7 Well-Being Leader: Ms Amanda Watson, Assistant: Ms Georgia Goonan

As I have said, we recognise that clear communication is an imperative in ensuring that we meet

the needs of our students as best we can. One of the greatest strengths of this College is the align-

ment of high expectations between Staff, Students and Parents and key to this is open communica-

tion. All queries or concerns should be directed to the relevant Year Level Well-Being Leader as the

first point of contact as that leader is the Manager for the level and will be hold all the relevant in-

formation pertaining to your child’s situation.

Ms Kate Butler is the Middle Years Leader for Years 7, 8 and 9 and watches over the programs of

those levels and Mrs Sue Calder, the Senior School Leader is in charge of Years 10, 11 and 12. They

work very closely with the Year Level Well-Being Leaders in their area of responsibility.

After that, Mr John Munro is the Assistant Principal in charge of overseeing the Senior School Pro-

gram for Years 10, 11 and 12 and Mrs Maree Gaffney, the Year Middle Years: Years 7, 8 and 9.

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Number 1 January 30 2015

New Staff or Staff Returning to the College:

We wish to welcome the following new teachers to the College:

Ms Nimma Sagar - Maths

Mr Manjeet Singh - Maths/Science

Ms Moya Richardson - English/Humanities

Ms Caitlin Brown - English/Drama

Ms Sally Ho - Maths/Science/Physics

And we welcome back to the College:

Mr John Handford - .8

Andrew Van Gemert - .8

Rachel Ramsay - .6

Mia Treloar (College Nurse) - .4

Family Leave:

We had some exciting news to return to! Mrs Naomi Hart welcomed her beautiful

daughter, Maddison Grace on the 14th January, 2015. Naomi sent in a picture to

share with the College Community.

At this starting point for the 2015 scholastic year, we are optimistic that our students are embarking

on a year of powerful learning. Our rich curriculum, our focus on innovation and new resourcing to-

gether with our committed professional teachers make for an exciting learning environment.

College Tours for Grade 6 Parents and Students:

Bookings for College Tours for current Grade 6 students and their parents are now open.

The first tour will be Tuesday, 17th February. The tours will be conducted by the Assistant Principals

and myself so that prospective parents and students have the opportunity to see the working Col-

lege. As a priority, these tours are for Grade 6 parents and students only. We are more than happy

to run tours for Grade 5 families later in the year but it is imperative that Grade 6 parents have priori-

ty at this time of the year as their decision-making is far more urgent. Bookings for tours are essen-

tial and can be made through Trybooking on the following link:

http://www.trybooking.com/GCNO

College Communications

The College welcomes parent communication and all the College leaders and teachers can be con-

tacted by email through the Compass system or by telephone. If a teacher is in class or otherwise not

available, a call will go through to voicemail and that member of staff will return your call at their ear-

liest convenience. If you wish to speak personally to any member of staff, then it is important to

make an appointment. We do not like disappointing parents who may come up on the off-chance of

meeting with a staff member and then find, that the person they wish to see is not available.

Please be mindful that if you need to contact your child in person during the day, you need to report

to the General Office first. We strive to minimize disruptions to class so that parents need to try to

coincide with recess or lunchtimes.

To keep a track of all that is happening in the College, our weekly newsletter will have a calendar up-

date every week and the newsletter will be accessible via the College website

www.viewbank.vic.edu.au and will be sent to parents via Compass. Viewbank College prides itself on

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Number 1 January 30 2015

Judith Craze Principal

“Caring for Excellence”

giving detailed communications to parents and students and each week the newsletter is very full. We

do need parents and students reading it and the daily newsfeed.

To keep a track of all that is happening in the College, our weekly newsletter will have a calendar up-

date every week and the newsletter will be accessible via the College website www.viewbank.vic.edu.au

and will be sent to parents via Compass. Viewbank College prides itself on giving detailed communica-

tions to parents and students and each week the newsletter is very full. We do need parents and stu-

dents reading it and the daily newsfeed.

Picking Up and Dropping-Off Students

Please note that you are not permitted to drive into the College grounds to drop off or pick up students

(unless your child has a medical condition). This practice is not permitted because it presents a danger

to students either, arriving at or leaving, the College. Parents should also note that the northern side of

Warren Road opposite the front fence is a No Standing Zone from 3.00pm until 4.00pm. Banyule Coun-

cil Traffic officers patrol the street from time to time. Fran Crescent at the rear of the College also has

No Standing Zone and parents and students with cars need to be aware of this. Please take care as you

pick up and drop off students at the beginning or end to the day; student safety is paramount.

Students with cars need to observe speed limit signs and be extremely careful as they move in and out

of the College.

Putting Names on Clothing and Books

Please buy a laundry marker or similar pen to put your child’s name on every piece of clothing and on

all books. Every year we seem to collect an impressive stack of unnamed and unclaimed clothes. We

make every effort to return lost clothes to their rightful owners but it is very difficult without a name! It

is important to put names on books, both on the cover and in a secret place inside the book so if there

is any dispute about ownership, they can be more easily resolved.

If You Have Concerns

Please let us know if you have any worries or concerns. It is important to contact the College as soon as

you have a concern. Do not let matters snowball. Our office staff should be able to either answer your

questions or direct you to the most appropriate person to deal with your questions, problem or con-

cern. We welcome any calls and see them as a way of improving the College’s service to its community.

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Assistant Principal Report

Maree Gaffney Assistant Principal

Number 1 January 30 2015

VIEWBANK COLLEGE UNIFORM SHOP

Open every Wednesday morning (during school terms)

in R13 Hours : 8.15am - 9.00am

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP

The Second Hand Uniform Shop

will next open on:

Saturday 7th February, 2015

10.00am to 12.00pm

(Gymnasium Cloakroom)

Doors do not open until 10am

(Cash Only – No EFTPOS)

Welcome back to the new school year. I hope all parents and students had a relaxing break. There has

been a lot of work put in by the staff not only over the last two days but over the holidays in preparation

for the start of the formal 2015 school year for students. It was great to see the year 7s today eager to

learn as much as possible about the College to ensure a smooth transition.

As it is the beginning of the school year I will clarify some of the items in our Uniform Policy. View-

bank College is a school where uniform is compulsory and all students are expected to in full uniform

each day. As stated in the diary the blazer is part of the College Uniform. The blazer is the outer garment

and jumpers may be worn under the blazer. Jumpers may never be worn as the outer garment travelling

to and from school. In term 1 and 4 as these are generally the warmer times of the year students can

come to school in either their school dress or the white shirt without the blazer but the Blazer is to be in

their lockers for level assemblies and other formal events which can occur at different times in the term.

However if a student feels cold in the morning they wear their blazer to school not the school jumper by

itself. The blazer will be required to be worn at level assemblies, general assemblies, excursions and other

formal occasions throughout the year. In regards to footwear all students are expected to be in either black

leather lace-up school shoes or for the girls black T-bars. Slip on shoes or canvas shoes are not

acceptable.

In regards to accessories navy hair ties and navy scarves are acceptable all other colours are not

permitted.

In regards to piercings, for ear piercing small sleepers or studs are permitted. For all other visible

piercings a clear plastic stud is the only acceptable stud.

I ask parents to ensure that your child has an ample supply of uniform to ensure they are in correct uni-

form each day and that all uniform items are named.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite parents to the first Friends of Viewbank meeting for 2015

on Tuesday 10th February at 7.30pm in the Main Staffroom in the General Office building. The Friends

of Viewbank group is one of three Friends group in the College where parents come together. The

Friends of Viewbank group is a forum where parents have an opportunity to meet with other parents in

the College, to chat about some the events and issues occurring at the College and to raise funds to benefit

the students. We are a fairly informal parent forum and supper is provided. This year the major fund-

raiser will be the Trivia night. We have a lot of fun and we would welcome any parents including our

new parents to come along on Tuesday, 10th February.

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Music News

Sarah Williams Director of Music

williams.sarah.b@edumail.vic.gov.au 8458 2841

Number 1 January 30 2015

Staff news

We are delighted to welcome back Andrew Van Gemert from leave. He will be conducting the Intermediate Concert

Band, teaching our Year 7 classroom music students and our Year 11 and 12 Music Performance students.

Trumpet teacher, Andrew Laveglia, will be on leave for all of 2015. Andrew’s students will have their lessons with Patrick

Broadbent during this time.

Music Information Night for all students new to Viewbank College

Our annual Music Information Night will be held on Monday 16 February at 7:30pm in the Library.

On this evening, students and their parents will hear some of our school ensembles, have the chance to try out different

instruments, and find out about our extensive music program.

Students who are new to Viewbank College who already play an instrument (including voice) and would like to have les-

sons at school, should come and see Mrs Williams in the Music Office as soon as possible. We also welcome students

learning instruments outside of school, into our ensemble program.

Commencement of lessons and ensemble rehearsals

All lessons and ensemble rehearsals will start on Monday 2 February. Below is a link to the Ensemble Lists for this year. Please check the days and times of ensemble rehearsals carefully as

some changes have been made. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact me at the address below.

2015 Ensembles

Continuation of Instrumental Music Lessons

Students wishing to continue instrumental music lessons at school this year, who have not yet re-enrolled, should collect a

form from the Music Office ASAP. Lessons will only commence once re-enrolment forms have been handed in to the Mu-

sic Office.

Music Camp Wednesday 25th – 27th March

We are delighted to have found an excellent venue for a music camp for our Intermediate Band, Junior Strings and Inter-

mediate Strings. The camp will be held over the last three days of term 1 and will be held at Ferngully Lodge in Heales-

ville. Notices with further details will be sent home shortly.

AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board)

Any students wishing to enter for AMEB exams should speak to their music teacher. The relevant dates are as follows:

Cut off date for enrolments Exam dates

1st session: Monday 23rd February (20th April – 9th May)

2nd session: Monday 16th March (18th May – 5th June)

3rd session: Monday 20th April (9th June – 27th June)

4th session: Monday 24th May (10th August – 5th September)

5th session: Monday 20th July (5th October – 15th November)

Upcoming and Important Dates:

Monday 16 February Senior Concert Band and Senior Strings performance at the Music Information Night,

Library – 7-8pm (arrival time 6.45pm)

Wednesday 25-27 March Music Camp at Ferngully Lodge in Healesville: Intermediate Concert Band, Junior and

Intermediate Strings.

Sunday 17 May Autumn Brunch: School Gym – 10am-1pm

Junior, Intermediate, Senior concert bands, Jazz, Stage and Funk bands, Junior and

Intermediate Strings.

Thursday 21 May Autumn Nights: 7.30pm Banyule Theatre – Intermediate and Senior choirs, guitar ensembles,

Senior Strings, Flute ensemble, Double Bass ensemble.

Tuesday 15 September Gala Concert, Plenty Ranges Conference Centre – All ensembles

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Number 1 January 30 2015

Canteen News

Canteen Volunteers for week of 2nd February to 6th February

Monday: Sue Lee Tuesday: Susan Markby Wednesday: Aphro Papandreou Thursday: Help Needed Please Friday: Help Needed Please

Canteen Volunteers for week of 9th February to 13th February

Monday: Helena Teo Tuesday: Caroline Robertson Wednesday: Carolyn Brindley Thursday: Kanella Tsirbas Friday: Kathy Ralph

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Number 1 January 30 2015

The Friends Of Performing And Visual Arts (FOPAVA) The FOPAVA committee meets monthly and consists of parents and teachers, with input from

College captains. FOPAVA has a number of specific objectives including:

Raising the profile of the Visual and Performing Arts in the College and the community

Having fun, enjoying and appreciating the Arts

Encouraging student participation in the Arts The committee supports activities such as the College Production, Arts Expo and drama

performances throughout the year. One of its prime functions is to raise funds for the purchase of new equipment for our

Theatre and Art faculties. We are always looking for new members and we extend a warm welcome to all

parents/members of the College community. For further information please contact the Assistant Principal, John Munro.

Next Meeting:

Tuesday 17th February, 2015 at 7.30pm

Friends of Viewbank (FOV) Friends of Viewbank is a parent group that meets once a month and acts as a parent forum

where parents can discuss issues and current trends. The group also supports the school in whatever ways they can and enjoys the company of others who have the best interests of students and the entire College community at heart.

It is a great way to meet other parents and to be able to discuss College activities and raise issues to be discussed.

The Friends of Viewbank also supports the catering for the LOTE Theatre and the College Production. Parents interested in joining Friends of Viewbank can contact

Assistant Principal, Mrs Maree Gaffney at the College or attend our meeting in the Staffroom at the College.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 10th February, 2015 at 7.30pm

Friends of Music (FOM) Friends of Music is group of parents who are interested in supporting the College’s

excellent and extensive Music program. They meet once a month on a Thursday evening in the Conference Room and the

successes of the annual Autumn Brunch, Autumn Night and the Gala Concert are in large part due to the dedicated and generous support from this group.

Friends of Music also initiates other fundraising events to provide extra support to performing groups and to purchase and upgrade musical instruments.

Parents interested in joining Friends of Music should contact the Music Coordinator, Mrs. Sarah Williams or Principal, Judith Craze, at the College.

Next Meeting:

Thursday 12th February, 2015 at 7.30pm

Our Friends Groups

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Community News

Number 1 January 30 2015