Newsletter - Term 2 - Week 6 - 28 May 2025

Principal’s Forum Reflection

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Principal Forum on Wednesday 14 May. It was a fantastic opportunity to come together as a school community and reflect on the progress we’ve made in strengthening communication at Ivanhoe East Primary School.

We explored how feedback from families over the past year – including the 2024 Communications Audit and Parent Opinion Survey has shaped new, more consistent ways of staying informed and being connected. From the implementation of our Communication Matrix to the 10-week learning cycle and the use of SeeSaw across classrooms, we’re committed to ensuring every family has the opportunity to engage in their child’s learning.

A warm thank you to all who attended, especially to Adam and Steph from our Community Engagement Committee for their support in coordinating the evening, and to Ben Phillips and Alex Silvestro for their valued presence.

We appreciate the honest insights shared during the forum, and we’re already using this feedback to improve our communication even further. A detailed summary will be sent via Compass later this week for those who’d like to read more.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations at our next Principal Forum in Term 3.

Positive Chronicle System

We are excited to introduce a new initiative to recognise and celebrate the positive efforts and achievements of our students—the Positive Chronicle System.

As part of this system, teachers will now be able to post positive student behaviours and work habits directly to your child’s Compass profile. If you are using the Compass app, you will receive a push notification when this occurs. Families who do not use the app will receive a text message notification.

Each time a positive entry is made, your child will also receive a green card. This will redefine the green card system that has already been implemented, with students expecting to receive 1 or more positive chronicle messages and a green card per term. These cards are entered into a prize draw, with winners announced at our school assemblies.

The Positive Chronicle System is designed to share and highlight your child’s learning successes, allowing you to celebrate these moments together at home. We hope this strengthens the connection between school and home, and reinforces a shared commitment to supporting your child’s growth.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Reconciliation Week at IEPS: 27 May – 3 June 2025

This week at Ivanhoe East Primary School, we are recognising National Reconciliation Week – a time to reflect on Australia’s shared histories and consider how we can all contribute to a more respectful, inclusive future.

We began the week with a whole-school Acknowledgment of Country, led by our school leaders and throughout the week students are participating in a range of activities. Please refer to the flyer below for further information.

A special mention to Beth Stewart and Lucy Foster for the preparation and logistical work they have done as our Indigenous Perspectives Leaders. They have prepared a range of resources in the lead up to this week and are coordinating our sea of hands display.

Lost Property Gets a Makeover!

We’re excited to share that our lost property area has undergone a much-needed refresh! The once cluttered and disorganised space has now been transformed into a tidy, clearly labelled, and functional area that better reflects the pride we take in our school environment.

Located opposite the school library (near the gate and ramp), the new lost property zone now features three large, clearly marked green wheelie bins and one small blue wheelie bin:

1. IEPS School Jumpers ONLY
2. IEPS School Uniforms – School Hats, School Beanies, Sports Tops etc.
3. General Lost Property – including Raincoats, Umbrella’s and Sports Equipment that has been found on school grounds.
   
4. Other (lunch boxes, water bottles)

Clear signage and a dedicated outdoor pinboard provide information about our updated Lost Property Policy, helping ensure lost items are returned to their owners wherever possible. We ask all members of our school community to please respect this new space by keeping it organised and tidy. Your support will help us maintain a welcoming environment for our families, students, and visitors.

Remember: name it to claim it!

Thank you.

Tom Boyle,
Principal

Any IEPS medical authorities, medication, action plans or relevant nurse correspondence please be sent to the generic nurse email address
4386-nurse@schools.vic.edu.au. This email address is monitored by all of our nurses and is the primary form of communication between parent stakeholders and our school related to medical needs.

We are pleased to inform our school community that we have now concluded the tender process for our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) program. This has been a comprehensive and thoughtful process, reflecting our commitment to ensuring the highest quality care for our students and families.

Over the past few months, we received proposals from five different providers who submitted expressions of interest. Each proposal was carefully reviewed and considered by the wider leadership team. As part of this process, we also took the time to reflect on the feedback generously shared by our community regarding the current service.

The Finance Subcommittee played an integral role in reviewing the proposals, and their insights informed our next steps. We then took recommendations to School Council, where two shortlisted providers were invited to present. Following these presentations and a lengthy and thorough deliberation, School Council entrusted me, as the Executive Officer, to finalise the decision on behalf of the school. To support this responsibility, I re-engaged with our leadership team and also reached out to colleagues and schools currently working with the shortlisted providers. Their feedback and experience were invaluable and reinforced the direction we were heading.

We are delighted to announce that TheirCare has been selected as the new OSHC provider at Ivanhoe East Primary School. TheirCare has an excellent reputation, outstanding quality assurance ratings, and has already demonstrated a high level of responsiveness and collaboration with our school. They also provide a more cost effective service for our families with cheaper daily rates, including no late fees for the rest of the year and they will open from 6.45 am.

We are excited about the partnership ahead and the opportunities it brings for our community. We have expressed to the current OSHClub staff our hope that they will remain at IEPS and continue working in the program under the new provider. However, this will be a decision for each individual to make in consultation with OSHClub and TheirCare. 

TheirCare will officially commence on Monday 21 July, which is the first day of Term 3 and a curriculum day. In the coming weeks, you can expect further communication and information from TheirCare about the transition. OSHClub will also be contacting all currently enrolled families directly this evening. Please be assured that our priority throughout this process is to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our families and students. We are confident that TheirCare will deliver a high-quality program that meets the needs and expectations of our wonderful school community. 

Thank you for your continued support.

We’re pleased to share that the current ramp works, coordinated by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), are scheduled for completion by Tuesday 10th June. Following this, the construction team will move to the back of the middle school to continue the next stage of works. Please note that pathways to and from the middle school will remain open and unaffected during this time.

Please be aware our school canteen will be closed on Monday 23 June. All students will be required to bring a packed recess snack and lunch.

There will be no lunch orders or over the counter sales.

Last year, the Department of Education introduced new regulations around Working with Children Cards and volunteering at schools.

All parent volunteers are now required to have a current Working with Children Card, and also a letter of confirmation from the Department of Government Services with WWC details AND the name of our school (IEPS) listed on it.

If you already have a valid WWC card and letter on file, then you do not need to do anything further. If you are unsure, please call the office on 9499 2171 to check before you proceed.

Before you start you will need to have the school address/phone details on hand: Ivanhoe East Primary School, 35 Warncliffe Road, Ivanhoe East, 3079. Phone: 9499 2171.

WWCC’s are free for volunteers and last for 5 years.

If you do NOT have a WWC card and would like to apply for a WWC card click here:

https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/work-and-volunteering/working-with-children-check

If you already have a WWC card and need to update details (adding Ivanhoe East Primary School as an organisation you volunteer at) please click here:

https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children-check-update-details/home

Updating an existing WWCC

Follow these steps to update your Volunteer WWCC:

1. Login to your Services Victoria account. (Links above)
2. Click on “Edit or Update My Details” in Services Victoria.
3. Click on the “add an organisation” button (you may need to scroll down)
4. Enter the contact details. Click “update”.
5. Screenshot proof and email to toni.kearney@education.vic.gov.au
6. Tick the box to “declare that the information provided is true and correct”.
7. Click “submit” - vital for your changes to take effect.
8. A letter will be auto generated and sent directly to the school to be kept on file.

WWCC Support

WWCC Support Desk - 1300 652 879. 
Available weekdays from 9 am – 4 pm except public holidays.

Live Music + Family Fun

Come along for a relaxed night out and enjoy:
🎸 Live music from our school parent band
🕺 Dancing + free entertainment for all ages
🍗 Drinks, schnitzel & chips available to purchase from the bar
🥨 BYO snacks

📅 Friday 6 June, 6pm - 8pm
📍 Ivanhoe East Bowls Club
🎟 Free entry – all welcome!

Bring the kids and enjoy a great night with the IEPS community!

Get ready for the 2025 IEPS Science Expo!

On Thursday 26th June from 2:45pm - 3:15pm the school will be open to the community to check out our awesome student workshops and projects.

The Prep - Year 2 students will be running rotations in their classrooms and the Year 3-6 will be running a traditional expo experience, where they present their projects in their shared areas.

The expo will focus on two areas of Science, Physical and Earth and Space. The students have been very busy attending excursions, incursions, questioning, researching and developing into young Scientists!

From 3:30pm onwards there will be a community BBQ where you can purchase a sausage in bread for a small donation and we will have our eftpos machine available for credit card payments. We are looking for around 12 volunteers to help us with the community BBQ, please click this link or scan the QR code below if you’re interested: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyAR3PlMef_-RQdbo6VSCMjQexdzZhdhjdjBzIxdxSjRj_lw/viewform 

There will be 3 x parent volunteer shifts:

2:45pm-3:15pm

315pm-3:45pm

3:45pm-4:15pm

You will be asked to do one of these shifts.

Please note: If we do not receive enough volunteers for the BBQ it will not go ahead.

Do you love the snow? Whether it is Apres, Bunny slopes or Carving the first tracks we are looking for like minded families to be part of the 2025 Victorian Snowsports Interschools.

The IEPS team is a non-competitive, friendly team with a focus on supporting the kids to do their best regardless of their race experience or skiing/boarding competence. It's all about giving it a go, having some fun and making new friends.

The interschools are held at Mt Buller from the 18th to the 24th of August and caters for all age groups and capabilities.

Entries close soon so if you are interested or would like some more information please contact Kristi Lewis on Kristi.j.lewis@gmail.com or 0414 259 346

More information about the interschools - https://www.interschools.com.au/info-hub/about-interschools/

Make Movement Your Me-Time

As parents, it’s easy to fall into the trap of putting everyone else first—kids, work, family. But when we consistently skip looking after ourselves, our energy, patience, and wellbeing take a hit. Movement doesn’t have to mean an hour at the gym. Even 20–30 minutes of structured exercise a few times a week can improve mood, sleep, and stress levels. Block it out in your calendar like you would a school event—it’s your time to recharge, reset, and show up as your best self.

Strength Training Is for Every Body (and Every Age)

Most people are surprised to learn that strength training is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. It helps with managing weight, supporting joints, preventing injuries, and improving bone density—especially as we get older. At Vision, we guide people of all fitness levels through safe, personalised strength sessions that build confidence, not just muscle. It’s not about lifting heavy—it’s about staying strong and capable for life.

Plan, Don’t Punish: Rethink Healthy Eating

The idea that “healthy” means strict diets or cutting out your favourite foods just doesn’t work—especially for busy families. A better approach? Structure and planning. Taking 10 minutes to plan out your meals for the week can make a huge difference in both nutrition and stress levels. At Vision, we help people build realistic eating habits with flexible meal planning and support. Think of food as fuel, not the enemy—there’s always room for balance.

Small Habits, Big Impact

You don’t need a total life overhaul to start feeling better. The real power is in small, consistent changes—drinking more water, tracking your steps, swapping soft drink for sparkling water, or preparing lunches the night before. These small wins build momentum and create lasting change. At Vision, we track and celebrate these mini-milestones because they lead to big breakthroughs over time.

You’re Not Meant to Do It Alone

Let’s face it—staying healthy is hard when you’re doing it in isolation. Between school runs and work commitments, motivation comes and goes. That’s why having structure and support is so important. Whether it’s a walking group, a training buddy, or one of our Vision coaches, accountability helps you stay focused and feel supported—even when life gets messy. Community creates consistency.

Kind regards,
Kyle Johnston
Director
Vision Personal Training Ivanhoe
Lvl 1, 137-139 Upper Heidelberg Road
Ivanhoe, VIC 3079

- Croissant order for French Day - place order by Friday 6 June as per Trybooking link:

https://www.trybooking.com/DBTFH

- Balance of SSB after June - Please refer to the previous bulletin on 14 May or the home page of the website where it is a 'featured article'.

- Smile Squad (Holstep Health ph.9450 2000) coming to IEPS for a few weeks starting from Tuesday 10th June to complete six-monthly fluoride varnish applications for those students who have already had consent provided.

- Second Hand Uniform shop term 2 opening hours

https://ivanhoeeastps.vic.edu.au/school-uniform

- Thursday 26 June - Parents Battle of the bands - Book tickets below