Countdown to our Fun Fair

1. Volunteer support — thank you!

We are thrilled to share that nearly every volunteer spot has been filled. This is an incredible show of generosity and teamwork. Thank you to everyone who has put their hand up to help.

If you’re volunteering, please arrive at your stall a couple of minutes before your shift. Directions and all necessary materials will be waiting for you when you get there. Your support ensures the day runs smoothly and that every family feels welcomed and cared for. If you are in the last time slot for the day, please help us pack up the materials in the event box located at each table.

2. A rare artwork opportunity

We are honoured to have a beautiful painting titled “Gunadoo Dreaming” by Uncle Glenn Loughrey available for raffle at the event. This remarkable opportunity has been organised by our Student Action Leadership Team’s Cultural Connection student leaders.

Proceeds from the raffle will go towards commissioning a new artwork for our school foyer, further strengthening our commitment to reconciliation, identity, and culture within our community. The lucky raffle winner on Saturday will take home Uncle Glenn’s stunning piece pictured below.

3. Showbags and passports — almost gone!

Showbags and passports are nearly sold out. If your child is hoping to purchase one and didn’t secure theirs during the early bird period, we strongly recommend arriving early on Saturday to avoid disappointment. Merchandise will be for sale separately in the library. Get in quick if you want one of the GIPS stuffed animals... teachers are lining up to grab their own! Quantities are limited.

4. Tickets, sales, and what’s on offer

Every activity at this year’s Fun Fair is ticketed (including single rides). Tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Booth using either cash or card. Ride and food wristbands are also for sale at the event.

We have a great selection of items for sale, including:

• Toys

• Books

• Plants

• Hamper Raffle

• Merchandise

• Lucky Dip wine (there are some amazing ones waiting for you!)

These can all be purchased with tickets, cash, or card in the Lab.

We’re also delighted to have The Pantry running our coffee cart. Drinks can be purchased directly with cash or card. It’s the perfect way to recharge between rides and stalls!

5. Important safety reminder

Please note that the inside of the school building will not be accessible during the event. If your child has an inhaler or Epipen stored at school, it will not be available on the day.

Our first aid station will not have Epipens or inhalers. Parents and caregivers hold full duty of care for their children during the Fun Fair, so please ensure you bring any medications or emergency items your child may need.

6. A big thank you to our sponsors

We extend our sincere thanks to Marshall White and Team Kids for sponsoring a ride at this year’s event. Their support helps create a joyful, inclusive, and memorable day for all.

The Fun Fair is more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of who we are as a community. When families volunteer, when students take leadership roles, when local partners offer support, and when we all come together on school grounds for a shared purpose, we strengthen the sense of belonging that helps every child thrive. Let's make our 160th Anniversary a day to remember.

We can’t wait to see you on Saturday for a wonderful day of connection, fun, and community spirit.

Maddie Witter

Principal

In Prep

Prep students have been busy exploring skip counting in Maths. Using counters, we practised counting by 10s and 5s. We discovered the patterns that are made when skip counting. We also used 100 charts to circle skip-counting pathways, helping us see how numbers grow and change. It’s been a fun and hands-on way to build strong number skills!

In grade one

Learning About Maps

Grade 1 students have been busy exploring how maps help us understand the world around us. We learned about important map features such as symbols, a key, landmarks, and using direction to find our way. To put their learning into action, students designed their own Letter Island Maps!

In Grade Two

On Friday the 7th of November, Grade 2 had a very exciting Camp Day! We started the morning by gathering together and finding out which camp groups we were in. Then the wonderful Grade 6 Health and Promotions Team ran a range of games and activities for us outside. We played with the parachute, went on a scavenger hunt, built sandcastles, and completed an obstacle course.

In Grade 3

Year Three students have been focusing on division, strengthening their skills in sharing and dividing. Through engaging activities, they explored how division connects to everyday problem-solving and built confidence in applying different strategies.

In Grade 4

This week in Year 4, students have been refreshing their knowledge of time. We’ve been working together to convert between 12-hour and 24-hour time, and students have been practising using the jump strategy to calculate elapsed time through the use of reading schedules and time worded problems.

In Grades 5/6

Year Five and Six students are learning about financial mathematics. They played a game of ‘The Price is Right’ to estimate prices of everyday items – there were quite a few surprises in how expensive some items were! Students are now planning a ‘morning tea’, which means selecting appropriate purchases, budgeting and calculating percentage discounts in order to work within their $80 limit.

In our STEM room

In STEM, each year level is completing their projects. The grade 5/6’s are testing their designs for the egg drop using a similar weight rubber ball. Next week will be the real raw egg drop! Grades 2-4 have finished their solar ovens and we are now making ‘Bread in a Bag’ watching the reaction of yeast. We will be attempting to cook the bread in our solar ovens next week. Let’s hope for more sunshine. The Prep – Gr 1 students have continued to experiment with air as a force to move items. This week they enjoyed making parachutes that could hold a small Lego character to launch off the playground.

In our Art Room

Year 2 students have been looking at the marvellous architecture of Melbourne and all the sights of our wonderful city. Students used watercolour to paint their background featuring the horizon. Then we created silhouettes of the buildings and the Princes Bridge, before decorating our collage with metallic pastels and highlights of gold paper to match the lights of the city.

In Spanish

This week in Spanish, our Year 1 students continued working on their Language Journey passports while exploring animal vocabulary. Students noticed that many animal names in Spanish sound similar to English, which helped them make great connections. We also practised expressing likes and dislikes using simple Spanish sentences and sorted different pictures into the two categories: “Me gusta” and “No me gusta.”

Sports Update

A huge congratulations to Lachie Cooper and Charlotte Brown for their fantastic achievements at last week’s State Athletics Championships. Both students competed in the 100m and 200m events and proudly qualified for the finals. Their hard work, determination, and positive attitude are a credit to themselves and our school.

We are also excited to share that our school has received a sporting grant to support specialised softball coaching. Over the past few weeks, students in Grades 4–6 have been building their skills with a focus on hand–eye coordination, striking techniques, and playing safely within game situations. The sessions have been highly engaging, and it has been wonderful to see students grow in confidence and teamwork.

In our community

The amazing SALT Arts team have been busy giving our toilets a colourful makeover for the “Poo in the Loo” Fun Fair challenge! Their paintbrushes have been flying as they turn ordinary loos into works of art guaranteed to make everyone smile. Make sure you check them out on the day—you’ve never seen toilets look this fabulous!

Shared school events like the upcoming Fun Fair play a vital role in building a sense of belonging and connection within the school community. When students, families, and staff come together outside the classroom, there are countless opportunities to form friendships, strengthen existing bonds, and create joyful memories that last well beyond the event itself. These positive group experiences make every student feel seen and valued, which supports their wellbeing and helps them thrive at school.

At a Fun Fair, the laughter, teamwork, and excitement aren’t just fun, they lay the foundation for a supportive school culture. Children learn the value of sharing, taking turns, and encouraging others, while parents and carers connect with teachers and one another, deepening their ties to the whole school community. These shared experiences remind everyone that they are part of something bigger, which boosts students’ confidence and their sense of safety at school.

We encourage every family to take part in tomorrow’s Fun Fair, whether it’s by volunteering, bringing a friend, or simply showing up and having a great time. When we join together as a school community to celebrate, we’re not just making memories—we’re building connections that help every student feel like they truly belong. We can’t wait to see you there!

Writing with Purpose: Come to the Fun Fair!

Students from Prep to Year 6 have been using the excitement of the upcoming GIPS Fun Fair as inspiration for their writing. Each child completed a timed writing piece where they tried to persuade readers to come along to this Saturday’s big event. They drew on the rides, games, food stalls, and community spirit of the fair to make their writing convincing and fun.

Teachers used these pieces as part of their writing moderation, which simply means comparing samples of student work to make sure we are all assessing writing in a consistent way across the school. The Fun Fair theme gave students a real-life purpose for their writing and encouraged them to think carefully about how to engage and persuade their audience.

Here are some highlights from across the school.

You, yes you, come to the GIPS Fun Fair!

Alex Prep C

I am going to love it!

Julian Prep K

At the Fun Fair there will be rides and yummy, crunchy, munchy food. For the crunchy food, there will be popcorn, chocolate, fairy floss, hot dogs and soft drinks.

Lucy 1J

You should come to the Fun Fair. It will be very fun. I hope a lot of people come.

Freddie 1J

To sum up, lots of people will be there. It's going to be so much fun! Do you hate fun?

Tuppy M 3TH

On the special day, there will be many rides and food like popcorn, snowcones and more! The average price will be about $5, but it’s the finest quality.

Ishan S 3TH

There are rides for the kids. Although not for the adults because they don’t deserve it.

Leo 3M

Do you want to have endless fun for a day? If you come to the GIPS Fun Fair, you will have a beyond amazing time. From choc tosses, rides, friends, and food, what doesn’t this fun fair have?

Violet Kelly 5/6B

Glen Iris Primary School is celebrating its 160^th anniversary with a fun fair! Join us on the 22^nd of November to raise money, make memories, and try unique rides.

Poppy 5/6B

It's going to be a blast with fun games, rides, prizes, and it will be a great time to socialise with your fellow friends and family.

Alex 5/6C

Instead of being at home, looking at a screen and being a couch potato, you can come along with friends.

Otto 5/6C

Parents, do you have a free Saturday? If so, a great way to spend a fun day with your kids is by going to the GIPS Fun Fair!

Simone 5/6C

How do you spend your Saturdays? Maybe you're taking your kids to sport, maybe you're the one playing sport, or maybe you have nothing better to do than stay glued to your phone. Well, here's a change, on the 22^nd of November GIPS will be hosting a fun fair!

Davy 5/6C

You should definitely go because it connects the community and you could make some new friends.

Finn 5/6C

We hope the students have convinced you – see you tomorrow!

Volunteer Morning Tea

To our volunteers,

If you have volunteered this year (through excursions, help with the Fun Fair, School Council, covering books, reading books to Preps, etc.), please join us for a morning tea on 12 December at 10:45 am. Please RSVP with our front office.