Wednesday 2nd July 

• Reports published on Xuno 

Thursday 3rd July

• Year 3 & 4 Salama Performance - please approve & pay on XUNO asap

Friday 4th July

• End Of Term 2 - 2:30pm finish

Monday 21st July

• First day of Term 3

Monday 28th July

• 5/6B Assembly

Monday 4th - Friday 8th August

• Dental Van at school - info will be sent home early next term

Monday 11th August

• 3/4C Assembly

Monday 18th - Friday 22nd August 

• Book Week - dress up parade date tbc

Friday 22nd August

• Trivia Night - save the date!

Monday 25th August

• 2/3H Assembly

Thursday 4th September

• School production - save the date!

Monday 8th September

• 1/2A Assembly

SWPBS PRESENTATION AND CERTIFICATES

At Monday’s assembly we were proud to receive our Silver Award from our SWPBS coach, Kerry Hammond.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded their Care Crow Certificates. They have all been given 20 Care Cards.

Prep/1:  Connie, Alasdair, Goldie T, Marla, Squish, Josie, Daisy, Miranda

1/2A: Ottilie, Tobias, Mark, Raphy, Hikaru, Ivy, Obie, Patrick, Poorvi, Archie

3/4C – Ned, Ruby, Maeve, Leo

Well done, for demonstrating our school values!

.

WORKING BEE SUNDAY 15^th June

We had a great turnout for the Term 2 Working Bee. This amazing team included: Sam and Kristen with Henry and Hugo, Dean with Sid and Moss, James and Alison with Lucas and Matis, Mechthild with Todd and Marla, Harry and Letitia with Lok and Edith, Aurora with Arci, Martin and Helen with Freya and Hermione as well as Leon with Archie.

The list we ticked off included:

• The area behind the art room was levelled for a future bike shed
• The railing for the steps from the staff car park was installed by Sam– it is a really cool recycled pipe with some ornamental taps attached
• The footings of the monkey bar in the junior playground were replaced and reinforced
• The old portable classroom panels were painted
• The sensory garden was weeded

What an amazing effort – well done everyone!

 .

NEURODIVERSITY PRIDE DAY

Last Thursday we recognized Neurodiversity Pride Day at Winters Flat. The activities and guest speakers were amazing. Hannah coordinated the day, look out for her article below.

 .

LANTERNS AND SOUP TO WARM THE COCKLES

The atmosphere was once again luminous and lovely for this year’s solstice lantern walk. Whilst I didn’t directly participate, I could hear squeals of delight in the darkness outside and saw the warm glow of conversation and soup supping coming from the kitchen. Congratulations to Annabelle and the Engagement committee for another well attended and very successful event to celebrate the shortest day of the year. Thanks to Bron for helping students create the great hand-made lanterns, which were once again a hit!

 .

STUDENT LEADERS VISIT TO MT ALEXANDER COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Four senior students: Ava, Hazel, Kaelyn and Nova represented Winters Flat at a workshop to support students to generate ideas for projects that support kids in their schools or communities. The workshop was co-delivered by students from Castlemaine Secondary College and Council’s Youth Advisory Group. The group presented to other schools and spoke about the ally network at Winters Flat. They were supported by Helen and Hannah.

 .

SOCCER SUCCESS

This year the results of the District matches at Wesley Hill on Monday saw the girls’ team make it to third place with the mixed team coming first. They are now through to the area play offs at Swan Hill on 19^th August. Thanks to Sam for preparing and coaching the teams.

 .

PERFORMANCE EXCURSION YEAR 3 & 4

Next Thursday 3^rd July, students from Year 3 and Year 4 will be walking to the Phee Broadway theatre to see some artists from the Perth based group SALAMA who are coming to Castlemaine and have offered to run school performances/workshops. In this performance students have a chance to learn about the French speaking world outside France, in particular Reunion Island and the incredible music and dance of the Indian Ocean region. They will learn about geography, history, food and most importantly music and dance. Thanks to Justin Marshall (CSC) for organising this event. There is an evening performance also, follow the link and check out the flyer below for more info.

.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are welcome in every classroom as well as the Kitchen/Garden and specialist areas.

If you have the time and inclination, please let us know. Volunteers at school must have a Working with Children Check.

 .

BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday to you…

Odessa is turning 10 this week

Goldie T is turning 6 this week

Harriet is turning 9 this week

Ville is turning 6 this weekend

Fran is turning 11 this weekend

Aloysius (Squish) is turning 6 next week

Milly is turning 8 next week

Maeve is turning 10 next week

Theo is turning 9 next week

Fiona has a birthday next week

Hip Hip Hooray

Hip Hip Hooray

Hooray Hip Hip

.

COVID SCHOOL PROCEDURES

We are hearing anecdotally from families that COVID is active again in Castlemaine at the moment.

Schools will make sure your child is as safe as possible and will focus on:

• washing hands
• physical distancing
• rapid antigen testing
• Outdoors when practical
• Air purifiers indoors
• mask wearing – recommended but not mandatory

.

Free rapid antigen tests

Free rapid antigen tests are still available from the office.

Testing is strongly recommended for students and staff who are symptomatic.

After doing the tests at home, if it is positive, you are advised to:

• let the school know
• keep your child at home for 7 days
• contact the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.

.

Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal

Communication Channels

Please ensure that you are reading the newsletter every fortnight, as this is our main channel of communication. The calendar at the top of the newsletter is updated with known important dates. Due to the fortnightly nature of the newsletter, some upcoming items may not be know at the time of publishing.

Please also ensure that you are checking XUNO regularly for upcoming excursions, upcoming events on the calendar, messages and to log attendance reason entries. 

Although we do our best to give as much notice as possible, there will sometimes be information or events that come up with little notice. In these instances, we will send an email through XUNO.

The class WhatsApp groups are a fantastic way for parents to connect, please see Kitty or Karen if you have not yet joined. Although WhatsApp is a quick form of communication, please ensure that you are first checking the newsletter and XUNO, or contact the office.

If you have questions or concerns regarding excursions, events, attendance, or other matters, please call the office on 5472 1522 or email winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

.

Fiona on Long Service Leave in Term 3

Dear Families,

I just wanted to let you know that I will be on LSL for from 21st of July until the 22nd of August 2025 (weeks 1-5). We will be visiting our son in Scotland and traveling around the UK.

In my absence the class will be taught by Sashi Douglas on Monday and Tuesday and Liz Douglas Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. All students in P/1J know these teachers as they have worked in our room throughout the year. Both Sashi and Liz know the students well.

As I am away my Parent teacher Interviews will be postponed until Tuesday the 9th September 2025.

It has been a busy term of learning and fun. Thank you for all of your support this semester.

I wish you a lovely school holidays.

Cheers

Fiona

.

Lost Property

Lost property will be placed outside the office in the afternoons next week. Please pop past and check for lost items.

.

Karen & Kitty

.

Celebrating Neurodiversity at School

This week, our students engaged in meaningful activities to learn about and celebrate Neurodiversity – the idea that all brains are different and that these differences are natural and valuable.

P/1/2 & 2/3 Classes
Students began by watching short videos introducing neurodiversity and exploring different "neurotypes" – ways our brains can work. They discussed the variety of brains in our world, read The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon, and then took part in a creative activity where they coloured in brain templates and added descriptive words that reflect how their own brains work. These beautiful creations were added to our collaborative Brain Forest display!

3/4 Classes
Students joined a discussion led by Louise Cooper and Bron. This was a powerful conversation focused on active listening and understanding different brain types. Teachers and staff also participated to model empathy and inclusion.

5/6 Classes
Older students engaged in deeper discussions about growing up neurodivergent, the strengths and challenges that come with it, and the impact of receiving a diagnosis. They explored what support can look like and how we can all help create a more inclusive community.

These sessions are part of our ongoing commitment to fostering empathy, inclusion, and respect for all kinds of minds. We are so proud of our students for the thoughtful conversations and creativity they brought to this important topic

 .

Let us continue to grow our Brain Forest together 

In addition to the beautiful sessions we did at school, parents have shared some resources for other families.

.

Autistic Survival by Louise Cooper

This introspective article, featured on Writers Victoria, dives deep into the lived realities of growing up autistic. Louise Cooper recounts her experiences of masking, the constant effort to fit in, and the intense energy it takes to meet neurotypical expectations. She also explores how autism shapes personal identity, creativity, and resilience. Overall, Cooper offers readers both a poignant look at the challenges of “autistic survival” and a celebration of autistic strengths.

https://writersvictoria.org.au/djaara-countrys-disabled-voices/autistic-survival-by-louise-cooper/?srsltid=AfmBOooMgePw8lpiBYbx1G6GaJ9IyJ9-D3eBBaTh10IxIgeWaK4EeBfC

.

“An Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People” by Hugh Less (The Imperfects)

In this heartfelt podcast, Hugh speaks directly to parents of autistic and neurodivergent children. The letter is honest, sometimes confronting, urging caregivers to listen deeply and respect their child’s unique voice and experience. It highlights key ways parents can better support neurodivergent kids, fostering environments rooted in empathy and understanding. The open letter struck a chord with many—Hugh later reflected on the responses it received and offered concrete strategies for reducing judgment and increasing acceptance.

https://www.theimperfects.com.au/episode/an-open-letter-to-parents-of-neurodivergent-people/

.

Bron, our incredible art teacher created this poignant image capturing her own unique experience of being neurodivergent.

What we're cooking in the kitchen this fortnight...

• Tortillas
• Guacamole 
• Spicy Cabbage and Apple Salad
• Chilli Non Carne
• Mexican Chocolate Cake

Yum!!!

Chefs of the week:

.

Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Kind Regards,

Brooke

Winters Flat OSHClub Coordinator 

SAVE THE DATE!

4th of September 2025 at Phee Broadway Theatre

We are super excited to be planning our school production, under the visionary leadership of AnneMaree!

A group of school students discover a mysterious “Jukebox Time Machine” in the school music room. One Presses a glowing button and “BOOM” The students are transported back in time to the 1950’s. Each decade features a class performance in full costumes, with a little narration or acting to move the story along by the students.

After each performance, the students press the button on the Jukebox zapping them into different decades of time landing in a new era, complete with costumes, music, dance styles, and a quick intro from a Timekeeper who explains what life and dance were like in that time.

.

Parent Helpers Wanted!

We would love parent helpers to get on board! Get in touch if you have skills that could support our production. If there are any professional videographers in our community, that would be amazing! Get in touch with AnneMaree. AnneMaree.Jones@education.vic.gov.au