Friday 2nd June

• Divisional Soccer - selected students - see XUNO

Monday 5th June

• Professional Practice Day - no students at school

Tuesday 6th June

• Regional Cross Country - St Arnaud - qualified students

Monday 12th June

• Kings Birthday Public Holiday

Monday 19th June

• Divisional Football & Netball - selected students

Friday 23rd June

• Last day of Term 2 - 2:30pm finish

SWPBS

Winters Flat continues to participate in the Department of Education and Training initiative called School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS).

What is School Wide Positive Behaviour Support?

SWPBS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. It is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, school-wide, and classroom behavior support systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. Rather than a prescribed program, SWPBS provides systems for schools to design, implement, and evaluate effective school-wide, classroom, non-classroom, and student-specific plans. SWPBS includes school-wide procedures and processes intended for all students and all staff in all settings. SWPBS is not a program or a curriculum. It is a team-based process for systemic problem solving, planning, and evaluation. It is an approach to creating a safe and productive learning environment where teachers can teach and all students can learn.

What is SWPBS at our school?

We have adopted a unified set of expectations displayed as a behaviour matrix. They are linked the Care Crows – Care for Self, Care for Others and Care for the Environment.These expectations define the preferred behaviour at our school and were developed by students and staff. You will see these expectation posters throughout the school and your child will be learning them on an ongoing basis. Our three focus expectations which form part of the matrix are:

  Use kind words and tone of voice.

  Keep hands and feet to self.

  Be in the right place at the right time

As part of our SWPBS process, teachers and other staff members use evidence-based practices to increase student learning and decrease classroom disruptions. To keep students on the expectations in a positive manner, we do the following when teaching:

      Constantly teach and refer to our school-wide expectations.

      Provide students with more praise than correction.

      Talk to students with respect using positive voice tone.

      Actively engage everyone in the class during instruction.

      Use pre-correcting, prompting, and redirecting as we teach.

      Look for the positive first and provide positive, immediate, frequent, and explicit feedback.

Acknowledgement System

Class Dojos are rewarded frequently as the acknowledgement system tally method. Dojos are tallied each week and students are able to cash them in for immediate tangible rewards and experiences or can bank them towards rewards at a higher level. All individual student rewards go towards both whole class and whole school rewards and experiences. The rewards were devised in consultation with all students and with other schools in our region.

Staying on track in the classroom is supported by the statements I am ready to learn and I allow others to learn. When disruptions occur the flow chart looks like this:

             Disruption 1= re-direct

             Disruption 2 = re-direct and remind of expected behaviour

             Disruption 3 = relocation within classroom (5 mins)

             Disruption 4 = time out in a different classroom (10 mins)

            Then return to classroom – make up lost learning time – re-teach of expected       behaviour

            Teacher checks and connects with student and may implement check in check out           with student

            A fourth disruption will also include documentation by teacher on Xuno as minor   behaviour.

             Disruption 5 will include documentation on Xuno as major behaviour and parents          will be contacted

             Disruption 6 becomes a major behaviour with a formal office discipline referral involving the principal.

If a behaviour is serious the student will be withdrawn from the situation, parents will be informed and the student may be sent home.

A Student Support Group and Behaviour Management plan will be formulated and a restorative conversation will be held with those affected by the behaviour.

The Berry Street Education Model, Respectful Relationships curriculum and Kimochis support the work of SWPBS.

If you have questions about Positive Behaviour Support, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher.

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CFNC AND CSC

We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dallas Keogh-Frankling who died tragically after the football match he was playing on the weekend. We send sympathy and love to the Castlemaine Football and Netball Club and Castlemaine Secondary College at this sad and challenging time.  

Please see the list of resources on our website if you or someone you know is needing support at this time.

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SORRY DAY FRIDAY 26^TH MAY

On Friday our senior students attended the ceremony hosted by Castlemaine Secondary College. Stanley (Year 6) spoke of the importance of family, the harm caused to the Stolen Generations through the separation of families and the need to continue standing with Aboriginal survivors and descendants in respect, unity and strength.

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RECONCILIATION WEEK

Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This year’s theme is Be a Voice for Generations.

The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, learn, work and socialise.

We hope to focus on the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations in the future, to act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

Students from Yesterday 4/5C had the chance to walk down with Michelle and Tina to meet with Aunty Kath Coff and Keenan at the Boorp Boorp Boondyil exhibition, located in the Market Building.

Ava and Angus said, "It was important to acknowledge and learn about Indigenous culture. The video displays were interesting. We were lucky to hear Aunty Kath’s stories and felt grateful for the opportunity".

We urge all families to visit the exhibition if you get the chance.

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BIRTHDAYS

Saskia  - 12 in the first week of June

Jennifer - in the first week of June

Georgie -12 in the second week of June

Sullivan -12 in the second week of June

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Hip Hip: Hooray

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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COVID, FLU AND FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS

We currently have families dealing with COVID and with the usual winter bugs doing the rounds, we have struggled to replace staff who are unwell. If your child is symptomatic we request they be kept home as even the spread of colds and flu has an impact here at school. In recent days we have been forced to split classes as there were no relief teachers available. With the continued rise in case numbers in Mt Alexander, please be aware that we have plenty of free rapid antigen test kits available at the school 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

If you feel unwell, please call a GP or the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

For more information on how to manage your symptoms, please visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/managing-covid-19-home

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Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal.

Year 6 to Year 7 Placement Information and application forms 2024

Families of year 6 students have received an information pack regarding their year 7 placement for 2024.  These application forms need to be completed and returned to school ASAP.   If you have any queries, please contact the office. 

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Excursions on XUNO

Please ensure you are checking XUNO regularly to grant permission and pay for excursions in a timely manner. The use of XUNO reduces our paper usage, supporting Winters Flat to be a ResourceSmart school.

If you are needing assistance with XUNO, please see the Office.

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Bookclub 

Issue 4 Bookclub orders are due on the 7th of June. Orders can be placed online or via the office (eftpos or correct cash amount).

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Winters Flat Beanie Option Survey

We are considering the addition of beanies to our school uniform options and are currently seeking parent opinions. Please complete a short survey to assist us in this decision. 

Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

PJ

Tate - Care for Self

Mark - Care for Self

1/2W

Peter - Care for Self

Lenny - Care for Others

4/5C

Haylee - Care for Self & Care for Others

Lola - Care for Self & Care for Others

5/6B

Michael - Care for Self

Briscoe - Care for Self

Prep J and 1/2W finished their beautiful botanical artworks in Art last week! We studied pieces by Aboriginal artist, Jimmy Pike and were inspired by his colourful depictions of country. All students explored, sketched and then produced A3 works of the flora from the WFPS yard.

Prep J Artworks

1/2W Artworks

Prep J, 1/2W, 4/5C & 5/6B have also created some wonderful house artworks inspired by the art of Paul Klee experimenting with warm & cool colours.

Prep J Artworks

1/2W Artworks

4/5C Artworks

5/6B Artworks

The classrooms are full of wonderful classwork on display this Term. Here is a snapshot of what the students have been up to.

Prep J

1/2W

3/4H

4/5C

5/6B

This week in the Kitchen and Garden..........

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

• Indian Flat Breads

• Vegetable Samosas

• Sesame Yogurt Sauce

• Pumpkin and Silverbeet Curry

• Sudani Rice

• Jam Drop Biscuits 

Chefs of the week:

4/5C: Ash & Leto

5/6B: Ripley, Freya, Luca

1/2W were in the kitchen this fortnight. They cooked:

• Sesame Bread Rolls

• Fresh Pasta with Basil Pesto

• Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

• Roast Beetroot, Feta and Pumpkin Salad

• Jam Drop Biscuits 

Remember the recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.

Kitchen volunteers

We would love some kitchen helpers in our cooking classes. They are held fortnightly on Mondays (even weeks), and every Wednesday, between 11:25am & 1:25pm.

What you can expect from a class: Students work in six groups to make six different dishes. Once a group finishes their dish, they clean up their bench, do dishes, and set the tables. Around 1:00pm, we all sit down together and share the meal.

Volunteers will need to sign in via the visitors log in the office and show their WWCC and Vaccination Certificate. Please contact the Karen or Kitty in the office if you would like to volunteer. 

What we're doing in the garden this fortnight...

3/4H, 4/5C & 5/6B are having an interclass compost building competition. The class who creates the hottest compest will win. Prizes will be rewarded as follows:

1st Prize - 1000 class Dojos

2nd Prize - 500 class Dojos

3rd Prize - 250 class Dojos

Aurora A-F, Eisa & Ava M have also done a fantastic job sprucing up the cubby with a new coat of paint.

Gardeners of the week:

3/4H: Jaya

4/5C: Athene

Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

AT SCHOOL

Reconciliation Week (27^th May until 3^rd of June) is currently taking place in Australia and of course, here in our community. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The school has taken part in some community events as well as doing activities and having conversations here at school. Suzanne Kinnersly has written about some of these in her Principal’s write-up in the newsletter.

Here on Dja Dja Wurrung we have the invaluable permanent exhibition, Boorp Boorp Boondyil, located in the Market Building. On Tuesday the 30^th Michelle and her 3/4 class went down to the exhibition to meet with Aunty Kathryn Coff (Kathryn Coff is a proud Yorta Yorta woman living on Jaara Country) and former Winters Flat teacher Keenan Lucas for a special tour and lesson about culture, country and how to be a genuine Ally to the First People of this country.

The exhibition is open to the public and is a permanent exhibition. Learn more here:

https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=4233

AT HOME - parental controls and devices

In keeping with my sharing of information relating to Internet Safety, here is a link to a page on How to use parental controls and other tools to maximise online safety in your home: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/parental-controls

Included is an informative video to help parents and carers understand more about the different parental controls available and which settings are best suited to your family. It’s designed for parents of kids aged 4 to 13 years old.

IN THE COMMUNITY

No doubt many of you are aware of the tragedy that happened over weekend involving local CSC student and football player Dallas Keogh-Frankling. If you or your child have been impacted by the death of Dallas, please reach out for support. There are a number of contacts and supports listed at the end of this newsletter update. Otherwise, please contact me.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Sensory Sanctuary is a new neurodiversity arts festival to be held in the beautiful small country town of Castlemaine, 1.5 hours from Melbourne and easily accessible by train, during the July school holidays June 24 – July 7.

What is neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is the acceptance and celebration that different people's brains work differently to one another's, especially in relation to conditions like Autism and ADHD.

So, is this festival just for people with Autism and ADHD? No, the workshop facilitators are 70% Autistic and neurodivergent and we are hoping to develop the festival as a neurodivergent-dominant space but we also don’t want to segregate ourselves from the rest of our communities. These will be awesome school holiday activities for all to enjoy. The festival seeks to increase the opportunities for neurodivergent children, youth and adults to engage in activities alongside the rest of their communities.

Most events will be held at Castlemaine Goods Shed right next to the train station and Castlemaine Botanical Gardens which is just a short walk away.

Enjoy 100 activities over 2 weeks, with activities suited to children, youth, adults, sensory avoiders and sensory seekers.

The festival is being organised by autistic artist, Louise ‘Rockabilby’ Cooper, who is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Autism and has over seventeen years experience working with neurodivergent community.

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1052367

Until next time!

Hannah O’Keefe

My work hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30-2:30 and Thursdays from 8:30-4:30. Write me an email (hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au) or give me a call via the school office or on 0475 800 377.

RESOURCES

Please find a list of Wellbeing helplines and support services on the Winters Flat website.

https://www.winters-flat-ps.vic.edu.au/resources