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Monday 18th - Friday 22nd March
- Whole school swimming lessons - see XUNO
Monday 18th - Sunday 24th March
- Harmony Week
Thursday 21st March - TOMORROW!
- World Down Syndrome Day - Lots of Socks campaign
Please wear mismatched, colourful or CrAzY socks to school and bring a gold coin donation to support the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
Sunday 24th March
Working Bee
Please let us know if you can make it here:
If you'd like to donate something for morning tea for the working bee, please drop it off at the office on Friday 22nd of March.
Monday 25th March
- Harmony Week celebration
- Assembly 2:30pm
Thursday 28th March
- Last day of Term One - 2:30pm finish
Monday 15th April
- First day of Term Two
Friday 19th April
- P-2 Tabloid Sports Day (Grade 6s will also attend as helpers)
Thursday 25th April
- ANZAC Day (public holiday)
Friday 3rd May
- Castlemaine District Cross Country (Grades 3-6)
Friday 17th May
- Goldfields Division Cross Country (Grades 3-6)
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Introducing our 2024 School Council
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Parent |
Helen KAPTEIN |
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Parent |
Dean NENDICK |
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Parent |
Helen VICKERS |
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Parent/DET |
Bryn DAVIES |
Treasurer |
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Parent |
Jill PRIOR |
President |
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Parent |
Rebecca MORECROFT |
Vice-President |
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Parent |
Kristen WOOD |
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DET employee |
Michelle CREED |
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Parent/DET |
Bronwyn TRACEY |
Secretary |
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DET employee |
Helen WEIR |
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DET employee Principal |
Suzanne KINNERSLY |
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Parent/community |
Alison WHITTEN |
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School Council extends our sincere thanks to outgoing members Blair Venn, Kitty Ward and Rhani Dean-Talbett for their efforts and contributions to the Winters Flat School Council.
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LOTS OF SOCKS TOMORROW!
Tomorrow, Thursday March 21st, we will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by joining the Lots of Socks campaign. We ask everyone to wear colourful or mismatched socks to school and bring a gold coin donation to help raise awareness of Down Syndrome. Funds raised will go to Down Syndrome Victoria.
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HARMONY WEEK CELEBRATION THIS MONDAY 25th MARCH
This week has been Harmony Week and tomorrow (March 21st) is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Week is always celebrated in the week surrounding March 21st, and is focused on Australian multiculturalism and celebrating how all of our differences make Australia a great place to live. Please join us by wearing orange to school on Monday. Michelle’s class will also be doing a special Harmony Week presentation at assembly on Monday afternoon.
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WORKING BEE THIS SUNDAY 24TH MARCH
We have some fun (and not so fun) jobs for the Working Bee this Sunday and the weather forecast of a sunny 22 looks ideal. I am happy to fire up the BBQ for a sausage sizzle (or veggie burgers, if you’d prefer). High pressure washers (for deck), brush cutters, or leaf blowers welcome!
We have attached a reply slip to gauge how many people are planning to attend. Please include your sausage or veggie burger order.
Let us know if you can make it here:
If you'd like to donate something for morning tea for the working bee, please drop it off at the office on Friday 15th of March.
Major tasks:
- Prep the Kitchen deck
- Oil the Kitchen Deck
- varnish junior playground
Minor tasks:
- Minor repairs
- weeding
- Brush cutting
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CLASS REPS FOR 2024
We are seeking parent/carers who would like to be the class representative for their child’s class. A class rep is a conduit between the classroom/school and the families in the class. They can circulate messages to remind families of upcoming school events, as well as organising social events outside school.
Please contact me: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au if you’re interested.
Please include your: email address, best phone contact, your child/ren and the class you’re nominating for.
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WHATSAPP LINKS
If you have children in the SLC (4/5/6B and 4/5/6C) you can connect with other families via WhatsApp on this link.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JVm5I4yH7ag658ABTorpt6
If you have children in 2/3H you can connect with other families via WhatsApp on this link.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/DIMdQrZSf2k9Z6Te9xSMko
If you have children in P/1 you can connect with other families via WhatsApp on this link.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/C7EB5QyiCtoCDssrvqUVvA
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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.
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BIRTHDAYS
Miles- 6 in the third week of March
Vince RM – 6 in the third week of March
Freya – 11 in the fourth week of March
Ella – 10 in the fourth week of March
Tobias - 6 in the last week of March
Felix – 8 in the last week of March
Jasmine – 12 in the first week of April
Poorvi – 6 in the second week of April
Patrick - 6 in the second week of April
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
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COVID SCHOOL PROCEDURES
According to the Department of Health community transmission of COVID-19 is currently decreasing across Victoria.
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
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Free rapid antigen tests
Free rapid antigen tests are 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.
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Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal
Camps!
2024 is a camp year at Winters Flat and all grade levels will get to experience going on camp, except for Preps and Grade Ones who will have a school-based experience.
Grade 2/3s will attend Campaspe Downs camp, near Kyneton. This is an adventure camp, so students will participate in outdoor learning activities which encourage friendships and co-operation in a group setting. The date for this camp is 13th - 14th May in Term 2.
Camp notes went home this week! Please return them and pay the $50 deposit ASAP to secure a place. This can be done via Xuno or in the office.
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Grade 4/5/6s will attend Lady Northcote Discovery Camp, near Bacchus Marsh. This is a bush adventure camp, with extensive indoor and outdoor activities, designed to encourage participants to experience personal growth, appreciate the natural environment, and foster group cohesiveness.
Camp notes have been sent home, and all details are also available on Xuno.
A deposit of $100 is due by Friday 28th March 2024 to ensure your child's place, so we can finalise our bookings and costs.
Approval and payment can also be made via cash or card in the office.
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XUNO
XUNO is the school’s main channel for communicating important information to parents. We encourage all families to be regularly logging into XUNO, either via the website or the app.
Each time an event/fees/interviews are added, XUNO will send an email alerting you they are in the app needing to be actioned. At the beginning of the year and each term, you will receive many emails as we add items to the calendar to communicate important dates to parents ahead of time.
We will also send out occasional emails with information that needs to be communicated outside of a newsletter week.
Currently, Xuno gives you access to:
- Messages (to communicate with your child’s teachers)
- Timetable
- Calendar
- News
- Attendance (to provide a reason for a student absence, either on the day or afterwards)
- Events, Camps & Excursions (to approve events)
- Payments (to pay for any camps/excursions)
- Parent Teacher Interview Bookings (to book interviews)
If families are having any issues with logging onto XUNO, or trouble navigating the app, please contact the office.
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Volunteering at school in 2024
There are many opportunities to volunteer at school - reading with students in the junior year levels, assisting in kitchen & garden classes, being a part of our human library, working bees, etc.
Volunteers who are onsite with children during school hours are required to have a current Working with Children Check. Volunteer WWCC are free to obtain and can be applied for here.
An important reminder for volunteers: on arrival, you will need to come to the office and sign in, then come back to the office and sign out when you leave.
Any questions/queries about any of this, please contact us in the office on 5472 1522.
If you would like to be put on our volunteer list, please fill out this form. Paper forms are also available from the office.
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Sushi on Fridays
We are continuing Sushi on Fridays again this year!
Please make sure you update your child's class to assist with the distribution of the sushi at school.
Here is a reminder of the steps you need to do to order Sushi.
- Go to www.schoollunchonline.com.au to register your family.
- Choose ‘My orders’ and select ‘Create order‘.
- Select the date of the Friday you wish to order for.
- Add items to order by clicking on the ‘tick’.
- Select ‘add to bag’.
- Review order and check it is all correct, then click ‘next’.
- Choose how you want to pay and then select ‘submit’.
*Update your billing details under the tab ‘my account’.
*Pay as you go or top up your account regularly.
*No minimum order or long term commitment.
*Order ahead up to any time within the current term.
Orders need to be made by 5pm on Thursday to ensure order is placed for Sushi at lunchtime on Friday.
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SAKG Laundry Roster
If you are able to help with the SAKG laundry, please contact us in the office.
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Kitty Ward & Rosie Annear
Office
AT SCHOOL
Thanks to Ang for bringing along power tools, scrap wood and other bits and pieces to our lunchtime Loose Parts Play session. On Mondays at lunch time, we run Loose Parts Play. Loose Parts are non-prescriptive and give complete control and power to children as they use them flexibly. This can be particularly helpful for children with diverse abilities, who manipulate the Loose Parts according to their abilities. Loose Parts help children express who they are and how they perceive themselves as they use them in their play, to make connections, communicate their ideas and build relationships. Children with diverse abilities can create their own tempo while playing with the Loose Parts without feeling pressured to produce a product or achieve a prescribed result.
AT HOME
Here are some resources for families about understanding neurodivergence in children and how children (and families) can be supported to create home lives that feel safe and nurturing:
- https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/neurodiversity-neurodivergence-guide-for-families
- https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/how-you-can-support-your-neurodivergent-child/
- https://sensoryhealth.org/basic/your-8-senses
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Until next time!
Hannah O’Keefe
My work hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 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.
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RESOURCES
Please find a list of Wellbeing helplines and support services on the Winters Flat website.
This week in the Kitchen and Garden..........
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What we're cooking in the kitchen this fortnight...
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Margarita Pizza
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Tomato, Quinoa and Herb Salad
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Peach Clafoutis with Ice Cream
Remember all the recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.
Chefs of the week:
2/3H: Tamas and Izzy H
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Kitchen volunteers:
We would love some kitchen helpers in our cooking classes!
They are held fortnightly on Mondays (even weeks - 4/5/6C), and every Wednesday (even weeks - 4/5/6B; odd weeks - 2/3H), between 11:25am & 1:25pm.
The Prep/1 classes will have a special cooking class each term.
*For Term 1, these classes are next week: P1R has their cooking session next Monday March 25th and P1J has their cooking session next Wednesday March 27th.*
Kitchen helpers for these classes would be particularly helpful - please let the office know if you'd like to volunteer!
What you can expect from a class:
Students work in groups to make seasonal dishes, using produce from our garden. Once a group finishes preparing 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. Please contact the office if you have any questions or would like to volunteer!
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In the Garden:
Gardeners of the week:
2/3H: Lok and Moss
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Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
We are running a bulb fundraiser this term!
To view the catalogue, and order and pay for your bulbs, please visit https://www.bulbfundraiser.com.au/WINTERS or use the QR code on the below flyer.
A hardcopy catologue was sent home with the oldest student in your family last week - have a look for it!
This is one of our school's main fundraisers, so please share with friends and family! Orders are due by Friday 5th of April (which is in the first week of the school holidays).
This is one of our school's main fundraisers, so please share with friends and family!
We have new chickens!
Our remaining two chickens have recently retired and gone to live with Michelle's family.
This week, Terry collected FIVE new chickens for our school coop and they are settling in nicely!
Given that we have five new chickens, and five classes at our school, we are going to run a competition for each class to name one of the new chickens! So, start thinking of some great chicken names!
Introducing our new chickens and which class will be naming which:
Chicken #1 will be named by P1/J. She is a Black Copper Maran!
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Chicken #2 will be named by P/1R. She is a White Easter Egger!
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Chicken #3 will be named by 2/3H. She is a Lavender Araucana!
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Chicken #4 will be named by 4/6BM. She is Black Ancona!
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Chicken #5 will be named by 4/6C. She is a Blue Redsplash Easter Egger!
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Presented by Paula Russell, Mount Alexander Kids (MAK) radio gives a voice to 3-8 year olds in the Mount Alexander Shire.
Listen to past shows here: MAK Radio shows | Mixcloud
