Friday 21st June

• Goldfields Division AFL - select students - see XUNO

Saturday 22nd June

• Newsagent BBQ & Cake Stall - volunteers needed on the day & cake/biscuit donations can be delivered to school on Friday or to the stall on Saturday

Tuesday 25th June

• Sunny's first visit to school - please return dog survey form ASAP!

Wednesday 26th June

• Reports available on XUNO

Thursday 27th June

• Pot Luck Soup & Lantern Walk Family Evening - see below for further details

Friday 28th June

• Last day of Term 2 - 2:30pm finish time

Monday 15th July

• First day of Term 3

Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th July

• Year 4/5/6 Camp - see XUNO - Payment due 28th June

Thursday 8th August

• Regional Soccer - Girls team to travel to Swan Hill

DOGS CONNECT – SUNNY 

The Core Team are meeting with Dogs Connect this afternoon to ensure we are ready and compliant before Sunny comes to work next week! This initial visit will be introducing Sunny to the school and giving students their first opportunity to see him “in person”.

The Dogs Connect program will support us in implementing this very gradually, thoroughly, and considerately. At this stage we encourage anyone who would like to know more about this program to look through the website link: https://dogsconnect.net.au

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NEURODIVERSITY PRIDE DAY

We celebrated Neurodiversity Pride Day at the school on Monday. In addition to “Dressing for Dopamine” each class had a session presented by Hannah which involved age-appropriate video information as well as experiencing some sensory tools and designing an ideal sensory room. At assembly Louise Cooper read from her newly launched book: Welcome Neurokin I am Autistic.

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WORKING BEE

We had an impressive turnout out Sunday. The weeding and tidy-up around the main building was amazing and clearing away the debris has made a real difference to the asphalt play area. Success with the painting of the timber Junior Playground as well and with all the sanding, the surfaces are now lovely and smooth.

Painting the deck was an ambitious expectation and with the conditions against us, it wasn’t finished but we will look out for opportunities to complete the first coat before the effect of the scrub down wears off. Dean has made a start on the steps leading down to the oval. I also wanted to mention that Dean spent quite a few hours with the pressure hose after school, in the days leading up to the Working Bee. I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Vanessa, Rowen, Karl, Alistair, Jill, Tallace. Sally, Sam, Malcolm, Lauren, Kirsty and the children who came along on Sunday.

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SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS TERM 2

Winters Flat has had some very successful sports results recently.

· Atti Bakker (Year 6) made it to regional level in cross country but unfortunately injury prevented him from competing.

· The Boys soccer team came 3rd in the district competition at Chewton (Years 4-6)

· The Girls soccer team won the competition at Chewton and progress to the regional level at Swan Hill in August. (Years 4-6)

· Evie Mountford (Year 6) has been selected to play for Victoria in the AFL under 12 Girls’ competition. We wish her every success.

We are also combining with Elphinstone PS and Campbells Creek PS to compete in the AFL local competition this Friday at Wesley Hill. Thanks to Sam and all the parent volunteers who have assisted.

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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

Laura – turned 6 at the weekend

Harper – turns 8 this week

Gabrielle turns 6 this weekend

Annabelle – turns 10 next week

Odessa turns 9 next week

Harriet turns 8 next week

Ville turns 7 next week

Fran turns 10 next week

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

COVID SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Victoria is currently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 activity in the community, resulting in an increase in people being hospitalised with COVID-19.

We are hearing anecdotally that COVID is active in Castlemaine and have had families report cases.

High numbers of students have been absent due to illness in recent weeks. Please ensure your child does not come to school if symptomatic.

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.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

Volunteers needed to cover readers

We have purchased some new decodable readers and would love to get them into circulation asap. Please let the office know if you can help cover them with contact.

Prep uniform package for eligible students reminder

Please return forms for the uniform package to be processed.

Students eligible to receive the 2024 Prep Uniform Package must be a Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) recipient.

What’s in the package?
The 2024 Prep package contains the following items:

Outerwear x 1 pce (i.e., jacket / parka / puffer)
Tops x 2 pcs (i.e., windcheater / polo shirt / rugby top)
Pants x 2 pcs (i.e., track pants / leggings)
Socks x 2 packs
Pair of Shoes x 1
Please note:
a) PE items are not included as part of this package
b) Shoes must be requested in UK sizes (please see our shoe size conversion chart)

Cost to families
Where State Schools’ Relief is unable to provide a uniform item directly that contains a logo (due to contractual agreements with uniform retailers) the student will receive a voucher for $85 that subsidises the cost of these items. The voucher can be redeemed at Beleza our uniform shop situated in Barker Street, Castlemaine (Across the road from the Post office)Please note: vouchers do have an expiry date and must be used before this date.

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Year 4/5/6 Camp

A reminder that payment for camp is due next Friday, the 28th of June. Please see the office if you would like to discuss a payment plan.

Consent & Medical forms also need to be returned before the 28th June. If you have misplaced your forms, additional forms can be collected at the office.

A packing list will be sent home with your child/ren early Term 3.

Sandwiches

Eat Up at Our School: We're fortunate to have the support of Eat Up Australia, providing sandwiches to students in need. Eat Up tirelessly fundraises to make this possible. If you, your workplace, or anyone you know can contribute to Eat Up, please reach out to us at community@eatup.org.au. Eat Up is currently seeking donations of bread, cheese, fruit, and snacks. Perhaps you know a local business that could organize a Snack Drive.

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Stay well this winter - Advice from the department

Symptoms of influenza (flu) can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.

Keeping our school community well

Parents, carers and students are encouraged to practice prevention measures, including:

· washing and sanitising hands regularly

· avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

· covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing · staying home if unwell and consulting a general practitioner (GP) or Nurse-on-call as required

· staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 booster

The 2024 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.

Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people aged over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness.

Children aged between 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2024 booster dose.

You can get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. To find one near you, refer to the vaccine clinic finder.

Find out more

For more information about preventing flu, and immunisation, refer to: · Better Health Channel influenza flu immunisation fact sheet · Getting vaccinated against influenza.

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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward 

Office

BBQ Fundraiser - Saturday 22nd June

The Community Engagement Committee have booked a BBQ out the front of the newsagents on Mostyn St this Saturday, the 22nd of June. There will be a cake stall and a raffle too. Funds raised from the sales will support the ongoing expenses of Sunny, our wellbeing dog.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the stall or at the office. The winners will be drawn next Thursday at the Lantern Walk evening.

We would love some donations of baked goods. Please drop them to the office on Friday the 21st or to the stall on Saturday morning from 8am.

We need more volunteers to cook and serve on the day

Lantern Walk Family Evening - Thursday 27th June

The Community Engagement Committee have organised a family get together evening with a pot-luck soup dinner and a lantern walk down to the oval.

Children will be making lanterns in Art class with Bron and families are welcome to bring their own lanterns or torches for other family members.

Please rsvp here and let us know how many people you have coming and what food you will bring to assist with planning.

Human Library

Students are wanting to learn from people from all walks of life with all sorts of experience, knowledge and skills! We'd love it if you could sign up to our Human Library to contribute to the learning of our most wonderful students. Online sign up can be done here or pop into the office for a hard copy form.

P/1J

• Win - Care for Self
• Patrick - Care for Self

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P/1R

• Miranda - Care for Self & Care for Others
• Teddy - Care for Others

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4/5/6C

• Jimmy - Care for Self & Care for Others
• Haylee - Care for Self

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4/5/6B

• Evie - Care for Self - Sports Excellence
• Atti - Care for Self - Sports Excellence

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AT SCHOOL

NEURODIVERSITY PRIDE DAY

The whole school community was involved in this week’s celebrations for Neurodiversity Pride Day (NPD). Kids and staff alike dressed for dopamine and made the school a very fun and embracing space! Classes were involved in sessions in which they designed sensory spaces and discussed what being a good friend looks like when neurodivergence is part of the picture. Students mentioned empathy, listening, caring and acting to support our neurodivergent friends.

Louise Cooper, Winters Flat parent and proud Autistic artist and author, read her new book, 'Welcome Neurokin, I am Autistic’. Illustrations are by the Mount Alexander Autistic Community and the book was written in consultation with the Autistic Community. Books are for sale at the office for $10.

RISKY PLAY AND THE TEEN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

Recent media coverage has highlighted an often-overlooked intervention for young people – risky nature play. Winters Flat is embracing nature play to support children’s development of confidence, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills and teamwork. Some experts believe a driver of the teen mental health crisis is the decline over decades in opportunities for children to engage in so-called risky play.

Research has found play is as important as nutrition and sleep, and earlier this year, the Canadian Paediatric Society released a how-to guide for parents on risky play. As this new research emerges on the importance of play, so too do studies showing modern life is erasing opportunities for children to embrace it.

Read more below:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-11/risky-play-benefits-for-kids-children-parents/103939538

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-09/risky-play-teen-mental-health-crisis/103939412

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-05/mental-health-crisis-teenagers-generation-overwhelmed/103611004

https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/outdoor-risky-play

How you can do risky play at home

Source: The Canadian Paediatric Society 

Goldfields Division Soccer

Both teams gave their best at the Goldfields Division Soccer. Congratulations the the Girls team, they have made it through to the next round and will compete at Regionals at Swan Hill in Term 3. 

Thanks to Bron for the fantastic photos!

School Sports Victoria - State Team Selections

A big congratulations to Evie Mountford who made it through multiple try-outs to earn a place on the Victorian State Under 12 Girls Football team. We look forward to following her journey. Good luck Evie!

If you would like to support Evie in achieving her dreams, you can donate here.

A big congratulations also to Atti Bakker for his effforts in trying out for the Victorian State Soccer Team. Unfortunately, the competition was fierce and he did not make the team. We know he will go far with his soccer and running in the future. Best of luck next time Atti.

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

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

• Pumpkin and Eggplant Curry
• Sudani Rice
• Indian Flatbread
• Vegetable Samosas
• Jam Drop Biscuits 

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Chefs of the week:

2/3H: Jamie, Beau, Peter

4/5/6B: Leilani, Nova

4/5/6C: Peggy, Lucy, Jasmine, Ripley, Ella, Fran

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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.

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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Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden