Thursday 24th October

• Mango orders & monies due!

Friday 25th October

• Year Prep & Year 1 Grandparents and Special Friends' Day - notes have gone home

Monday 28th October

• Assembly 2:45pm - P/1J presenting

Monday 4th November

• Curriculum Day - no students at school

Tuesday 5th November

• Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Friday 8th November

• P/1 Dinner/Sleepover - more information to come

Monday 11th November

• Assembly 2:45pm - 4/5/6BM presenting

Tuesday 19th November

• 2025 Prep Transition #1 - 2:15pm-3:15pm

Monday 25th November

• Assembly 2:45pm - 4/5/6C presenting

Tuesday 26th November

• 2025 Prep Transition #2 - 2:15pm-3:15pm

Tuesday 3rd December

• 2025 Prep Transition #3 - 2:15pm-3:15pm

Monday 9th December

• Assembly 2:45pm - 2/3H presenting

Tuesday 10th December

• 2025 Prep Transition #4 - 10:00am-12:00pm
• Whole school Step-Up Day - 10:00am-12:00pm

Thursday 12th December

• Year 6 Graduation - 5:30pm-8:30pm - more details to follow

Monday 16th December

• Assembly 2:45pm - Year 6 Students presenting

Friday 20th December

• Last Day of Term 4 - 1:30pm finish

DISCO – WOW 

Another night that exceeded our expectations! Reviews by the kids and adults who were there on the night were glowing! I would sincerely like to thank the members of Community Engagement committee and all the parents who helped with technical support. See report and photos later in this Newsletter.

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RIVER DETECTIVES – 2/3H

With the help of Jennifer, Terry and Serena students in 2/3H are becoming river detectives. They had their first session this week.

River Detectives is an exciting education initiative of Catchment Management Authorities inspiring teachers and students to understand, appreciate and care for their local waterway through engaging, cross-curricular, citizen-science activities.

River Detectives is a free, flexible and fun way to connect young people to nature through monthly water quality testing.  Students learn how water, land, plants, animals, people and communities are all integrally linked and schools are provided with equipment, training and teaching resources.

On Friday 15th November they will attend a special event at Forest Creek in Chewton, to raise awareness of the importance of healthy water ways.

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PREPARATION FOR PUBERTY

Preparation for Puberty is a five-week program designed to help schools teach the sexuality education components of the Victorian Curriculum. The service is available to school-aged children in classes five and six to build on students’ learning and experiences about gender, bodies and relationships. It combines the biological, social and emotional aspects of sexuality education.

Program Outline:

• Session 1 – Introduction to Puberty and Correct Reproductive Anatomy Terminology
• Session 2 – Conception, pregnancy and birth
• Session 3 – The physical and emotional changes in puberty and menstruation
• Session 4 – Body Care and Hygiene
• Session 5 – Relationships

The program is delivered by Community Health Nurse Bronwyn Grieve, who has 20 years experience as a Paediatric Nurse, a Paediatric Nurse Educator and a High School Nurse. Bronwyn provides puberty education in an age-appropriate, fun and inclusive manner.

Preparation for Puberty starts this Friday 18^th October for children in Years 5 and 6.

The sessions are approximately 90 minutes and will continue for the next few weeks.

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HALLOWEEN DRESS UP THURSDAY 31^st OCTOBER

Halloween is not specifically a school event, but we know how much it means to our students, so we will once again encourage spooky dress-ups with a gold coin donation to go towards the purchase of more fidget tools.

We would also like to support families once again who are driving a community-led plastic-free Halloween. If you have any ideas to support healthy treats and plastic-free decorations and dress-ups please contact me: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au and I will pass on to the organisers.

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NUDE FOOD – SUSTAINABILITY PRIORITY

Please help eliminate plastic wrappers at our school by continuing to send nude food in lunch boxes. We do not have general waste bins in the playground, and we are trying to reduce, re-use and recycle, as a school which promotes sustainability.

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BREAKFAST CLUB – WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS

We are seeking still volunteers who can serve at Breakfast Club in the kitchen for one morning per week.

Family home care packages are also available. Please see Karen Mahoney at the office for further information.

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SPORTS NEWS

Congratulations to Aurora who came 2^nd in High Jump at the Regional Athletics tournament and now qualifies for competition at State level. Another great effort from Evie in Shot put and Discus, as well as Ginger in Hurdles.

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VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are welcome in every classroom as well as the Kitchen/Garden and specialist areas. Reading partners for the junior school are always welcome.

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

BIRTHDAYS

Late September

Hermione turned 9

Lily turned 12

Vanessa turned 7

October

Vanessa turned 7 last week

Mark turned 7 last week

Makenna turned 9 last week

Heart turned 7 at the weekend

Daisy is turning 6 in two weeks

Shelly, Hannah and Cath have birthdays in October

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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COVID SCHOOL PROCEDURES

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
• for health advice 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.

Mango Fundraiser

The mango orders have been coming in, keep collecting your orders! All orders and monies need to be back at school by next Thursday the 24^th of October with no exceptions. Each tray costs $30 and will have approximately 12 XL or 20 small mangoes per tray.

There will be the $100 book voucher up for grabs for the family that sells the most mangoes.

Extra order forms will be available at the office or can be printed at home from the pdf below.

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Hats!

Please remind your children to wear their hats at school this term. 

Please ensure that your child's name is clearly written on their hat, as they "go missing" very often. 

New hats are available to purchase at the office for $14.

You can check daily UV levels using the UV widget on our website: https://www.winters-flat-ps.vic.edu.au/sunsmart-widget

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Beleza Uniform Shop Update

School Saving Bonus

Dear parents and carers

As shared with you previously, parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025 will receive the one-off School Saving Bonus $400 support.

In the coming months, the Department of Education will send you 2 email communications for each of your children enrolled in Victorian government schools.

By Friday 18 October 2024, please ensure that your child’s 2025 enrolment is completed and that your contact information is up to date.

The 2 emails from the Department of Education will:

1. Confirm your email address between mid-October and late-November.

2. Provide you with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code by the end of November.

If you do not receive a confirmation email from the department by late-November, please check your spam or junk folders and contact the office if needed.

You can read more about the School Saving Bonus on the Department of Education website, with key information now available in 14 different languages.

Kind regards

Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

Voluntary Parent Payments 2024

The environment and resources that we enjoy today represent the contributions made by our parent/carer community over many years. Parents'/carers' voluntary contributions make a significant difference to the quality of our programs. This financial support ensures that we can continue to provide the excellent range of facilities and resources for your children. Your support in 2024 will allow us to:

• Provide high quality programs and specific subject materials and equipment for English, Maths, Science, Art, Music, Inquiry, Language, and PE.
• Support the implementation and quality of our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.
• Maintain and develop the school grounds.
• Ensure the upkeep of our computer devices to enhance learning opportunities.
• Maintain sufficient class sets of books, for students to develop their reading skills.
• Provide hands-on maths equipment (i.e. measuring materials for teaching purposes).
• Facilitate Literacy and Maths online digital subscriptions.
• Deliver a range of sporting equipment and access to sporting programs.
• Arrange for individual student supplies and class bulk supplies.
• Offer effective first aid for all students.

Please note that information and payment options about these voluntary payments is available on Xuno and hard copies are available in the office, should you wish to contribute. There is also the option to pay in instalments!

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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

P/1J & P/1R

Spring has sprung! The Prep & Year Ones have been inspired. P/1 J have created some vibrant artistic flower paintings and P/1R have crafted colourful butterflies.

P/1R sat under the shade of the trees by the oval for their writing session last week.

2/3H River Detectives

2/3H have started the River Detectives program this week. They spent a session at the creek collecting samples and monitoring waterbugs and the health of the water. 

Winters Flat PS joins Chewton PS and Castlemaine Steiner School as the three schools participating in the Mount Alexander Shire.

River Detectives is an exciting education initiative of Catchment Management Authorities inspiring teachers and students to understand, appreciate and care for their local waterway through engaging, cross-curricular, citizen-science activities. River Detectives is a free, flexible and fun way to connect young people to nature through monthly water quality testing.  Students learn how water, land, plants, animals, people and communities are all integrally linked and schools are provided with equipment, training and teaching resources.

https://www.riverdetectives.net.au/

Winters Flat Disco

What a fantastic night was had with the Winters Flat Disco. It was well attended with students from all years and the music request list did not disappoint.

It was magical to see how so many parents came together to make this happen. WF community is strong! And it was a great opportunity for parents to hang out and get to know one another.

Thankyou Vanessa, for imagining such a fun night and a big thanks to the team on the day/night from the community engagement committee: Annabelle, Jay, Letty. And thankyou to Helen, Justin and Kirsty for their behind the scenes support. With a special thanks to ring-in Jazzy, for being on icy pole duty.

Also, a big thanks to Suzanne for hanging around til the end and supporting the committee on this one.

Thankyou to all the teachers who gathered all the song requests from students. It was an absolute delight seeing the children sing and dance together.

A huge thanks to Indi and Georgie for DJ-ing with Edd’s guidance (former WFPS students from Main FM’s The Ketchup and Mustard Show). Very cool!

A big thankyou to Edd for supplying the sounds and the vibes. And Justin for supplying the PA.

A huge thanks to Razz-for her DJ-ing skill for the wild second half set and supplying amazing lights to create successful disco-mania.

Thankyou Shera for the fabulous decorations and thankyou to Hannah for making sure we had plenty of activities in the break-out zone for the children that found it all a bit overwhelming.

Thanks to Sarah, Tallace, Ryan and all the parents that hung around at the end to help pack down and Lisa and Casey for lending a hand. Many hands made easy work.

And a HUGE HUGE thankyou to Louise for organising the headphones. They were an absolute hit and made the disco an accessible event for all. Louise donated her time and resources for the disco and we are so appreciative for this. I loved seeing the rush at the door when “I’m blue” started, simultaneously seeing the mass of children in the playground with headphones on, also singing and dancing along at the same time. Absolutely fantastic.

And for those of you that missed the flier by the headphones, Louise is running a neurodiverse festival in the near future. Please find the details on her website: https://neurokin.org.au/

Here’s some snaps from the night. Looking forward to bringing this back next year. Thanks again everyone for making the disco dreams happen.

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

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

Yum!!!

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Chefs of the week:

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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!

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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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