Monday 10th February

• Welcome to Country - 9:30am - families welcome

Wednesday 12th February

• No Preps at school

Thursday 13th February

• School Picnic - 5:30pm - 7:30pm - see Community Engagement section below

Wednesday 19th February

• No Preps at school

Wednesday 26th February

• No Preps at school

Monday 10th March

• Labour Day public holiday - no students at school

Friday 14th March

• School photo day - full school uniform required

Monday 17th - Friday 21st March

• Whole school swimming lessons - info will be on XUNO shortly

Friday 21st March

• Harmony Day

Friday 4th April

• Last day of school - 2:30pm finish

Welcome Back

A very warm welcome to all our families as we kick off the 2025 school year! It’s fantastic to see the students back at school after the December/January break, ready for another year of fun, learning, and growth.

To all our returning families, it’s great to have you back with us. Your continued support makes our school community a special place, and we’re excited for all the amazing things we’ll achieve together this year.

We also want to give a big welcome to the families of our 16 new Prep students! They’ve settled in well, and it’s wonderful to see them making new friends and getting to know their new school. We’re looking forward to watching them grow and learn throughout the year. It was great to see so many of our families attend the Welcome Morning Tea last week and begin to develop relationships with other families at Winters Flat PS.

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SCHOOL LEADERS 2024

We have some outstanding Year 6 students who nominated to be our school leaders this year.

We are happy to have these students in leadership roles and wish them every success.

School Captains: Athene, Angus, Ava G

Vice Captains: Louisa, Makenna, Peg

Care for Self: Ella

Care for Others: Finchley

Care for the Environment: Leto

SWPBS: Kaelyn

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WELCOME TO COUNTRY AND LEADERSHIP BADGE PRESENTATION

We are also excited to invite families to join us for a special Welcome to Country and Leadership Badge Presentation ceremony on Monday, 10th February at 10:00 am. This event will take place at the Creekview forecourt and will begin with a Smoking Ceremony followed by the presentation of our leadership badges to our 2025 Student Leaders.

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STAFFING 2025

Prep/1J Fiona Johnson

2/3H Jennifer Houlihan (replaced by Liz Douglas/Wendy Oates until 17th Feb)

3/4C Michelle Creed

5/6B Karen Brooks & Sam Milner

PE Sam Milner

Visual Arts Bronwyn Tracey

Disability Inclusion & Learning Specialist Helen Weir

French Katie Kilgour

Performing Arts Suzanne Kinnersly (replaced by Luke Watt for Term 1)

Office Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

SAKG Cath Chugg & Terry Willis

Education Support Brodie Browne-Kerr, Ruby Fiedler, Shelly Griggs, AnneMaree Jones, Kate O’Sullivan, Emma Ragheb, Sophie Sheilds, Marg Stevens, Melissa Stevens, Isla Stewart-Brewer, Rohan Jones, Hannah Miller

Welfare and Wellbeing Hannah O’Keefe

ICT Support Ben Colla

Chess Harry Poulton

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SCHOOL COUNCIL 2025

Have you been thinking you would like to be more involved in school planning and decision making? School council elections will be held in March. Think about whether you would like to nominate. There are at least three positions available this year. More information to come in next fortnights newsletter.

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COMMITTEES, VOLUNTEERS AND SCHOOL COUNCIL

This year we are once again inviting parents and carers to consider joining one of the School Council sub-committees here at Winters Flat. Thank you to those who have already signed up.

We have vacancies in:

· Buildings and Grounds – manages grounds of the school and identifies building maintenance issues

· Fundraising – organises and coordinates fund raising opportunities

· School Community engagement – looks for ways of involving our community and the wider Castlemaine community in school life, as well as promoting our school

· Sustainability – supports the ResourceSmart 5 Star rating through daily school routines, leadership, curriculum and innovation.

If you have an interest in joining any of these committees please complete the attached Volunteers form, email winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone: 5472 1522. It is not necessary to be on council to participate. Thanks to those who have already expressed interest. We will send out a meeting schedule as soon as possible.

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 need to have a Working with Children Check.

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SUN SMART HATS

A reminder to families that all students are required to wear a broad brimmed school hat when outdoors.

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BIRTHDAYS

Rupert – 8 in the first week of January

Finchley- 11 in the first week of January

Moss – 10 in the first week of January

Nova - 11 in the second week of January

James – 11 in the second week of January

Ted – 7 in the third week of January

Obie – 6 I the fourth week of January

Willow – 8 in the fourth week of January

Dylan – 8 in the fourth week of January

Velvet - 8 in the fourth week of January

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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ASSEMBLY

Assembly this year will be fortnightly on Mondays on even weeks from 2:45pm in the Hall. These assemblies are an opportunity to celebrate the great things happening at Winters Flat PS. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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PRIVACY POLICY

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website under school policies https://www.winters-flat-ps.vic.edu.au. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents.

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THANK YOU

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of the families, students and staff at Winters Flat PS who have made me feel extremely welcome as Acting Principal over the past week. As mentioned by Suzanne last term, I have come from Harcourt Valley PS where I was Acting Principal and I will be in the Acting Principal position for Term 1 while Suzanne is on leave.

A little about me: I’m married to my amazing wife, Ella (who is also a teacher!), and we have a 10-month-old daughter, Greta as well as two Golden Retrievers, Frank and Tilly (who is my School Wellbeing Dog at Carisbrook PS) who keep us on our toes! When I’m not at school, you will often find me at the cricket, at the gym, riding my mountain bike or watching my beloved Carlton Blues!

I’d love to get to know everyone in our school community over the next few weeks, so please feel free to drop by my office or catch me around the school.

Thank you in advance for your support and I hope you’re having a great week.

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Ash Harvey

Acting Principal

THE SCHOOL DAY

8:55 - School starts

10:55am - 11:25am - Recess

12:25pm - 12:40pm - Lunch eating time in class

1:40pm - 2:10pm - Lunch play

3:15pm - School finishes

Welcome back to Term 1 and a special welcome to new families to the school. The office is your first point of call when you have questions. Karen Mahoney is the business manager and works full time in the office. Kitty Ward is administration support and works Monday and Wednesday.

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Voluntary Parent Payments 2025

The environment and resources that we enjoy today represent the contributions made by our parent/carer community over many years. Parent/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, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music, Inquiry, Language and PE
• 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 Mathematics 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 these voluntary charges will be available on Xuno and hard copies are available at the office should you wish to contribute.

There is also the option to pay for these in instalments via XUNO or through the office.

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Uniforms & Hats

At Winters Flat we pride ourselves on being part of a community and wearing our uniform proudly promotes our sense of belonging.  You can purchase new uniforms at Beleza in Castlemaine, which is located 207 Barker Street, (across the road from the post office).  We also provide some second-hand uniforms that can be purchased for a low fee.  Hats must be worn from September until the end of April each year, you can purchase a hat either at Beleza or the school.

Beleza Update

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Whole School Swimming Program 2024 – 17th – 21st  March inclusive

We will be running our swimming program again this year in Term 1. Swimming is part of our curriculum, and all students are expected to participate. The students will be graded and put into their appropriate swim levels. The program will run everyday for a week from 17th – 21st March so students will need their bathers and towel every day. Permission forms to follow shortly. 

Families are asked to complete a short survey about their child/ren's swimming ability to assist with grouping into classes. Please complete the survey asap.

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School Photo Day – March 14^th

Our school photo day is Friday 14^th March.  Photo forms will be sent home shortly.  There are plenty of options available to choose from.

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School Saving Bonus

Information regarding the SSB can be found here. If you have not received the email with the code, it is advised that you check your spam/junk folder. If you still cannot find it, then there is an enquiry form available here.

Money not spent on uniforms will remain on your school account to put towards future excursions, activities and camps. Money not spent this year will rollover into future years.

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Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

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If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

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The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $150 for primary school students
• $250 for secondary school students
• New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website below.
• If you applied for CSEF at your child's school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 
• You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
• new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools this year.
• changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.

Check with the school office if you are unsure.

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Volunteering at school in 2025

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A Message from your School Crossing Supervisors

Welcome back to a new school year.  Here a just a few reminders about how and when to use the school crossing –

• ALWAYS cross at the crossing when the flags are displayed
• ALWAYS stand behind the white line and wait for the Supervisor to blow 2 whistle blasts before crossing
• DO NOT ride bikes, scooters or skateboards across the crossing
• ALWAYS be alert and listen to what your Crossing Supervisor says
• ALWAYS park your car legally
• BEFORE you cross – STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK

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Sushi on Fridays

We are continuing Sushi on Fridays again this year. Here is a reminder of the steps you need to do to order Sushi.

Your child/s class must be updated to their 2025 class before you order.

1. Go to www.schoollunchonline.com.au to register your family
2. Choose ‘My orders’ and select ‘Create order‘
3. Select the date of the Friday you wish to order for
4. Add items to order by clicking on the ‘tick’
5. Select ‘add to bag’
6. Review order and check it is all correct, then click ‘next’
7. 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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XUNO

If any families are having issues with logging onto XUNO, or trouble navigating the app, please contact the office.

Currently, the app gives you access to: 

• Messages (send and receive messages to your child’s teachers)
• Timetable
• Calendar
• News
• Attendance (to add a reason for an absence on the day of absence, or to provide a reason for previous absences)
• Events, Camps & Excursions (and the ability to approve events)
• Payments (to pay for any camps/excursions)
• Parent Teacher Interview Bookings (ability to book)

We encourage all families to be regularly logging into XUNO, either via the website or the app.

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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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Chess Club

Chess will return in 2025! Chess will be held on #### 

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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

School Community Picnic

On Thursday the 13th of February the School Council are hosting a School BBQ picnic. 

All families are welcome.

The school council are currently fundraising to improve the acoustics in the hall and will be running a BBQ on the night.

The menu is below. Please fill out the order form to indicate what you would like to order. Payments can be made by cash or card on the night.

Menu:

Sausages in bread - $3.50

Vegie burgers - $5

Icypoles - $1

Note: the sausages are GF (minus the bread), the vegie burgers are not GF

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

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

Yum!!!

Chefs of the week:

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Kitchen volunteers:

We always love kitchen helpers in our cooking classes!

They are held fortnightly on Mondays (even weeks - 5/6B), and every Wednesday (even weeks - 3/4C; odd weeks - 2/3H), between 11:25am & 1:25pm.

The Prep/1 and 1/2 classes will have a special cooking class each term - dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

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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