Winters Flat Primary School eNewsletter

Friday 16th May

Division Cross Country - select students - see XUNO
Walk to School Day

Monday 26th - 30th May

Reconciliation Week

Monday 26th May

Prep Health Checks
Sorry Day Victory Park 10am - 11am

Tuesday 27th May

Prep Health Checks

Thursday 29th May

3/4 Excursion to Market Building

Monday 9th June

Monarch's Birthday public holiday - school closed

Thursday 19th June

Neurodiversity Pride Day

Monday 23rd June

Division Soccer

Friday 4th July

End Of Term 2 - 2:30pm finish

ELECTION DAY CAFÉ THANK YOU

Amazing doesn’t even come close to describing the effort by the team of volunteers who ran the Care Crows Café from the kitchen on election day, a mere ten days ago. On behalf of everyone at Winters Flat I express our thanks for the early risers, the bakers and baristas, the barbecue-ers, pizza makers, lemonade makers, sellers and spruikers! We are so grateful for the time, effort and good-natured camaraderie on display that day. As well as being the foodie venue of choice on local social media, we celebrated a very successful fund raiser, raising $3500, made possible by this school team and the generous donation of goods and services from local retailers.

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DEPRTMENT OF EDUCATION ATTITUDES TO SCHOOL SURVEY

Students from Year 4 to Year 6 will be invited to take part in the Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) during the two weeks commencing Monday 26^th May. Families have been contacted via email with a letter of explanation. We encourage all eligible students to take part. The survey is anonymous and gives us feedback about how our students are feeling about school. We take the survey results very seriously in our quest for improvement, particularly in student voice and agency.

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SORRY DAY AND RECONCILIATION WEEK

The Castlemaine Sorry Day event is to be held at Victory Park on Monday 26^th May. School leaders are now preparing their speeches to be delivered on the day. A group of senior students will also be participating in the Annual Reconciliation Week Walk at Chewton on Friday 30^th May. The extended community is welcome to join in for a session at 11am - see flyer in Community section below.

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Sorry Day, which is held annually on 26 May, is a day of remembrance to acknowledge the pain and injustice experienced by members of the stolen generation, and its lasting impacts.

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“National Reconciliation Week begins the following day from Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June. The week will feature a range of events run by Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation to commemorate, educate and bring our community together.

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This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’, and reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. It calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Sorry Day Commemoration

When: Monday 26 May, 10.00am to 12.00pm

Where: Victory Park, Castlemaine

What: A commemorative event that will include:

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson.

Launch of the Djaara Cultural Mud Map designed by Uncle Rick and Trace Balla.

Guest speakers Mayor Rosie Annear, and representatives from Castlemaine Secondary College and local primary schools.” Mt Alexander

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OPEN MORNING THANKS

Today’s Open Morning saw the results of a spruce up of the front garden and other spots around the school by Terry and Helen. The school grounds look amazing!

Thank you to the amazing team of parents who were here to meet and greet prospective parents as well as the senior students who acted as tour guides. Special thanks to Brooke and OSHClub for the delicious, healthy snacks.

The number of prospective families having a look at our wonderful school was promising for the 2026 intake. Thanks to Helen for guiding some of the groups.

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EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF DAY

In 2025, ESS Day (Education Support Staff Day) in Australia will be celebrated on Friday, May 16th. It's a day to recognise the valuable contributions of education support staff (ESS), who play a crucial role in creating safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments. At Winters Flat we have fifteen regular ESS as well as casual ESS to provide support at times of absence.

Karen M and Kitty (School Office)

Terry and Cath (SAKG)

Classroom support: Brodie, Ruby, Shelly, AnneMaree, Curtis, Emma, Alexander, Sophie, Isla, Marg and Melissa.

Regular casual support includes Hannah M, Kate, Sarah and Gina.

Our teachers, students and families are thankful for the incredible work they do.

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Goldfields Division Cross Country

Congratulations to the students who have qualified for the Goldfields Division Cross Country. We wish them good luck for their race at Wesley Hill on Friday.

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.

BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday to you…

Lok turns 10 this week

Sophie had a birthday last week

It’s Curtis’ birthday today

Hip Hip Hooray

Hooray Hip Hip

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COVID SCHOOL PROCEDURES

We are hearing anecdotally that COVID is active again in Castlemaine at the moment.

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.

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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Local Excursion & Media Permission Notes

Notes have been sent home again to those who have not yet returned. Please return these to the office asap. If you have misplaced these forms, please see the office for a replacement.

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SSB Update

If you want to allocate some of the $400 dollars to activities that are happening at the school, eg. swimming, sporting events, excursions, you will need to log in to the SSB portal and use your code to allocate to activities. If you require further assistance please contact the school or the SSB helpline.

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Camps & Excursions Fund

If you are the holder of a health care card you may be eligible to apply for the Camps, Excursion and Sports fund. Please see Karen in the office if you have any questions. The closing date is the end of Term 2. No applications will be accepted after that date.

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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

WF_OSHClub_Week_3_4.pdf

WF_OSHClub_Week_3_4 _pdf 5.78 MB

Neurodiversity Pride Day

Winters_Flat_PS_is_celebrating_Neurodiversity_Pride_Day.pdf

Winters_Flat_PS_is_celebrating_Neurodiversity_Pride_Day _pdf 1.72 MB

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Neurodiversity events in the community

NeurokinFestival2025Program.pdf

NeurokinFestival2025Program _pdf 4.73 MB

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REMINDERS:

Tuesday:

Grade 1 - Bush School - 9am-10am
Loose Parts Play - Lunch Playtime

Wednesday:

Grade 1 and 2 - Bush School - 9am-10am
Shared Interest Club - Lunch Playtime

Thursday:

Prep - Bush School - 9am-10am
Winters Flat Rainbow Network - Lunch Play Time

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RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

There is a term called “after-school restraint collapse”, which is the ‘meltdown kids have at home after holding it all together. Have a read about post-school day conversations: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/how-to-ask-kids-about-day-at-school/101990370

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Parent Resources

The Australian Government has funded an excellent resource for school communities. Here I have included a link to the page for parents where you can find information and advice about important topics like bullying, online safety, communicating with your child and the school, and much more.

https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/parents/

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Screen Time

This is a handy resource for families wanting to tackle the very tricky topic of screen time. Many of us struggle to balance the amount of screen time our children have. This is a great resource to get the conversation started and has some practical advice about a family media plan.

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/play-media-technology/screen-time-healthy-screen-use/healthy-screen-time-6-11-years

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Mental Health Checklist for children aged 6-12

This checklist aims to measure a broad range of social, emotional or behavioural difficulties your child m

ay be experiencing. It’s suitable for kids aged four to 16. The questions relate to how your child has been thinking, feeling and behaving in general. Your responses provide you with a score. The higher your score, the more likely your child is experiencing a problem that would benefit from professional support. Based on your score, you are provided with some guidance for seeking further support.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/child-mental-healt h-checklist

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Kind regards,

Hannah O'Keefe

Castlemaine_Self_care_Hub_U18_A5.pdf

Castlemaine_Self_care_Hub_U18_A5 _pdf 340.25 KB

Parents_group_School_cant.pdf

Parents_group_School_cant _pdf 629.31 KB

LCHW_Local_Thursday_sessions.pdf

LCHW_Local_Thursday_sessions _pdf 148.59 KB

v2.0_Term_2_Programs_flyer_2025.pdf

v2 _0_Term_2_Programs_flyer_2025 _pdf 650.27 KB

Election Day

Thanks to our EPIC fundraising committee for organising the Care Crows Cafe on Election Day. Thanks to YOU, the voting public and visiting community members who helped us raise $3500 for our school.

It was wonderful to see so many of our school community and wider community coming together to enjoy the offerings of the Care Crow Cafe.

The Care Crows Cafe produced wood-fired pizza, many clever political puns, baked goods created from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation recipes we use in our school program, the requisite BBQ and colouring in and toys to amuse the kids.

And now for the thank yous!

For volunteering on the day, thank you to Harry, Letty, Justin, Rowan, Clare, Aurora, Rosie, Dan, Kristen, Monte, Tina, Jill, Martin and Suzanne. What a pack of legends!

A special shout out to ex students Freya, Jazz and Aurora and current student Hermione for helping in the kitchen too.

Thank you to local businesses Maxi IGA, Castlemaine Fresh, Sprout, Ice Cream Republic and for your generous donations.

And finally, an event like this cannot occur without a fearless leader at the helm and haven't we got that in our school council president, Helen Vickers. Helen, thank you so much. What a powerhouse you are! Now go have a lie down before you do yourself an injury.

Free Family Disco

To celebrate the school, and help welcome prospective parents, WFPS will be holding a family disco on 1 June. Not just any disco, but a Duskodisco Family session. Some of you would have caught a Duskodisco session during its pilot stage in Campbells Creek. Or at one of the special family sessions programmed by Sally Beatie of MASC.

Created/imagined/envisioned by Heidi Barret (a WFPS parent, dance educator and facilitator who co-created the now global movement that is No Lights No Lycra), these hour long sessions are a dance experience during which all ages and all bodies can follow the moves, or create their own to a playlist designed to help us all feel, move, dance and shine. It’s no coincidence that this is a scientifically proven way to support healthy minds and healthy bodies - things at the core of the Care Crows commitment to Care of Self, Community and Environment.

So, look out - this family Duskodisco party - co-facilitated by WFPS parents Heidi and Vanessa Pidwell - will be happening monthly after this inagural free event.