Welcome back to school. Some exciting highlights for Term 3 include:
• Artist in Residence - Eliza Jane Gilchrist
• Music Mentor in Residence - Scott Buchanan
• Book Week – August
• Whole school excursion to Melbourne Zoo (3rd September)

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PRE-REVIEW TERM 3

As Term 3 commences we are entering our pre-review phase here at Winters Flat.

Every four years schools are reviewed by a panel which in partnership with the school looks at the school’s strategic plan to see how the goals, improvement strategies and targets were achieved. The process involves surveying staff, students and the wider school community and seeks feedback in the areas of academic achievement, engagement and wellbeing. Victorian schools now use the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes to measure success and set aspirations for the strategic direction of the next four years following a review.

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WELLBEING AND BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS

The focus of our curriculum day last Monday was student wellbeing and behaviour expectations. Our guest speaker was Alana Wearne – Senior Project Officer from Wellbeing, Health and Engagement (Department of Education and Training). Alana spoke about supporting LGBTI students in our community.

Teachers looked at the SWPBS Road Map and the school’s Care Crows expectations matrix.

I mentioned last time that it is important and timely that we give students clear guidelines using the matrix and we make it clear that all members of our school community have a right to experience a safe and supportive school environment.

Clarity and consistency when a student acts in breach of the behaviour standards of our school community will be consistent with the Department of Education Student Engagement and Inclusion guidelines with related school policies updated to reflect these guidelines.

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NCCD 

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.  You can find out more information here. 

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UNIFORM

Our Student Dress Code Policy was recently updated and ratified by the School Council. It is attached to this Newsletter. We have some uniform items available for loan and when necessary will make these available for students.

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LUNCHES

Some students are still reporting to the office that they don’t have enough food for lunch. Children seem to need extra nourishment at school during the winter months – please check in with your children to see that they are having enough to eat.

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BASKETBALL – BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

From 8.40am we encourage students to use the basketball ring at the northern end of the court to ease access through the school gate. The same applies after school and we encourage all children to leave for home at 3.30pm when active playground supervision ends.

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PARENTING IDEAS - Michael Grose

This week's article (pdf) is about developing leadership skills in your child.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

PARENT OPINION SURVEY 2019 – OUT THIS WEEK

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents think of our school. The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst a sample of randomly selected parents. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour and student engagement. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

Approximately 30 per cent of parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 22rd July to Sunday 11th August.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. Invitations will be sent out to randomly selected parents this week. Please keep an eye out for these in your inboxes.

The survey results will be reported back to the school at the end of September.
Please contact the office if you have any queries regarding this survey.

DENTAL CHECK-UP

Dental check-ups will commence on Monday 29th July and run for three days until Wednesday. Please return your form whether you want your child checked or not as we need to know the numbers of the students for the dental nurses. Copies of forms available at the office, or can be downloaded from the website.

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ART PROJECT

The Art project has commenced with Eliza Gilchrist and all students are participating. Art forms were previously sent home because we need permission to use photos etc. Please return these forms if you have not done so. Copies of forms available at the office, or can be downloaded from the website.

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SECOND HAND UNIFORMS

We have a large amount of second-hand uniforms available to purchase. We have an oversupply of jumpers ready to go at various reasonable prices. With students losing their jumpers so readily a spare might be just the thing.

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NOTES SENT HOME FROM THE OFFICE

If you have received any forms from the office such as absence notes, asthma or medical information notes could you please return them to the office as soon as possible.

Please note also that accounts will be sent home in the next week or two. Prompt payment of these accounts would be most appreciated.

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Just a reminder that we need up to date emergency numbers for your child. We have tried to contact parents recently and have found out that their number is no longer connected or that they have updated their phone. IT IS VITAL THAT WE HAVE THE CORRECT NUMBERS FOR YOUR CHILD SO AS WE CAN CONTACT YOU. This also applies to emergency contact people other than the parents. If you no longer wish to have the emergency contact that you originally provided, please contact the office to have these changes made.

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Karen Mahoney & Renae Wilson

Office

THE LISTENING POST... TWEAKING OUR CARE CROWS

Hi everyone,    

Gathering together to Think things through…

All of Winters Flat staff gathered together last Monday to review our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support matrix and look at the SWPBS Road Map and also looked at the most effective anti-Bullying programs currrently available. We also were fortunate to have Alana update us with the latest on Safe Schools and inclusion for everyone. Over the next term we will be updating our Bullying policy and tweaking our Care Crows Matrix.

Playground update…

The Grounds committee have met and council has discussed possiblities for playground improvements and loose parts, however it is a process that involves ensuring Occupational health and Safety requirments are paramount, so unfortunately it will be a slow process…

July & August is the thick of Winter, so the playground props will not be put out over the next month. We have a fantastic team of senior students however, who have taken up leadership roles as ‘Playground peer mentors’ and they will be helping provide interesting and playful opportunites for younger students Mondays to Thursdays.

I am away for the month of August

I will be away for the month of August (off to the UK), returning to Winters Flat in September. Please see Suzanne Kinnersly (principal) or Fiona Johnston (staff student wellbeing representative) if you have any wellbeing concerns for your child while I am away.

Warm regards,

Kim

Student Wellbeing

CLARENDON COLLEGE BALLARAT TOURNAMENT 20/06/2019

Winters Flat came 5th out of 8 teams. There were 70 players in the primary school division. The competing schools were Mt Blowhard Primary, Ballarat Clarendon College, Buninyong Primary, Candlebark, Winters Flat Primary, Marist College-Bendigo and Glenroy Central Primary. Mt Blowhard were the outright winners with the Goodison boys coming first and second.

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STAND OUT PERFORMANCES

Lewin Bl came 6th on countback with 5 wins and a strong tiebreaker score of 31.5. Lewin was always competing against the top players. He played against the overall 2nd placed player of the Tournament and was looking to deliver a potential win but sadly an oversight cost him the game. Such is chess!

He then dominated the game against one of Candlebark's top board players and won. This was then followed by another game against the top ranked player (from Candlebark) for third place and he lost. Lewin is arguably the best Year 4 player in rural Victoria and the two students who did better are older.

Iestyn C had a terrific tournament and received the most improved player medal. Iestyn delivered an outstanding win against another (Candlebark) player with a ranking of 280 above his own. This ‘biggest upset’ for the Tournament was recognised through the medal he received. A truly fabulous achievement.

The arbitrators awarded Zeno D the Brilliancy Award for his creative thinking skills in tough positions, which was impressive.

We had experienced tournament players on the team including Kai H, Caleb M, Ayden C, Rohan S and Zephyr N all of whom battled all day against some really tough opposition.

Congratulations to Felix M, Pablo L, Hobie H, Stanley M and Archie K for their positive spirit in this, their first tournament.

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GENERAL COMMENT

To play well at tournaments doesn't entail talent alone, but a tough mindset, resilience, a competitive spirit and a willingness to learn from one's mistakes and take on leadership roles. The winners aren't necessarily the best players but those who demonstrate resilience and determination to win in the heat of competition. Lewin, Iestyn, and Zephyr demonstrated these qualities admirably.

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SPECIAL THANKS:

To all the staff at Winters Flat P.S. and a special thanks to Karen Mahoney for all the extra help she gives. To our chess parents for all their support and encouragement. Maryanne Blanch, Sharyn Robinson and Adam Leslie were all wonderful on the day. They gave tremendous support to the kids and encouraged them, and gave marvellous support with their organisational and management skills. They made the excursion such a successful day.

A special thanks to the Butcher family for loaning WFPS their bus and Adam for being the driver. The Butchers have been remarkably generous over the years.

Finally, a special thanks to Suzanne for her wonderful support for the school chess program and all the help she gives with chess club and tournament organisation.

Next event will be the Bendigo Interschool Chess Championships on the 30/07/2019 at Eaglehawk North P.S., and after that there will be the Kryal Castle Chess Tournament in Ballarat which will combine a medieval history lesson with a chess tournament.

Harry Poulton

Chess Tutor

On the 17th of July WFPS and various other schools attended a netball competition.

In the 1st round WFPS faced off against Rosemary in a lack lustre game. Rosemary took this game 6-1. With a determined WFPS team wanting to make up for that disappointing lost to rosemary, they went up against Castlemaine North. In a close game, WFPS just came up short in a nail biting game that ended up as WFPS 3, North school 4.

With a short break between rounds, the WFPS boys’ team went up against the WFPS girls’ team. The boys won 5-3 in a nice victory.

We then faced the last game of the day against Campbell’s Creek primary school in a close game. Sadly WFPS couldn't pull it off, with the result being 6-5. It was okay as the team had a great time.

Zander C

 
Last Wednesday we got on a bus to Wesley Hill for our netball excursion. We were separated into teams of mix and girls. We played five games against different schools and clubs. We overall really enjoyed it. It was great to meet new people and learn their strategies and tricks. We would totally do it again next year.

Lila D & Lucy N

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

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

Seasonal Savoury Muffins

Rosemary Lavosh

Beetroot Raita

Cauliflower and Potato Soup

Honey Joys 

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Remember, all our recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.

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And what we're harvesting from the garden...

Jerusalem Artichoke

Thyme

Chives

Oregano

Fennel Bulbs

Broccoli

Spinach

Rainbow Chard

Miners Lettuce

Kale

Salad Burnet

Pencil Leeks

Rosemary

Parsley

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Jane & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY

P/1 A | Latisha J

For working hard in class to finish her work and challenging herself to do her best. Also for showing care for others and playing cooperatively in the playground. Well done to a great start to semester 2! 
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P/1 A | Ash B

For showing Care for Self by making great choices and having a fantastic first week back. You should be proud of yourself Ash! 
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P/1 J | Evie M

For working hard in class to finish her work and challenging herself to do her best. Also for showing care for others and playing cooperatively in the playground. Well done to a great start to semester 2.
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P/1 J | Archie S

For showing Care for Self by working hard to finish his writing. I'm looking forward to reading more of your stories. Top writing effort!
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MIDDLE LEARNING COMMUNITY

2/3F | Kade C

For showing Care for Others by sharing and co-operating and sorting out problems with friends.
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2/3W | All 2/3W students!

For showing Care for Self by being enthusiastic learners, voracious writers and great team-workers. Keep it up!
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2/3W | Briscoe F

For showing Care for Others by working selflessly in the kitchen. Thank you Briscoe, what a great effort!
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SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Lincon V

For showing Care for Self by applying himself to his work and staying focused on the task at hand. Well done Linc.
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David E

For showing Care for Self by staying focused and on task. Well done Dave. Keep up the great work.
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FRENCH

Raven M

For great contribution during speaking activity.
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Selena C

For excellent use of gestures during group work.
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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS

This week's positive behaviour focus is:

Showing care for self by being organised and ready to learn.

The following students are recognised for their abilities to do so:

Indi B - 2/3 W

Abi E - 2/3 W

Zeno D - 2/3 F
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BEST CLASS ATTENDANCE (CUMALONG CUP)

The class with the best school attendance for the week ending 19th July was a tie between 46B and 23W.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

There's always something going on in our vibrant community...

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MOUNT ALEXANDER EARLY YEARS FORUM

Local families and service providers are invited to attend the upcoming Mount Alexander Early Years Forum in August.

With a focus on World Breastfeeding Week and the health and wellbeing of the child, guest speakers will include the Castlemaine and District Australian Breastfeeding Association and Louise Dorrat (a well-regarded Early Childhood Consultant).

Local families with children under 8 years, early years’ educators, service providers and organisations are invited to come along to learn about what is happening in the community, network and enjoy a meal. Children are very welcome (under parent/carer supervision).

Date: Thursday 1st August
Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Venue: Ray Bradfield Room (opposite IGA Castlemaine carpark)

Bookings essential. Register at http://bit.ly/MtAlexBoxOffice 
(use the drop down box at the top to choose the date of the event, and the number of adults and children attending)

For more information contact: Merran Fleming (Early Years Project Officer) on 5471 1700 or visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

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MALMSBURY VILLAGE FAYRE 2019 WELCOMES YOU TO WONDERLAND

Join us for an adventure down the rabbit-hole as things get curiouser and curiouser at this year’s Fayre! The Malmsbury Village Fayre returns Sunday 17 November 2019 transforming the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens into a wonderland for children and adults with the theme Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The Fayre – now in its 18th year – is a popular fixture on the Macedon Ranges calendar and is known for its live music, local produce, craft stalls and unique family activities held in the enchanting Malmsbury Botanic Gardens and lake.

Venue: Malmsbury Botanic Gardens
When: Sunday 17 November 2019
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: $2 entry at the gate

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