THE TWILIGHT FAIR WAS MASSIVE

My first fair at Winters Flat gave me an amazing insight into the collective goodwill this community has to offer. At the outset I would like to acknowledge the work of Fiona who in the weeks and months leading up to the night was able to coordinate infrastructure, catering, entertainment and cleanup – all compiled into a single blue clipboard! She was ably assisted by other members of the fundraising committee; Katie W, Shera, Rhani, Karen M and Bianca, who worked as a great team to liaise with the wider team of family and staff volunteers to ensure the fair was the great success it turned out to be.

Melissa and Liz were the dynamic duo running the Silent Auction and there were so many more parents and carers working behind the scenes making, baking, and on the night serving and staffing the stalls and attractions, not to mention the working bee team who did a big clean-up the week before with Blair coming back for one final sweep the night before. There was also the team who gathered together at the end of the night to ensure we were cleaned up and packed up.

Special thanks to Lisa Kearns for coordinating the craft makers, Marcus and his team of pizza makers, and to all the parents and carers who put in hours of work beforehand, on the night and then packing up when it was all over.

To MCs Cameron Frost, Lisa Mills, and stage manager Justin Marshall, to Stephen Breheny and Son Quba for generously giving their time and adding a hint of Havana to close the show. Also, to all the students who performed on the night.

Special thanks also to our staff including Jane and Kay who prepared the delicious Dahl and rice, the teachers and support staff; Helen, Keenan, Karen B, Peta, Bianca, Jennifer, Morgan, Bronwyn, Marg, Anne and Fiona along with family members Sam and Arlo who assisted with stalls, infrastructure and entertainment. Karen M who did so much beforehand, kept the floats afloat and stayed on until late in the night.

Finally I extend my thanks to our students: the senior learning community who created their own stalls and activities as well as the many who came with friends and family to enjoy our special night.

Congratulations everyone it was brilliant!

The final figure isn’t quite in but our estimate is about $7,000 raised.

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2020 STAFFING

Yesterday was step up day - an opportunity for students to meet their teacher and the students who will be in their class next year:

Prep/Year 1 – Fiona Johnston (JLC)

Year 1/2 – Bianca Alvarez Harris (JLC)

Year 2/3 – Helen Weir (JLC)

Year 4/5 – Keenan Lucas (SLC)

Year 4/5 – To be confirmed (SLC)

Year 6 – Karen Brooks & Jennifer Thoma (SLC)

Specialist programs

French – Katie Kilgour

PE – Sam Milner

Science/Technology (STEM) – Peta Firth

Performing Arts – Suzanne Kinnersly

SA Kitchen – Jane Grylls

SA Garden- Terry Willis

Art teacher Juliet Jefferys is on leave from Winters Flat during 2020 and this coincides with construction of the new Modular Art space. We will deliver the visuals arts as a rotational classroom program during the first half of the year, after which our fabulous new space will be ready.

Visiting teacher Michael Ring will continue to support staff during Term 1.

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2020 SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Our School Captains for 2020 are Iestyn Cotterell and Milly Karimi Sarab and Vice Captains are Lila Duthie and Louis Wood. We had some outstanding nominees who pitched to the student group yesterday and I am encouraging each of the unsuccessful candidates to take up the Care Crows leadership roles on offer next year.

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SCHOOL COUNCIL FAREWELL AND THANK YOU

We are saying farewell to the following members of council who have represented parents and carers here at Winters Flat.

Melissa Cater (Dan Year 2), Kylie Pascoe, (Eoin Year 6) and Katie Wilson (Sylvie Year 6).

Melissa joined the council in 2018 and has worked tirelessly on a number of sub-committees as well as being instrumental in achieving improvements for the school, including the Junior Landcare grant this year which has contributed to landscaping and habitat development for the endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly. She has worked extensively on revamping the school website and helped establish the Community Engagement sub-committee. Her work ethic and drive to act with integrity and represent the needs of the school community has been very much appreciated.

Kylie has been a member of council since 2016 and was the editorial voice behind our Facebook posts. She has brought energy and enthusiasm to the role and is always sourcing new ideas to make Winters Flat PS more innovative and exciting. She has been the editor of Flat Chat and with her flair for sharing news with our community, she collaborated with Melissa to update the school website. She also ran the school banking program and along with Melissa was a founding member of the community engagement sub-committee. I thank her for the hard work and travel miles she has accumulated on our behalf.

Katie has been School Council president since 2010 and has fulfilled her role with incredible generosity and energy. Katie has been a strong advocate for the school and represented our cause in a very proactive manner. In the time she has served as school council president, she has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organize and participate in fund raising events on behalf of the school, with significant donations of goods and services.

Katie was a member of the fundraising, sustainability and wellbeing sub-committees of school council. In each of these areas she brought wisdom and insight with our students as her first priority. She was instrumental in our quest to become a 5 Star Resource Smart sustainable school and lobbied on our behalf to get better facilities during the protracted building program. The school community owes her a huge debt of gratitude and we thank her for many years of dedicated service on our behalf.

On a personal note I would like to thank Katie, Kylie and Melissa for their support of me over two years of leading our wonderful school.

If you’ve thought about joining the school council please be aware that nominations will be available early in the New Year with elections due in March. The Department of Education and Training offers training for new and existing school councilors throughout the year.

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GOODBYE AND BON VOYAGE KIM

We are saying farewell to our wellbeing coordinator and chaplain Kim Collins as she heads off to New Zealand to participate in further training and to explore and gain new insight and experience in indigenous education and cultural recognition.

Kim has been a counselor, advocate and friend to many of our students and our staff. We thank her warmly for her guidance in supporting them. She has had an active role in driving school wide wellbeing initiatives and staff professional learning. On behalf of our school community we wish Kim all the very best in her next big adventure.

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CASTLEMAINE MAIL:  NEWSHOUNDS – “MOST INNOVATIVE PAGE 2019”

I attended this year’s presentation on Saturday on behalf of our Newshounds where we were presented with “Most Innovative Page”. Congratulations to the mini media groups of student writers and thanks to Rosie Annear for her guidance.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

VOLUNTEERS- NEXT YEAR'S STEPHANIE ALEXANDER LAUNDRY ROSTER 

We are seeking three volunteers to help out with the washing of aprons and tea towels. A roster is created and sent out to all volunteers. If you can help out next year, please contact the office.

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REPORTS

All students will receive a hard copy report on Wednesday 18th December.

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LOST PROPERTY

We have a huge collection of un-named tupperware containers, drink bottles and jumpers/coats  at the office. Please come and look through to see if they are yours. At the end of term, unclaimed and unnamed items will be donated to local charities.

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UNIFORM SHOP

Trade at the school has officially finished. The details for the pop-up shop are as follows:

Will be opening in January at 207 Barker Street, Castlemaine. The hours for the shop are as follows:

6th Jan to 8th Feb 2020

Monday- Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 10am- 1pm (Monday 27th Janary- CLOSED)

10th Feb 2020 Onwards

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am-5pm. Saturdays: 10am-1pm. Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday- CLOSED)

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DREW THORPE MUSIC PROGRAM

ACCOUNTS

Please ensure all accounts are settled before the end of term. Contact Karen for any enquiries.

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END OF TERM

The school year finishes next Friday, 20th December at 2:30pm. The first day back for students next year is Wednesday 29th January (preps exempt- they start back on Thursday 30th January). 

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WORKING BEE AND WELCOME MORNING TEA

Thank you to Blair Venn and Helen Kaptein who are volunteering to run the following events at the start of next year. If you can help out in any way, please contact the office.

Friday 24 January

8am to 10am- Working bee (aka let's get together, have fun and help the school)

Spruce up the school grounds for the start of the school year, walk around the school grounds to identify projects for the year and then enjoy morning tea together.

Thursday 30 January

9am- Welcome morning tea for parent/carers of preps and new students

In the staffroom.

Call for volunteers from existing school community to welcome new parent/carers, and bring along a morning tea contribution.

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Have a safe and wonderful holidays!

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Karen Mahoney & Renae Wilson

Office

FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT

It will be my last School Council meeting on Monday 16^th December 2019 after being on School Council since 2010 and being President for five years. In this time, I have watched the school grow in so many important ways from building significant links with the broader community, to embracing diversity, and maintaining a willingness to support programs that best meet the needs of students.  

We were the first local school to introduce the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, which has provided so many hours of joy to children, parents/carers, staff and volunteers. This program provides such a unique opportunity for students to learn about food, where it comes from, and rituals around eating, while also building literacy and numeracy skills. I was fortunate to be part of the successful Resource Smart program and the attainment of 5 stars, another achievement that put our school on the map and saw it lead the way in sustainability.

There have also been numerous wellbeing initiatives, including Respectful Relationships, training staff in the Berry Street Education Model, and employing a wellbeing staff member under the Chaplaincy program. We have been very fortunate to have Kim Collins in this role.

It is not just these big achievements that have marked my time at Winters Flat but all the little things too. These include seeing children participate in assemblies,  have our school bake the traditional ANZACS for the RSL, watching the efforts of everyone at the yearly cross country, being part of teams organising fundraising events, participating in school camps where students are challenged to try activities that they have not done before, walking into a classroom and being witness to all students dancing with a smile on their face, reading with the Preps, and taking an enthusiastic group of students to the MCG to watch the football with a committed group of teachers and the Principal.

Throughout my time at Winters Flat, there have been changes in Principals, staff, and buildings but through all these changes, the school has maintained a solid commitment to ensuring that all children and families feel welcome and included. Like most organisations, there have also been some challenging times. While these times have tested us all, I have also seen a resilience that I trust will help to ensure this Primary School continues to grow and ensure that children uphold the core values of caring for self, others and the environment.

As I farewell the school, I would like to say thank you to all the dedicated Principals with whom I have worked, the most recent being Suzanne who will continue to lead the school to be the best that it can be. I know that she works tirelessly to this end. I would also like to thank all the staff who have supported our children. They really do go above and beyond. Thanks also to the administrative staff who do so much work behind the scenes and of course to all the members of School Council and other volunteers who play such a critical role in supporting the school. It has been a real privilege to represent Winters Flat Primary School on School Council, and I leave filled with confidence that you will continue to be the vibrant school that is Winters Flat.

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Katie Wilson

School Council President

A huge thank you to all who donated items and who helped rally up the donations for The Silent Auction:

-emBody Pilates- Catherine Nicholas

-Lisa Kearns

-Bendigo Towbars and TJM- Simon and Liz Duthie

-Katie Wilson

-Boomtown Winery- Tim Sproal

-Emily Maher

-Clifford Quality Meats- Steve Clifford

-AutoPro

-Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club- Jo Rhone

-David Frazer

-Corner Cuts- Wendy Peters

-Corporate Coffee Solutions- Phil Gaynor

-White Peacock Healing Room- Esther Barneveld

-Elissa Sadgrove

-Blue Devil Consulting- Paul Foreman

-SB Solar Battery Pty Ltd- Stephen Breheny

-VGR Steam Train- Sharon

-Pud for all Seasons- Karen Kelly

-Castlemaine Art Supplies- Mark Walker

-Skin Tonik- Michelle

-Bronwyn Tracey

-Kitty Ward

-Mt Alexander Timber and Hardware- Rod Hickey

-ASQ- Natalie

-Suzanne Kinnersly

-Fryers Tea House- Melanie

-Lunchbox Sushi- Yumi

-Shoestring Market- Sam Gearing

-Nick Haslam

-Fiona Gringel

-Bruce's Kitchen- Bruce Pauly

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We have some fantastic hampers left over from the Auction which would make wonderful Christmas presents. Worth $120 each, they are available for purchase for $60 each. First in best dressed. Contact the office to purchase.

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A great time was had by all at the Fair!

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Thanks,

The Fundraising Subcommittee

From The Listening Post:

Goodbye from Kim…

I just want to take this opportunity to thank Suzanne and all the staff, children, young people and families at Winter Flat Primary School who I have had the pleasure of working with over the past four years. I have so many treasured memories to take with me.

It is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye – while I would have loved to be part of the new Strategic Planning and helping some of those wonderful 2020 idea’s you have brainstormed come to fruition, Dunedin calls me.

I look forward to immersing myself in the culture of New Zealand and learning all I can about how the voices and hopes of tamariki (children) and whànau (family) are integrated into the wider society.

And I look forward to coming to visit you sometime in the next two years to see how you all are travelling and to celebrate with you the unfolding of your 2020 vision for Winters Flat!

Wishing each and every one of you all the very best for the future.

Xoxo

Kim

Student Wellbeing

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Jane & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Excellence awards were presented at Assembly on Monday. The following students received these awards:

JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY

P/1 A | Eisa P

For being a fantastic role model for our class. Eisa is an enthusiastic learner, always eager to share her ideas and learn new things. She is also a caring and patient friend who helps others to be their best in class. Thank you, Eisa!

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P/1 A | Haylee Y

For always sharing her kind and cheerful personality with our class. Haylee arrives every morning with a big smile on her face and spends the rest of the day putting one hundred percent  into her work, while being encouraging and friendly to her peers. Fantastic effort, Haylee!

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P/1 J | Brody H

For continually gaining the confidence to try new things and participate in activities. He has built strong connections with his peers and together they help each other achieve in the classroom. Brody has developed the courage to take on new experiences and is enjoying the results. His gain in confidence during the swimming program was a sight to behold! We are all proud of your achievements over the past two years. Keep up the great efforts in the future Brody.

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P/1 J | Martin F

For consistently being a polite, kind and friendly member of our classroom. He is calm and cooperative and always willing to help others. Martin asks questions if he is unsure and shows perseverance to complete tasks. Well done Martin on your fine efforts this year.

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MIDDLE LEARNING COMMUNITY

2/3F | Jazmine W

Cheerful, positive and hardworking, Jazmine can make the best of any situation.  Socially, she’s generous with ideas and positive suggestions while equally accepting of those of other people.  At work, she is quiet and  focused – meeting every challenge to the best of her ability. Jazmine is to be commended for her excellent efforts and attitude.

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2/3F | Sullivan S

Sullivan is an inspiring, self-motivated learner. He has a lively, inquiring mind, exploring challenges and showing great tenacity in seeking knowledge and understanding. Sullivan has been an interested, enthusiastic, helpful problem solver throughout the year.

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2/3W | Dan B

We are very impressed by the way you have settled into the last term and worked on having a positive attitude to learning. We have seen the way you have embraced writing and working independently on projects. With a positive attitude, we see that you have great potential to achieve great things. Congratulations Dan.

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2/3W | Sam G

For making a huge effort to become an active and enthusiastic class member and learner. You have overcome challenges to become a valued member of our discussions and experiences. We value your  general knowledge and the way you share your passions. We also appreciate your caring and responsible nature. Congratulations on a fantastic semester Sam.

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SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Salina C

Salina you are Amazing! Salina is someone who approaches life, and learning, with a “Growth Mindset”. She is someone who will have a go at all tasks and approaches them with a positive, ‘risk taking’ attitude. Salina always provides support to any of her peers and is kind and caring in her interactions. Thank you Salina for your amazing leadership, kind interactions and beautiful spirit that you openly share with everyone.

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Lincon V

Lincon has come a long way this year. He has taken huge strides in the level of his maturity and overall positive attitude towards becoming an independent learner. He has grown in confidence and gained a self-believing ‘can do’ attitude when it comes to complex tasks. Lincon is always caring and considerate of others and willingly provides support and assistance to anyone who may need it. Well done Lincon on a great 2019, we look forward to working with you next year.

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Leonard P

Leonard is a polite and co-operative member of the Senior Learning Community with a quirky sense of humour. He works hard on set tasks with amazing imagination and creativity. We all enjoy listening (and laughing) to his stories. He is a self- sufficient student, being an independent learner, able to put his head down and ‘just get on’ with his tasks. He is well liked and is kind, caring and respectful of those around him, at all times. He willingly follows instructions and offers his assistance where and when he can. Thank you Leonard for your contributions in 2019, your efforts have been highly valued.

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Louis W

Louis brings joy and laughter to those around him, having an infectious sense of humour. He has the ability, flexibility and adaptability to work with a wide range of his peers without    ruffling any feathers. His work ethic and achievements are    outstanding. He shows respect to all members of our learning community; friends, classmates and teachers alike. He shows care and kindness to younger students and has excellent leadership abilities. Congratulations on your achievements in 2019 Louis. A truly well-deserved award.

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Chilli H

Chilli is a calm and quiet achiever of the Senior Learning Community. She shows respect at all times to herself, those around her, and her environment. She is quick to put up her hand to offer her assistance and embraces every learning opportunity with enthusiasm and passion, always extending herself by going the extra mile. She is a kind, caring and flexible friend, adapting positively to the needs of those who need assistance. She keeps quiet counsel and never has a ‘mean’ word to say about anyone. Thank you for all that you bring to our community Chilli and       congratulations on your achievements.

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Jess D

Jess is nominated by her peers for this award as a friend who is kind, caring and respectful. She pays attention in class and listens well, displaying a great growth mindset when completing her work tasks, working hard, with attention to detail. Jess is  always willing to help others and her classmates note that she can ‘enjoy a good laugh’ but can also be serious if things get tough. You are a delightful member of the Senior Learning Community Jess. Thank you for what you give of yourself.

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Congratulations to all the winners!

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BEST CLASS ATTENDANCE (CUMALONG CUP)

The class with the best school attendance for the week ending 29th November and the week ending 6th December is P1J.

A huge thank you to Keenan Lucas and Sam Milner for organising the Grade 4/5/6 Bike Hike to Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and the Grade 6 Bike Hike to Muckleford Train Station! :)

A small group of students have recently had the opportunity to travel to Ellery House for the past couple of Wednesdays to make art with some senior residents there.  Students and residents alike have had a great time getting creative together.  Following our bird project last year with Penhall, the theme for this project has been underwater life.  Everyone is very much looking forward to the launch party when the two large canvases are completed.  The art will hang in Ellery House and will no doubt be admired by all who see it!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

Lots coming up to keep you busy over the school holidays!

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Castlemaine Farmers Market

Now we have both a weekly and a monthly Market!

Both Markets are accredited by the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association.

Weekly Market

The market is located alongside the Market building (Frederick Street, Castlemaine) and from 3.30 – 6.30 pm each Wednesday you will find fresh local produce from growers in our immediate area.

Monthly Market

The 1^st Sunday every month (except January) the market operates with over 50 stalls. The market is open from 9am -1pm. The range and quality of the food on sale makes this a favourite market with locals and visitors alike. There is also a cooking demonstration each month at 11am that is always worth watching.

Bring your shopping bags and support local growers and enjoy the best of seasonal produce.

W: www.castlemainefarmersmarket.org

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Click on this link to read the latest issue of the Mount Alexander Shire News

https://mailchi.mp/mountalexander/shire-news-summer2019?e=7ec5178fba

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