TERM 3

Checking in with students last week, it was lovely to see such enthusiasm for their return to school. At this stage we are continuing to follow advice from the latest Operations Guide as distributed to all schools in Victoria by the Department of Education and Training and will keep you up to date with any new developments as they arise.

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MID-YEAR INTERVIEWS – WEEK 4 & WEEK 5

We are offering the opportunity to discuss the progress and learning goals of all students for Semester 2 and it is our aim to use Webex conferences whenever possible. Parents and Carers will be able to book a meeting time with their child’s teacher via a schedule which is available now on Xuno. If you are unable to meet during the scheduled times please use Xuno to contact your child’s teacher to arrange an alternative, or contact the office.

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BUILDINGS: GETTING THERE!

Following the spectacular delivery of the new buildings (which was featured in last Friday’s Castlemaine Mail) the work is progressing well and the team is working hard to get things finished.

• The modular sections of both the new multi-purpose room and the new art room are being painted and fitted out with exterior decking.
• The Kitchen is now being remodelled with a new external façade, including a new deck. If all goes well it is due for completion in a few weeks.

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WORKING BEES COVID-STYLE

Sincere thanks to Blair Venn for coordinating parent volunteers to help with some external projects during the holidays.  Thank you Monte Macpherson, Emma Brown, Gemma Candy and Paul Kavanagh for the work you did to make the school look so lovely for the students’ return to school. Thanks also to Terry, Helen and students of 2/3W for their work around Creekview at the end of term 2.

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BIRTHDAYS

Eliza – 12 in the first week of July

Arki – 11 in the first week of July

Fiona – in the first week of July

Kirah-Jayne - 11 in the second week of July

Xander - 11 in the second week of July

Indiana B – 9 in the third week of July

Banjo – 12 in the third week of July

Noah N – 9 in the third week of July

Bianca – in the third week of July

Lucinda KG– 8 in the fourth week of July

Sam – in the fourth week of July

 

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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ENROLMENT DRIVE VIRTUAL TOUR FOR 2021 PREPS

As I mentioned last term, in normal circumstances we would have had open days during Education Week in May to promote the school and invite tours of prospective prep students. By now we would also be showing new families around.

At our last School Council meeting we talked about the need to highlight the strengths of our school as well as encouraging enrolments for 2021. Our new buildings give us the capacity to deliver programs to many more students than are currently enrolled.

With restrictions currently in place, school tours are still out of the question. We are hoping to promote the school virtually via our website and welcome input from parents with skills in marketing, photography, graphic design, film and media to help create a promotional video or virtual school tour to draw attention to our wonderful school. Thank you to the parents who have already been in touch.

We are also hoping to have some parent testimonials and would welcome your written endorsements. Please contact us at winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au if you can assist.

The Castlemaine schools had planned to combine for a proposed open week in August which under the current circumstances is now in doubt.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

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Accounts

All accounts will be emailed out to families soon. Please contact us in the office for any enquiries.

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Parent/teacher interviews

Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 5th and Wednesday 12th August from 3:30pm-6:00pm over Webex. All bookings to be made through XUNO. Please see the attached for instructions on how to do this.

Once a booking is made, a Webex invitation will be organised and will be sent to your email with the necessary information. If you are unable to access Webex or if you have any other enquiries, please contact us the office.

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Book Club

A hard copy of each issue of Book Club will be available at request at the office.
All orders and payments to be made online through the following link:
https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/

Karen Mahoney & Renae Wilson

Office

JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY

P/1 J | Roza M

For showing Care for Self by making a great start at Winters Flat PS and joining in all activities and putting in her best effort. Welcome!

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1/2A | Abdo A

For showing Care for Others by making friends and settling in at our school.
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1/2A | Gabriel G

For showing Care for Self by settling in to the classroom routines and making a great start at our school.

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2/3W | Freya B

For showing Care for Self by being organised with materials and starting work straight away.

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SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Neve D

For showing Care for Others by always being kind to others and never being too busy to be helpful or kind. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.

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Tully S

For showing great Care for Self and Others by really going the extra mile on her Virus Project. Well done on stepping it up and producing some amazing work.

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Faith C

For showing great Care for Self and Others by really going the extra mile on her Virus Project. Well done on stepping it up and producing some amazing work.

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Saffron K

For showing great Care for Self and Others by really going the extra mile on her Virus Project. Well done on stepping it up and producing some amazing work.

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Wolfgang K

For showing great Care for Self by demonstrating his knowledge in class discussions. Welcome to Winters Flat! You are a great addition to the class, well done!

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Oslan S

For showing Care for Self with a great improvement in his handwriting. You set yourself a goal and worked so hard in your holidays and we can see the pride and difference in the presentation of your work. Great job, congratulations!

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Zephyr N

For showing Care for Self with his renewed passion in reading and his enthusiasm and creativity in his story writing. You are on fire! What a difference your motivation is making to your literacy skills.

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS

This week's positive behaviour focus is:

Showing care for others by standing up for them.

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

Luca V

Seth B

Winnie S

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed the way we live. To help keep us safe, it is likely that our lives will be different for a while.

When we aren’t able to see our friends and family regularly, it can be harder to keep on top of how we’re feeling.

Being aware of how you’re feeling and knowing what you can do to look after your mental wellbeing is an important part of staying healthy during this challenging time.

I am available on Tuesday’s and Thursdays from 9-2pm for sessions with individual students and/or families if requested. Also if you would like activities to support wellbeing please contact me.  

Just a reminder that the Smiling Mind app is a free. It provides mindfulness and meditation tools to support healthy minds and to help prevent mental illness. The app has  programs for  kids and youth, adults, families, classrooms and work.

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app

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Take care,

Belle

Wellbeing Officer

KITCHEN & GARDEN...

This week, 4/5L got out in the Garden before cooking up some delicious burgers and chips.

Remember that all the recipes can be found on the website here.

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Jane & Terry

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

The Prep/1 students had a great time playing in the GaGa pit on Monday :)

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

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