TERM 4: GREAT START

We’ve had a great start to the term and already the calendar is filling up as the end of the school year approaches. Most students are adjusting to the school routine after months at home but we know some will still struggle with the change. We encourage parents who are concerned about their child/ren feeling anxious about re-adjusting to school to contact their child’s teacher.

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SWPBS – THE CARE CROWS – TERM 4

Focus 1

Showing care for self by reflecting on my thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and by engaging in Mindfulness activities. Re-visit zones. (Thoughts and feelings affect behaviour). Talk with a trusted person or tell someone what you need. Ask for help.

Focus 2

Showing care for self by eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water and being active. Take part in activities and games. Ask for healthy food if you need it. Fill your drink bottle with water and have it with you in the classroom. Be Sunsmart; wear your school hat.

Focus 3

Showing care for others by speaking kindly. Say “please”, “thank you” and “excuse me”. Use a pleasant and calm tone. Ask politely - don’t demand! Ask others to do the same with you.

Focus 4

Showing care for others by checking in on them: Greet others: “hey, hi, howdy” etc!  “how are you?” how’s things?” Show interest in others. Speak to a trusted adult/teacher if you think someone needs support.

Focus 5

Showing care for the environment by keeping the class ‘Care For’ Area clean and free of weeds. Be proud of your school and your Area. It’s caring! What would you like to see in your environment?

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COMPETITION

If you have an idea for a new Care Crows token-name and/or logo please submit to: winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Watch this space for new concepts.

REMINDER: ENROL FOR 2021

If you or someone you know has a child who is ready to commence Prep or another year level here at Winters Flat PS next year, we have enrolment packs at the office or you can access online via our website. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can organise transition days. Student enrolment numbers play a significant part in determining the teachers we can employ and the programs we can offer.

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BIRTHDAYS

Marie H - in the second week of October

Ayden – 12 in the third week of October

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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LET’S KEEP THE SCHOOL BEAUTIFUL – BIT BY BIT

As mentioned last time, with the restricted access to school in recent months we have had limited ability to carry out the jobs that need doing around the school. Whilst our ‘To do’ list is long, there are some small jobs which will make a huge difference. In terms of weeding the school is looking pretty good. We mainly need to focus on the teardrop garden, the vegie patch, the beds outside the music room and the embankment (brush cutting) near staff car park. 

Everything is growing like crazy in this spring weather but it doesn’t take much time to help out and make a big difference.

The Mt Alexander tip has free green waste disposal from 24^th October -9^th November. Great timing for disposing of the excess. 

We would love families to consider working their own patches here at school after hours in a COVID safe manner with:

• weeding (byo gloves and tools)
• brush-cutting (byo brush cutter)
• sweeping (byo broom/leaf blower)

We’re also looking for expressions of interest in:

• painting – covering graffiti
• painting – basketball backboard (thanks to Alastair and Edd for volunteering)
• painting – old building near chook run – this is a big job but with a ‘bit by bit’ approach we can do it!

If you can spare the time and energy for these jobs please contact the B & G coordinator Blair Venn at blair_venn@yahoo.com or contact us if you notice something that needs attention.

Keep an eye out for our sensational aerial views of the school which are on our website! Special thanks to Chris Mather - Chief Remote Pilot at Bendigo Aerial for filming and supplying the footage.

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2020 PARENT OPINION SURVEY

Invitations were sent out yesterday for this annual survey. This is a state-wide survey conducted by the Department of Education and Training to seek the opinion of parents about their school. This year we are inviting all families to participate. We use the results of the survey to measure our success as well as planning for the future.

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PANORAMA- THEN AND NOW

Early 1970s

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Now

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

Bus travellers

As an essential service, school buses will operate as normal across Victoria throughout Term 4 to support students who need to get to school. As with all Victorian public transport services, school bus operators have increased cleaning practices to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Additional school bus cleaning measures have been put in place, ensuring that vehicles are cleaned after each run, high touch points are regularly cleaned, and vehicles are subject to nightly cleaning.

We encourage everyone travelling on school buses or using school bus interchanges to practise good hygiene, wear a face mask (if over 12 years old), and maintain physical distance where you can. Students must stay home if they are sick.

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Term 4 Important Letter

Please read the attached letter for all key information for this term, including information on camps and excursions, and important reminders.

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Accounts

All statements have been sent home to families via your child. Please settle these before the end of term. Any question, please contact us in the office.

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Book Week- Upcoming Virtual Incursion, Dress Up Day and Book Fair

This year, Book Week will be held from 23rd-27th November.

Please see attached a note regarding the special virtual incursion that will be held during this week. Please ask your child to return the signed note, along with the payment of $3.50, to the office.

The dress up day for Book Week will be on Friday 27th November.

More information to come regarding the Book Fair.

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Book Club

A reminder that all Book Club orders and payments are to be made online at https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/.

The current issue closes Thursday October 22nd.

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Karen Mahoney & Renae Wilson

Office

WE WANT OUR PARENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

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 all parents. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

All 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 12^th October to Friday 13^th November.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. These include: Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha), Hindi, Japanese, Somali, Turkish, Punjabi and Greek.

Each family has been emailed their invitation to participate, along with their login details.

The survey results will be communicated to parents through the 2020 Annual Report which will be available on our website early in 2021.  Last year we used the survey results to plan the Annual Implementation Plan for 2020 focusing on student engagement and wellbeing.

Please contact the office if you would like more information.

JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY

P/1 J | Anika B

For showing Care for Self by participating in class activities and listening to instructions. A fantastic start back at school, well done! 

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1/2 A | Aurelia F

For showing Care for Self by making a great effort with her writing. Wonderful detail Aurelia!
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2/3W | Sullivan S

For showing Care for Self by working hard to be organised and ready to learn. A great start to the term Sullivan!
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SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Iris D

For showing great Care for Self by doing an amazing job on her story map of the year so far. Iris you should be proud of what you have put together and how insightful and honest you were with your reflection. Well done Iris.
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Monty A

For showing great Care for Self and Others in our coding class. Monty your skills in this area are amazing and your willingness to share this talent with other students is truly a gift. Thanks for helping me and others. Great Job Monty.

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Jamie B

Showing amazing Care for Others by looking to take as many opportunities as he can to assist with making his peers feel welcome and included. Thanks Jamie for being a great friend and role model. Awesome work Jamie.

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Kade C

For showing Care for Self by being organised and ready to learn during the first week back at school. Well done Kade!

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Felix M

For showing Care for Self by 'sticking it out' during Cooking class and doing the dishes without being asked. Thank you Felix, you were amazing!

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Daisy G

For showing Care for Self by always being organised and ready to learn. You follow instructions straight away and are respectful of others. Well done!

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Ellie C

For showing Care for Self by always being organised and ready to learn. You are always respectful and helpful. Thank you and well done!

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Byron P

For showing Care for Others by being a great helper during Cooking class, awesome job!

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Eliza P

Congratulations Eliza for showing great Care for Self and Care for Others skills during the SAKGP. You work non stop; cooking, cleaning, organising, bringing a great constructive positive energy to the space. SOOO fantastic to hear you reflect on a 'great sense of satisfaction' at the end of the class. Great work Eliza.

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Milla B

Milla THANKYOU for your wonderful contribution to our class, showing great respect and Care for Others. You not only quietly and methodically achieve your work goals, to a high standard, but you are the first to jump in and get the 'cleaning up jobs done'. You are usually the' last man standing', to finish off, when others have moved on. Thank you Milla for co operative and giving nature.

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OCTOBER IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

This year’s theme is Mental Health Matters.  Mental health and wellbeing is the focus of schools in supporting students re-entering face to face learning and social connections.

Over the past few weeks students across the school have been involved in various classroom activities to support their well-being;

• Painted self-portraits.
• Created 2020 remote learning posters reflecting on experiences and feelings this year.
• Encouraged to reflect on and talk about their feelings and healthy ways to cope.
• Participating in daily Smiling Mind meditations.

Also a number of students have said that they really like cooking and gardening as it makes them feel happy.  I believe that the co creation of meals, eating together and gardening outdoors can greatly support ones mental health. So aren’t we, as a school community, fortunate to have such a wonderful SAKG program?

Just a reminder of some support lines;

• Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

1800 512 348

https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/?utm_campaign=hp_banner

• Kids help line

1800 551 800

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

• Parentline Victoria

132289

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-parents/Pages/parentline.aspx?Redirect=2

• Beyound Blue

1300 224636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

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STUDENTS ART WORK CREATED DURING A WELL-BEING SESSION

Creating a piece of art can support children to process challenges or worries they may be experiencing as well as supporting ways to cope. It can also enhance self-esteem and the experience of a variety of emotions. Here are a few of the children’s art created this week.

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SAD TO SAY I WILL BE FINISHING UP THIS AT THE END OF THE YEAR

It is with a heavy heart that I have had to resign at the end of the school year and as of November I will be working one day a week  - Thursday from 9am -2.30 pm. This is the result of a couple of unforeseen changes in family circumstances. Over the year I have felt at home at the school and have been developing heart-warming relationships with the children and teachers.  It has not been an easy decision however I am so grateful to have the opportunity to support the well-being (as well as learn from) of students, families and teachers in the school community.

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Take care,

Belle

Wellbeing Officer

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

What we're cooking in the kitchen this week (thanks Rosie for being the cooking expert)...

Lemon curd

Banana bread

Potato and rosemary pizza

Orecchiette with tomato and garlic sauce

Seasonal garden salad

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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...

Fennel fronds

Parsley

Leafy greens

Mint

Red veined sorrel

Thyme

Rosemary

Oregano

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Jane & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Thanks,

The Fundraising Subcommittee

*Build your own virtual lunch box using the Cancer Council's interactive lunchbox builder:

https://healthylunchbox.com.au/builder/?utm_medium=website&utm_source=hlbweek-na&utm_campaign=nsw-hlbschool2019

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

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Intereach’s National Children’s Week Artwork Competition 24 Oct – 1 November, 2020

Intereach is celebrating National Children’s Week by running an artwork competition across its service area. 

 Children have the right to meet together and join groups and organisations as long as it does not stop other people from enjoying their rights. In exercising their rights, children have the responsibility to respect the rights, freedom and reputations of others.

– Article 15: The Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations

During COVID19 many children have not been able to potentially exercise their rights to become involved in group play or outdoors activities and to express their freedoms in ways they have freely chosen to do so.  The artwork competition is asking children to become involved in activities to express themselves through art.   

Do you have a creative streak?  Do you like creating art or colouring-in?  Simply create a piece of art from nature or do a colour-in from the two selected drawings, take a photo of it and submit it through to community@intereach.com.au to be in the running for some great prizes. 

Unlike lots of competitions, there will be no winners or losers - selected unique artworks will be rewarded with some great prizes.  Competition is open to all pre and school aged children.   Remember to submit your name, age, postcode and a contact number with each submission.  All submissions must be received by Oct 30 to be eligible for great prizes. 

The competition has commenced. All artwork submitted will be displayed in the windows at select Intereach Offices.