HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY :)

Have a lucky day!

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BULLYING. NO WAY!

Here at Winters Flat we are taking part in Friday’s National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence with classroom based activities. The website has resources for students, parents and schools, including online issues which may arise. Another resource which supports safety online is the eSafety Commissioner.

This week is also Harmony Week – Everyone Belongs. We are having our Harmony Day celebration and performance next Tuesday 23^rd March. Traditionally on Harmony Day we dress in orange. Harmony Day is about celebrating differences and embracing new cultures and aims to bring equality between different cultures and religious groups.

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BIRTHDAYS

Renae - in the first week of March

Roza – 7 in the third week of March

Freya B – 8 in the third week of March

Frankie G – 10 in the third week of March

Neve - 11 in the fourth week of March

Iris - 11 in the fourth week of March

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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SCHOOL PHOTOS ON MONDAY

You should have received hard copy order forms via you children. Please return these even if you don’t intend to order. Contact the office if you need your personalised order code.

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SCHOOL COUNCIL 2021

Our Winters Flat School Council members for this year are:

Bianca Alvarez Harris

Edd Blaise

Emma Brown

Rhani Dean-Talbett

Fiona Johnston (Secretary)

Helen Kaptein (Vice President)

Suzanne Kinnersly

Monte Macpherson

Kitty Speer (Treasurer)

Blair Venn (President)

Helen Weir

At our meeting we thanked outgoing councillors Kacey Sinclair for her time as well as Simon Duthie, who held office as Treasurer before being elected president in 2020. We are grateful for their contribution.

At our first council meeting we passed a Dogs at School Policy which is now available on our website.

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WELCOME TO COUNTRY

The Welcome to Country ceremony is on Monday 29^th March at 9:00am. Care Crow student leaders will be announced that morning.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

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TRIVIA NIGHT THANK YOU!

What a blast the Trivia Night was. We had 14 tables competing for the top spot. Some teams played it clean, like highest point scorers 'Outside the Principals Office', and some bribed their way to the winning place (Table 6) by purchasing points at every given opportunity!

A big thank you to all who attended, volunteered and supported the event including:

The fundraising committee members: Fiona, Bianca, Emma, Karen, Suzanne, Rhani, and Shera.

Parent helpers: Kirsty, Edd, Clare, Cameron.

Sponsors & Donors: Shedshaker, Sprout Bakery, Harcourt Valley Wines, Green Goes the Grocer, Stonemans, Wonderpants, Alistair Farley for the mountain bike coaching, Kasey Sinclair for the history research voucher, Corner store voucher & Badge from Kearnsie, Suzanne Kinnersly for the Cookie Crumbs & Lunchbox sushi voucher and Bianca and Emma for the food donations. Also, Cahra Swarris for the donations of alcohol for prizes and Kirsty Williams for the donation of the fern and baby sitting. Local artists Bron Tracey and Torsten Pfiel donated original works which were auctioned on the night.

Our hosts: Polly Cotton and Kate McDonald.

Our cake makers: Fiona, Marcus, Emily, Rosie, Monte & Sarah.

Sincere apologies if we have missed anyone!

We are still waiting on a few invoices but the approximate amount made was $3,500 which was a fantastic effort.  The money will be used to purchase some play equipment for students to use during their breaks.

Fundraising Committee

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School Calendar

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Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund Applications

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, you can download the form here. Forms are also available at the office.

You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.

Please return completed forms to the office as soon as possible.

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School Accounts

Just a reminder that school fees are due by the end of this term unless otherwise arranged with the office.  If you need another statement, contact the office and we can either print it and send it home or email it you.

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SAKG Laundry Roster

If you are able to help with the SAKG laundry, please contact us in the office.

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Tea Towels

We have 2 tea towels up for grabs leftover from last year's fundraiser at $20 each.

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Karen Mahoney & Renae Wilson

Office

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

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

Basic Pizza Dough

Tomato and Basil Pizza

Basic Pasta

Greek Salad

Caramel Pear Pudding

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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...

Basil

Tomatoes

Spring Onions

Salad Greens

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Volunteers

Unfortunately, we recently had a fox attack and lost all our chooks. Following this, our chook pen is in need of some maintenance. If you are able to help with this, or helping with building a hot house, please contact Terry.

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Fruit Fly Update

The garden has recently been impacted by Queensland Fruit Fly and we have therefore had to remove all the fruit from our trees. We are hoping that our tomatoes won't be affected.

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Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

School Cross Country

Our School Cross Country will be happening this Friday 19th March from 9:15am to 9:50am.

We are looking at Participation as the major theme, and everyone will receive a certificate if they participate. 

For those that wish to participate only there will be the opportunity to walk, jog or run laps of the bike track. 

For those that are looking for the Cross Country experience we'll have a Cross Country circuit to try. 

Parents are welcome to come along to support their child/ren and join in on the action (please sign in at the office first).

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District Cross Country

Winters Flat students will be participating in the Castlemaine District Cross Country on Friday 26th March.  Further details will be available on XUNO next week and parents/carers of children involved will be sent an email.

Parents who have a Working with Children Check and can help out on the day, to contact Renae in the office.

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Sam Milner

P.E/Classroom teacher

Hello families and friends of Winters Flat Primary School.

I very much hope the long Labour Day weekend and shorter week gave you some time to do something you enjoy.

This term all classes at Winters’ Flat completed a workshop in which students identified five trusted adults they could go to if they had a worry or concern while they were at school. A follow-up conversation at home could be identifying five trusted adults they can go to outside of school. Ideally your child identifies people outside of the family also, in your larger social network. Try not to prompt your child if having this conversation by suggesting people.

For many students, spending five days a week in a busy classroom can be overstimulating and exhausting. It is important that students know there are places to go to in the school to get support and/or take a break at various Wellbeing Spaces around the school.

Wellbeing Spaces at Winters Flat

Kids’ Club happens at lunch times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Karen’s room (in upper classrooms behind the front office). The space is designed to be a quiet place for students who need some time indoors to rest or play board games. All students are welcome and are encouraged to attend for some time out from the school yard.

Dancing on the Deck happens at Friday lunch time and is run by Bianca on the deck in between the upper classrooms and the office. This is a fun and energetic way to spend lunch time… and what better way than to have a dance!

Wellbeing Office is located in the Creek View building. Hannah is available on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9:30 and 2:30. Check-in with Hannah to see when she is available throughout the day.

Suzanne Kinnersly’s Office is located behind the front office. Suzanne’s office usually has an open door and she is always ready to listen if a student has something they are concerned about.

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The following list is a comprehensive directory of mental health support services. (If your safety or the safety of others is at risk, contact emergency services on 000)

HeadtoHelp 1800 595 212

Cairnmillar Institute (free telehealth counselling) - https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/telehealth

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636 (24 Hrs)

Lifeline
13 11 14 (24 Hrs)

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 (24 Hrs)

Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 (24 Hrs)

Other helplines

Tandem Support and Referral Line information, support, advocacy or referral for family members or friends who are supporting a person with mental health issues. Call 1800 314 325.

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm / 7 days a week.

Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673 8am-9pm / 7 days a week.

eheadspace mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890.

MensLine Australia telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

MindSpot Clinic telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. Call 1800 61 44 34 AEST, 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-6pm (Sat).

QLife telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) / 7 days a week.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) telephone information, counselling and referral service. Call 1300 726 306, 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).

Brother to Brother, a 24-hour crisis line for Aboriginal men has been set up to provide extra support during the coronavirus pandemic. Call 1800 435 799.

SANE Australia support, training and education enabling those with a mental illness to lead a better life. Call 1800 18 7263, 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri).

The Compassionate Friends Victoria information and peer support for families trying to rebuild their lives after the death of a child, sibling or grandchild, from trained volunteers with lived experience. Call 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068 24/7. Siblings (aged 18-30 years) can use the web chat daily, 3pm-12am.

Open Arms (Veterans and Families Counselling) 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and their families. Call 1800 011 046.

Mental Health Foundation Australia National Mental Health Helpline offers emotional and practical support to families, carers and individuals with mental health issues. The response team does not provide counselling but can arrange a call back from a trained Psychologist or Counsellor. Call 1300 643 287. 

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Hannah O'Keefe

Wellbeing Officer, Winters Flat Primary School

(Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30-2:30)

Hannah.Okeefe@education.vic.gov.au

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*If you wish for your child/ren to participate in sessions with Hannah, please ensure you provide permission on XUNO or sign a hard copy of the permission form available at the office. 

P/1 J | Nova B

For showing Care for Self by being a great role model for other students in our class and always putting in a top effort. Thank you Nova!

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P/1 J | Annabelle B

For showing Care for Self by working hard to reread and edit her writing. Keep up the great effort Annabelle!

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2/3 A | Archie S

For showing Care for Self by working hard to write a really detailed and descriptive story. Well done Archie!

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2/3 A | Sam B

For showing Care for Self by always being ready to learn and challenging himself to take his learning to the next level. Great effort Sam!

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3/4W | Ava M

For showing Care for Self by having your materials ready for work and staying focused during challenging tasks. Well done Ava!

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3/4W | Eisa P

For showing Care for Self by having your books and equipment ready for work and for working steadily on new activities- especially in Maths. Great effort Eisa!

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5/6B | Ellie C

For showing Care for Others. Thank you Ellie for the caring attitude and bright smile you bring to our classroom. It is always great to hear the ideas that you share during class discussions, and so wonderful to see how quickly you share your knowledge and skills, in such a gentle caring way, to others in our classroom. You should be proud of your fantastic positive attitude.

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5/6B | Faith C

For showing Care for Self. Faith, it is so wonderful to see your 'Mojo' emerging, and with it, your confidence increasing. Congratulations on the development of your great 'being positive, getting involved, and doing your best' attitude, and with it, the emergence of a happy smile. Congratulations Faith.

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS

The school's current positive behaviour focus is:

Waiting to take our turn in discussions.

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

Charli E

Huckle S

Eisa P

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BEST CLASS ATTENDANCE (CUMALONG CUP)

The class with the best school attendance for the past fortnight is 3/4W

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

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CAMPBELLS CREEK FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB

is looking for players.

U11.5 football, senior football

U11, 13, 15, 17 netball, senior netball

Contact Marg Stevens 0412 807 971

 

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In addition to opportunities for young people to participate in the Festival through directed workshops, there is also an array of beautiful performances and artworks for the whole family to enjoy together. Whether it’s exploring the solar system with Inventi Ensemble Kids Planets, watching circus performers fly through the air in One Fell Swoop, grooving out with the Teeny Tiny Stevies or rocking out with Otto & Astrid, you will be sure to have a ball! And if that is not enough, what better than some garden inspiration at Our Village and Buda’s Secret Garden.

For more information on all aspects of our program, please visit castlemainefestival.com.au.

We very much look forward to seeing you at the Festival!

Castlemaine State Festival Team

information@castlemainefestival.com.au

03 5472 3733

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NALDERUN

The Meeting Place-

Meeting Place is held once a fortnight during school terms for the Aboriginal AND Torres Strait ISLANDER children within the Mount Alexander shire. Students are collected from their school and taken to The Meeting Place which is held at the old Yapeen School, a campus of the Castlemaine Secondary College. Whilst there the students learn about the local Jaara Jaara knowledge and Aboriginal beliefs. They complete activities that are culturally enriching, and that incorporate the cross curricular priorities within the Australian Curriculum.

Nalderun Koorie Morning Bus-

The Nalderun Bus service is designed to get students to school each morning. It also assists in getting some employed community members to work. This service is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) and runs Monday-Friday during school terms from 7.30am until 9am.

Speak to your class teacher for more information and Program requests.

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