Winters Flat Primary School
PDF Details

Newsletter QR Code

3 Roberts Ave
Castlemaine VIC 3450
Subscribe: https://wintersflatps.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 5472 1522

FLAT CHAT | 27th October 2021

Filter Content

FLAT CHAT | 27th October 2021

The Winters Flat Primary School Mango Fundraiser is on again this year! Once again, we will be sourcing our mangoes direct from the grower in QLD, and having them delivered straight to our school as soon as the crop is ready. It doesn't get much fresher than that!

*Please note, that due to crop issues, this year’s tray will be 4.5kg each.

*The family that sells the most trays will receive a $100 book voucher.

*Make sure you complete and return the attached form, together with payment, to Winters Flat Primary School office by Friday 29th October.

*Hard copy order forms available at the office.

*Mangoes should be ready for collection from the school during the week commencing the 7th December, but we will confirm the arrival date in Flat Chat, email and via our social media sites.

NOTE: ORDERS MUST BE PAID FOR BEFORE DELIVERY.

Picture.jpg

OUTDOORS – KEEPING COVID SAFE

Next Thursday is Outdoor Classroom Day - it is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day. On two days of action each year, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. All year round, the Outdoor Classroom Day community campaigns for more time outdoors every day.

Here at Winters Flat we’re looking for any and every opportunity to increase the amount of time students spend outdoors, even more so to keep COVID safe.

Teachers are investigating the teaching and learning experiences that are best completed outside the classroom as well as those that are enhanced by being outdoors. We’re also looking at options to move traditional indoor learning outside when weather permits, with our versatile outdoor classroom spaces. Yesterday the senior classes were participating in a variety of science activities in the ‘Potato Olympics’ series. Keep an eye on our social media to see the ways we’re getting out there.

 .

SWPBS – SHOP OPEN FOR BUSINESS, DOJOS REDEEMED

Today was the soft launch of our universal reward system shop. On an individual level students had the opportunity to redeem their dojo points (10 dojos = 1 Golden Feather) or save them towards a bigger reward. It was an exciting day after such a long wait. Each class has a catalogue and all points earned by individuals are accumulated for class and ultimately whole school rewards. Some of the rewards on offer are experiences whilst others are tangible or consumable. All rewards were conceived in consultation with students.

 .

SEMESTER TWO REPORTING

The Department of Education and Training have acknowledged the challenge of reporting in a semester where considerable time has been spent learning out of school. The suggested guidelines for this Semester are attached to this newsletter.

 .

STAFF

As mentioned last time, our Welfare Coordinator Hannah O’Keefe is currently on unexpected leave for a few weeks. For any urgent matters please contact me: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au

 .

DISCORD – SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATION

We have recently become aware of the potential for inappropriate behaviours to occur on Discord, a popular social media application.

To help prevent these behaviours, we have blocked the site on our school network and we encourage students not to use this app.

We also wish to remind our families of the expected behaviours of students when using digital technologies, including social media, outlined in our 'Digital learning' policy available on the school website here.

Parents can also access resources and supporting information to ensure their child remains cyber-safe through the parents’ page on the Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s website.

If you have any concerns about the use of digital technologies, I encourage you to speak to your child’s teacher.

.

BIRTHDAYS

Tilly– 6 in the third week of October

Hannah in the fourth week of October

Evie – 9 in the first week of November

Tanmay – 8 in the first week of November

Helen W - in the first week of November

Rosie - in the first week of November

Keenan ­ in the first week of November

Izaiah – 10 in the first week of November

Ash - 9 in the second week of November

Levi – 11 in the second week of November

Atticus AK – 7 in the second week of November

 

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

 .
Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

School Calendar

Thursday 28th October: Free online eSafety session for parents/carers (see                                                 information below)

Friday 29th October:-Dress up day for all students/staff

                              -Mango Order Forms must be in at the office by this date.

Monday 1st November: Curriculm Day. No students required at school.

Tuesday 2nd November: Melbourne Cup Public Holiday.

Monday 8th November: Free Andrew Fuller Zoom meeting (see information below)

Tuesday 16th November: 2022 Preps transition (more information to come)

Tuesday 23rd November: 2022 Preps transition (more information to come)

Tuesday 30th November: 2022 Preps transition (more information to come)

Tuesday 7th Decemer: State-wide Transition Day (more information to come)

Tuesday 14th December: Year 6 Graduation (more information to come)

.

Masks 

A reminder that is mandatory for 3-6 students to bring a mask to wear to school. It is also recommended that P-2 students wear them.

.

Dress up day Friday

To celebrate the fact that school is back, and to make up for missing out on Book Week, all staff and students are invited to dress up this Friday! We can't wait to see all your wonderful costumes!

.

We want to hear from you!

We want your ideas!!  The Community Engagement Sub-Committee for Winters Flat Primary School would like to know your ideas for social events for our whole school community for 2022 (in the hope that we will be able to gather in person together during the new year ahead). Please visit the link below and fill out the form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPg9H5m2O0Pg-q_62QFieyV_q43p1AGKmEKFjzTl2st6y-BA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Thank you in advance.

.

Chess Program

Due to the ongoing constraints of the Covid regulations, the Chess program will not operate for the rest of Term 4.  There will not be any chess sessions after school on a Thursday.

.

Term 4 Swimming Program

Grades 4, 5 & 6 will commence the week of the 8th November. 

Grades 1, 2 & 3 date TBC.

Swimming questionnaire/permission needs to be completed and returned to school asap. Hard copies available at the office. Costs to be confirmed via XUNO.  Families that have paid for the other excursions that were cancelled can use this credit towards the swimming program.

Please call us if you have any questions.

.

Hats 

A reminder that it is compulsory for hats to be worn this term, until the end of May next year. We keep a supply of hats at the office to purchase for $14 each.

.

Free online eSafety session for all parents/carers

E737513_ParentingintheDigitalWorld28Octoberphonefriendlysize_051021051755.png

.

Free online Zoom session- 'Tricky teenagers'

Parents and carers come along to hear Andrew Fuller discuss "Tricky Behaviours" how we can manage these behaviours in our Children & Teens while staying sane!

Come and have a fun online session with well-known Clinical Psychologist Andrew Fuller. Andrew's talks are always entertaining and informative.

When: Monday 8th November 2021

Where: Zoom: Due to COVID restrictions

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85919595511?pwd=Mzh1VHQrdElPTFEvTEJzdHdyNlNCdz09

Time: 6.30 pm Start – 7.30 pm

Andrew Fuller is a clinical psychologist, family therapist, author, speaker and creator of Learning Strengths ™.

Andrew has worked with over 3,500 schools in Australia, NZ, Asia and the UK and with more than 500,000 young people on core elements of resilience - connect, protect and respect (CPR) and building The Resilient Mindset, which he defined as "the happy knack of being able to Bungy jump through the pitfalls of life to rise above adversity and obstacles".


Andrew Fuller is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne and has been a scientific consultant for the ABC and a regular presenter on Radio National. He has established programs for neuroscience and education and promoting mental health in schools.

.

Karen Mahoney & Renae Irwin

Office

At Winters Flat Primary School, we know it is vital to involve students and their parents/carers in learning. This includes providing a written report to parents/carers on student progress and achievement at least twice a year.

The Department of Education and Training has recently adjusted the expectations around student reporting for Semester 2 in recognition of the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Winters Flat Primary School will therefore provide a modified written report for the parent/carer of each student enrolled at the school for Semester 2, 2021 focusing on what progress has been made and what has been achieved by each child.

Reports will include:

  • a description of the areas of the Victorian Curriculum Foundation to Level 10, including Towards Foundation Levels A to D, taught;
  • for English and Mathematics:
  • student achievement information represented on a continuum of learning;
  • progress made since the last time these curriculum areas were reported on;
  • a five-point scale.
  • for all other curriculum areas taught: a short comment on progress and achievement across the semester.

Reports will be available to access on XUNO on Wednesday 15th December.

Parents/carers are welcome to contact their child/ren's classroom teacher to arrange a time to discuss your child’s report.

Thank you for your continued support during the transition between remote and flexible learning and onsite learning.

The Department of Education and Training is evaluating the Free Sanitary Pads and Tampons in all Government Schools initiative to understand what is working for schools, and what can be improved.

To help inform the evaluation, the department is inviting schools to administer surveys for school staff and students to gather their perspectives on the initiative. The survey should take participants five minutes to complete.

Schools will receive survey data about the implementation of the initiative at their school if they gain enough responses to achieve a useful data sample.

The link below is unique to our school, and we encourage our Grade 6 students to complete it by Wednesday 24 November 2021.

Student survey: https://survey.websurveycreator.com/s.aspx?s=ddd6933a-c2c8-4258-8552-614636e60d13&SURVEYCODE=XX0652XX

A consent form must be completed for each student prior to completing the survey. Download the form here or contact us in the office for a copy.

Consent forms can be submitted by:

wtd_social_media_tile.jpg

On Friday 29 October, our school will celebrate World Teachers’ Day and recognise the incredible contributions our teachers make to our community.
World Teachers' Day is an opportunity for our community to say 'thank you'.
On this day, we will recognise the passion our teachers have, and how teaching has extended beyond the classroom to maintain connections through remote learning.
Feel free to let our teachers know you appreciate their resilience, leadership and adaptability throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 
You and your children can get involved by sending a message of thanks to a teacher who is making, or has made, an impact on your life using #thanksvicteachers on social media. Don’t forget to tag the school so we can see all your messages.
Head to World Teachers Day for a range of resources to help you and your children celebrate World Teachers’ Day 2021, including ‘Thank You’ card templates.

Celebrate Childrens Week, 23-31 October 2021

Children's Week is a national celebration that recognises the talents, skills, achievements and rights of children. It will run from Saturday 23 October to Sunday 31 October 2021, with thousands of Victorian children taking part in the festivities.

The theme for Children's Week 2020-21 is Children have the right to choose their friends and safely connect with others, drawn from Article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

During Children's Week, local councils, not-for-profit organisations, schools and early childhood services organise open days, displays, special events, virtual spaces and online-based activities. These celebrate childhood and showcase children's achievements.

All Children's Week events are free to families with children aged from birth to 12 years. This is a great opportunity for Victorian families to enjoy fun, engaging and educational experiences.

Calendar of free activities

A calendar of activities is available to view.

Winters Flat Primary School is commited to sustainability and is an active participant in the ResourceSmart Schools program - a Victorian Government initiative that helps schools benefit from embedding sustainability in everything they do.

To be a 5-star ResourceSmart school, Winters Flat Primary School has renewed four modules; core (baseline date and resources), waster, water and biodiversity, and we are currently in the process of renewing our fifth module, energy.

This process involves an analysis and evaluation of lighting, heating and cooling, appliances, and our doors and windows.

We are also examining our current electricity usage against our basleine when we began the program. We are still under baseline and to maintan our focus on sustainabile energy consumption, we will continue to do the following:

-Use data from our Energy Audit to identify areas of improvement.

-Install the most energy efficient appliances where appropriate (we already have solar panels)

-Implement a 'switch off' campaign overnight and during term breaks for appliances

-Use natural elements such as opening doors for airflow and maintaining indoor temperature

-Reminding everyone to wear layers and suitable clothing for extremes in weather.

-Continue tracking our electricity usage and generation, and reporting this to the wider school community.

sustainable_school_pic_orig.png

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

Chicken noodle soup

Seasonal garden salad

Herb polenta chips

Pizza of the imagination

Upside-down banana cake

.

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

.

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

harvesting.jpg
.

Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

P/1 J | Nova B

For showing Care for Self and Others by always being in the right place at the right time. Thank you for being helpful and kind to others in your class.

.

P/1 J | Annabelle B

For showing Care for Self and Others by being an active participant in our class and playing fairly and cooperatively. Thank you for everything you do.

.

2/3 A | Athene G

For showing Care for Self by always being in the right place, at the right time. Thank you for always being ready to learn Athene!

.

2/3 A | Peggy M-K

For showing Care for Self by being a fantastic listener in the classroom, and for always putting in a huge effort into your work. Well done Peggy!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

School_Flyer_1.1.jpg
.
.
The Brasslemaine Brass Quartet presents their Boutique Concert Series.

Concerts will be limited to 30 attenders at a time, but will hold concerts until they run out of pre-booked audience members.

Ring to book. If overbooked, you will be notified of the next available concert.

Be prepared to show proof of Vaccination at the door, or entry will be denied (under current restrictions).

Entry by donation (suggested $20 adults, $15 concession, $5 for kids, under 5’s free). Bring cash on the night.

Proceeds in aid of The Just Brass program conducted at this school.

Concerts will be slightly different each time.

To book, Phone:

Dean 0408 417 877; or

Alison 0419 597 765.

.
.