OUTDOORS – KEEPING COVID SAFE

Last Friday we had our first whole school tabloid sport afternoon. This was an initiative of the Care for Others student leadership group, and the weather was perfect for being outside and enjoying the fun. Students rotated through three 20-minute activities and the reflections at the end of the day were very positive. We hope to do more before the end of term.

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VISITING SCHOOL AND VACCINATION STAUS

Please refer to the News from the Office section of today’s newsletter which details the requirements and expectations of workers, volunteers and visitors to the school.

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WORKING BEE – 9:30AM SUNDAY 21^ST NOVEMBER - LET’S GET TOGETHER (COVID SAFELY) AND HAVE FUN!

This wet spring weather has been fabulous for growing the things we want to grow but the weeds are getting out of control! It’s been a while since we had one of our gardening sessions but we would appreciate any and all help you can give us on Sunday 21^st November from 9:30am -11:30am. Bring your tools, gloves, sun hats and kids and we’ll put on a spread for morning tea. Fill out the form here if you can come along. Social distancing and being outside will be prioritised.

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BIRTHDAYS

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

Faith – 11 in the fourth week of November

Jaya – 7 in the fourth week of November

Karen B - in the fourth week of November

 

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

Karen Mahoney & Renae Irwin

Office

Dear parents and carers,

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the use of rapid antigen testing for home use from Monday 1 November.

The Department of Education and Training is currently working with the Department of Health to roll-out a state-wide program for any new COVID-19 exposures on school sites from Monday 15 November.  This program will help unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students to return to school as quickly as possible after being identified as a primary close contact (PCC) after a seven-day quarantine, instead of a 14-day quarantine.

We will have more information for parents and carers ahead of the statewide roll-out, including factsheets, web copy, video content and other materials to assist with the program.

How the rapid antigen testing program will work

The at-home rapid antigen testing program is an opt-in program for unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated, students. Our school will provide you with rapid antigen test kits. You do not need to buy these test kits.

Following an exposure at our school, you will be notified that your child (who is unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated) has been identified as primary close contact (PCC) of a confirmed COVID-19 case.

If you want to take part in the at-home rapid antigen testing program, your child must quarantine at home for seven days. On day six of quarantine, your child must get a standard (PCR) test at your local COVID-19 testing site. If the test is negative, you must provide the results to your child’s school, and your child can then return to school on day eight.

Students will then be required to return a negative rapid antigen test result each morning from days eight to 14 on school days, which must be reported to the school by 8:30am before they arrive at school.

Parents should continue to follow current school policy and public health advice. If your child is unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms, they must stay at home and get tested for COVID-19 with a standard (PCR) test, regardless of a negative rapid antigen test result.  

Our school will communicate with you as soon as we are aware that we have a confirmed COVID-19 case, including with instructions on how to conduct these tests, how to report the results, and support available if needed.

This pilot, and later statewide roll-out of rapid antigen testing is one of many strategies currently in place to support schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about what strategies are in place, please visit the department's website or call the department’s COVID-19 hotline on 1800 338 663.

Kind regards,

Suzanne Kinnersly

Support for your kids to get active

Does your child love sport and being active? Does your family have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card? You may be eligible for up to $200 to put towards the cost of your child’s participation in physical activities.

As children return to sport over the coming months, the Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and active recreation activities.

Under the program, children may be eligible to receive up to $200 to help with the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms, and equipment.

The program also provides a special consideration stream to support children residing in care services as well as temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants or international students.

Applications for vouchers in round three of the program close at 5pm Tuesday 30 November.

For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the Get Active Victoria website

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Hello Winters Flat Primary School families and friends,

I have just returned to work after three weeks caring for my daughter who broke her femur at the park - she is on the mend and not long now until she is walking again. I will now be working on Wednesdays and will add another day in the near future.

Hopefully, Term 4 is feeling more predictable for you and your family. This may mean that you are seeing loved ones after a long time, resuming activities and hobbies, spending more time with friends, etc. For many of us, however, the fallout from two years of instability, financial stress, social isolation and many other pressures is still to be felt.

One of the common patterns seen in previous disasters and pandemics is that once the immediate threat has passed, governments and agencies often neglect the longer-term mental health toll. Now is the time to plan for the delivery of sustainable, evidence-based mental health programs. This is crucial for our children and young people.

At Winters Flat teachers and other staff continue to focus on Wellbeing in the classroom and school yard. The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program is being taught weekly and many efforts are being made to support students to foster and nurture relationships with each other and the staff after almost two years of upheaval.

What we are aiming for is to have as many children at school experiencing ‘good mental health’. Children with good mental health:

• feel happy and positive about themselves most of the time
• are kind to themselves during tough times or when things don’t go the way they expect
• enjoy life
• learn well
• get along well with family and friends
• can manage sad, worrying or angry feelings
• can bounce back from tough times
• are prepared to try new or challenging things.

As educational staff, we are trained to notice when a child is not experiencing good mental health and will put in place measures to support a child at school. Parents and families play such a crucial role in supporting the child in a holistic, and ultimately, more successful way. As well as in-school Wellbeing measures (coordinated by the principal, your child’s teacher and the Wellbeing Officer) there are various professional support options, including:

• your GP
• a psychologist who is trained to work with children and families
• a mental health social worker
• your local community health centre (CHIRP - Castlemaine District Community Health)
• your local mental health service (part of CHIRP)

If your child is aged five years or older, they can also talk with a Kids Helpline counsellor by calling 1800 551 800 or using the Kids Helpline email counselling service or the Kids Helpline web counselling service.

If you don’t know where to find the most appropriate services for your family, your GP is a good place to start.

If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) have a 24 hour number you can call to talk with someone and access services in the region: 1300 363 788 (https://www.bendigohealth.org.au/ChildandAdolescentMentalHealthService/).

The Loddon Orange Door is also an excellent free service for adults, children and young people.  They can link you in with services. They are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). Call 1800 512359

Remember, if you are concerned about the wellbeing of your child for any reason please let the school know so we can support you and your family. Reasons can included changes to your family or living arrangements, emotionally intense events or experiences, mental health concerns such as anxiety and peer related challenges at school or home.

Stay well and stay connected.

Hannah O'Keefe

Wellbeing Officer, Winters Flat Primary School

(Wednesdays 9:30-2:30)

0475801424

hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au

 

Here are some more good services with integrated support for children, young people and families

Australian Psychological Society

This is a professional association representing psychologists in Australia. The website can help you find a psychologist near you.

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue works to increase community awareness of depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders. The website has an extensive collection of downloadable resources. Beyond Blue’s information line can refer you to relevant services – phone 1300 224 636.

Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute raises awareness about depression and bipolar disorder. It works to improve diagnosis, treatment and community understanding of these conditions. The website has professional support and services for clinicians.

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)

This non-profit organisation works to improve the emotional wellbeing of parents. The website has evidence-based articles about emotional wellbeing in pregnancy and early parenthood for parents, family members and friends.

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)

This organisation helps children whose parents have a mental illness. The website has resources for professionals working with these children and for family members. It also has links to other mental health services for adults and children.

Head to Health

This website provides access to trusted, relevant mental health care services, online programs and resources. Whether you want to improve your overall sense of wellbeing or you need help with something that’s concerning you, Head to Health can help you find the support that most suits your needs.

Headspace

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. It has centres throughout Australia providing support, information and advice to young people aged 12-25 years.

PANDA

PANDA has a helpline providing information and support for people affected by postnatal and antenatal depression. The number is 1300 726 306 (Monday-Friday, 9am-7.30pm AEST/AEDT). The website also has a range of resources including perinatal anxiety and depression fact sheets to help people understand and cope with these conditions.

SANE Australia

SANE Australia runs education and other programs to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their family and friends. The website has information on a range of mental health topics. Support is available through online chat or by calling the helpline – 1800 18 SANE (7263). There are also discussion forums where you can connect with others in a safe, anonymous environment.

THIS WAY UP

THIS WAY UP provides evidence-based, online treatment programs for anxiety and depression. The programs are based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) principles and include courses on pregnancy, postnatal mental health, mindfulness, insomnia, worry, stress, depression, chronic pain and wellbeing. All THIS WAY UP courses are free when prescribed by a health professional. The site also features a range of free coping and resilience tools to tackle feelings of stress, anxiety, and low mood.

Youth Beyond Blue

This is a national initiative focusing on depression in youth. It provides useful information for young people and their parents and carers, including how to get help and several fact sheets on anxiety and stress.

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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. 

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

Basic bread rolls

Broad Bean dip

Herb Pilaf

Lentil and chickpea burgers

Tiganites with lemon curd, yoghurt, and seasonal fruit

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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...

Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

P/1 J | Eddie B

For showing Care for Self by participating in reading group activities and having a positive attitude.

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P/1 J | Raphael P

For showing Care for Self by working hard to complete his recount writing. Superb effort!

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2/3 A | Gabriel G-D

For showing Care for Self by making a fantastic start back at Winters Flat. It's so lovely to have you back Gabe!

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2/3 A | Archie S-M

For showing Care for Environment by actively looking for ways to help and clean up in the kitchen. Great effort Archie!

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3/4 W| Indiana B

For showing Care for Self by showing maturity during a very difficult time.

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3/4 W | Frankie G

For showing Care for Others by always working quietly on tasks and not distracting or disturbing others.

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4/5 L | Sam G

For showing Care for Self by doing a great job to have a positive mindset and give things a go. Well done on having a growth mindset.

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4/5 L | Daisy G-D

For showing Care for Self by doing a great job to have a positive mindset and give things a go. Well done on having a growth mindset.

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5/6 B | Jem J

For showing Care for Self and Others. Thank you Jem for the mature, caring, empathetic and methodical way you worked with your collaborative Research team to edit and prood read the finished slide show. You shower wonderful leadership skills in a very respectful manner. Great work Jem.

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5/6 B | Tully S

For showing Care for Self. Thank you Tully for your 'no-nonsense, give everything a go with a smile, help out anyone who needs it, get on and get the job done, and quietly and calmly self-umpire to make the most of every moment of your day', kind of attitude you demonstrate at all times! You are awesome!

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5/6 B | Gardeners of the day- Malakai C and Xander K-M

For the focused harvesting of the 4kg of broad beans.

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5/6 B | Cooks of the day- Malakai C and Lincon V

For their co-operative and 'on task' efforts in the kitchen.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...