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JUST BRASS - BLOWING OUR OWN TRUMPETS
Last year we celebrated becoming a Just Brass school in partnership with the Salvation Army, Castlemaine. The program is once again being offered to students in Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6. Individual and group tuition, instruments, tuition books and music stands are made available at no cost to students. A variety of instruments are on offer.
There will also be opportunities for students to connect with students from other schools as they gather for weekly band practice.
“There is an increasing body of research that highlights the value of learning a musical instrument and participating in a music group. Not only does music improve the capacity of children and young people to connect to school, it also improves academic outcomes.”
For more information contact: Dean Curtis 0408 417 877
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HATS?
We take the Sunsmart message seriously so during the peak exposure time for sunlight from October – May we encourage every child to wear a hat when they’re outside for learning, games, and breaks. We seem to have a shortage of the recommended Sunsmart broad-brimmed hats at present.
If you have any spare Winters Flat hats at home, please send them to school. They will be well received.
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SCHOOL COUNCIL, COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTEERS
Nomination forms are now available from the office for the 2022 Winters Flat School Council. There are three parent/carer positions available and one DET positions. This is a great way to get more involved in our school. This year we meet at 7:00pm on the third Tuesday of the month and we will alternate our meetings between on-site and Webex. The next School Council and AGM is at school on Tuesday 15th March. School Council nominations are open now with three vacancies for parents/carers. Nominations close on Wednesday 9th March. We’d love you to join us this year.
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Being a member of school council has given me the chance to contribute to how we grow and learn in our wonderful school. It is a great chance to get to know and work with other members of the school council including the principal, teachers and parents/carers. It's one meeting a month, which lasts for a maximum of 1.5 hours (so no endless meetings!). I recommend joining! Helen Kaptein
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A reminder that we are once again inviting parents and carers to consider joining one of the sub-committees here at Winters Flat. Thank you to those who have already signed up.
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Anyone in our school community is welcome to join the following committees:
- Buildings and Grounds – manages grounds of the school and identifies building maintenance issues
- Fundraising – organises and coordinates fund raising opportunities
- School Community engagement – looks for ways of connecting and involving our community and the wider Castlemaine community in school life, as well as promoting our school and encouraging new enrolments
- Sustainability – supports the ResourceSmart 5 Star rating through daily school routines, leadership, curriculum and innovation.
- Wellbeing – promotes health, mental, social and emotional wellbeing in our community with students, staff and parents
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If you have an interest in joining any of these committees please complete the attached Volunteers form, email winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au or drop the form into office. There are hard copies available near the blackboard at the front of the school. Thanks to those who have already expressed interest. We will send out a meeting schedule as soon as possible.
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Volunteers are welcome in every classroom as well as the Kitchen/Garden and specialist. If you have the time and inclination, please let us know. Requirements include a Working with Children Check and full COVID vaccination.
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The role of Class Rep is one you might also like to consider. It’s a way to connect the families of your child’s class with each other, to organise social events as well as posting reminders about class and school events.
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Another opportunity to get involved is joining in with working bees. We usually gather on a designated Sunday morning for two hours, for targeted jobs on our ‘to do’ list. Watch this space for the opportunity join in and as one student described: “get together to help the school.”
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BIRTHDAYS
Marg - in the third week of February
Jamie – 12 in the fourth week of February
Rex – 8 in the fourth week of February
Perryn - 8 in the first week of March
Daisy – 12 in the first week of March
Zahyra – 11 in the first week of March
Eddie – 6 in the second week of March
Heidi - 7 in the second week of March
Sam G – 11 in the second week of March
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
Grade 3/4 Camp – 15th & 16th March
Permission forms and general information will be sent home tomorrow for the Grade 3/4 camp to Sovereign Hill. The cost of the camp will be $220 which includes all meals, accommodation, transport, activities and the sound and light show at night. If you have any further questions about this camp please contact the office.
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Swimming Program – 21st – 25th March 2022
Dear Parent/Guardian, We are using a new swim school in Kangaroo Flat - the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre. All year levels will take part in the program and it will commence on Monday 21st March and continue everyday of that week. Students will need their bathers, towel, and goggles every day. A permission form will be available on Xuno and printed copies will be available at the office. The cost of the program is $33.50 for the bus only for the week. Also please complete the Home level assessment via the link below. This is very important for the swim school to be able to assess the groupings of your child/children.
To ensure minimal time is used assessing and grouping students on the first day of the program, please complete the following form by Friday March 4 2022. This will assist us to place your child in the correct level and group prior to the commencement of the program. If you have any questions regarding the program please don’t hesitate to contact the Gurri Wanyarra's Swim School team on 4431 1000.
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Student lunches
Because lunch time is relatively late in the day, students may require extra food in their lunchboxes to sustain them. We suggest extra fruit and raw vegetables but also some food that will fill their tummies and keep them energised and ready to learn for the whole day. Recess food might include yoghurt, crackers and cheese/dips, even a sandwich.
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Sushi on Fridays
Please check that your child has their 2022 class listed when ordering.
Order online at www.schoollunchonline.com.au
Orders need to be made by 5pm on Thursday to ensure order is placed for Sushi at lunchtime on Friday.
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Volunteers for 2022
If you wish to be put on the list to help with volunteering with a range of tasks, please fill out this form. Paper forms are also available from the office.
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Parent class reps for 2022
We are currently seeking parent class representitives for each class, please fill out the form here if you are interested.
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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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The Federal Election – May 2022
The Australian Electoral Commission is looking for people to help out at the May federal election. These are paid positions. If you are interested please contact AEC https://www.aec.gov.au/employment/working-at-elections/
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Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
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If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
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The annual CSEF amount per student is:
- $125 for primary school students
- $225 for secondary school students
- New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website below.
- If you applied for CSEF at your child's school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
- You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
- new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools this year.
- changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.
Check with the school office if you are unsure.
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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
Parkrun
There is a group of Winters Flat Parents participating in the Castlemaine Parkrun each Saturday morning and would love to see more Winters Flat parents join in on the fun. They meet at 8am at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and welcome all levels of fitness. More information can be found on the the Castlemaine Parkrun website.
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Parent craft group
Come and join our craft sessions, which will be resuming in the coming weeks. Everyone is welcome - parents and family, special people, friends in the community.
Our main objective is to make goodies for our stalls throughout the year and our Twilight Fair. The added bonus is you get to chat, drink tea, and eat cake with other members of our wonderful Winters Flat community.
All skill levels and ideas are embraced.
Any questions, contact Lisa Kearns 0415 131 350.
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Winters Flat social media
Keep up with what's happening at our school on our Instagram or Facebook pages. We regularly share what the children have been cooking in the kitchen & growing in the garden, along with events, awards and much more.
NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...
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What we're cooking in the kitchen this week...
Potato and rosemary pizza.
Soft taco shells with chilli non carne and sour cream.
Garden salad.
Hot chips with homemade tomato sauce.
Apple crumble and ice cream for dessert.
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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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Kitchen volunteers
We would love some kitchen helpers in our cooking classes. They are held fortnightly on Mondays (even weeks), and every Wednesday, between 11:25am & 1:25pm.
What you can expect from a class: Students work in six groups to make six different dishes. Once a group finishes their dish, they clean up their bench, do dishes, and set the tables. Around 1:00pm, we all sit down together and share the meal.
Volunteers will need to sign in via the visitors log in the office and show their WWCC and Vaccination Certificate. Please contact the Karen or Kitty in the office if you would like to volunteer.
Rosie
What we're picking from the Garden...
Apples
Basil
Parsley
Thyme
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Oregano
Mint
Would your child like to learn a Brass instrument?
The Just Brass program, operated by the Salvation Army gives 1-on-1 teaching to students during school hours, and a junior band to play in, after school on Mondays. Transport is provided after school to the Salvo Hall in Kennedy St, where a healthy afternoon tea is provided before band practice, then your child can be picked up from there at 5pm.
Children from grades 4, 5, and 6 will be welcomed.
Each child is loaned an instrument, a music book and satchel, and a music stand.
Instructors are qualified and vetted (and triple jabbed).
Want to learn more?
Go to https://salvationarmy.org.au/justbrass.
OR ring Dean Curtis on 0408 417 877 for your Registration Form, or to ask questions.
OR, come to the Salvos on Monday 28th Feb at 7pm, for the annual Launch Night. On that night, there will be presentations on how the program operates and benefits your child, a piece played by the current members of the Just Brass band, and a couple of pieces by Brasslemaine, There will be instruments available there to try. We aim to finish by 8:15 (school night). There will be supper (hot chocolate etc) over which you can ask questions. You can either take away a Registration Form, or fill it out and hand it in straight away.
If you are interested, but can’t make it on the night, call me, and we can work out how to get together. 0408 417 877.
Hello Winters Flat Community,
What an awesome start to the year we have had! Here is a snap-shot of the wonderful things the classes are doing to promote student wellbeing.
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P1J
During the first few weeks, the Preps and Grade Ones are taking time to get to know each other by sharing what pets they have, their favourite things, their families, their likes and dislikes.
After play times the class as a whole reflects on who they played with and where, what went well etc. During class time they have brain breaks to stay energised and have fun as well as work inside and outside every day. In addition, they rest and relax and read after lunch for 15 minutes.
P1J also do the Cobbers Program and Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships content weekly.
Fiona reads books to the class and guides discussions to teacher perspective taking and empathy asking how the characters are feeling, what are they thinking, what would that feel like, etc.
Finally, they end the day by sharing “what went well today?”
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23W
23W is focussing on interpersonal skills that can often be forgotten in a busy classroom but are crucial to a harmonious and friendly learning place. Helen has been getting students to unpack what ‘speaking kindly’ actually means and linking this with taking ‘personal responsibility’ for one’s actions, words and belongings.
23W will soon be discussing the term ‘catastrophising’ by reflecting on how this thinking can get in the way of otherwise positive learning opportunities.
Michelle, who teaches 23W on Wednesdays, chatted with students about being their best selves which included reading a book called, ‘The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be’. The story is about being our true selves and accepting differences . Students then decorated a template of hot air balloons (the different designs were used as a metaphor in the book of how beautiful it is to be different).
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456L
For 456L, students are unpacking the term ‘identity’ and what that means for them as individuals who are growing into young adults. Keenan is also helping students to think about Self-talk, a crucial part of one’s identity. Self-talk is basically your inner voice, the voice in your mind that says the things you don’t necessarily say out loud. We often don’t even realise that this running commentary is going on in the background, but our self-talk can have a big influence on how we feel about who we are.
LOCAL WELLBEING AWESOMENESS
On Castlemaine’s MaineFM, is a program called Mind Ya Head, presented by Gen Ward. Mind Ya Head is a show that seeks to raise awareness and conversations about looking after your mental health. Gen talks with local experts who bring tips and strategies to managing your mental health as well as sharing their personal stories. The show airs on Wednesdays between 9-10am.
A new public artwork featuring the Progress Pride Flag has been unveiled on the forecourt of the Bendigo Town Hall at the top of Bull Street as a symbol of the City of Greater Bendigo’s support for the local LGBTQIA+ community. The new artwork was installed on Sunday in plenty of time for the Bendigo Pride Festival which takes place from March 18 to April 3, 2022. Find out more here: https://bendigopridefestival.com.au/
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The mental health support system is under immense pressure. If you are having trouble accessing any services please contact me on hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au. I am available for a chat/meeting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9:15 and 2:15.
By far the best service you can contact if your child is experiencing a mental health crisis is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). They 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
The following list is a comprehensive directory of mental health support services, including out of hours support. (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
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.
Child Protection (5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays) For children and young people whose safety is at risk Call 13 12 78
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.
Men’s Referral Service (8am to 9pm Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday). For people at risk of using family violence. Free, confidential, expert support for men and their family and friends. Call 1300 766 491
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 (LGBTQI) 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).
Safe Steps (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For women and children who are victims of family violence. Web chat support service Monday to Friday 9am until midnight. Call 1800 015 188
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For victims of sexual assault. Call 1800 806 292
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.
With Respect (5pm to 11pm each Wednesday and 10am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday) Specialist LGBTIQ family violence service. Call 1800 542 847
Victims of Crime Helpline (8am to 11pm, 7 days a week) For adult male victims of family violence and victims of violent crime. Call 1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891
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.
If you feel that the stress or anxiety you or your family members are experiencing is getting too much, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists are highly trained and qualified professionals skilled in providing effective interventions for a range of mental health concerns, including stress. A psychologist can help you manage your stress and anxiety using techniques based on the best available research. If you are referred to a psychologist by your GP, you might be eligible for a Medicare rebate. You may also be eligible to receive psychology services via telehealth so that you do not need to travel to see a psychologist. Ask your psychologist or GP for details.
There are number of ways to access a psychologist.
You can:
- use the Australia-wide Find a PsychologistTM service. Go to findapsychologist.org.au or call 1800 333 497
- ask your GP or another health professional to refer you.
- Investigate other mental health services, including domestic violence services via the link: https://mhaustralia.org/need-help