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Thursday March 10th
Friday March 18th
National Day of Action Against Bullying AND Violence. Students are encouraged to wear orange clothing to school.
Parent Teacher meet and greets. See XUNO.
Last day of term. 2:30pm dismissal.
COVID SAFETY
At school we continue to promote and encourage:
- washing hands
- mask wearing (Staff, visitors and students Year 3-6)
- physical distancing
- rapid antigen testing
- Outdoors when practical
- Air purifiers indoors
FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
Free rapid antigen tests are available for the rest of Term 1 2022. We have plenty of kits at school for all families. Testing is strongly recommended twice a week for students and staff.
After doing the tests at home, if it is positive, you will need to:
- let the school know
- keep your child at home for 7 days
- contact the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.
A video about RAT testing in many different languages, is available online.
GETTING VACCINATED
Parents and carers must have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or have a medical exception (with limited exceptions) to enter school buildings.
All staff working in schools need to be fully vaccinated or have a verified medical exception.
If a teacher gets COVID-19, we will bring in extra teachers and other staff if we need them.
COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for students to attend school, but vaccination for students is recommended.
For more information on how to book a vaccination, including important information about vaccination for children aged 5 to 11, refer to Vaccination information for children and teenagers.
Feel free to contact us to clarify any concerns you may have. winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au .
STUDENT WELLBEING
Today the wellbeing sub-committee met for the first time this year. We talked about a new series of modules from Stride Education – Supported Friends Program. The program is focussed on:
- My relationship with myself
- My social Self
- My online self
The learning modules will be delivered in Term 2 and include getting to know me, communication skills, speaking up for myself, my online self and conflict resolution.
There will be a parent information Zoom session prior to course commencing.
We will continue to implement the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support framework this year and the acknowledgement system class dojos and Golden Feathers is already up and running. Rewards can be redeemed on Wednesdays.
We spoke about offering parent forums after school hours. Cyber safety and personal safety have come up as potential presentations. We’d like to hear from you if there are any topics you’d like us to cover in a presentation format with guest speakers, and whether a face-to-face or online format is more popular. Please let us know your thoughts via this survey
MEET AND GREET PARENT/TEACHER DISCUSSION FACE-TO-FACE
We’re pleased to invite parents and carers to book a time to speak with teachers after school on Monday 21st March and Tuesday 22nd March via Xuno. We encourage you to complete the questionnaire that was sent home recently to update your child’s teacher.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE - FRIDAY 18TH MARCH
The theme for 2022 is Kindness Culture. By building Kindness Culture together, we can promote inclusion, respect and community belonging for all students in schools across Australia. Winters Flat will celebrate the day and will be encouraging everyone to wear orange.
BIRTHDAYS
Roza – 8 in the third week of March
Freya B – 9 in the third week of March
Frankie G – 11 in the third week of March
Neve - 12 in the fourth week of March
Iris - 12 in the fourth week of March
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
SCHOOL COUNCIL 2022 – NOMINATIONS CLOSE TODAY 4:00PM
The AGM is next Tuesday, the 15th of March.
Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal.
Grade 3/4 camp next week – 15th & 16th March
The grade 3/4 camp is fast approaching, please ensure that you have your permission and medical forms completed and returned to the office. We ask that you complete a Rapid Antigen test the night before camp so as we can ensure everyone’s health and safety while on camp. If you have not picked up your RAT tests yet, these are available from the office.
Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet
We are holding our teacher/parent meet and greet to discuss your child’s progress so far this year and address any concerns that you may have. The dates for these meetings will be Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd March from 3.30 pm until 6.00pm each night. You will be able to access these appointment times via Xuno, Covid safe measures will be in place and parents/carers will need to be vaccinated to participate in these sessions. If you have not accessed your Xuno account please contact the office and we can sort that for you.
Swimming – 21st – 25th March
The swimming program will commence from the 21st March and will run all week. The buses will leave Winters Flat at 10.30 am and return approximately around 2.30 pm. Students will need their bathers and towel every day. They will also need their snacks and lunch as they will be arriving back at school after the lunch break has ended. Please note that if you order Sushi for Friday then they will not get it eat it until 2.30 pm on that day when they return to school. If you have not completed the permission form please do so either via Xuno or obtain a printed copy from the office. You will also need to complete the online questionnaire about your child’s swimming ability below, if you need assistance with this please come into the office and we can complete it with you.
School Photos – Tuesday 5th April
Photos are happening in the last week of Term. You will receive more information 2 weeks prior to photo day. There will be various packages available. We are using the same photographers that we used last year “The School Photographer” who delivered a refreshing change of style for the class photos.
Last day of Term – 8th April
On the last day of term school will finish at 2.30 pm. Please ensure that you have arrangements in place for your child/ren if you are unable to pick them up yourself.
Get Active Vouchers
The Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and active recreation activities. Eligible children may receive up to $200 to cover the costs for membership and registration fees.
Children must be aged 0 to 18 and named on a valid and issued Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare card to be eligible. See the Get Active Victoria website for information on how to apply.
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.
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.
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.
SAKG Laundry Roster
If you are able to help with the SAKG laundry, please contact us in the office.
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/
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
Hi everyone,
School Fun Run is Tomorrow Thursday 10th March at 9.10am.
Whole school participation
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Castlemaine District CC is Thursday 31st March
11,12, 13 yrs from 10am until midday
8,9,10 from midday until 2pm
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AFL clinics
We had Eliza take clinics in PE in week 4.
They were awesome and we all had fun.
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Sprinting Clinic
In week 4 we also had Athletes from around Australia take us for Sprinting. We learnt good technique tips and all had a go.
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Sam
P.E/Classroom teacher
NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...
What we're cooking in the kitchen this week...
Gnocchi with basil pesto
Zucchini and carrot croquettes with tartare sauce
Wheat tortillas
Herb pilaf
Toffee apple Pudding or Late Summer Plum Cake with ice cream
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Remember, all our recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.
Chefs of the Day
23W - Tanmay & Angus. Special shoutout to Raph for volunteering to stay in at lunch and help me finish cleaning.
46B - Zahyra, Eisa & Aurora
46L - Levi J & Nerri
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.
What we're picking from the Garden...
Oregano
Parsley
Mint
Rosemary
Kale
Rainbow Chard
Apples - Gravenstein & Eagle Star
Plums
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Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
Castlemaine Gift
There was a great turnout of Winters Flat students at the Castlemaine Gift on the 27th of February. The following students all put in fantastic effort in their heats: Aurora, Indi, Nova, Freya B, Seth, Ash, Chase, Ava G, Sam G, Lucinda, Ava M, Eisa, Arlo, Winter, Riva and Luca. Special mention to Aurora for winning her heat and racing in the finals.
Thanks to Bronwyn for the the great photos.
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Farmers Market BBQ Stall
Winters Flat has booked the BBQ stall at the Farmers Market on the 3rd of April. We are currently looking for a parent volunteer to coordinate the stall. This entails assisting with the planning and organisation of food quantities, and running the stall on the day with a roster of parent helpers.
Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer or have any questions.
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Parent craft group
Come and join our craft sessions, which will be held on the 17th and 31st of March 1:30-3:00pm. 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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International Women’s Day 2022
Happy International Women’s Day for Tuesday March 8th! The theme of this year’s IWD is ‘gender equality today, for a sustainable tomorrow’. So what do young women in the Loddon-Mallee think gender equality looks like? Watch here for some awesome responses put together by Women’s Health Loddon-Mallee: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAGQc5nTp89ugnuErQ2XHxw
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ABC Anxiety Project
ABC News explores the issue of anxiety by speaking with Australians who experience it, examining the risk factors and talking to experts about how to minimise the impact on everyday life. This project covers topics such as social media’s impact on mental health and anxiety, as well as looking into why anxiety is on the rise in young people. Check out the engaging videos being uploaded weekly: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/anxiety-project
Dealing with Disturbing Online Content
Try as you might to filter out inappropriate content on the devices your children use, there's no escaping confronting or inappropriate content in today's internet-saturated world. Unfortunately it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when'. So what can you do as a parent when your kid comes across something really inappropriate — and you're worried it could actually cause harm?
Check out this crucial information and ideas on having tricky conversations with you child:
https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/what-to-do-if-your-child-sees-something-disturbing-online/10915842
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 to discuss any concerns you have about your child’s mental health and wellbeing.
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Hannah O'Keefe
Wellbeing
NEWS | 2021 Castlemaine Junior Poetry Prize
The long awaited awards ceremony for the 2021 Castlemaine Junior Poetry Prize was held on the weekend.
Congratulations to the following students who received awards for their work: Ava G, Kaelyn, Jimmy, Sullivan, Briscoe & Cohen.
Fantastic to see Winters Flat well represented. Well done to all!