It’s been a great start for the preps at Winters Flat this week. We have enjoyed getting to know new friends and learning our way around the school. Our days are very busy! We have started learning a letter a day as part of our phonics program. We had lots of fun making ants yesterday for the letter ‘a’.

Wednesday February 15th

• No Preps at school

Wednesday February 22nd

• No Preps at school

Tuesday 21st February 

• Meet & Greet for parents & students - 3.30 - 6.00 pm
• School Council onsite 7.00 pm 

Thursday 2nd March (To be confirmed) 

• Welcome to Country and welcome back family picnic - 4.00 pm onwards

Monday March 13th

• Labour Day public holiday - no students at school

Friday 17th March 

• Bulb Fundraiser due back

Monday March 20th - Friday March 24th

• Whole school swimming lesson week - info will be sent home in the coming weeks

Friday March 24th - Sunday 9th April

• Castlemaine State Festival

Friday April 6th

• Last day of Term 1 - 2:30pm finish

2023 – YEAR OF THE WATER RABBIT

We’ve had a great start to the 2023 school year and it was lovely to welcome our new and returning students last week.

On Monday we had our first assembly where we will regularly gather as a whole school for the purpose of connecting with each other, meeting new people and celebrating achievements. Assembly is a place to show kindness and respect to each other and have fun together.

Please take the time to read the newsletter - it contains useful information and news of the happenings around our school

SCHOOL LEADERS 2023

We had eight outstanding candidates for school captain, who pitched their election speech to students and staff in the last week of term. We are thrilled to have all of those eight students in leadership roles this year. We are happy to announce the following:

• Captains: Evie O’ and Sam G
• Vice-Captains: Indiana and Georgie 

• Care for Self Leaders: Chase, Nova , Eisa, Lola
• Care for Others Leaders: Stanley, Jaya, Lucinda, Angus N
• Care for the Environment Leaders: Riva, Tanmay, Ava M, Ginger R, Evie M & Aurora AF
• SWPBS Leaders: Noah, Raph, Jimmy, Leto, Saskia C

 Well done to all the students in Years 3-6 who nominated.

PRIVACY POLICY

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website under school policies https://www.winters-flat-ps.vic.edu.au.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. 

SAFER INTERNET DAY

Yesterday we participated in Safer Internet Day with age-appropriate activities for all students in Years 1-6, including a live webinar at 9:30am for 3-6 led by Keenan.  This was followed by class-based activities where students worked through the school's internet safety agreement.

There are many useful resources for families on the eCommisioner's website including webinars and videos.

We will continue to promote online safety throughout the year.

Please contact me directly Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au if you would like us to organise a cyber-safety parent information forum this year and whether you would prefer onsite or online. 

STAFFING 2023

FOOD IS FUEL

A reminder please to ensure your children have enough to eat at school. We suggest some fruit for 10.00am Munch and Crunch, a healthy snack which includes carbs for 11.00am and a balanced healthy lunch for 1.25pm. Some ideas at 50 Fun School lunch ideas.

COMMITTEES, VOLUNTEERS AND SCHOOL COUNCIL

This year we are once again inviting parents and carers to consider joining one of the School Council sub-committees here at Winters Flat. Thank you to those who have already signed up. We have vacancies in:

• 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 involving our community and the wider Castlemaine community in school life, as well as promoting our school
• 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

If you have an interest in joining any of these committees please use the volunteer form in the Office section of this Newsletter, email winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone: 5472 1522. It is not necessary to be on council to participate. Thanks to those who have already expressed interest. We will send out a meeting schedule as soon as possible. School Council elections will be held in March and there are a number of vacancies for parents/carers.

Volunteers are welcome in every classroom as well as the Kitchen/Garden and specialist areas. If you have the time and inclination, please let us know, Volunteers at school need to have a current Working with Children Check.

BIRTHDAYS

Finchley - 9 in the first week of January
Rupert - 6 in the first week of January
Moss - 8 in the first week of January
James - 9 in the second week of January
Nova - 9 in the second week of January
Teddy - 5 in the fourth week of January
Levi – 12 in the fourth week of January
Stanley – 12 in the fourth week of January
Willow M - 6 in the fourth week of January
Riva – 11 in the fourth week of January
Dylan - 6 in the fourth week of January
Velvet - 6 in the last week of January
Simone – in the first week of January

Tate - 5 in the first week of February
Savannah 6 in the first week of February
Ava G – 9 in the first week of February
Kitty- in the first week of February

Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip

COVID BACK TO SCHOOL PROCEDURES

With the return of students to classroom learning at school we promote the following advice.

We will make sure your child is as safe as possible and will focus on:

• washing hands
• mask wearing – recommended but not mandatory
• physical distancing
• rapid antigen testing
• Outdoors when practical
• Air purifiers indoors

Free rapid antigen tests

Free rapid antigen tests are available from the office.

Testing is strongly recommended for students and staff who are symptomatic.

After doing the tests at home, if it is positive, you are advised 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.

Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal

Welcome back to Term 1 and a special welcome to new families to the school. The office is your first point of call when you have questions. Karen Mahoney is the business manager and works full time in the office. Kitty Ward is administration support and works Monday and Wednesday.

School Times

Our school day starts at 8.55 am and finishes at 3.15pm.  Please be aware that staff supervision at the beginning of the day starts at 8.40 am.  Our new Out of school Hours Care will begin on the 6th March and parents are encourged to make use of this service when it commences for out of school hours care.  

Bell Times:

8.55 - 10.55

Recess: 10.55-11.25

11.25 - 1.25 pm

Lunch 1.25-2.15

2.15 - 3.15 end of day

Winters Flat OSH Club opening soon!

We are so excited to announce that the OSH club for before and after school care will be opening on the 6th March 2023.

Enrolments and bookings are now open.  We encourge all families to enrol even if they think they might not use the service.  There might be times when you are stuck or the car breaks down and if you are enrolled your child could go into after school care.  It costs nothing to enrol.  Childcare is heavily rebated by the government so you may not have to pay as much as you think.  Please see below for more information regarding rebates.

All families earning up to $351,248 a year are eligible to the Child Care Subsidy which covers up to 85% of the cost of care, with parents only charged the gap fee. Many families believe that you must be a healthcare card holder (or similar) to be eligible, but this is far from the case, with the majority of out of pocket costs covered by the CCS rebate.

 Here is the link for eligibility to CCS:

https://www.education.gov.au/child-care-package/child-care-subsidy/family-eligibility-and-entitlement

 To enrol please go to oshclub.com.au

Parent/Carer/Student/Teacher meet and greet

On Tuesday 21st February there will be a parent/carer/student/teacher meet and greet so as parents/carers can get the chance to meet their child's teacher and discuss their learning goals for the year.  There will be appointment times of 15 minutes per student which will be available on Xuno tomorrow.  The appointment times will run from 3.30pm until 6.00pm.  If you are unable to access Xuno please contact the office.

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.

.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.

 .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.

Mobile Phone Policy

If students need to bring their mobile phones/ipads to school it is department policy that they must be handed into the office at the beginning of the day when your child first arrives at school and collected at the end of the day.  These are stored in a locked safe in the office.  

.Volunteers for 2023

It is compulsory for hats to be worn until the end of May. We keep a supply of hats at the office to purchase for $14. 
Other uniform items can be purchased at the Beleza shop in town 207 Barker Street on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 10am to 5pm and Saturday mornings from 10 am til 1.00pm. We also carry some second hand items that can be purchased from the office.

.A Message from your School Crossing Supervisors

Welcome back to a new school year.  Here a just a few reminders about how and when to use the school crossing –

• ALWAYS cross at the crossing when the flags are displayed
• ALWAYS stand behind the white line and wait for the Supervisor to blow 2 whistle blasts before crossing
• DO NOT ride bikes, scooters or skateboards across the crossing
• ALWAYS be alert and listen to what your Crossing Supervisor says
• ALWAYS park your car legally
• BEFORE you cross – STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK

Sushi on Fridays

We are continuing Sushi on Fridays again this year. Here is a reminder of the steps you need to do to order Sushi.

1. Go to www.schoollunchonline.com.au to register your family
2. Choose ‘My orders’ and select ‘Create order‘
3. Select the date of the Friday you wish to order for
4. Add items to order by clicking on the ‘tick’
5. Select ‘add to bag’
6. Review order and check it is all correct, then click ‘next’
7. Choose how you want to pay and then select ‘submit’

      *Update your billing details under the tab ‘my account’

*Pay as you go or top up your account regularly

*No minimum order or long term commitment

*Order ahead up to any time within the current term

Orders need to be made by 5pm on Thursday to ensure order is placed for Sushi at lunchtime on Friday.

.XUNO

If any families are having issues with logging onto XUNO, or trouble navigating the app, please contact the office.

Currently, the app gives you access to: 

• Messages (send and receive messages to your child’s teachers)
• Timetable
• Calendar
• News
• Attendance (to add a reason for an absence on the day of absence, or to provide a reason for previous absences)
• Events, Camps & Excursions (and the ability to approve events)
• Payments (to pay for any camps/excursions)
• Parent Teacher Interview Bookings (ability to book)

We encourage all families to be regularly logging into XUNO, either via the website or the app.  Please see instructions attached.

Music - Woodwind 

My name is Lina and I’m a parent at the school. I’m offering weekly half-hour group woodwind classes (flute & clarinet). I have a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and seven years of instrumental music teaching experience. The cost is $15 per student per session. Some rental instruments will be available. If your child/children are keen to learn great songs on a fun instrument, please get in contact with me at karolinacutler@gmail.com or 0479161124.

.

.

Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

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

• Garlic bread
• Tzatziki
• Hummus
• Pesto Pasta
• Zucchini and Parmesan Salad
• Rhubarb and Lemon Muffins

Chefs of the week:

4/5C: Ava M - for taking the lead and making sure everything got done

           Archie & Lola - for a fantastic clean up 

5/6B: Levi, Noah, Abel 

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

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 have a valid Working With Children Check.  Please contact the Karen or Kitty in the office if you would like to volunteer. 

Gardeners of the week:

4/5C: Leto 

5/6B:  Levi 

Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Hello Winters Flat Primary School Community,

Last week I sent out an email describing who I am and how I may be able to support your child at school. In February my work hours are Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30-2:30 and Thursdays from 8:30-4:30. Write me an email (hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au) or give me a call via the school office or on 0475 800 377.

Below are some resources I have shared before but believe are highly relevant and useful for parents about common issues within families.

 Wellbeing Resources for Parents

The Australian Government has funded an excellent resource for schools. Here I have included the page for parents where you can find information and advice about important topics like bullying, online safety, communicating with your child and the school, and much more.

https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/parents/

Screen Time

This is a handy resource for families wanting to tackle the very tricky topic of screen time. Many of us struggle to balance the amount of screen time our children have. This is a great resource to get the conversation started and has some practical advice about a family media plan.

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/play-media-technology/screen-time-healthy-screen-use/healthy-screen-time-6-11-years

Mental Health Checklist for children aged 6-12

This checklist aims to measure a broad range of social, emotional or behavioural difficulties your child may be experiencing. It's suitable for kids aged four to 16. The questions relate to how your child has been thinking, feeling and behaving in general. Your responses provide you with a score. The higher your score, the more likely your child is experiencing a problem that would benefit from professional support. Based on your score, you are provided with some guidance for seeking further support.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/child-mental-health-checklist

 Hugely important to us as educators, carers and parents is encouraging our children and students to seek help. Promoting help-seeking behaviour is crucial if we want to assist our children to work through any challenges they are facing. It can be hard to ask for help but it is important that your child knows that it is okay. Encourage help seeking in your child by:

• asking how things are going
• letting them know it’s okay if they are feeling sad or frustrated
• listening without judgement when they seek out your support
• providing children with a range of information about where to get help if they need it.

For more information on how to promote help seeking in children, please see the following:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/family-health/Pages/your-childs-wellbeing.aspx

https://schools.au.reachout.com/articles/breaking-down-barriers-to-help-seeking

 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

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.

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.

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

Hannah O'Keefe

Well-being support

Please support our Tessler Bulb Fundraiser

We are having a bulb fundraiser to kick off our fundraising this year.  All families will have received an order form .  If would be great if you could get family and friends to order some bulbs.  Everything is ordered online and there will be instructions with your order form.  The closing date for the bulb fundraiser will be 17th March.  This will allow the bulbs to delivered before the next school holidays.  Happy gardening!