Thursday 23rd February

• Parent & Teacher meet & greet sessions after school - book through XUNO

Thursday 2nd March 

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

Sunday March 12th

• Working Bee - 9:30am – 11:30am

Monday March 13th

• Labour Day public holiday - no students at school

Friday 17th March 

• Bulb Fundraiser orders 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 31st March

• School photo day 

Thursday 6th April

• Last day of Term 1 - Students to be picked up at 2.30

2023 – WELCOME TO COUNTRY SCHOOL LEADERS CEREMONY AND PICNIC

Our Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony has been booked for Thursday 2^nd March at 4:00pm. Uncle Rick will perform the Welcome and Smoking Ceremony, followed by the presentation of Leader badges. We will then host the back-to-school welcome picnic. Families are encouraged to b.y.o. picnic and drinks. There will also be vanilla ice cream cones available, please complete the survey sent out in an email today, or find it in the office section of this newsletter.

Please note the following students were also elected leaders:

• Care for Self: Arlo
• Care for Others: Freya

WORKING BEE (AKA LET’S GET TOGETHER AND HELP THE SCHOOL)

Minor repairs and weeding are the main items on the “to do” list. Following a walk around Buildings and Grounds meeting on Friday, we decided that with no urgent jobs we will schedule a working bee for Sunday 12th March from 9:30am – 11:30am. More information to come.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING IN ROBERTS AVENUE

We had a visit from Leading Senior Constable Wayne Cairnes at pick-up time last Wednesday. He and his partner came to observe the conditions in Roberts Avenue following complaints from parents about traffic and parking at drop-off and pick-up times. He asked me to remind all families about putting the safety of children first when driving and parking around the school. We continue to recommend the Douglas Crescent circuit. Cars turn left at the top follow the circuit around and can then drop children and collect safely on the school side of the road. There is no official school crossing at the front of the school and discussions about safer options at a local council level are ongoing.

SAFER INTERNET PARENT FORUM

Recently we celebrated Safer Internet Day and I invited parents to contact me directly Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au if you would like us to organise an online or face to face information session for parents to assist in internet safety for our children. Please let me know if you are interested and we will organise a presenter.

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 complete the attached Volunteers form, 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 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

Lenny - 8 in the second week of February

Isobel – 8 in the second week of February

Sid - 11 in the second week of February

Marg - in the third week of February

Odetta – 9 in the fourth week of February

Rex - 9 in the fourth week of February

Perryn - 9 in the first week of March

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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.

Parent/Carer/Teacher Meet & Greet - Thursday 23rd February

The first parent/carer/teacher meet and greet was held last night.  If you missed out on booking an appointment with your child's teacher there is Thursday night scheduled also.  Please book through Xuno or call the office.

Welcome to Country

To help us celebrate the beginning of the 2023 school year and our 2023 Student Leaders, we will be offering vanilla ice cream cones for the students and siblings at the Welcome to Country picnic on Thursday the 2nd of March at 4pm. To assist with ordering, please indicate how many ice creams your family would like. Please complete this survey by 3pm Friday the 24th of February. 

Swimming Program - 20th - 24th March

Our whole school swimming program will commence from the 20th March.  Your child will need their bathers, towel, snacks, hat and water bottle every day of that week.  Also to gauge your child's swimming abilities the Gurri Wanyarra pool need parents/carers to complete a short survey designed to place your child in the right swimming level for their ability.  Please complete this survey by Monday the 6th of March.

Winters Flat Primary School Swimming Assessment

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.

 .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.

Hats and uniforms

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.

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Voluntary Parent Payments

The voluntary parent payments have been published on Xuno.  There are also printed copies of these voluntary fees at the office.  If you want to pay any of these voluntary payments you can do so in the following ways:

• Directly through Xuno
• Eftpos at the office
• Directly into the schools bank account

If you have any queries regarding these payments please contact the office.

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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.

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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.

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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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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

PJ

Teddy - Care for Others

Velvet - Right Place, Right Time

1/2W

Jamie - Care for Self

Odessa - Care for Environment

3/4H

Louisa - Care for Environment

James - Care for Self & Care for Others

4/5C

Ash - Care for Others

Ginger - Care for the Environment

5/6 B

Riva - Care for Others

Aurora - Care for Others

Last Tuesday we were visited by the Crossing supervisors who showed us how to cross the road safely.  We all walked up to the Ray street crossing and practiced our new skills.

Hello from the School Crossing Team

Welcome back to a new school year!!  Here are the times for the School Crossings at your school Winters Flat Primary School.

Johnstone Street – 8.15am to 9.00am AND 3.15pm to 3.55pm

Ray Street – 8.20am to 9.00am AND 3.15pm to 3.55pm

Please ensure you use the school crossing when the flags are out and the Supervisor is present, it is the safest place to cross the road.  Please also ensure you follow the rules (wait for the 2 whistles before crossing, walk, don’t run across the crossing, walk bikes/scooters etc across the crossing, do not bounce balls across the crossing).

We’ve had a great start to the year in art, with all students learning about realist and surrealist portraits, as well as the use of colour to convey feelings. Everyone challenged themselves to complete fantastic Picasso-inspired portraits, that can be seen decorating the SLC, JLC and the library. 

We also began the term reading "Beautiful Oops", discussing how to embrace “mistakes” and using them to our advantage when creating art.

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

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

• Herb Bread Rolls
• Zucchini and Feta Rosti with Horseradish Sour Cream
• Salad of the Imagination 
• Summer Minestrone Soup
• Pear Crumble

Chefs of the week:

3/4H: Everyone

4/5C: Bonnie & Ava G

5/6B: Aurora, Freya, Luca & Atti

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 show their WWCC and Vaccination Certificate. Please contact the Karen or Kitty in the office if you would like to volunteer. 

Gardeners of the week:

3/4H: Loisa, Annabelle, James & Raph

4/5C: Ava M

5/6B: Levi

Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

AT SCHOOL

WELLBEING SPACES AT WINTERS FLAT

Mondays and Wednesdays

Kids’ Club happens at lunch times on Mondays and Wednesdays Karen’s room (in upper classrooms behind the front office). The space is designed to be a quiet place for students who need some time indoors to rest or play board games. All students are welcome and are encouraged to attend for some time out from the school yard. There are a number of crafts and board games.

Tuesdays  

The Library is open by Michelle on Tuesdays. Go to the library for some quiet time on the couches and cushions with a book.

The Winters Flat Ally Network runs every Tuesday lunch time in the Book Nook. The Ally Network was a concept set up in 2022 by some dedicated Grade 6s and has this year been taken on by the 2023 Grade 6s! The Ally Network is facilitated by Hannah and is a safe place for students who identify as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community and for their friends and allies. We play music, make craft from wool (rainbow ropes and twisties – so much fun!), colour and play card games.

Thursdays

Chess Club on Thursday lunchtimes in the Book Nook is run by long-time volunteer and teacher Harry. Harry’s passion in life is chess and he loves teaching it to any student who wants to learn the game for the first time or improve the skills they already have.

Fridays

Dancing on the Deck happens at Friday lunch time and is run by Fiona on the deck in between the upper classrooms and the office. This is a fun and energetic way to spend lunch time… and what better way than to have a dance!

Fun Game with Sam – Each Friday lunch time Sam, the PE teacher, runs a fun and inclusive game on the asphalt for students.

Other Wellbeing Spaces:

The Wellbeing Office is located in the Creek View building (opposite Jennifer’s 3 /4 classroom). From Hannah is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9:30 and 2:30 and also on Thursdays all day. Check-in with Hannah to see when she is available throughout the day. If she is not there, pop a note into the red letter box with your name on it and she’ll come and find you J

hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au

0475 800 377

Susanne Kinnersley’s Office is located behind the front office. Suzanne has 2 couches outside her office, a heap of fidgets and a listening ear for students who have a concern or need.

AT HOME

SENSORY FRIENDLY PARTY IDEAS

Kids with sensory processing issues have trouble taking in information from their senses. Some are oversensitive — bright lights, loud environments or scratchy clothing might easily overwhelm them. Others need a lot of sensory input to be comfortable — they may love intense movement, crashing into things or touching interesting textures.

Because they experience the world a little differently, kids with sensory issues are often uncomfortable in chaotic or unpredictable settings. Birthday parties are a classic example: lots of people, lots of noise, unfamiliar food, stimulating activities. For kids with sensory issues, all the excitement can quickly get overwhelming.

Here are some ideas for throwing inclusive, sensory-friendly parties that let everyone have fun in the ways that work for them:

• Provide information ahead of the party. Be creative in your invitations to include a miniature schedule of activities. When children with sensory sensitivities know what to expect, they can better prepare themselves ahead of time and know if there is an activity that they might rather opt out of. You can also ask parents of invitees to let you know if there are any particular sensory considerations you should be aware of.
• Avoid loud or unpredictable party gimics. This includes things like noisemakers or party poppers. Kids who are more sensitive to sensory input can be fearful of the balloon popping, which can make activities less comfortable for them.
• Create zones for different activities. Letting children move between activities helps them avoid getting overwhelmed. If you have something like music or dancing, have it in an area that is slightly separated from the other activities. And include a “quiet” or “chill out” room with pillows, books and simple crafts. Let all the kids know that if they need a break (no matter when or why), they’re welcome to relax there.
• Serve finger food. Having a variety of small, easy-to-eat foods lets kids enjoy what they like and easily avoid what they don’t.
• Make the birthday song optional. Include anyone who wants to sing, but don’t require everyone to join in. Some kids may find the sound of other kids singing aversive and a bit unbearable. It doesn’t mean that they don’t want to show their happiness for the birthday child’s special day — it’s really just that the singing hurts their ears in a way that it doesn’t others. Normalise letting kids choose what works for them, and offer clear alternatives: “Do you want to come to the table to sing, or would you like to tell Sally happy birthday a different way?”

(Taken from https://childmind.org/article/sensory-friendly-party-ideas/)

For more information on neurodiversity visit:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/neurodiversity-neurodivergence-guide-for-families

https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/supporting-children-neurodiversity

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