2020 VISIONS

We have 3 goals this year which are set out in our new School Strategic Plan.

Goal 1. To improve the learning growth of every student in literacy and numeracy

Writing is a focus in the Mt Alexander and Goldfields network of schools.  Teachers will be working together for collective improvement with shared opportunities for moderation and professional learning.

Through a formal partnership with Kangaroo Flat Primary school, teachers from both schools will be collaborating and learning together to improve maths outcomes.

Goal 2. Improve students' engagement in their learning

A new initiative this year is introducing inquiry learning from Prep to Year 6 to encourage students to be more curious. An inquiry approach should generate more questions than answers and encourage children to want to take action. Our inquiry approach is based on the IB PYP organising themes of:

• Who we are: An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
• Where we are in place and time: An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnections of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
• How we express ourselves: An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
• How the world works: An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
• How we organize ourselves: An inquiry into the interconnections of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
• Sharing the planet: An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

The 6 themes provide an organisational structure across the year which gives students the opportunity to experience the Victorian curriculum – the Humanities, Technology, Science, Literacy, Numeracy, French, the Arts, Health and Physical Education in an integrated, inquiry-based course of study. In the 4-6 weeks devoted to each unit they ask questions, seek answers and take action while developing Critical and Creative Thinking capabilities, Ethical capabilities, Intercultural capabilities and Personal and Social capabilities.

Goal 3. To improve student resilience and wellbeing

We’re always looking to improve our students’ sense of safety and connectedness to their school and their peers. The Care Crows: Care for Self, Others and Environment underpin our School-wide Positive Behaviour Support program and this year we have access to a coach from our regional office to build on our existing structures.

Other goals for our school vison which have been identified by students, parents and staff include:

• Beautifying the grounds and having a clean-up before the new buildings commence in March
• Showing leadership in our community around our Sustainable practices – we are working to maintain our 5 Star ResourceSmart Rating and we were the first central Victorian school to achieve this
• Building on our great community spirit with a focussed social event each term
• Continuing our social media strategy and going beyond our immediate community to promote our school – a hidden gem tucked away from the town centre
• Amplifying our students’ voice – and continuing to encourage them to take the lead in their learning
• Promoting our specialist programs: PE, Art, French, Performing Arts
• Encouraging parents to come in to our classrooms as volunteers and visiting experts – sharing skills and knowledge with our students
• Celebrating the opening of the new multi-purpose room and art room with a gala event
• Reaching out through programs like the Ellery House art project – our own version of old peoples home for 4 year olds
• Exploring ways to better utilise our amazing grounds
• Increasing play options to promote playfulness in and out of the classroom
• Making the most of our fabulous SAKG program
• Continuing to provide Chess with coach Harry Poulton to work towards the State championships in Term 4

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ANNUAL REMINDERS

Attendance

When your child is absent from school it is a Department of Education and Training requirement that a reason is provided for the absence.  You can notify us of the absence via the Schoolzine app, XUNO, email to the Winters Flat PS address, phone call or a note to the teacher.

Communication from school to home

Details of most school events and what’s happening at school are listed in Flat Chat, which comes out fortnightly in an even week. Our Weekly ‘Whats On’ email and Facebook post give a summary of the week ahead on Monday mornings.  If things come up unexpectedly, we will always put a post on Facebook and XUNO, and if necessary a note home.

Your child is a great source of information as well – we’re happy to clarify if there’s ever any confusion.

We’re making use of social media more often using Instagram and Facebook. The feedback has been very positive.

Conflict/Reflective and Restorative Practice

From time to time our kids make bad choices or are involved in conflict with other students, and occasionally bullying as victims or perpetrators. We use Reflective and Restorative Practice as a preferred method of dealing with incidents in the playground and classroom. This process acknowledges any harm caused by the children involved, including bystanders, and encourages empathy with those harmed. Importantly, it identifies how the children can move on with the relationship restored, bearing in mind that they will inevitably see each other again here at school and need to feel safe. Part of the role of the teacher who has the restorative conversation is to follow-up again in a week or so (and beyond if necessary) to see how each of the participants have been going since the original incident. There are other methods of intervention, consistent with department policy which we can use if a restorative conversation is not possible.

Nude Food

Nude Food is working really well and we encourage everyone to send wrapper-free lunches and snacks to school.  We also encourage you to consider the amount of food you send to school with your child. We often have children coming to the office having eaten their lunch at snack time and still feeling hungry. Our first Flat Chat of this year included a link to some great healthy food options.

Punctuality

Please ensure your children arrive in plenty of time to commence class at 8.55am. Everyone benefits from being ready to start together and late arrivals can disrupt the early morning instructions and learning time. Children can be dropped off from 8.40am when we have a staff member on Yard Duty. If students do arrive aftr 8:55am, please ensure they are sent to the office to sign in.

Sushi orders – delivered to school on Fridays

Supplied by Lunchbox Sushi on Fridays – order online by 5.00pm on Thursday before.

Traffic Safety

Congestion in Roberts Avenue at peak drop off and pick up times is challenging so we encourage drivers to do the loop around Douglas Crescent and drop on the school side. Pedestrians crossing Roberts Avenue at the speed hump near the main entrance is also a safer option. Obviously as a sustainable and health promoting school, we encourage walking or riding to school as the preferred option.

Uniform

Uniform is compulsory at Winters Flat. We encourage our students to take pride in their uniform. The Beleza uniform shop in Barkers Street supplies uniforms to the Castlemaine schools. Second hand items can be purchased any time from the office. If you buy items such as shorts and pants elsewhere, please ensure they are plain navy-coloured and don’t have any logos.

Wellbeing

I have been reminded by our wellbeing coordinator Belle Ganglmair to let you know that wellbeing support is for parents as well as students. This year we will also be working with visiting psychologist Louise Wolff.

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WORKING BEE (LET’S GET TOGETHER AND HELP THE SCHOOL) 15th  MARCH

On Sunday 15^th March from 10.00am -12.30pm we are having a working bee to prepare for the art room and hall demolition in the school holidays. We desperately need help to move and store sports equipment and the like before the demolition and building works commence on Saturday 28^th March.

We are also planning to paint the concrete around garden edges and sculptures at the front of the school.

Lovely morning tea provided! Please complete the attached return slip/link – we really appreciate your help.

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CLASS REPS

Kirsty Williams (2/3W) has volunteered to coordinate the Winters Flat class reps for 2020. The key role of a class rep is to liaise with the classroom teacher for class events as well as making connections between families through school and social events. Please contact the school via the attached form/link if you would like to be the rep for your child’s class.

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OUR GOLDEN THREAD-COMBINED CASTLEMAINE STUDENT VOICES

Last week I attended a meeting with the music teachers of Castlemaine schools with the composer Wendy Rowlands who introduced the project, Our Golden Thread, as well as members of the string quartet Castlemaine Chamber Players and Tim Watson - choir director.
This project is an opportunity for children from the Castlemaine schools in Years 4-6 to come together for a performance on Saturday 13th June at 7.00 pm in the Castlemaine Town Hall.

The organisers are looking forward to bringing this wonderful new music into being, with its themes of children's feelings and children's connection with all of us. I will be coordinating the Winters Flat voices and we will have the opportunity to meet Frances Gall (Violin) and Libby Anderson (cello) this Friday afternoon.
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WELCOME TO COUNTRY 9.15am MONDAY 16^TH MARCH

Our Welcome to Country will occur at school on Monday 16^th March. We look forward to seeing everyone at this wonderful ceremony.

Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal