NEWS | From The Principal
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
Our Welcome to Country on Monday was led by school Captains and Vice Captains. Our guest of honour was Dja Dja Wurrung elder Uncle Rick Nelson who once again performed this moving ceremony.
Student leaders spoke of the smoking ceremony and how traditionally before others set foot in another’s ‘Country’ permission needed to be sought to pass safely through or meet with the Elders.
The students talked about how the leaves of the Cherry Ballart, Manna Gum and Black Wattle are waved by the females, to cleanse the air of bad feelings/spirits, while the males perform the ‘shaky knees’ dance. The leaves are then put into a fire, where they create a lot of smoke. The visitors then pass through the smoke to cleanse themselves, particularly the soles of their feet.
Nalderun is a Dja Dja Wurrung word meaning altogether and we met altogether to celebrate and support the traditional owners of the land where Winters Flat is located. Thank you once again to Uncle Rick for officiating and to Kath Coff for being present as well as parents and visitors who attended.
We also presented ‘Care For’ Leaders badges for the following students
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Care for Others |
Care for Self |
Care for the Environment |
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Athene 2/3A |
Gabriel 2/3A |
Sam 2/3A |
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Bonnie 3/4W |
Indiana 3/4W |
Aurora 3/4W |
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Daisy 4/5L |
Seth 4/5L |
Will 4/5L |
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Iris 5/6BM |
Levi 5/6BM |
Saffron 5/6BM |
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CARE CROWS – SCHOOL WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT
Our classroom focus across the school has been waiting to take our turn in discussions. The tallies in classrooms have been steadily improving and we are still working towards no more than five interruptions per class per day.
Next term we are keen to circulate the ‘golden feathers’ – tangible and positive rewards for students who embody caring for self, others and the environment at school.
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DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY
I was incredibly proud of the Winters Flat students who participated with such energy and enthusiasm at the Cross Country on Friday and congratulate them, as well as the students from the other district schools who were competing. The atmosphere was competitive but friendly and we are now in the process of contacting the students who have been selected to represent the school next term at the Regional event on Wednesday 5th May at the Bendigo Racecourse.
The success of the day was a team effort led by Sam Milner and Mark O’Sullivan from St Marys. We had amazing support from parents and carers from Winters Flat who were on and off duty supporting all the students. Some past WFPS students from CSC were kindly released to help out as well.
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SAVE THE DATE – BUILDING OPENING THURSDAY 13TH MAY 3:30PM – 5:30PM
Following years of construction work, we are excited to be having an official opening to welcome present, past and future students, staff and families to this celebration.
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BIRTHDAYS
Daisy – 11 in the first week of April
Luca - 10 in the first week of April
Charli – 6 in the first week of April
Alyssa – 11 in the first week of April
Seth - 10 in the second week of April
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
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Wishing everyone a safe and happy Easter and break.
See you next term!
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Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal