Wednesday 18th December

• Student reports available on XUNO

Thursday 19th December

• Year 6 MMT - See Xuno and SHHH!!! (If you know, you know.)

Friday 20th December

• Assembly 9:15am - Year 6 Students presenting
• SLC end of year pool day - 10:00am-1:30pm - see Xuno for details
• Last Day of Term 4 - 1:30pm finish

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2025:

Tuesday 28th January

• Teachers back to school!

Wednesday 29th January

• Students back to school!

Thursday 30th January

• Preps first day of school!
• 2025 Parent welcome morning tea 9am

Thursday 13th February

• Family BBQ evening

Monday 10th March

• Welcome to Country and Leadership Presentations - 10am

SWPBS

This week we are celebrating the following students who have received 20 Care Crow Cards. Their achievements will be acknowledged at our final assembly on Friday 20^th December, and they will receive a certificate. They are also entitled to select a reward to celebrate their individual achievement. Congratulations to:

• Otillie PJ
• Patrick PJ
• Ryan PJ
• Winn 1J
• Vanessa 1J
• Izzy 2H
• Isobel 3H
• Poorvi 1R
• Louisa 5B
• Perryn 4C
• Annabelle 4C
• Lola 6C

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SCHOOL LEADERS 2025

Congratulations to the following students who were elected leaders for next year.

School Captains: Athene, Angus, Ava G

Vice Captains: Louisa, Makenna, Peg

Care for Self: Ella

Care for Others: Finchley

Care for the Environment: Leto

SWPBS: Kaelyn

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STAFFING 2025

I am taking Carer’s Leave for Term 1 of 2025. My replacement will be Ashlie Harvey. Ashlie has recently been in the role of Acting Principal at Harcourt Valley PS.

Tina is taking family leave from the beginning of 2025, and we wish her all the best. Tina has had a wonderful first year as a graduate teacher, following on from her time here as pre-service and working in ES. Tristan is moving to Ballarat, and again we wish him and his family all the best.

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WORKING BEE SUNDAY 1^st DECEMBER

Thanks so much to the fab four – Dean, James, Sam and Leon who went above and beyond at the Working Bee! Anyone who was at the concert and picnic and again for graduation, would have appreciated their wonderful work on clearing away weeds and debris from the front entrance to the courtyard (aka asphalt four square courts). A coat of stain on every tabletop was just right and made everything look so lovely. I know they all stayed way past the 2 hours allocated, and on behalf of everyone, I thank them sincerely for giving up the best part of the day.

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END OF YEAR CONCERT AND GATHERING

The concert was the culmination of weeks of preparation, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the performances by all the students who attended. They really seemed to enjoy themselves and played, sang and danced brilliantly. Bron was photographer extraordinaire who managed to capture in so many shots, the happiness and joy which was in abundance. Some photos are shared in this newsletter. Thanks to parents Annabelle and Tallace who behind the scenes were organising the infrastructure support and craft stall with a team of devoted crafters. Thanks to AnneMaree for choreographing the senior dance performance during the Dance Club sessions this term, and thank you Justin Marshall, for technical wizardry with audio gear, which was the icing on the cake!

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VOLUNTEERS AND CASUAL STAFF THANKYOU

Serena has been working in the garden with Terry, ran the River Detective program with Jennifer and was instrumental in us receiving a garden grant. Rosie has been working in the office this year and we have really appreciated her wisdom and kindness. We congratulate her on being mayor again next year and hope she has a fulfilling term of office. Liz Douglas, Holly Jones, Wendy Oates and Luke Watt are regular and much appreciated casual replacement teachers. Kate O’Sullivan, Isla Stewart-Brewer, Rohan Jones and Hannah Miller have worked regularly as casual ES staff.

We are so grateful to the members of our community who volunteer at the school. Cheryl Bottomley keeps our library in good order and Wendy Oates is often here to run art or science workshops with groups of students. Anne Neath assisted with the Prep Transition program and office administration, while Harry continued to coordinate the chess club and promote a love of chess.

We thank all our parents and family members who assisted in the classroom, reading and the kitchen program this year, as well as the Prep/1 Sleepover. Thanks to all the families who gave up time on weekends by attending the working bees.

We also extend our sincere thanks to parents and staff who are on School Council:

Jill Prior – President, Rebecca Morecroft – Vice-President, Bryn Davies – Treasurer, Bronwyn Tracey -Secretary, Helen Kaptein, Dean Nendick, Helen Vickers, Alison Whitten, Kristen Wood

Michelle Creed, Suzanne Kinnersly, Helen Weir

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2024 STAFF APPRECIATION

On behalf of everyone I thank:

• Fiona for another outstanding year of Prep coordination and taking on the enormous responsibility as primary carer (along with husband Sam) for our beautiful wellbeing dog, Sunny.
• Tina for a wonderful first year as a graduate teacher, making positive connections with students and families
• Jennifer for taking on training in some exciting new programs in the school, such as River Detectives and Bike Ed
• Michelle for instilling a calm and respectful classroom culture and working hard to promote the SWPS/Care Crows values
• Karen for encouraging student voice and leadership and once again organising the SLC camp and the Year 6 Graduation
• Helen for her strong commitment to coordinating and supporting Disability Inclusion within our school, as well as curriculum leadership and staff development
• Hannah for the continuing support of students individually, in small groups and in whole class settings, to promote wellbeing and mental health
• Sam for instilling a good sporting attitude and experience in the PE program
• Bron for nurturing creativity and expression through the visual arts and for her work with individual students as Tutor
• Katie for sharing the joys of learning another language and culture with fun and creativity, as well as being available as a casual replacement teacher
• Cath for continuing to foster a love of preparing and cooking delicious food, using exciting recipes and healthy ingredients
• Terry for promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly techniques and sharing his gardening wisdom as well as being the go-to person for maintenance issues
• Karen for her amazing managerial skills in the office, supporting teachers, staff and students, as well as assisting me in countless ways every day
• Kitty and Rosie for their friendly greetings, positive community connections and administrative expertise that has kept the school running so smoothly
• Brodie Browne-Kerr, Shelly Griggs, AnneMaree Jones, Sophie Sheilds, Marg Stevens, Melissa Stevens and Tristan Wyatt who have each provided invaluable support and professionalism to the teachers and students they work so closely with, in their role as Education Support staff
• Ben Colla for keeping us connected and trouble-shooting technical glitches as they arise

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SCHOOL COUNCIL 2025?

Have you been thinking you would like to be more involved in school planning and decision making? School council elections will be held in March. Think about whether you would like to nominate. There are at least three positions available next year as parents of current Year 6 students will be vacating.

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WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL BRING A PLATE TO SHARE WITH NEW FAMILIES - THURSDAY 30th JANUARY

Winters Flat families are encouraged by the Community Engagement committee to bring a plate and come along to a welcome morning tea for new parents on the first Thursday of school in 2025. If you are available or can send something to nibble with a cup of tea, please email: winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au

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WELCOME TO COUNTRY SAVE THE DATE MONDAY 10^TH FEBRUARY 2025

This annual event will include the traditional Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and presentation of the 2025 leader badges. It will begin at 10am.

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FAMILY BARBECUE SAVE THE DATE 13^TH FEBRUARY 2025

The Community Engagement committee are looking to have a Sausage sizzle family gathering on Thursday 13^th February. Sausages and Veggie burgers will be available with funds raised to go towards air conditioners for the SLC Building.

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday to you…

Matis was 6 last week

Josie turned 6 at the weekend

Frankie turned 11 at the weekend

Jamie turns 9 next weekend

Jimmy turns 12 just before Christmas

Henry turns 7 around Christmas

Raph turns 10 around Christmas

Pippa turns 12 around Christmas

AnneMaree has a birthday after Christmas

Hip Hip Hooray

Hip Hip Hooray

Hooray Hip Hip

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Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal.

Student Absences

Before the end of the school year, please pop onto XUNO and check if your child/ren have any unexplained absences and provide reasons for them. Recording attendances and reasons is a legal requirement for schools and we appreciate your support in recording these accurately.

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Chicken and Watering helpers for over the school holidays

If you are able to help us out with watering the gardens or looking after the chickens over the school holidays, please let the office know!

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SLC Pool Party

As part of their end of year class party, students in Years 4-6 are going to the Chewton Pool! 

Students will leave school at 10.00am and travel by bus to the pool.

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Parents will need to collect their child/ren from the pool at 1:30pm.

Please see Xuno for more deatils, and to approve and pay for this excursion.

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Student Absences

Before the end of the school year, please pop onto XUNO and check if your child/ren have any unexplained absences and provide reasons for them. Recording attendances and reasons is a legal requirement for schools and we appreciate your support in recording these accurately.

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Lost Property

There is quite a bit of lost property in the office! Please come and have a look through it before the end of the year to see if you recognise anything. Items not claimed by the end of term will be donated to the op shop or added to the secondhand uniform shop. 

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School Saving Bonus (SSB)

Families with students enrolled at Winters Flat PS next year should have received an email regarding the School Saving Bonus with their unique login details.

Please note: Only the parent identified as Adult A on their child's enrolment will receive this email. This is the way it has been structured by the Department of Education, not a school decision. 

The money is held by the school and sits in your account until it is used. Please see the attached SSB guide on how to access this money and what you can use it for. If you have any questions please contact the office.

school_saving_bonus_system_guide_for_parents_and_carers_2975_1_.pdf

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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward

Office

This week in the Kitchen and Garden..........

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P/1R had their special cooking class for the term! It was great!

Thank you to the parents who came in to help :)

End of Year Awards

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements in the kitchen and garden this year.

Silver spoon Award:

Peggy, Haylee, Lenny C, Archie SM, Jasmine, Michael, Ella, Fran

Golden Trowel:

Freya & Aurora AF

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Kitchen volunteers:

We always love kitchen helpers in our cooking classes!

They are held fortnightly on Mondays (even weeks - 4/5/6C), and every Wednesday (even weeks - 4/5/6B; odd weeks - 2/3H), between 11:25am & 1:25pm.

The Prep/1 classes will have a special cooking class each term.

Kitchen helpers for these classes would be particularly helpful - please let the office know if you'd like to volunteer!

What you can expect from a class:

Students work in groups to make seasonal dishes, using produce from our garden. Once a group finishes preparing 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. Please contact the office if you have any questions or would like to volunteer! 

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Recap of performance/picnic with pics :)

Big thanks to Suzanne for working with each of the classes on their performance pieces, and supporting them on the night!

Thank you to AnneMaree for coordinating and empowering the dance group!

Thank you to Justin for providing and manning the sound equipment!

Thank you to Annabelle for all your help organising things behind the scenes!

Thanks to the parent craft group for your huge effort making items for the stall - and for raising over $1400 for the school!

Thank you to all the parents, carers, families, and friends for coming along to watch and support the students, and for making it such a beautiful evening of community and connection.

And the biggest thanks to all our amazing students for performing your hearts out and making us all feel so proud and happy! 

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