Filter Content
REGIONAL CROSS COUNTRY - ST ARNAUD
Congratulations to Atti, Luca, Evie O and Lucinda for making it through to the Regional Cross Country event held at St Arnaud last week. We were so impressed by your determination and staying power. By all accounts the terrain was a challenge but you each performed to the best of your ability and made us proud. Well done to Atti for his bronze medal.
.
WINTERS FLAT PLAYGROUP
The Winters Flat Play Group meets every Friday in the Art Room from 9:30am – 11:00am. We are currently seeking a volunteer who would like to coordinate the group from next term. We have been offered an opportunity to train someone in the Parent-Child Mother Goose, an evidence-based program that strengthens attachment and interaction between parents or carers and their young children by introducing them to the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together. Training available in September. If you are interested in coordinating this weekly group or attending with your child please contact the school: winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au or 5472 1522.
.
POLICIES FOR COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
Please see attached a number of policies which are due to be updated. All of the policies originate from the Department of Education Policy Advisory Library. We invite feedback from families prior to endorsement by School Council at our meeting next Tuesday 20th June.
Policies:
- Bullying
- Child Safety
- Child Safety – Responding
- Complaints
- Digital Learning
- Student Wellbeing and Engagement
- Statement of Values and School Philosophy
- Volunteers
BIRTHDAYS
Jack -11 in the second week of June
Evie O – 12 in the third week of June
Annabelle – 9 in the fourth week of June
Odessa – 8 in the fourth week of June
Harriet – 7 in the fourth week of June
Fran – 9 in the fourth week of June
Ville – 6 in the fourth week of June
Chase – 12 in the fourth week of June
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
.
COVID, FLU AND FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
We currently have families dealing with COVID and with the usual winter bugs doing the rounds, we have struggled to replace staff who are unwell. If your child is symptomatic we request they be kept home as even the spread of colds and flu has an impact here at school. In recent days we have been forced to split classes as there were no relief teachers available. With the continued rise in case numbers in Mt Alexander, please be aware that we have plenty of free rapid antigen test kits available at the school 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
If you feel unwell, please call a GP or the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
For more information on how to manage your symptoms, please visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/managing-covid-19-home
.
Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal.
Voluntary Parent Payments
Thank you to those who have contributed to the 2023 Voluntary Parent Payments. If you still wish to do so, payments are greatly appreciated. Payments can be made through XUNO, or by cash or card at the office. Please see Karen in the office if you would like to discuss a payment plan.
.
OSH Club Winter Holiday Program
Prep Bags 2023 survey
Have your say about this year’s Prep bags in a short survey, closing Sunday 9 July
Each year, the Department of Education gives every Prep student attending a Victorian government school a bag full of goodies to celebrate this milestone in their education journey. The information and educational resources in the bags are designed to help Prep students and their families thrive from the start of Term 1.
The department is inviting parents and carers of current Prep students to participate in a short survey about the 2023 Prep bags, by 5 pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.
Your feedback will help the department learn what families liked about the Prep bags and what can be improved in 2024. You can have your say at 2023 Prep Bags – Evaluation Survey.
The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. For more information on this year’s Prep bags, refer to Prep bags.
.
Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
This week in the Kitchen and Garden..........
What we're cooking in the kitchen this fortnight...
-
Jerusalem Artichoke, Pea and Bacon Tart
-
Leek and Silverbeet Risotto
-
Pear, Fennel and Goats Cheese Salad
-
Passion fruit Yogurt Cake
-
Olive Preserving
Chefs of the week:
3/4H: Raph, Kaelyn & Fran
5/6B: Aurora & Levi
Remember the 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.
Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
AT SCHOOL
We have recently set up a new program for Grades 3-6 to increase school connectedness for students. School Connectedness is the belief by students that adults and peers in the school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals.
On Thursday afternoons students in Grade 3-6 head-off to take part in their chosen club. Clubs on offer include Arts and Craft, Gardening, Chess, Electronics and Dungeons and Dragons.
Schools that have higher rates of participation in extracurricular activities during or after school tend to have higher levels of school connectedness https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED511993.pdf
Research also shows that clubs can have benefits for students and the whole school community, including:
- improved peer-to-peer and teacher-student relationships and wellbeing
- a sense of personal empowerment and student voice
- development of social and emotional skills
- improved academic achievement
- positive school climate and increased student sense of safety
- reduction in bullying and playground behaviour incidents.
The whole school, Prep to Grade 6, have access to lunchtime clubs and activities each day. For some neuro-diverse students, such as students with Autism and those with anxiety, are likely to find particular benefit from the inclusion lunchtime clubs offer. Here is what we have at Winters Flat:
Kids’ Club happens at lunch times on Mondays and Wednesdays in Karen’s 5/6 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.
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 French Room. 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.
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.
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.
.
AT HOME
It is an important time of year to take stock of how your child is coping with school and if they are experiencing any social, emotional or behavioural challenges. 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.
.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Rising living costs and dwindling housing supplies are forcing more Australians onto the streets for the long term. No doubt, some of your children have noticed people around Castlemaine sleeping rough. How do we talk to our kids about homelessness? Here is a great article to support families with the conversation: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-12/how-to-explain-homelessness-to-children/9840734
Stay tuned in coming weeks for some news on how the Winters Flat Community can support people experiencing severe financial stress. In the meantime, head here for information and steps council is taking to tackle the housing crisis:
https://shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/affordable-housing
.
Until next time!
Hannah O’Keefe
My work hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 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.
RESOURCES
Please find a list of Wellbeing helplines and support services on the Winters Flat website.
We understand how hard it can be to form Autistic community and learn how to support Autistic students and their families, especially in rural Victoria.
That's why we are starting Sensory Sanctuary Neurodiversity Affirming Arts Festival with more than 100 events run by 70% Autistic and neurodivergent hosts including workshops tailored to preschoolers, primary schoolers, youth and adults; parent and carer wellbeing support groups; parent and professional development sessions; an interactive sensory play; and community events such as the Psycho Social Masquerade, Lantern Parade and Superhero Flash Mob Mission. All in the one super accessible location, Castlemaine Goods Shed right next to Castlemaine train station during the June- July school holidays. If you need cheap accommodation, Big4 is just around the corner - easy walking distance. Tickets may be claimable on NDIS.