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Thursday 31st August
- Fathers', Parent's & Carer's Day stall - 8:30am - 8:50am
Friday 1st September
- Fathers', Parent's & Carer's Day stall - 8:30am - 8:50am
- Year 4-6 Tennis & Cricket Day - see XUNO
Monday 4th September
- PJ Kitchen class
Wednesday 6th September
- Indigenous Literacy Day - activities in the afternoon - volunteers needed! - see Community Engagement section
Thursday 7th September
- Whole school Excursion - Melbourne Museum - see XUNO
Thursday 14th September
- Mount Alexander Chess Tournament - select students - info to come
Friday 15th September
- Last day of Term 3 - 2:30pm finish
SUNDAY 27 AUGUST WORKING BEE – WHAT AN AMAZING TURNOUT
We had the best team of volunteers on Sunday. Thank you so much to the families who came and helped us tick off all the jobs on our ‘To Do’ list. Weeding and planting was incredible and walking around the school was such a joyful experience on Monday.
When you get the chance come and have a walk around. Our beautiful grounds are a reflection of the care and help of our volunteers.
Setting up for the Year 5 & 6 Passions and Pathways project required major excavation works involving Dingo drivers Dean and Rowen who also managed to move the de-commissioned water tanks away from the Junior playground. We are so grateful to all of you for giving up your Sunday to help out the school.
PASSIONS AND PATHWAYS
The project is already looking amazing, Year 5 and 6 worked for hours today landscaping near the Junior Playground where the old tanks once stood. Students will present their works at an expo at the Castlemaine Library next Wednesday.
SCHOOL REVIEW DATA FEEDBACK
Thank you so much to the school council and family members who popped in or who took copies of the 2019-2022 review data for perusal and feedback. Please send your feedback responses to me by 6:00pm tomorrow afternoon so I can collate them. If you would like to be included in the Review Fieldwork Day next term with our reviewer Julie Myers and the review panel, the date is Tuesday 14th November. Parent/Carer discussions will most likely take place in the afternoon. Let me know via email: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au.
BUSKING FOR CHANGE – NEXT WEDNESDAY 6th SEPTEMBER NATIONAL INDIGENOUS LITERACY DAY
As a school community we have committed to raising money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. All funds raised help kids and families in remote Communities access and create books in the languages they speak at home. Please check out our school page https://buskingforchange.ilf.org.au/o/winters-flat-primary-school and learn more about this joyful fundraiser that helps us all to be changemakers. For every $10 donated, one book is gifted to a child in a remote Community. This book goes through the hands of many children and families. And your donation also supports the publication of books in First Languages by and for First Nations Communities. This blog explains what that means to Communities across the continent.
We set ourselves the modest target of $250. We have already exceeded $1500.00 in funds raised and are seventh highest across Australia!
Other activities planned for next Wednesday include:
· A book swap
· Games with an Indigenous theme
· Damper sampling
WHOLE SCHOOL MUSEUM EXCURSION – NEXT THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
The museum excursion is fast approaching. Following some indirect feedback we want to reassure families, that here at Winters Flat we have organised numerous whole school excursions. Every two years (when it’s not a camps year), we choose a venue which has age-appropriate points of entry for children of all abilities, from Prep to Year 6.
Most recently we attended Sovereign Hill and the Melbourne Zoo. This trip to the museum was actually held over from 2021 when COVID saw closures of many large venues, including the Melbourne Museum and we were unable to travel that year.
In addition to supporting the classroom learning program, we believe these excursions are wonderful opportunities for students across the school to bond with others, both at the venue and on the journey to and from. Students learn new and exciting things at places they don’t get to visit every day. They learn to extend themselves “and have a go” at something new. Our students always remember these days fondly.
All staff from school will be attending this excursion and we have carefully planned adults to be matched according to the children’s needs.
In the days leading up, teachers will review the excursion with their class, discuss what to expect and talk to the students about expectations as well as checking in to see if they have any concerns or worries.
If you have specific concerns and do not want your child to participate please let us know as soon as possible.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
Reuben will be 6 next week
Winnie will be 6 next week
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
COVID, FLU AND FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
We continue to 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 at home, please visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/managing-covid-19-home
Suzanne Kinnersly Principal.
OSH Holiday Program
Mango Fundraiser Launch
Spring is in the air and so is the launch of our Mango Fundraiser for 2023.
The Mango farm have changed their order times so all orders need to be back at school by 24th October with no exceptions. Each tray will cost $29. Please let all your regulars know about the changed date. There will be the $100 book voucher up for grabs for the family that sells the most mangoes. Attached is the Mango form and these will also be sent home with students shortly. Extra order forms will be available at the office.
Sushi Fridays
If you haven't jumped aboard the Winters Flat sushi train yet, details are below.
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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
Fathers', Parents' & Carers' Day Stall
The parent craft group will be hosting a Fathers', Parents' & Carers' Day Stall on Thursday the 31st of August and Friday the 1st of September in the morning from 8:30am to 8:55am for students to purchase something special. The stall will be located in front of the office.
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Indigenous Literacy Day
We are excited to be raising funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation at Winters Flat on Wednesday the 6th of September! As well as the Busking for Change performance, we are organising a Great Book Swap along with some other fabulous activities for the students and wider community - including our 2024 Preps and other Kindergarten aged students.
Early Great Book Swap book donations can be made at the office, or students can bring their book on the day.
We are needing some more volunteers to help run the activities. Please RSVP through this form or in person at the office.
It's going to be a fantastic afternoon!
PJ
Henry - Care for Self & Care for Others
Ivy - Care for Others
1/2W
Mirai - Care for the Environment
Felix - Care for Self
3/4H
4/5C
Persephone - Care for Self & Care for Others
Peggy - Care for Self
5/6B
AT SCHOOL
We have had a jam packed few weeks with Book Week celebrations, Passions and Pathways excursions (Grades 5 and 6s) and Wear it Purple Day. Common, positive experiences like these that are appreciated by students need to be part of school daily life. Celebrating with events like school camps, excursions, sport days, and festivals especially where values are aligned, provide positive student experiences that build cohesion in relationships, connectedness and a sense of belonging for kids.
Thanks to our committed and enthusiastic parent community who are committed to fostering a supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environment for rainbow young people. Many parents turned up on Friday and created a truly fun experience for the students: face painting, music, badgemaking and more.
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AT HOME
Talking to your child about sex and consent is a consideration that comes around sooner than some of us expect. As a Wellbeing Worker I advocate for using a child-led approach to these topics, whilst acknowledging at the same time the need for teaching our children explicit skills when it comes to body-boundaries and respectful interactions with others and their own bodies.
Teaching consent can be approached from a variety of different angles, in order to ensure that it is age appropriate for children. Young children do not initially need to be taught about consent in the context of sexual encounters. They can learn about what constitutes a healthy relationship between individuals, which may include learning about communication, trust, mutual respect, asking permission and abiding by the answer. Young children can also be taught ‘protective behaviours’, which includes teaching them the proper names for body parts, what is private and how to respect their bodies.
Here are some useful articles containing ideas for families about how to approach conversations with our children:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-10/how-when-do-you-talk-to-a-child-about-consent/100120714
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IN THE COMMUNITY
Join me and some students for a chat about all things to do with being safe on the internet! Details in the flyer below. This Thursday at the school gate, 3-3:30.
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.
NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
This week in the Kitchen and Garden..........
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What we're cooking in the kitchen this fortnight...
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- Margarita Pizza
- Potato & Rosemary Pizza
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Arancini Balls
- Potato & Leek Soup
- Feta & Pumpkin Cous Cous Salad
- Sticky Date Pudding
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Chefs of the week:
3/4H: Frankie, Jaya, Rex
4/5C: Athene & Angus
5/6B: Sam, Indi, Georgie, Chase
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