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Saturday 14th October
- Referendum Day BBQ Fundraiser - volunteers needed rsvp here
Tuesday 24th October
- Mango orders due back
- I AM MINDFUL excursion 1 - Years 5 & 6 - notes have gone home
Tuesday 31st October
- I AM MINDFUL excursion 2 - Years 5 & 6
Friday November 3rd
- Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day - more info to come
Monday 6th November
- Curriculum Day - no students at school
Tuesday 7th November
- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday - no students at school
Tuesday 21st November
- CSC music performance - 9 am in the Hall
SWPBS WHOLE SCHOOL CELEBRATION
Last Friday we had a celebration to mark the accumulation of 90,000 dojo points. That is adding all the dojos individual students have been rewarded, for making good choices in caring for themselves, for others and for the environment.
In recognition of that wonderful achievement we held a morning of Tabloid Sports games which promoted team work and cooperation. Feedback from the students was mostly positive and we have invited them to make suggestions for our next whole school reward. Special thanks to Michelle and Karen M for organising the event and to staff who ensured a fun morning for everyone.
Our Big 3 Goals at Winters Flat are always:
- Using kind words and tone of voice (caring for others)
- Keeping hands and feet to self (caring for others)
- Being in the right place at the right time. (Caring for Self)
At this time of year we promote Sun Smart practices at school. This means wearing sunscreen, protective clothing and hats. Hat-lotto is back on this term, but if students don’t have their hat on during breaks, they will be asked to go to the main deck. Other shade spots are not an option.
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RERERENDUM SAUSAGES, EGG & BACON SANGAS AND CAKE STALL
On Saturday our school Hall is a referendum venue and once again we will be making refreshments available as a fundraiser for the school.
If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for the stall roster and/or baking cakes. We plan to start early (7:30am) to start cooking and will probably wind things up at around 2:00pm.
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HALLOWEEN TUESDAY 31st OCTOBER
Although Halloween is not specifically a school event, we know how much it means to our students so we will once again encourage spooky dress-ups with a gold coin donation to go towards the purchase of more fidget tools.
We would also like to support families who are driving a community led plastic free Halloween. If you have any ideas to support healthy treats and plastic-free decorations and dress-ups please contact me: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au and I will pass on to the organisers.
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Mount Alexander Chess Tournament
Last term we had students from Winters Flat attend the Chess tournament at CSC.
Well done to:
- Briscoe5/6B (Participation)
- Jaya 3/4H (Participation)
- Poorvi Prep J (Participation)
- Noah 5/6B (Credit)
- Saskia 5/6B (Credit)
- Tanmay 3/4H (Credit)
- Leto 4/5C (High Distinction)
Congratulations Leto for winning the tournament outright against a high standard competition. Leto is the undisputed regional champion. Congratulations Saskia for coming 3rd place in the girls’ competition (Bronze Medal).
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‘BEST IN SHOW’ A YOUTH SLOW-FASHION PARADE SUNDAY 26TH NOVEMBER
We have been invited to take part in this event by the Good Op Shop. As a school renowned for our sustainable practices, we endorse the idea of re-using, repairing and appreciating second hand clothing.
The Community Engagement & Fundraising Committees are keen to set up a stall. Please contact the office if you can help out on the day.
From the Good Op Shop:
The aim is to encourage youth (18 and under) to take part in upcycling clothes loosely based around four themes by using second hand clothing to increase their appreciation of reuse and repair.
Council has approved the application to run the fashion parade in Mechanics Lane and Frederick Street and they will close both streets to traffic to enable stalls and a catwalk to be installed.
There will be a catwalk along Mechanics Lane and a stage for youth bands to play in between each catwalk (there will be four catwalk shows across the afternoon), and in Frederick Street, the Young Makers Market will be held. There will also be room for local schools to have a fundraising stall each.
While the event is a fundraiser for The Good Op Shop (via gold coin donation entry fee) we would welcome all schools to run their own fundraising stall. As we won't be having food or drinks trucks at the event, we'd love for school stalls to sell food and drinks as well as whatever else they would like to raise funds for their school.
The event will run from 12 noon to 5pm (but will probably finish around 4pm). In the instance of bad weather, the event will be cancelled.
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SCHOOL REVIEW FIELDWORK DAY TUESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
Don’t forget Review Fieldwork Day with our reviewer Julie Myers and the review panel. The date for your diary is Tuesday 14th November. Parent/Carer chats will most likely take place in the afternoon. Please let me know if you would like to be part of the discussion for both reviewing the last four years and importantly - planning ahead for the next four.
Email: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au.
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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
Hermione – was 8 in the last week of September
Lily – was 11 in the last week of September
Nessie – was 6 at the weekend
Mark – turned 6 this week
Makenna – is 10 next week
Heart – is 6 next week
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
COVID, FLU AND FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
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. 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
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Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal.
Hats
In Term 4 students are required to wear hats when outside.
Children, remember your hats to go in the Hats Lotto draw for an icypole each lunchtime!
Referendum Day BBQ & Cake Stall
This Saturday, the 14th, we are holding a BBQ and Cake stall. We are still needing volunteers for the 11:30am - 1:00pm and the 1:00pm - 3:00pm shifts. Please contact the office if you are available to help out.
Thank you to everyone who offered to bake for the cake stall, we would love as many cakes/biscuits/slices/preserves as possible so please drop these off to the office on Friday or to the stall on Saturday morning. Please ensure there is an ingredient list attached.
All profits raised will be put towards installing acoustic panels in our very echo-ey hall.
Mango Fundraiser
Mango Order forms are due back in 13 days! Keep selling those trays and get your orders back by Tuesday the 24th of October. Extra order forms will be available at the office.
Mangos will arrive at school in the week beginning the 11th of December.
There will be the $100 book voucher up for grabs for the family that sells the most mangoes.
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Salvation Army Christmas Cheer
Winters Flat will be supporting the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Program through a toy drive. If your family is in a position to donate a toy/s, there will be a collection box in the office until Friday the 1st of December. Please ensure that the toy/s are brand new and in original packaging.
This year we at Castlemaine Salvos, want to ensure that those who have done it tough, have a really lovely Christmas. We are working towards supporting at least 100 families/ individuals with a Christmas food hamper and toys for those with children. We are really passionate about ensuring that this will be a joyful, non-judgemental space. Families will be welcomed into a fun festive environment, provided with a general Christmas hamper, and will have opportunities to select items that they want to add to make their Christmas dinner special. Parents will be guided around a selection of Christmas toys, so they can be given the dignity of choosing presents for their children.
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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
PJ
- Artie - Care for Others & Care for Self
- Ville - Care for Others & Care for Self
1/2W
- Harper - Care for Self
3/4H
- Ella - Care for Self & Care for Others
- Perryn - Care for Environment & Care for Others
4/5C
- Makenna - Care for Self
- Pippa - Care for Self & Care for Others
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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Rosemary Lavosh
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Carrot Dip
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Kale Chips
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Spinach, Feta and Leek Slice
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Broccoli Slaw
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Pumpkin and Cheddar Muffins
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Rhubarb, Apple and Lemon Muffins
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Chefs of the week:
3/4H: Frankie, Annabelle, Raph, Jaya
4/5C: Eisa, Ava M, Ginger
5/6B: Suzie, Luca, 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.
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Gardeners of the Week
3/4H: Pez, Midas, Tanmay, Raph
4/5C: Ginger, Jimmy, Ava G, Pippa
5/6B: Levi, Georgie, Aurora
Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
THE VOICE REFERENDUM AND SELF-CARE FOR FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES
The Voice referendum is having a negative impact on the mental health of First Nations people. The federal government set aside an extra $10 million to boost support services, and research the consequences of the vote. Listen here to learn more: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/taking-care-of-mental-heath-during-the-voice-referendum/102951830
If you're a First Nations person in crisis call 13 YARN 13 96 76 (24 hours / 7days)
Reporting Racism
If you experience or witness racism, you can report it to:
- Call it Out, The First Nations Racism Register;
- The Australian Human Rights Commission;
- The eSafety Commissioner, for online incidents;
- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (for incidents in the media);
- The Police, if you think you or someone else may be in danger, or if you think the behaviour was a criminal offense;
- Your State or Territory-based anti-discrimination commission; or,
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or your local health complaints organisation if you have concerns about a health practitioner. · For links, see: https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/take-action/responding-to-racism and https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Notifications/Concerned-about-a-health-practitioner.aspx.
Information for non-Indigenous people on being an ally
See the Ending Racism video and Check Up resources at https://mk-engaged.anu.edu.au/ending-racism/
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Salvation Army Christmas Cheer
For many years, Castlemaine Salvation Army has partnered with the local community in order to provide Christmas hampers and toys for people in need throughout the Mount Alexander Shire. Over the last few years, we have seen a considerable increase in need, as the COVID pandemic brought significant loss of income to many families. 2023 is shaping up to be another rough year. I’m sure we all know families who are struggling to keep up with price increases across so many areas- whether it be childcare, groceries, just the general cost of living expenses. With so many families and individuals struggling, we are expecting a further increase in applications for support.
FOR WINTERS FLAT FAMILIES WANTING TO APPLY FOR A HAMPER OR TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS, Hannah has application forms and can assist with the filling-out and submitting of the form.
All other applicants for hampers and toy provision this year are asked to apply in person at Castlemaine Salvos during Doorways hours (Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-12). Applications will be open from the 1st of October and will close once our capacity has been filled. To apply, community members are asked to request to speak with our caseworker Mellita Joy, Amy Jones (Corps Officer), or Sharna Milham (Castlemaine Salvos Christmas Cheer Coordinator). Hampers will be based on size of family/ children etc.
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Just around the corner… The transition from primary to secondary school for our Grade 6s
Term 4 is the last term at primary school for our Grade 6s!
5/6B will be partaking in the Brave Program on Thursdays THE term. ‘BRAVE’ is a free online program which is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and designed for young people aged 8 to 17 years experiencing anxiety. There is also a supporting program for the young person’s parents. It teaches age appropriate coping strategies to manage anxiety-provoking situations via 10 weekly sessions. This is a program we have used before.
For parents wanting to learn more about how to support your child with the transition from primary to high school, here are some useful articles and guides:
https://beyou.edu.au/fact-sheets/development/transition-from-primary-to-secondary
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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.