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Tuesday 21st November
- CSC music performance - 9:00am in the Hall
- 2024 Prep Transition 1 - 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Tuesday 28th November
- 2024 Prep Transition 2 - 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Tuesday 5th December
- 2024 Prep Transition 3 - 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Tuesday 12th December
- 2024 Prep Transition 4 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Whole school Step Up Day - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday 14th December
- Year 6 Graduation Evening - Details to come
Wednesday 20th December
- Last day of school 2023 - 1:30pm finish
SCHOOL PREPARATIONS FOR THE BUSHFIRE SEASON
Each year, to prepare for bushfires and grassfires, schools and early childhood services complete a range of activities. Please see the attached article.
SUNSMARTS
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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REMINDER ‘BEST IN SHOW’ 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.
We hope to have a stall with cakes and fruit kebabs and once again would welcome any volunteers available on Sunday 26th November to bake/assemble/set up/serve/pack up.
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.
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SCHOOL REVIEW FIELDWORK DAY NEXT TUESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
Our School Review begins tomorrow with Validation Day. The review panel is comprised of: Julie Myers (reviewer), Kim Saddlier (Senior Education Improvement Leader), Jill Prior (School Council President) Alisa Burdett (challenge partner – Principal Maldon PS), Kerry Hammond (challenge partner – SWPBS Coach), Helen Weir (Learning Specialist/Disability Inclusion Coordinator) Suzanne Kinnersly (Principal).
Don’t forget Review Fieldwork Day with our reviewer Julie Myers and the review panel. The time and date for your diary is 2:45pm next Tuesday 14th November in the Staff Room. It’s not too late to 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. Thanks again to those families who have already expressed interest.
Email: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au
Our final day for the review is next Thursday 16th November.
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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS CONTINUED
Tanmay was 10 last week
Lockie C – is 7 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 continued 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.
Voluntary Parent Payments 2023
Dear families, if you have not made your voluntary parent payment this year and would still like to contribute to your child’s class supplies, please either log in to Xuno and make the payment or call into the office to pay via Eftpos. All voluntary payments would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us in the office.
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Student Absences
Please remember to report your child's absence to the school via XUNO. If you are unable to access XUNO, please contact the office to report your child's absence.
Previous unexplained absences can be accessed and explained through XUNO.
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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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Summer Holiday Garden Roster
We are seeking volunteers to help water the garden and feed the chickens over the summer holidays. Please contact the office if you are available to help.
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Beleza Uniform Shop Information
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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
NEWS | Community Engagement Committee
Best in Show Fashion Parade
AT SCHOOL: ADHD STAFF TRAINING
All staff at Winters Flat are in the process of completing the YarraMe training, ‘Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)’. ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents, with the prevalence in Australia estimated to be between 6% and 10%. Having the whole-staff trained in evidence-based strategies and an understanding of ADHD shows a commitment to supporting our kids and a deep desire to make their experience of school a positive and meaningful one.
A recent inquiry and subsequent recommendations highlight the need for schools and allied health-professionals to have a clear and consistent understanding and approach to supporting children with ADHD. People who live with ADHD but do not have access to support hose with ADHD face shorter life expectancy and higher rates of incarceration, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and suicide:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-06/senate-inquiry-into-adhd-hands-downreport/103068988
ADHD National Support Line: 1300 39 39 19
AT HOME: CONFLICT IN PALESTINE AND YOUR FAMILY
When disasters or traumatic events occur in Australia or elsewhere in the world, they’re often given constant media coverage. It can seem like every time you turn on the TV, radio or go online there is more news about the event, who has been hurt and what is happening in the immediate aftermath.
Media coverage during times of disaster or traumatic events is important: it can provide those who are affected with news and information about where to go, how to get help and when it’s safe to return to their homes. However, many people, including children and families, can become absorbed by the constant news stream about the event and sometimes they can watch or listen for hours.
This resource explores how to help your child to cope with the information about traumatic events they may see in the media.
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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.
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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Spring Onion Pancakes
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Spring Rolls
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Fried Rice Lettuce Cups
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Asian Cucumber Salad
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Broccoli Stir Fry with Honey and Soy
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Lemon Slice
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Chefs of the week:
3/4H: Ella, Tanmay & Midas
5/6B: Ripley, Riva & Jasmine
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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In the Garden:
We are loving the birdlife in the garden at the moment. 5/6B were in their lesson today and we had a cacophany of Rainbow Lorikeets and Wattlebirds enjoying the gum blossoms above us. Check out the video on our Instagram.
Gardeners of the Week:
3/4H: Louisa, Frankie, Jaya
5/6B: Noah, Evie O, Indi & Stan
Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden