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Monday 11th December
- Year 3/4 Bike Hike - see XUNO
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
Friday 15th December
- Year 5/6 Bike Hike - see XUNO
- P-Y4 Water play - 1:40pm - 2:10pm - see XUNO
- Y5/6 Water play - 2:30pm - 3:15pm - see XUNO
Wednesday 20th December
- Last day of school 2023 - 1:30pm finish
It’s a long message this week but lots of good news!
WORKING BEE – THANKS EVERYONE AND FAREWELL BLAIR
We achieved almost all the jobs on the list with help from Bek and Ava M, Rosie, Aurora and Odessa, Jill, Tallace, Lenny and Cecil, Joe, Vinnie and Velvet, Dean, Blair, Terry and Sonny and Helen W.
If you have the time, skills and inclination, we still have a flat pack cupboard to put together. We also want to thank Blair Venn for chairing the Buildings and Grounds committee for the past few years as well as managing OH&S inductions at Woking Bees.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Sunday 3rd December was International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
The day gives us an opportunity to recognise the vital contributions of people with disability across our communities. It offers a chance for us to recommit to our work to make the world better and fairer for people with disability, and to ensure their voices are heard in decisions that affect them.
Yesterday in recognition of International Day of People with Disability, we welcomed Eliza Hull who spent time with each of our classes. Eliza is a musician, writer, disability advocate and a parent member of our school community. Eliza spoke to the students about the challenges that people with disability face and invited them to think of ways to make things easier for them. Here are some of their responses:
“Ramps for wheelchair accessibility, Different/more levels of brightness, Step stool or elevators more accessible for dwarfism, Easier to cooperate with staff and advisors, Escalators in houses for whoever need it, More inclusive jobs for all” Perryn Y 3
“On the 5th of December we were lucky enough to be visited by Eliza Hull. Eliza is a musician, disability ambassador, author and writer/ producer of the ABC kids television show, “And then something changed.” Eliza is also part of our Winter’s Flat community.
Eliza spoke to us about how we can make the world easier for people with disabilities by taking away barriers and creating technology to help with everyday tasks.
We came up with some designs that could help people with disabilities. Haylee designed a “sporph,” which is a knife, spoon, fork and chopsticks all in one for people with one hand. Lola designed a wheelchair with a lifting mechanism so people in wheelchairs can reach high places. Makenna and Ava G designed a special button that you press when you are feeling anxious and either a cat or dog will come to you to comfort you. Our class came up with lots of ideas and we felt inspired.
Thankyou Eliza, for taking the time to visit us for International Day of People with Disabilities” From 4/5C
At Winters Flat some changes we have made to support students with disability in 2023 include:
· Appointing a Disability Inclusion Coordinator for two days a week
· Attending staff professional development sessions to better understand how to support students with disability
· Developing teachers’ planning and documenting adjustments for individual students, to provide better access to learning
· Providing 1:1 support for individual students as required
· Engaging with the Disability Inclusion Facilitator service
We know there is still more we can do to improve the learning experiences of all our students and will continue to prioritise the specific needs of children with disability.
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FRUIT STICKER UPDATE
For about three years our students with the support of Terry and Rosie have been campaigning against the use of plastic fruit stickers. As a school community we have encouraged stickers to be collected on sheets of paper, so they don’t end up in the compost. Aurora, Georgie, Indi and Eisa along with students in previous years have shown leadership in promoting the ban on stickers, as has already happened in New Zealand.
In response to the recent letter-writing campaign, Gaelle Broad directed a question to Federal parliament:
“My question is to the Minister for Environment on behalf of Aurora and Georgie, who are in grades 5 and 6 at Winters Flat Primary School in Castlemaine.
They sent me a letter on behalf of the school about those annoying plastic fruit stickers that end up in compost and take hundreds of years to break down.
Students have written articles, won awards and made movies trying to encourage people to collect their fruit stickers on a piece of paper instead of putting them in the compost, but they are finding things still are not changing.
New Zealand has banned plastic fruit stickers, and Aurora and Georgie would like Victoria to as well. South Australia is also working towards banning different single-use plastic products in the near future.
The students pointed out environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic that could be made edible, recyclable or biodegradable.
I spoke with Fruit Growers Victoria, who are keen to explore the options to find a solution. I commend the students at Winters Flat Primary School on their work and ask the minister to help Aurora and Georgie achieve their goal and to work with industry to find a solution to see the end of plastic fruit stickers in Victoria.”
This week we have had responses from Mt Alexander mayor Matthew Driscoll, a letter to Aurora and Georgie from the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and today we had a visit from our local member Maree Edwards, who spoke at length with Aurora and Georgie. Maree told us she will take it further with Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos.
It has been encouraging to have our efforts acknowledged. We hope this will lead to action to eventually ban the stickers.
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CASTLEMAINE MAIL NEWSHOUND AWARD
The annual Castlemaine Mail/Don Smallgoods Newshounds Awards will be held at the Castlemaine Library on Saturday, December 16 at 10am.
On the day they will be announcing the winners of the awards for 'Best Overall News Coverage' and the 'People's Choice Award'.
The pages for all 15 shire schools will be on display in the Castlemaine Library from next Monday, December 11 until Friday, December 15 so be sure to pop in and cast your 'People's Choice' vote for the Winters Flat page!
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SWPBS – BRONZE AWARD
As we wrap up another year of School Wide Positive Behaviour Support at Winters Flat, I want to update our community on our progress. We are applying for our Bronze Award which recognises we have met the criteria in terms of practice and documentation. This includes things like the level of staff participation in planning and meetings, collecting data, promoting the behaviour matrix and flow chart, developing an action plan and an induction process. We are always open to new ideas which foster engagement with the program and are increasingly receiving input from students about the incentives on offer as part of the acknowledgement system. We are
We look forward to further developing our expertise, working towards a Silver or Gold Award next year.
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BIKE HIKES
Year 3 & 4 are riding to the Botanical Gardens and back next Monday 11th December. Year 5 & 6 will be riding to Muckleford and back next Friday 15th December. Both events are subject to favourable weather conditions. If too hot, they will be cancelled.
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WATER FUN DAY NEXT FRIDAY
Following the Year 5 & 6 Bike Hike next Friday, we plan to have a Water fun day here at school. We will break out the hoses, sprinklers and squirt bottles for some water play as an end of year celebration. Children should wear clothing that can get wet and then dry out (such as rashies) and we will be on grassed areas to ensure water isn’t wasted. We will be encouraging the usual Sunsmart practices with sunscreen and hats.
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VOLUNTEERS THANKYOU!
We are so grateful to the members of our community who volunteer at the school. Cheryl Bottomley keeps our library in good order, Serena Everill works with Terry in the garden and Wendy Oates is often here to run art or science workshops with groups of students. Scott Buchanan and Anne Neath assist with the Prep Transition program and Scott also facilitates Music sessions as a mentor to me in the performing arts program.
We thank all our parents who assisted in the classroom, reading and the kitchen programs this year.
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SHADE SAILS
Shade N Sails have begun scoping to start work on our shade sail for the junior playground and shade umbrellas for an outdoor learning space. The plan is to install the shade during the school holidays.
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Frankie M – is 10 next week
Karen had a birthday last week
Michelle had a birthday last week
Jamie – 8 in the third week of December
Jimmy – 10 in the fourth week of December
Henry – 6 in the fourth week of December
Raphael – 9 in the fourth week of December
Pippa – 10 in the fourth week of December
Briscoe – 12 in the last week of December
AnneMaree – has a birthday in the last week of December
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
COVID, FLU AND FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
Leading up to the holidays 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 on students and staff.
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:
· Inform the school.
· 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
Mango pick up date
Due to an extremely late crop this year from Queensland our Mango pick up date will be later this year. It is estimated that it will be here in the last 3 days of the school term. We will keep everyone posted via Xuno and social media as to the exact time that you can come to collect your orders. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
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Voluntary Parent Payments 2024
Last week we sent out our parent payments for 2024 via email notification to families. The payment schedule is also listed on our website. This was to give notice of our voluntary payment schedule for 2024. Please do not make any payments until the beginning of the 2024 school year.
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Step up Day – 12th December
Our step day is next Tuesday, December 12th. This is when all students will step up to their new class and teacher for 2024, and grade 6 students will be attending their chosen secondary college.
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2024 advance notice
Next year will be a camp year for Grade 2-6 students – more information to follow in 2024.
Prep/1 students will have a school experience at Winters Flat in Term 4.
Our swimming program will commence in Term 1 for all grades – 18th - 22nd March 2024.
School photos will be taken on 13th March 2024.
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Bike Rack shifted
Our bike rack has been shifted to just outside the Art room in an out of bounds area. This is in full view of the administration building and staffroom. We felt that this position would be a safer option for the storage of students bikes.
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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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Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
PJ
- Teddy - Care for Others
- Willow - Care for Others
- Dylan - Care for Self
1/2W
- Moss - Care for Others
- Tilly - Care for Self
3/4H
- Odetta - Care for Self & Care for Others
- Raph - Care for Self & Care for Others
4/5C
- Angus - Care for Self
- Brody - Care for Self
- Ava M - Care for Self & Care for Others
5/6 B
- Evie M - Care for Others
- Abel - Care for Self
- Atti - Care for Self
- Sam - Care for Others
- Luca - Care for Others
- Levi - Care for Others
- Aurora - Care for Self
- Sullivan - Care for Others
AT SCHOOL
To Celebrate International Day of People with a Disability, award-winning artist and a parent here at Winters Flat Eliza Hull, visited our classrooms to talk about disability and how we can change the world to be more inclusive for those with a disability. Eliza read her story ‘Come Over to My House’, performed some music and engaged students in a conversation about the Social Model of Disability. Here are some images from her visit and some pics of her book, along with some others that come highly recommended for primary school-aged students.
The Grade 4/5s watched this great video called ‘We need to talk about disability’, this is a great way to start the conversation at home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3faUGgMsNI
AT HOME
Have a listen to this special ABC Kids News Time segment about International Day of People with a Disability: https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/news-time/international-day-of-people-with-disability/103176650
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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Silverbeet snd leek pizza
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Margarita pizza
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Sausage rolls
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Pumpkin, Rosemary and chickpea sausage rolls
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Beetroot and feta salad
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Pavlova
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Gingerbread cookies
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Chefs of the week:
4/5C: Ava M & Jack
5/6B: Abel & Suzie
The Preps also enjoyed a cooking session this fortnight.
They made:
- Carrot dip with pita chips
- Arancini balls
- Spinach & feta muffins
- Passionfruit yoyos
- Jam drop biscuits
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:
Gardeners of the week:
3/4H: Kaelyn
4/5C: Athene, Jimmy, Sid, Eisa & Archie
5/6B: Riva
Cath & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden