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- EVENTS | Stargazing
- NEWS | From the Principal
- NEWS | From The Office
- NEWS | School Council
- NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
- NEWS |Achievement Program
- NEWS |Sustainability
- NEWS | Major Fundraisers
- WELLBEING | From The Listening Post
- Students Of The Week
- EVENTS | Mt. Alexander Chess Tournament
- EVENTS | School Run4Fun Colour Explosion
- EVENTS | Plant a Tomato
- EVENTS | Mango Fundraiser
- EVENTS | Walk to School Month in October
- OUR SCHOOL DAY
- REMINDERS
- COMMUNITY EVENTS
19
Wed
19 Sep 2018
6:45 PM to 9:00 PM
19
Wed
19 Sep 2018
6:45 PM to 9:00 PM
STARGAZING TODAY
FROM 6.45pm
Based on the weather prediction, we are going ahead with the Stargazing tonight. Please bring torches and warm clothing.
A great opportunity to dust off those telescopes and once again there will be experts on hand to help us navigate.
We will be serving pizzas, but not popcorn - for a gold coin donation.
19
Wed
19 Sep 2018
6:45 PM to 9:00 PM
Dear Winters Flat Community,
I wish everyone a safe and happy break ahead of a very busy Term 4 here at school.
Sunsmart
The SunSmart program is world-renowned, leading the way in skin cancer prevention since its creation in the 1980s. The program is jointly funded by Cancer Council Victoria and VicHealth, and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for UV Radiation. In addition to organizing our timetable around minimal exposure, as a SunSmart school we must ensure students wear hats for the rest of the school year. Your child should have a broad-brimmed style which offers better protection. Baseball caps are not SunSmart. Children not wearing a hat outside at school will be spending play times on the deck where there is good shade.
Prep Enrolments for 2019?
We are asking families with a Prep-age child for next year to submit their enrolment details as soon as possible. All Castlemaine schools are hoping to have their 2019 enrolment numbers confirmed early next term.
Singing and Vocal Workshops at Winters Flat PS – Peter Flatz
Come Along and Sing!!!
After school at Creekview today
Parents come and sing songs together with the kids and learn some vocal techniques in a fun and relaxed session run by Peter Flatz – parent and vocal coach.
3.30pm – 4.30pm today (Wednesday)
Orph Fund
It was great to see that the money raised on our Sports Colours Day has helped with getting a new roof at Kasese Children’s Village.
Working Bee
We had a small but committed turn-out for the Working Bee last Saturday. As you know the work done by volunteers assists the school in keeping the grounds and gardens looking good and reduces maintenance costs. Please think about coming along for the Working Bees next term. Term 4 is going to be busy for hosting events at the school which will include the election, the twilight market and the official opening of the new building.
Holiday Gardening
The small group who have been working hard to get the gardens looking so good around the front entrance are beginning to tire and really need some help, particularly with the Spring growth. They are planning to be working at school in the first week of the school holidays – Tues 24th, Wed 25th and Thurs 26th September. If you have time, energy or an interest in gardening and can help out on any of those days call Melissa 0412 093 734 to let them know you’re available.
Head Lice
As the weather warms up the head lice seem to return. I have included a link to the Vic Health website as well as a fact sheet to check for and treat head lice.
Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal
Final Day Term 3
Friday 21st September - Dismissal 2:30pm
First Day Term 4
Monday 8th October 2018
Lost Property
There is still lots of lost property and containers. Please check for these items in Creekview.
Any property left at the end of term without a name, will be donated to a local charity.
Grade 6 Graduation Owl
Order forms were recently sent home with all Grade 6 students for them to purchase a Graduation Owl if they wished to.
Please ensure orders and payment are returned to the office by Friday 21st September, 2018.
School Council Meeting held on Monday September 17th 2018: Summary of Meeting
Our last School Council meeting was held on Monday September 17th 2018. As a group, we reflected on what has worked well since our last meeting, including the School Colour Run and the Student Led Conferences. Thank you to Keenan and staff for organising the Colour Run; we raised close to $4000, which was such a great effort. This money will go towards furniture for the new building.
Reports were presented by each of the School Council sub-committees: Finance; Student Leadership; Wellbeing; Community Engagement; Buildings and Grounds; Sustainability; and Fundraising.
Suzanne provided feedback from the Attitudes to School Survey, which highlighted the need for more work to be done around personal safety among the senior boys. This will be a focus of the School Improvement Team and staff. It was pleasing to hear that 100% of the Grade 6 students reported a love for learning new things.
Our dedicated parent/carer volunteers have continued to do great work around the grounds. They are very keen to have more helpers, and will be at the school on 24th/25th and 26th September if you can give some time (please see office staff for more details).
The Buildings and Grounds Sub-committee was also successful in receiving a Junior Landcare Biodiversity Grant, which supports our environmental values, including protecting and promoting local species. Thank you to all involved, particularly Robyn McNeil, Melissa Cater, and Kate Brebner.
Our major fundraisers for the year are fast approaching: The Paul Bangay Open Garden and the Twilight Christmas Market. We are seeking support with raffle items and other produce/items to sell at these events.
The next school council meeting is scheduled for Monday 22nd October 2018.
Katie Wilson —School Council President
NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Recipes
- Chickpea, Beetroot & Pumpkin Salad.
- Spanish Chickpea Balls with Yoghurt.
- Pumpkin Silverbeet & Ricotta Lasagne.
- Pita Bread.
- Apple Slice.
Recipes available on the website.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden - Chefs
Grade 3/4B - Kaire K & Lucinda N.
Grade 4/5/6O - Stephanie H, Dillon F, Brodie T & Leonard P.
Grade 5/6B - Charlie H, Annika G, Inny S & Esther H-H.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden - Gardeners
Grade 2/3W - Johnathan J & Levi J.
Grade 1/2M - Amelia B & Iris D.
Grade 5/6B - Lane K.
Grade 5/6F - Maeve K & Tom H.
Watering/Feeding Chooks
Thank you.
WHAT IS THE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM?
The Achievement Program is a simple, evidence-based framework to support the health and wellbeing of everyone in our school. It helps students develop to their full potential and boosts staff productivity – at any age, as healthy people perform better.
The Victorian Government recognises Winter Flat Primary School for our work in reaching the following health and wellbeing benchmarks of the Achievement Program:
Winters Flat is currently working towards recognition of the Physical Activity benchmark.
Stay up to date with our school Achievement Program on our website.
Winters Flat War on Waste Totals for Term 2, 2018
Here are the totals for paper, organic and green waste recycling through our worm farms and compost bays.
Green Waste – 1.5 cubic meters
Organic Waste – 1.94 cubic meter
Paper/cardboard Waste – 2.8 cubic meters
Total waste recycled on site = 6.24 cubic meters!!
Also .28 cubic meters of soft plastics have been recycled through REDcycle.
Next term the following fundraisers have been organised by the School Fundraising Committee.
The Paul Bangay Open Garden - 17th and 18th November 2018,
State Election - 24th November,
The Twilight Christmas Market - 14th December 2018.
We are seeking your support with donations for the raffle please.
ARE YOU ABLE TO DONATE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?
Christmas goods (e.g., food items, decorations, gifts, etc.)
Groceries
Soaps
Anything else that could go in a hamper.
Vouchers
A service (e.g., gardening, massage, mowing, painting, etc.)
We are looking for keen and enthusiastic parents to help make items for these events. Please tell us if you have a particular talent or interest with crafts, preserves, baking, plants or sewing talents. Gather your ideas and let us know how you would like to be involved.
Please leave any donations at the school office.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE,
Fiona Johnston, Karen Mahoney, David Tobin, Suzanne Kinnersly, and Katie Wilson.
Fundraising Subcommittee.
WELLBEING | From The Listening Post
Hi Everyone,
Respectful Relationships
Over the next term we will be undertaking an Assessment to find out where we are at in regards to Respectful Relationships across the school culture at Winters Flat Primary School. Respectful Relationships is a whole school approach to ensuring everyone in the school community treats each other with respect. While our Care Crows also takes this approach, RR looks more closely at the embedded language and culture and addresses any gaps we may have. So watch this space over the next term, as we will be having a parent/school community information session in the near future to introduce RR to the wider school community.
Tuesday morning drop-ins…8.30 – 9.30am
I will continue the Tuesday morning drop ins in the French room (Creekview) in term four. They are a lovely informal way to connect with other parents to discuss the kinds of things we share as parents (wanting the best for our children, wanting to bring our ideas forward, sharing the struggles and the joys with other parents and caregivers in the community). Next term I will have tea and coffee!!!!
Watch this space for dates for next community forum…
The wellbeing team at WFPS are planning for a whole of community forum next term. We are deciding between two topics Finding the balance: Technology and our Children…
And: Parenting in a changed world: How to navigate the right amount of freedom for children to explore their world while managing our own anxiety about our children’s safety.
If you have a preference for one topic or the other, or if you think we should combine them,
your feedback is most welcome.
Cheers,
Kim (Student Wellbeing)
P/1J
Kai C - caring for others by being helpful and kind to his classmates. Thank you Kai for including others and being so thoughtful.
Frankie G - caring for others by listening to other people's ideas without interrupting. Thank you Frankie for sharing your thoughts and for sharing Susan, your guinea pig.
P/1L
Evie M - caring for self by taking great care of her work in class and always trying her best in Writing. Great work Evie, keep it up.
Levi J – caring for others by always looking to help others students when he can. Thanks for being awesome.
1/2MB
Kirah-Jayne M - caring for the environment by always working hard during gardening with Terry and helping her peers to get the job done! Thanks Kirah.
Joe B-Z - caring for the environment by working hard at keeping our school beautiful and for having lots of detail in his pictures of animals!
2/3W
Arki S - caring for self by having a fantastic positive attitude and care-for-others behaviour on the Cave Hill Camp. Well done Arki.
Sally P - caring for self for a fantastic have-a-go and helpful attitude at the Cave Hill Camp. Thank you Sally - your enthusiasm and effort really made a difference.
3/4BM
Kayla F - caring for self - Congratulations Kayla on the fantastic, positive and confident attitude that you are developing. It is so awesome to see your happy smile and no-one can do a Guinea Pig quite like you!
Grade 3/4 - WOW! WOW! Again, what an amazing range of poems you found or wrote to present. The rehearsing, preparation and performances were absolutely outstanding and enjoyed by all. Kicking it out of the park again Guys! Congratulations.
4/5/6O
Bela T - caring for others by being kind and friendly to everyone each and every day.
Olivia H - caring for self by following up on all science lessons - researching and making creations.
5/6B
Blossom S D’O - caring for self by always working to learn and grow and striving to overcome difficulties when they arise.
Oliver P - caring for others by always showing respect for others by using appropriate language and care.
5/6F
Kai H - caring for others by making enthusiastic contributions to problem solving in Maths. Thanks for your great ideas Kai.
French
Neve D - caring for self by always being ready to learn and willing to practice speaking.
Abigail P - caring for self by her excellent focus and participation during speaking and listening.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS:
Suzie McD-M, Rory H-A & Jimmy B.
CUMALONG CUP WINNERS:
Grade P/1L.
EVENTS | Mt. Alexander Chess Tournament
Tom Taft and Kevin Brown ahead of the Mt Alexander Chess Tournament competition. Picture: GLENN DANIELS
The Mount Alexander Schools Chess Challenge took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with schools from across Victoria competing for handmade trophies created by local man Tom Taft.
Chess has long been the domain of private schools, the competition’s Kevin Brown says, but with the right funding and clever use of good volunteer chess tutors public school students can embrace the game.
“We find chess meets the needs of a diverse range of kids, from those who are really bright and academic through to those who might be struggling in other parts of the curriculum,” the former Winters Flat Primary School principal said.
“In a lot of schools chess is the only thing that those kids get to represent the school at. There was a little boy at Winters Flat who was illiterate and innumerate, but chess was his game.
“How does the brain work like that? Here is a complex game like chess. He was a whizz at it but he could barely read.”
Mr Brown first started adding Chess to the curriculum after a school visitor came in to show grade two students how to play the game.
“On the blackboard this Chess Tutor had written a little equation: ‘2P + 1B = _’. Most of the kids could tell me what the answer was. I thought ‘this is early algebra, kids in year seven struggle with this’.”
Chess was also a way of breaking away from maths lessons based on photocopied pages from textbooks, which Mr Brown said bright children regarded as boring and struggling children found too hard.
Teachers could use chess to tailor learning to children’s needs, he said.
“All the research suggests if you can give kids hands-on activities and use their hands to manipulate things they will build up their confidence and understanding of concepts like coordinates and even algebra,” Mr Brown said.
The Mount Alexander Schools Chess Challenge is now in its fourth year and competition organisers provide grants of up to $1000 for qualifying schools to overcome some of the financial barriers they face, including transport to competitions and setting up programs.
Part of the challenge for public school teachers is fitting chess into a crowded curriculum.
Mr Brown said his former school got around that problem by inviting volunteers from the local Chess Club to school once a week, and incorporating their expertise into teachers’ lesson plans.
EVENTS | School Run4Fun Colour Explosion
A huge thank you to everyone involved in the colour run on Friday 7th September. It was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Just a reminder that if you have already raised money online, you will need to go and order your prizes online before Friday 21st September.
Keenan Lucas
Classroom Teacher.
We would like to thank The Diggers Club for their kind donation of tomato seeds, such as – Pink Bumble Bee, Lemon Drop & Green Zebra. Also, a big thanks to all the parents and teachers that have taken home kits to grow out 300 seedlings for the Paul Bangay market stall.
Order forms have been sent home to all families for our popular Mango Fundraiser this year.
The mangoes are direct from the grower in Queensland and should be delivered to the school sometime during the week commencing 10th December 2018, just in time for the festive season.
We will notify parents via Flat Chat and email when they arrive.
If you did not receive an order form and would like to download one, please click on the following link - Mango Fundraiser
Please ensure that order forms, together with payment are received by Friday 26th October 2018.
EVENTS | Walk to School Month in October
Our school has signed up to participate in Walk to School Month in October.
We’d love to see families put their best foot forward and join thousands of other Victorian kids walk, ride or scoot to school.
Part way is ok! If you can’t walk the whole way, why not try parking the car a few blocks from school and walk, ride or scoot the rest.
Walk to School helps get kids active, and gives you a chance to talk and teach road safety skills while spending quality time together and getting active yourself.
Dear all,
Great news!
A few months ago a terrible storm came through and blew the roof off at our Kasese Children's Village. It was all very dramatic and we were blessed that no one was hurt by flying sheets of metal!!!
With your amazing support, we replaced the roof and have fixed all the damage. Our girls have moved back in and everyone is happy again.
A great big THANK YOU to those who donated from everyone at OrphFund and our kids! We really can't do what we do without the support of our friends! ❤
Steven Argent Founder & Melbourne Bela Mitchell Kasese Children's Village Co-ordinator
Esther Barneveld - Castlemaine Volunteer.
WINTERS FLAT DIGICLUB
Lisa Mills (Monty and Bo’s Mum + film maker and workshop leader with ACMI’s Public Programs and Education) is hosting an after school ‘media lab’ each Wednesday for 6 weeks, skilling up our mid-school Winters Flat crew with creative production processes. Designed for 8-10 year olds who are creative or technical - or enthusiastic and want to try their hand at animated film making.
• design your character and scenes
• create a storyline with your collaborators
• learn to use cameras
• make stop frame animations
• basic editing
• add sound effects and music
• finish your film with text and titles
3.15 pm Snacks / Relax / Watch selected short animations
3.30 pm Creative Work Starts
4.30 pm Creative Work Ends / Pack up
4.45 pm Final pick up time
Wednesdays in term four:
October 17th and 24th
November 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.
Gold coin donations for healthy snacks welcome. Other creative parents welcome too!
Please call Lisa on 0402 337 814 if you think your child would like to be part of this or would like to get involved.
Limited numbers, so get in quick.