GREAT NEWS TODAY

We were all waiting to hear the announcement that the lockdown does end tonight and school will be back tomorrow. Mask wearing continues to be necessary for all adults here at school unless they are teaching or caring for students. If there are any further guidelines released about how schools are permitted to operate I will let you know via email/XUNO.

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WELCOME BACK SAUSAGE SIZZLE

It was a great gathering last Thursday and lovely to see everyone again. We’ve received lots of positive feedback - thank you! The success of the night was due to the roster of parent volunteers and staff helping out before, during and after the event and I would like to thank everyone for their amazing effort and assistance.

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CCTV COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Just a reminder that the School Council has ratified the proposal to install CCTV as a deterrent to the vandalism we have been experiencing.

The two cameras will be mounted from inside to focus on the two deck areas – main building and art room. The footage will only be viewed for after-hours activity by senior staff and if an offence has been committed – the police.

Once again if you have any concerns about this proposal please contact me directly: Suzanne.Kinnersly@education.vic.gov.au or 5472 1522.

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PREP – YEAR 3 MEET AND GREET INTERVIEWS 24^TH FEBRUARY

On Wednesday 24^th February you will have the opportunity to meet with teachers to talk about the individual needs of your child. We have attached a questionnaire to guide the conversation, with the expectation that this is an opportunity for parents and carers to meet the 2021 teacher or re-connect if they are continuing from 2020. Bookings via Xuno.

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YEAR 4 – YEAR 6 MEET AND GREET INTERVIEWS 3^RD MARCH

Once again on Wednesday 3^rd March, you will have the opportunity to meet with teachers from Years 4-6 to talk about the individual needs of your child. Again this is an opportunity for parents and carers in the Senior Learning Community to meet the 2021 teacher and re-connect if they are continuing from 2020. Bookings via Xuno.

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BIRTHDAYS

Finchley – 7 in the first week of January

Chilli – 11 in the first week of January

Nova - 7 in the second week of January

Lincon – 12 in the second week of January

Levi J – 10 in the fourth week of January

Stanley - 10 in the fourth week of January

Cheryl B - in the fourth week of January

 

Sam B - 9 in the first week of February

Ava G - 7 in the first week of February

Morgan - in the first week of February

Lenny - 6 in the second week of February

Corben - 7 in the second week of February

 

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hip Hip:  Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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ASSEMBLIES

We are yet to have an assembly for 2021 but when they do resume again we will meet on The Deck for Term 1.

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COMMITTEES, VOLUNTEERS AND SCHOOL COUNCIL

A reminder that we are once again inviting parents and carers to consider joining one of the School Council sub-committees here at Winters Flat. Thank you to those who have already signed up.

School Council elections will be held in March and there are a number of vacancies for parents/carers.

We also have vacancies in:

• Buildings and Grounds – manages grounds of the school and identifies building maintenance issues
• Fundraising – organises and coordinates fund raising opportunities
• School Community engagement – looks for ways of involving our community and the wider Castlemaine community in school life, as well as promoting our school
• Sustainability – supports the ResourceSmart 5 Star rating through daily school routines, leadership, curriculum and innovation.
• Wellbeing – promotes health, mental, social and emotional wellbeing in our community with students, staff and parents

If you have an interest in joining any of these committees please complete the attached Volunteers form, email winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone: 5472 1522. It is not necessary to be on school council to participate. Thanks to those who have already expressed interest. We will send out a meeting schedule as soon as possible.

Volunteers are welcome in every classroom as well as the Kitchen/Garden and specialist. If you have the time and inclination please let us know.

The role of Class Rep is one you might also like to consider. It’s a way to connect the families of your child’s class with each other, to organise social events as well as posting reminders about class and school events.

Another space which has endless opportunities to get involved is joining in with working bees. We’ll soon be posting some jobs on our ‘to do’ list for 2021 and some dates to join in and as one student described; “get together to help the school.”

Nomination forms are now available from the office for the 2021 Winters Flat School Council. There are three parent/carer positions available and two DET positions. (See Call for Nominations attached to this Newsletter). This is a great way to get more involved in our school. This year we meet on the third Tuesday of the month and we will alternate our meetings between on-site and Webex. We’d love you to join us this year.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund Applications

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, you can download the form here. Forms are also available at the office.

You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.

Please return completed forms to the office as soon as possible.

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Family Details

Are your family details we have on file correct? Are your phone numbers and emergency contacts up to date? In the coming days we will be sending home information that we have on file for your child\ren.  Please take the time to read through them and make any corrections necessary and return to the office.  It is extremely important that we have current information for your child\ren in the event of an emergency. If everything is up to date, just write nil and return to the office.

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XUNO

If any families are having issues with logging onto XUNO, please contact the office.

Currently, the app gives you access to: 

• Messages (send and receive messages to your child’s teachers)
• Timetable
• Calendar
• News
• Attendance (and the ability to respond to previous absences)
• Events, Camps & Excursions (and the ability to approve events)
• Payments (to pay for any camps/excursions)
• Parent Teacher Interview Bookings (now available to book)

We encourage all families to be regularly logging into XUNO, either via the website or the app.

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SAKG Laundry Roster

If you are able to help with the SAKG laundry, please contact us in the office.

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Tea Towels

We have 3 tea towels up for grabs leftover from last year's fundraiser. First in best dressed at $20 each.

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Karen Mahoney & Renae Wilson

Office

JUNIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY

P/1 J | Perryn F

For showing Care for Self by concentrating on his work and putting in a high level of effort.
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P/1 J | Maeve B

For showing Care for Self by listening carefully and doing her best effort to complete tasks.

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2/3 A | Atticus B

For showing Care for Environment by being a fantastic helper in the kitchen and washing ALL the dishes! Thank you, Atti!

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2/3 A | Ash B

For showing Care for Self by making an amazing start to the year! I’m so proud of the good choices you have been making, Ash - keep it up!

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3/4W | Aurora A and Frankie G

For showing Care for Others by including others and being a good and fair friend.

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SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Izaiah R

For showing Care for Self by having a positive start to the year. Your choice to start the year with such a positive mindset and enjoy your new class has been outstanding and a pleasure to watch and be a part of. Well done on making such awesome choices and keep it going.

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Zahyra W

For showing Care for Others by being so inclusive and encouraging. Well done on such a positive start to the year. Your desire to make sure everyone is doing their best while having fun and encouraging your peers is an amazing attribute that you should celebrate. Well done on being such a great support for everyone in the class.

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Sara C

For showing Care for Self and Others. Congratulations Sara on the meticulous and creative care that you take in the production and presentation of your work pieces. A fantastic sense of design and colour. Thank you also for the extra assistance that you have displayed in helping your classmates/group members with completing their work. Well done.

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Iris D

For showing Care for Self and Others. Thank you Iris for your tireless and valuable contributions during our class discussions. Your willingness and confidence to share your thoughtful ideas is greatly appreciated and helps others to make their own connectives associations. Congratulations Iris.

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

What we're cooking in the kitchen this week...

Tabbouleh

Indian Flat Bread

Tomato and Basil Soup

Zucchini Rosti

Spiced Pear Muffins

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Remember, all our recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.

*Donations of tomatoes, zucchini and basil would be gratefully appreciated.

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Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Hello Winters Flat School Community.

This week we have found ourselves once again in lockdown. This has perhaps left many of us feeling unsettled, reminding us of the lengthy time we spent isolated (at least physically) from our friends, family and support networks last year. Despite this being a relatively short lockdown, there is no doubt that for pre-school and school-age children, these disruptions will have impacts in subtle (and not so subtle) ways. As adults we may be somewhat used to the reality of life with a global pandemic, however, children often need reassurance, comfort and clarity to help them feel safe and supported.

Mental health and social effects may include:

• increased peer conflict or problems within social relationships;
• behavioural changes (withdrawal or ‘acting out’ or behaving in aggressive ways);
• preoccupation with negative events, experiences and emotions;
• disrupted sleep patterns;
• difficulty concentrating on learning;
• anxiety about the future.

Here are some strategies to support you child during lockdown and beyond if any of these symptoms are emerging:

• Talk with them about what’s going on, keeping communication as open as you can. Let them know that it’s okay to feel however they feel – whether that’s scared, worried, angry, sad or something else.
• Try to answer your child's questions and reassure them in an age appropriate manner. While you don’t need to know all the answers, talking things through can help them feel calmer. 
• Encourage your child to do the things that help them when they’re finding things difficult. This will be different for everyone – it could include things like doing exercise or going for a walk, watching a favourite film, reading a favourite book, cooking or baking, talking to friends, or drawing or writing.
• Reassure them this will pass, you’re there for them, and you will get through this together. Having returned to some of their normal activities over the summer, going back into stricter measures might feel frustrating for your child. They may even be worried that things will never get better. Recognise how difficult this is, while also letting them know that the pandemic will not last forever.
• Spend time doing a positive activity together. This can help them to feel calmer by giving them a short break from everything that’s going on. It’s also a great way of providing a space for them to talk through their concerns, without having a ‘big chat’.
• Keep as many regular routines going as possible to help your child feel safe and secure. This can include things like having regular times for going to bed, waking up, eating meals and doing hobbies.

A reminder to families that there is always the option to obtain a Mental Health Plan for your child, or indeed yourself, if you feel you could use support with mental health and wellbeing.

If you have a mental health care plan, you will be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group appointments a year. That means for certain psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers, you are also entitled to Medicare rebates for 10 individual and support group sessions in a year. Your doctor can give you a referral to allied mental health services in your area. Or you can get more information from Beyond Blue, which includes a search tool to locate mental health professionals near you (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professional).

Finally, for families of young children, the ABC Kids Listen App is really useful for filling in chunks of time in the day with stories, delightful podcasts. There is also a section on the app for rest and sleep time to support winding down routines. The programs are inspired by the Early Years Learning Framework of Australia, which encourages children to learn through play. The high quality audio programs give children a space where they can get their bodies moving and brains working. Explore, learn, and play, and later wind down, rest, and sleep. Find more info and a link here:  https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/all-shows/

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any concerns about your child.  Fingers crossed to a return to semi normal later in the week!

Hannah O'Keefe

Wellbeing Officer, Winters Flat Primary School

(Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30-2:30)

Hannah.Okeefe@education.vic.gov.au

If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue's coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348. Raising Children is also an excellent resource for families: https://raisingchildren.net.au/

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*If you wish for your child/ren to participate in sessions with Hannah, please ensure you provide permission on XUNO or sign a hard copy of the permission form available at the office. 

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

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