Filter Content
Friday September 16th
- Last day of Term 3 - 2:30pm finish
- Whole school Pyjama day
Monday October 3rd
- First day of Term 4
THE CHILD SAFE STANDARDS – CODE OF CONDUCT
I mentioned last week there is a new regulatory landscape surrounding child safety, underpinned by the Child Safe Standards.
The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian early childhood services and schools, to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.
Schools must update their child safety strategies, policies, and practices to comply with the new standards. As a school we are currently working through the required amendments and have had a briefing with teaching staff and school councillors. Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools.
In order to get our community feedback I have attached a draft of the new Code of Conduct for Winters Flat Primary School. The wording of this Code of Conduct has been prepared by the Department of Education and Training Policy Advisory Library.
FAREWELL JODIE
We want to wish Jodie all the best following her two terms running the garden program here at Winters Flat. jodie generously shared her knowledge and experience with such things as string making, weaving, basket making and innovative gardening.
Thank you Jodie!
We look forward to welcoming Terry back next term.
SLC BIKE HIKE
Another great day was organized for the students in the Senior Learning Community who rode or walked to the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens on 1st September. I was thrilled to hear that our students’ behaviour was courteous and kind to other park users and once again I thank the parents and volunteers who assisted as well as the staff whose planning and supervision ensured the day was such a success.
Unfortunately, a bike did go missing from the bike rack after school that day and we are reminding everyone to check their sheds and gardens and please check again with your child that they have their correct bike and helmet. It is a GT adventurer - mostly grey with some blue trim. We also strongly recommend bike locks are used when children ride bikes and scooters to and from school.
MONDAY’S ATHLETICS
Congratulations to all the students who represented Winters Flat at Bendigo on Monday. Some outstanding results and personal best achievements were recorded, and we thank everyone who took part for their positive sporting attitude and fairness in competing. We celebrate the students who will go to the next level of competition and wish them all the best, as well as those who took part on our behalf. Special thanks to Sam and Marg for training and supervision on the day as well as the parents who attended.
TODAY’S CHESS COMPETITION AT CSC
Reports from the tournament have been positive with our team of fifteen students representing Winters Flat PS at a competition involving many students from the schools in our district. Once again reports of their participation have been positive and we thank our chess coach Harry, as well as staff Jennifer and Marg for supervising this event. This is the first time since COVID that the Mt Alexander chess tournament has been able to go ahead. Congratulations to the children who took part.
KIMOCHI NEWS
Two more Communication Keys Homelinks are attached to this Newsletter. Communication Key 2 teaches about how to use a talking voice. According to research 30% of our communication is sent through our tone of voice – it is not just what you say but how you say it. Children are learning to use a talking voice in a variety of practice situations.
While tone of voice conveys 30% of our message, body language accounts for a whopping 60% of the message. Communication Key 3 - using a talking face and body looks at how facial expressions influence how humans understand each other, particularly young children seeking cues in social situations.
BIRTHDAYS
Harry (chess coach) in the third week of September
Karen M in the fourth week of September
Hermione 7 in the fourth week of September
Lily 10 in the fourth week of September
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
COVID SAFETY
COVID cases continue to be reported here at Winters Flat Primary School
At school we promote and encourage:
- washing hands
- mask wearing indoors for everyone over 8 (highly recommended)
- physical distancing
- rapid antigen testing
- Outdoors when practical
- Air purifiers in all classrooms
Free rapid antigen tests
Testing is strongly recommended at least twice a week for students and staff. Tests are also strongly encouraged for close contacts of cases or when symptomatic.
After doing the tests at home, if it is positive, you will need to:
- let the school know
- keep your child at home for 7 days
- contact the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.
A video about RA testing is available online.
Suzanne Kinnersly
Principal
Year 5 Camp Out Postponed
Due to the wet weather, the Camp Out has been postponed. A new date will be set in Term 4, we will let families know a date early next term.
Mango Fundraiser
The famous and much loved fundraiser is kicking off now! Please order your mangoes by 21st October 2022 for delivery in the second week of December. Order forms will also go home with students this week. If you need extra copies, please see the office. You will need to pay for the mangoes at the time you place your order, so start selling now to family and friends and let’s make this one the best one yet. The family with the most orders will win a stoneman’s book voucher to the value of $100.
Here are some pics of a previous year's delivery arriving. The students love to jump on board and help with the many, many trays.
Hats Lotto
Term 4 will see the return of Hats Lotto. Children, remember your hats to go in the draw for an icypole each lunchtime!
News from the School Crossing Team
Hi,
My family and I are moving out of the area in a few weeks and so I will be hanging up my Supervisor’s hat at the end of this term. I have enjoyed being the Supervisor at Ray Street and will miss the daily interaction with the children/families who regularly use the crossing.
This means there will be a vacancy in the Crossing Team………if you or someone you know would be interested in joining the team, please check out the advertisement on Council’s website (under “Employment” – then “Current Vacancies”). I can thoroughly recommend the job – I’ve been a Supervisor for 11 years and find it highly rewarding work.
Warm Regards,
Michelle
News from Beleza Uniform Shop
Winters Flat had a very successful day at the Sandhurst Athletics Carnival. Well done to Atti B, Daisy G-D, Levi J, Lucinda, Sylvie, Evie M, Evie O, Jimmy, Amelia, Arlo, Ginger, Luca, Ava M, Detroit & Aurora for their hard work, grit, determination and high spirits! The students had a fantastic time. A big thank you to Sam for coaching and supporting them on the day and thanks to all the parents who made the drive to Bendigo to cheer them on.
Results:
Atti B - 800m - 1st in Goldfields Division, 2nd overall
Daisy G-D - 800m - 3rd
Levi J - High Jump - 3rd
Lucinda - 200m - 3rd
Sylvie - High Jump - 3rd
Evie M - Discus - 1st in Goldfields Division
Evie M - Shot Put - 2nd
Jimmy - High Jump - 3rd
Amelia - Long Jump - 3rd
Arlo - Discus - 3rd
Ginger - Hurdles - 2nd
Evie O - Long Jump - 2nd
Luca - 800m - 3rd
The first Chess lesson…
Hello. My name is Zeno d’Evie, and I have recently hosted a chess lesson for my class on the eleventh of August. Here's how it went.
The chess lesson I taught took place in my classroom on the eleventh of August, At about 12:30 PM, and it ended at roughly 1:30 PM. In that lesson I taught everyone the basics of chess. The main points of the lesson were for everyone to know how the pieces moved by the end of the chess lesson, for everyone to be a good sport, and to have fun.
The first half of my lesson was based around getting to know the students' experience and knowledge of chess. I was very surprised at the immense amount of knowledge the students had. It wasn't everything, but it well exceeded my expectations.
It exceeded my expectations mainly because of two things; one, was that I have taught a chess lesson before and the students in the chess lesson were lacking the knowledge my classmates had. Two, I thought that chess would not be quite so common knowledge among my classmates, but I was wrong, and they were right.
The second half of the lesson I got everyone to find a partner and play a game of chess with them. Sometimes people weren’t sure about something and asked me about it.
I was happy to help and everyone understood.
An example of this was when some students were struggling with the pawn mechanics, and I helped them get through this issue. then they could understand how it worked without my help.
I feel as though that this was a good experience for aspiring chess players, and even for players who weren’t as interested in chess, I received nothing but good reviews.
I would like to thank Keenan Lucas, my teacher, for this amazing experience and being so helpful in setting this up.
I would like to thank my chess tutor Harry Poulton, for teaching me everything that I know.
And last but not least, I would like to thank my classmates, for listening, being respectful, and for having fun. This was the best chess class I have ever taught, and I can't wait until next time.
Chess tournament in Macedon turns the heads of chess fans everywhere.
Recently, a select few brave students in Winters Flat Primary School have journeyed out to Alice Miller School in Macedon, to compete in an advanced chess tournament.
This is what the students had to say:
“I think it was fun, Zeno d’Evie said. “Though I didn't love the structure, I feel as if not having any breaks made the vibe more unpleasant and made the tournament long winded.
I’m not too happy with how I placed in the tournament, but I liked it because it was the first tournament in which I had competed in for years, in conclusion i’m very proud of everyone who competed and i think it was a good experience to improve our skill level and prepare for the bigger tournaments later this year.”
“This was my first tournament.” Atticus Jaeger said. “At first I was very nervous because I didn't know who I was going to face, and the fact that this was my first tournament and I didn't know what to expect. I won my first match and stalemated the second then I won my third match. I lost the match after that and continued to win the next one. I lost my last match. Overall it was enjoyable, but we didn’t get breaks which I didn't like at all. I think I did well for my first tournament.”
The tournament used a system called the swiss pairing system, this system involves every student playing seven games and depending on whether the students win or lose, they go up in ranking or down in ranking. There are three ways a game can end, winning, losing, or drawing. You can win by checkmating your opponent, your opponent running out of time, or your opponent resigning (admitting defeat). You can lose by getting checkmated, running out of time, or resigning.
There are a lot of ways to draw in this tournament, the first way is to stalemate your opponent. A stalemate is when the opponent has no legal moves. Eg; if an opponent has lost all their pieces except for their king, and all possible squares around the king are check.
As you can not move into to check, and you have to move, this position is a draw.
One of the other ways to draw a game is to have insufficient material on both sides. This means that neither person can checkmate the other for lack of pieces that could possibly get a checkmate.
The third and most complex way to draw a game is called timeout versus insufficient material. This is when one person has insufficient material, and the other one has enough material to checkmate the opponent but runs out of time. The reason this is a draw is because it would be unfair to the player with insufficient material, who tried their best to hustle the opponent into losing all their time to lose, and unfair for the person who had more material to lose, it is a draw.
Winters Flat ended up getting to the northern star semi finals, and will compete in that tournament in term 4.
The students from Winters Flat are soon going to compete in another tournament at Castlemaine Secondary College, on Wednesday the 14th of September.
By Zeno d’Evie
.
Mount Alexander Chess Challenge
A goup of students represented Winters Flat today at the Mount Alexander Chess Challenge. They travelled to Castlemaine Secondary College to compete against students from all over the district.
Winters Flat came 4th! Congratulations!
Students from Years 5 & 6 ventured over to Castlemaine Secondary College last month. Here's some pics of them in the lab making slime and sherbert.
AT SCHOOL
It’s hard to believe that we’re at the end of Term 3! Spring has begun, and despite the persisting cool and wet weather, there is an unstoppable process of growth and renewal that is visible around us.
Do you have any unwanted cushions, blankets or beanbags lying around? If so, we need them! We are always re-vamping communal spaces, chill-out spaces and are generally committed to providing flexible and comfortable learning areas for our students. Drop them into the office and tell them that Hannah wants them.
AT HOME
As we edge closer to the end of the school year, I thought I’d offer a super basic - but useful - checklist that aims to measure a broad range of social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties your child may be experiencing. It's suitable for kids aged 4 to 16 and can help you determine whether a conversation with your GP or another Health Professional may be useful: https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/child-mental-health-checklist
And also, here are some fun, low-cost ideas for play activities that help kids learn and grow. Families can do these wellbeing exercises together, so they’re good for everyone! https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/activity-guides
IN THE COMMUNITY
The Castlemaine Library has an awesome Spring School Holiday Program out! From something as simple as communal movie sessions to wholesome talks with authors and illustrators – sign up before lists are full! Here is the full program, as well as some of my favourites:
- https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/holidayprogram
- https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pp-workshop-who-am-i-tickets-411673615867
- https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/stop-motion-animation-tickets-411679363057
- https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/movie-matinee-coco-pg-tickets-411673966917
- https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/movie-matinee-penguin-bloom-pg-tickets-411681900647
Winters Flat parent Eliza Hull has a new book out, Come Over to My House. Come Over to My House is a delightful picture book that explores the home lives of children and parents who are deaf or disabled. Co-written by disability advocate Eliza Hull and bestselling author Sally Rippin, the inclusive rhyming text authentically explores the characters' various disabilities. Excitingly, Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin will be hosting a special session at the Castlemaine Library in the Holidays! Link to ticket is below… be quick!
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/book-event-come-over-to-my-house-tickets-411682091217
And finally, for families with tweens and teens, Community Health Nurse Bron Grieve delivers the final Parenting in the Modern World talk, focussing on some of the most prevalent emotions our youth are experiencing. Bron will provide practical tips and share some great resources to help parents and carers support young people experiencing anxiety, depression and other big emotions.
Light refreshments provided.
See you in Term 4!
Hannah
The mental health support system is under immense pressure. If you are having trouble accessing any services please contact me on hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au. I am available for a chat/meeting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:15 and 2:15.
By far the best service you can contact if your child is experiencing a mental health crisis is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). They have a 24 hour number you can call to talk with someone and access services in the region: 1300 363 788 (https://www.bendigohealth.org.au/ChildandAdolescentMentalHealthService/).
The Loddon Orange Door is also an excellent free service for adults, children and young people. They can link you in with services. They are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). Call 1800 512359
The following list is a comprehensive directory of mental health support services, including out of hours support. (If your safety or the safety of others is at risk, contact emergency services on 000)
HeadtoHelp 1800 595 212
Cairnmillar Institute (free telehealth counselling) - https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/telehealth
1300 22 4636 (24 Hrs)
Lifeline
13 11 14 (24 Hrs)
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 (24 Hrs)
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 (24 Hrs)
Other helplines
Tandem Support and Referral Line information, support, advocacy or referral for family members or friends who are supporting a person with mental health issues. Call 1800 314 325.
Blue Knot Foundation Helpline information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm / 7 days a week.
Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673 8am-9pm / 7 days a week.
Child Protection (5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays) For children and young people whose safety is at risk Call 13 12 78
eheadspace mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890.
MensLine Australia telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.
Men’s Referral Service (8am to 9pm Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday). For people at risk of using family violence. Free, confidential, expert support for men and their family and friends. Call 1300 766 491
MindSpot Clinic telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. Call 1800 61 44 34 AEST, 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-6pm (Sat).
QLife telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTQI) people. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) / 7 days a week.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) telephone information, counselling and referral service. Call 1300 726 306, 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).
Brother to Brother, a 24-hour crisis line for Aboriginal men has been set up to provide extra support during the coronavirus pandemic. Call 1800 435 799.
SANE Australia support, training and education enabling those with a mental illness to lead a better life. Call 1800 18 7263, 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri).
Safe Steps (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For women and children who are victims of family violence. Web chat support service Monday to Friday 9am until midnight. Call 1800 015 188
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For victims of sexual assault. Call 1800 806 292
The Compassionate Friends Victoria information and peer support for families trying to rebuild their lives after the death of a child, sibling or grandchild, from trained volunteers with lived experience. Call 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068 24/7. Siblings (aged 18-30 years) can use the web chat daily, 3pm-12am.
Open Arms (Veterans and Families Counselling) 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and their families. Call 1800 011 046.
With Respect (5pm to 11pm each Wednesday and 10am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday) Specialist LGBTIQ family violence service. Call 1800 542 847
Victims of Crime Helpline (8am to 11pm, 7 days a week) For adult male victims of family violence and victims of violent crime. Call 1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891
Mental Health Foundation Australia National Mental Health Helpline offers emotional and practical support to families, carers and individuals with mental health issues. The response team does not provide counselling but can arrange a call back from a trained Psychologist or Counsellor. Call 1300 643 287.
If you feel that the stress or anxiety you or your family members are experiencing is getting too much, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists are highly trained and qualified professionals skilled in providing effective interventions for a range of mental health concerns, including stress. A psychologist can help you manage your stress and anxiety using techniques based on the best available research. If you are referred to a psychologist by your GP, you might be eligible for a Medicare rebate. You may also be eligible to receive psychology services via telehealth so that you do not need to travel to see a psychologist. Ask your psychologist or GP for details.
There are number of ways to access a psychologist.
You can:
- use the Australia-wide Find a PsychologistTM service. Go to findapsychologist.org.au or call 1800 333 497
- ask your GP or another health professional to refer you.
- Investigate other mental health services, including domestic violence services via the link: https://mhaustralia.org/need-help
NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...
What we're cooking in the kitchen this fortnight...
- Minestrone soup
- Herbed bread rolls
- Carrot, cumin, and herb fritters with yoghurt sauce
- Herb polenta chips
- Mexican beans with roasted sweet potato, fennel, and silverbeet
- Passionfruit yoyos
Last Monday, the Prep/Ones did Cooking for the third time this year! They are always excited to get to work in the kitchen :) We worked on six recipes, in six groups, and six students from 4/6L came over to “team lead” each group.
We made
- Mini Quiches (Jamie, Mirai, Isobel, and Arlo)
- Herbed Polenta Chips (Elan, Peter, and Kirah)
- Sausage Rolls (Maeve, Tilly, Leo, and Ellie)
- Cheese and Vegemite Scrolls (Valentina, Odessa, and Zeno)
- Chocolate Chip Cookies (Heidi, Harriet, and Ripley)
- Lemon Slice (Eddie, Felix, Daisy G-D)
We had heaps of fun, learned a lot, and got to enjoy a delicious lunch together.
Great job, everyone!
Chefs of the week:
P/1J: Everyone was the chef of the day!
2/3W: The whole class for working with the relief teacher so well!
4/6L: Chase B, Abi, Arlo, Luca.
4/6B: Ava, Lucinda, Freya.
Remember, 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.
What we're up to in the garden this week...
The garden is looking magnificent with all this rain! There are so many flowers now that Spring is here and the students have been planting lots of seedlings for Term 4 harvesting.
Gardeners of the week:
2/3W: The whole class!
4/6L: Lola, Izzy, Lily, Haylee & Ginger.
4/6B: Bo, Jaz & Iris.
Rosie & Jodie
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden