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- NEWS | School Calendar
- NEWS | From the Principal
- NEWS | From the Office
- NEWS | Election Day Fundraiser
- NEWS | Community Engagement
- NEWS | Grandparents and Special Friends Day
- NEWS | Year Prep, One, Two Sleepover
- NEWS | Chess State Finals Tournament
- NEWS | Barefoot Classrooms
- NEWS | Wellbeing
- NEWS | Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
- COMMUNITY | Events
Friday November 11th
- Tennis, Cricket & Netball Carnival - Years 3-6
Tuesday November 22nd
- 2023 Prep Transition 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Saturday November 26th
- Election Day Fundraiser - Seeking donations and volunteers - see below
Monday November 28th - Wednesday November 30th
- Year 5/6 Narmbool Camp - payments due next Monday 14th November
Tuesday November 29th
- 2023 Prep Transition 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Tuesday December 6th
- 2023 Prep Transition 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Thursday December 8th
- End of Year whole school picnic 5pm - 7pm
Monday December 12th
- Whole school Swimming Fun Day at Gurri Wanyarra, Kangaroo Flat
Tuesday December 13th
- Whole School Step Up session 10:00am - 12:00pm (including 2023 Preps)
Thursday December 15th
- Year Six Graduation
Friday December 16th
- Last day of school 3:15pm finish
WEEK 2 MUSIC PERFORMANCE (P-4)
Back in Week 2 we were so lucky to have a performance with musicians Aawa White
and Justin Marshall (Ava’s dad). Using flute, percussion and electronic sounds and recordings, the performance was inspired by nature and the elements including fungi, bird song and cicadas. Children were encouraged to make sounds and work together to create wilderness soundscapes from different parts of Australia. We would like to belatedly and sincerely thank Aawa and Justin for bringing this incredible experience to Winters Flat.
FEEL WITH FEET
Teachers were very lucky to have a professional learning session with Lz Dunn recently where we took off our shoes and talked about the benefits to our feet and bodies of going barefoot. Please see the attachment in this Newsletter which introduces some of the advantages of bare feet at school. We are planning to have further staff and class sessions this term with the hope of promoting the “Bare Foot Zone”.
YEAR 1 & 2 SLEEPOVER
It was lovely to see the students from Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 having such as great time on Friday evening. The activities in the afternoon followed by the sleepover was a great success! Fiona, Helen and Michelle have expressed their gratitude for the amazing support they received from the team of parents and carers who attended. This happy band of volunteers set up the incredibly popular bike circuit around the school buildings, helped with afternoon tea and then dinner. They were also there to help with making beds and the night walk. Even more helpers turned up at 7:00am for the morning shift and made a delicious breakfast. Happy campers and happy teachers. Thanks to Fiona, Helen and Michelle for organising.
SWPBS MATRIX
The school wide behaviour expectations are set out in our Care Crows matrix, which I have attached to this Newsletter.
At this time of year, it is sometimes necessary to remind students that our school wide expectations apply all year. We are continuing to focus on:
- Being in the right place at the right time
- Keeping our hands and feet to ourselves
- Speak with kind words and tone of voice
Families are reminded that mobile phones and tablets must be handed in at the office when the school day commences and can be collected after school. We have also reminded senior students that the use of obscene, racist or sexist language will result in a call to parents.
The weekly Dojo cash-in for positive behaviour is still going strong.
KIMOCHI NEWS
The first feeling we are learning more about is KIND.
Week 11 Homelink has some suggestions to try.
26 NOVEMBER -ELECTION DAY AT WINTERS FLAT
As you know we have a dedicated team working towards making Election Day 26th November an amazing event. Please consider helping with donations and volunteering on the day. Funds we raise will go towards some lovely new outdoor furniture for students.
BIRTHDAYS
Helen - in the first week of November
Rosie - in the first week of November
Keenan - in the first week of November
Ash – 10 in the second week of November
Levi M - 12 in the second week of November
Charlie – 9 in the second week of November
Atticus A-K 8 in the second week of November
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hip Hip: Hooray
Hooray: Hip Hip
COVID SAFETY
COVID-19 isolation requirements have changed
The Victorian Government has announced the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders.
The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health now apply.
It is strongly recommended that students:
- who test positive to COVID-19 stay home and isolate for 5 days
- should not attend school after 5 days if still symptomatic
- who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school
- advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result
Where students become symptomatic at school they should:
- be collected by their parents/carers
- undergo testing for COVID-19
It is strongly recommended that staff:
- who test positive to COVID-19 stay home and isolate for 5 days
- should not attend after 5 days if still symptomatic
- who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school
- report their positive test result to the school and through eduPay
At school we promote and encourage:
- washing hands
- mask wearing indoors (highly recommended)
- physical distancing
- rapid antigen testing
- Outdoors when practical
- Windows open
- Air purifiers in all classrooms
Plenty of 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
- 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
Phone Lines
We are currently having issues with our phone lines. If you can not get through and need to speak to somebody, please contact us by email: winters.flat.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Thank you for your patience whilst we resolve this issue.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
A very big thank you to everyone who contributed to the afternoon tea for Grandparents and Special Friends Day.
Another big thank you to our special visitors who purchased and donated books for our library.
Containers in which the food was delivered in, can be found in the staffroom.
World Teachers Day
Another thank you to everyone who delivered delicious treats for our teachers and support staff on Friday the 28th of October. And a thank you to Erin (mum of Atti & Felix) for the beautiful flowers.
Support CSC Plastic Recycling Campaign
The Good Op Shop Castlemaine has a special ask of everyone. It's National Recycling Week this week and we want to raise $10,000 to buy Castlemaine Secondary College recycling machines. These machines shred plastic bottle lids and then melt them into a mold to make new products that can be sold.
If you can donate to our MyCause campaign, or share the link below or tell your friends about it, we would be very grateful.
The Good Op Shop and Castlemaine Secondary College will contribute $5,000 but we still need $10,000 more to buy the machines.
The school has set up a bottle lid sorting and cleaning process and are ready to get recycling.
Please help us set up the next generation to learn, take part in and benefit from recycling. And hopefully inspire them to find ways to recycle other materials that we don't know how to yet.
https://www.mycause.com.au/.../the-next-generation-recycling
Karen Mahoney & Kitty Ward
Office
NEWS | Election Day Fundraiser
The Community Engagement and Fundraising Committees have joined forces to organise another Election Day Fundraiser. It will be on Saturday the 26th of November, so mark the date on your calendar! We're hoping to make it a successful event with multiple stalls. If you are able to volunteer on the day, please contact Karen or Kitty in the office.
We would also appreciate donations of the following items:
Items for Lucky Dip bags
- small secondhand toys in good, clean condition
- kids craft supplies eg: pencils/erasers/paints/origami paper etc
Democracy Hamper Raffle
- If any families have a business that they might like to contribute a voucher or product from, we would be most appreciative.
Cakes & Preserves Stall
- Donations of baked goods and preserves can be dropped into the office on Friday the 25th of November or to the stall on the day.
Craft Stall
- Seeking donations of old woollen blankets, old jeans, chook/bird/rabbit food bags, cool fabrics, wooden beads - please drop donations to the office
.
Other stall info:
Trash & Treasure
- We are inviting our community to book a stall to sell their secondhand wares.
- Children run stalls are also very welcome! Come and sell your outgrown toys, books and clothes!
- The stall fee is $10
- Set up and leave as you please, there is no required timeframe.
- Call the office to book your spot!
Parent craft group
Come and join our craft sessions, which will be held on the 17th of November 2:00pm-3:00pm. Everyone is welcome - parents and family, special people, friends in the community.
Our main objective will be to make goodies for our Election Day Fundraiser stall. The added bonus is you get to chat, drink tea, and eat cake with other members of our wonderful Winters Flat community.
All skill levels and ideas are embraced.
Any questions, contact Lisa Kearns 0415 131 350.
NEWS | Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Grandparents and special friends of the Year Prep to Threes were welcomed to Winters Flat on Friday the 28th of October. They experienced a tour of the classrooms, a concert and a delicious afternoon tea.
From Rosie:
A special shout out to everyone who helped make food, set up for, and pack down after our Grandparents and Special Friends afternoon tea on Friday the 28th of October! I have never seen the school kitchen looking so beautiful, and full of food and togetherness.
Thank you to Fiona and P1J for an excellent scone-making session the morning of, as well as our senior student helpers: Daisy R, Sullivan, Faith, Saskia, and Iris.
Big thanks to Aurora, Indi, Atti B, Kirah, Detroit, and Chase for their help setting up the kitchen and plating up all the food, as well as everyone who picked flowers and made bouquets. Again, the kitchen looked the best I’ve ever seen it!
Thank you to Gemma, Rhani, and Ruby for their help in the kitchen before, during, and after afternoon tea, as well as everyone who baked a sweet or savoury treat!
Sorry if I forgot anyone! You are all so appreciated, and I am so, so proud of our students, our school, and our community.
NEWS | Year Prep, One, Two Sleepover
Prep Dinner - by Elan
I rode my bike. We made rainbows. I liked gaga and the icecream.
Grade 1 Sleepovr! - by Heidi
After School we had after noon tea. After after noon tea we made mask's After we made mask's we made ranbos for dinner we had sausages in bred for dessert we got icecreem with spingkl's. we wnt for a nigt walk. we Made our bed's. we watched a movi
Prep Dinner - by Jamie
I aet oranges I made a rainbow I wet riding around the school
Grade 1 Sleepover! - by Tilly
For afternontea we had froot. We hade Orange smiles. I made Raindows. with Michelle. I drew with chork. I made masks with Helen. I liked the move. a lot. we made our Beds.
NEWS | Chess State Finals Tournament
Chess Victoria State Finals Tournament 4th of November 2022
Kitty Ward (Arlo’s mother), Tom Jaeger (Atti’s granddad), Zeno d’Evie, Atti Jaeger, Arlo Speer, Leto Van Harten-Scherlies, Freya Brennand, Noah Nascimento and myself caught the 6:32 am train to Mordialloc on a cold spring morning for the Chess Victoria State Grand Final. Travel arrangements entailed a Vline velocity train to Footscray, quick change over to the Frankston bound metro train, and a 1000 metre walk from Mordialloc Railway Station to the venue at Mordialloc Secondary College.
Our students have had only 3 tournaments in 3 years and were up against seasoned tournament players who have access to excellent training facilities and regular tournament events. We were competing against some of the best chess kids in Victoria (therefore Australia).
The event tournament structure was the Olympiad chess format where there are 5 boards (players) and an emergency. Kids play on their allocated board number for the whole tournament against the same numbered player. For example, top board number 1 plays against number 1’s for 7 rounds and so forth. Boards are numbered in order of playing strength. Every board has a chess clock so the kids are working under time constraints.
We finished 15th out of 18 schools with former Australian primary school champions Mount View Primary School only half a point ahead of us. Candlebark School coming in at 9th position were only 2.5 points clear of us which shows what a tough tight competition it was.
Zeno played some brilliant chess on board number 1 against the top players from the best chess schools in Victoria. His last game was a riveting cliff hanger. He only had 23 seconds left on his clock to check mate and his opponent had 4 minutes plus left. He opponent sought to run Zeno’s clock down by constant checks but Zeno protected his king and delivered a timely mate. International Master and President of Chess Victoria Leonid Sandler watched some of Zeno’s games and commented on how gifted and impressive Zeno is.
Atti and Arlo fought out their games and played some terrific chess and likewise Leto. Perhaps they were disappointed by not winning more games but they had no idea how good the competition was. They were playing against seasoned chess players with tournament experience. With more training and tournaments, they will really excel! Arlo and Leto, year 4 and 3 respectively, are two genuine prospects with innate ability.
Noah and Freya shared board 5. In spite of the tough competition Noah was amiable and unfazed by the obstacles and challenges and played some really good games. Freya entered the tournament and accumulated 3 decisive victories in a row against tough competition before losing in the 7th round. She played some brilliant chess, and given the chess program clashes with the music timetable she missed out on a lot of practice time with the other kids, it highlights how well she is progressing. She is a really great prospect particularly given her year level.
A special thanks to Kitty whose brilliant organisational skills, support and encouragement for our chesskids, by talking to them about their concerns and doubts when they faced setbacks, or needed some guidance, helped make the excursion a huge success.
Special thanks also to Atti’s grandad Tom who was always calm, patient and supportive all day and, of course, thank you to all the Chess Parents, particularly the Mums who do so much of the heavy lifting organizing the kids. A big thank you also to Suzanne Kinnersly and all the staff at Winters Flat for their generosity and support making the tournament possible.
For all the results: link https://www.dropbox.com/s/8vwp4mkpd0gboaq/2022%20Victorian%20Primary%20Open%20Final%20Document.pdf?dl=0
Harry
Chess Tutor
At Winters Flat we are thinking about our incredible feet! Over the next few weeks, students and teachers are invited to be barefoot in our classrooms. We will be learning about our feet–how they grow, how they can move and how our experience of our environment changes when our feet feel the ground.
When we welcome everyone back for Term 1 of 2023, all our classrooms will all be barefoot zones, giving plenty of daily wriggle room for clever toes and growing, moving feet!"
From Lz Dunn (parent member of the Wellbeing committee)
AT HOME
Emerging Minds Families
One of my favourite Children’s Mental Health organisations has launched a project for families called, Emerging Minds Families – a brand new suite of resources (ALL FREE!) that have been developed to meet the needs of parents and families looking for information and support regarding infant and child mental health.
These new resources have been designed for practitioners to share and use with the parents and families they work with, or for parents and families to access directly.
Here is the link to subscribe: https://emergingminds.com.au/subscribe/
Supporting Children after a Natural Disaster
This video introduces ways for parents and carers to manage media coverage of traumatic events, and talk to their children about their worries and fears: https://vimeo.com/394049129
This resource explores how to help your child to cope with the information about traumatic events they may see in the media: https://d2p3kdr0nr4o3z.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2018/09/11091906/Disasters-the-Media-and-Children.pdf
IN THE COMMUNITY
Volunteer Drivers Wanted
This year Castlemaine Community House are considering offering free transportation to and from the Community Christmas Lunch within Mount Alexander Shire. If you are a licensed driver and would like to volunteer your services to drive a mini-bus, please call 5472 4842 or email customerservice@cch.org.au
Community Christmas Lunch
Share a delicious meal with good company on Christmas Day. Come alone or bring your family & friends. Enjoy music, activities and festivities.
Date: Sunday 25 December
Time: 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street (entry via Fredricks Street)
Cost: FREE
Bookings essential – https://cch.org.au/community-christmas-lunch/
Boorp Boorp Boondyil exhibit
The exhibition Boorp Boorp Boondyil (passing knowledge to our children) is a name gifted to the project by local Dja Dja Wurrung senior Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson. It is pronounced ‘Boorp’ as in ‘torpedo’ and ‘Boondyil’ as in ‘book’.
This permanent exhibit will provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to walk through an interactive space, where they will learn the history of the area, including the story of the Eagle, the Bat and the Crow, the Creation Story of the Dja Dja Wurrung in the Mount Alexander region, as told by the Nelson family. The exhibition also includes important cultural lessons about living on Country and bush foods, medicine, waterways and weaving.
https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/BoorpBoorpBoondyil
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.
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...
- Silverbeet, leek, and feta slice
- Silverbeet, potato, and tomato curry
- Fried rice lettuce cups
- Beetroot and herb risotto
- Roti
- Orange and cardamom cupcakes with cream cheese icing
Three fantastic classes! As usual, I am so proud of the students and impressed by how much they get done and how great the food that they make looks and tastes! Well done, everyone :)
Chefs of the week:
2/3W: Perryn, Angus, Ava G
4/6L: Ginger, Arlo, Chase, Sylvie + Nerri, Daisy, and Riva for outstanding group work!
4/6B: Eisa, Bo, Freya, Brody
Thank you to Gemma, Ruby, and Alyssa for being helpers in the kitchen this fortnight! There’s only a few weeks left, so if you’ve been putting it off, now is your time to come in and help! It’s fun, and you get to eat yummy food with a bunch of great kids :)
Remember, recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.
Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden