29 October - ICAS Math @ 8:00am
3 November - Melbourne Cup Holiday (student & staff free day)
16 November - Curriculum Day, student free day
18 November - School Photos
Good afternoon, we have taken yet another positive step in Victoria with regards to the COVID restrictions. It is positive news for all Victorians and in particular for our friends in Metro Melbourne. We remain focused on student and staff safety throughout this period.
Four Year School Review Process – Have your say – Tuesday 10 November – 7pm
We are well underway with our school self-assessment leading into our four year school strategic review. The staff have unpacked a lot of the data relating to our progress and the goals set in the last review in 2016. We have identified the highlights, enablers, barriers and opportunities for future success for each of our goals. We have also planned to interview some students in small groups to get a student perspective about what they love about the school and what could be better. These students’ forums will add further detail to our student opinion survey results.
As a part of this process we would love to hear from you as well. I will be facilitating a live online workshop for parents and carers at 7pm on Tuesday 10 November on Zoom. In this workshop we will delve into our achievement and wellbeing data and will invite you to share your ideas about our current strengths and possible areas for improvement.
The school review is an exciting opportunity for us to check how we are going and develop a new and ambitious plan that will support student learning, wellbeing, and engagement as we move into the future.
If you would like to be involved in this event please express your interest by responding to the very short survey below. All parents and carers are encouraged and welcome to join this event. To participate you will need to click the link below and register your email address to receive an invite.
https://forms.gle/FNdJsyovVTxX3EHA7
Parent Opinion Survey
By now you will have received an email from the school with your login details for the parent opinion survey. The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst all parents. It is designed to assist us in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. All parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 12th October to Friday 13th November.
The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. These include: Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha), Hindi, Japanese, Somali, Turkish, Punjabi and Greek.
School Photos
School photos can go ahead on school sites again. We have been in touch with our provider and can confirm school photos will take place on the 18th of November.
School Crossing Safety
I have been informed of students not using the school crossing on Carrington Street and crossing diagonally over the Margaret/Carrington St intersection. Can you please reinforce the road safety message to your children and make sure they are safely making their way to and from school in the morning and afternoon.
Public Holiday/Curriculum Day
Please note that this Monday the 2nd of November is a normal school day, Tuesday is a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup, if your child will not be attending school on the Monday, can you please advise the office prior to Monday. We have a curriculum day coming up on November the 16th. This is a student free day. We will be using this day to finalise our analysis of the school performance over the course of the last four years.
Matt Forrest
Principal
***School hats are available for sale at Beleza in Gisborne***
Although it may still be cold, Victoria’s UV levels are on the rise so please check the daily local sun protection times to see when you need to be SunSmart. The sun protection times are a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology for the time of day UV levels are forecast to reach 3 or higher in your location. At these levels, sun protection (hat, clothing, sunscreen, shade and, if practical, sunglasses) is recommended for all skin types
When outdoors, whether that be for the two hours of permitted exercise in metropolitan Melbourne or if you’re lucky enough to be allowed outside for longer, to check the sun protection times and use sun protection accordingly. For more information for families please check out https://www.sunsmart.com.au/communities/parents
We would like to say thank you to the Country Women's Association of Victoria, Central Highlands Group for their donation of $100 for the purchase of library books.
We purchased the books in the above photo with these funds and the students are already enjoying reading them.
Thank you from the students and staff at Macedon Primary.
Do you know a young person aged 12–25 years doing amazing things in our community?
Tell us about the inspiring young people in your life by nominating them for Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s annual Youth Awards, which celebrate and recognise the incredible achievements of young people in the shire.
Nominations are now open and can be for any young person, or group of young people, aged 12–25 years who lives, works or attends school in the Macedon Ranges.
Award categories:
· Will Power: young people who show real character and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity
· Good deeds: young people who give their time and energy to activities that support the wellbeing of another individual, group or community.
· Pure imagination: young people pursuing their passion for creativity through the arts.
· Nicely played: young people kicking recreational and physical activity goals.
· Skilling It: young people excelling in a mentorship program, workplace or business.
· Well Aware: young people who shine a light on important issues/social causes and raises awareness in the community.
Submit a nomination online at mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth, or email youth@mrsc.vic.gov.au.
Nominations close on Sunday 22 November.
The winners will be announced online on Saturday 12 December and depending on pandemic restrictions during December, an outdoor celebration may be held at a later date.
For more information, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth, or email youth@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Picture is Laura Crozier, winner of one of the 2019 Community Participation Awards. Photo credit: Ties Urie