Macedon Primary School Newsletter

28 October 2020

School Values: Respect, Responsibility, Creativity, Integrity, Teamwork

Principal's Report

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

Important Dates

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 


From the Office

Absence Notifications

This Monday, the 2nd of November is a school day, with Tuesday the 3rd a public holiday for Melbourne Cup Day. If your child will not be at school on Monday, can you please let us know prior to the day, so we can record the absence and avoid sending out a text message asking for their whereabouts.

Managing Illness in Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

(the following is advice prepared by the Department of Education and Training, Safer Care Victoria and the Department of Health and Human Services)

1. If a child is unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms, they must stay at home. If a child becomes unwell during the day, they must be collected from school as soon as possible.

2. If a child has any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) outlined below, however mild, they should get tested and they must remain at home until they receive their results:

o fever

o chills or sweats

o cough

o sore throat

o shortness of breath

o runny nose

o loss of sense of smell or taste.

In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered symptoms. 

For further advice:

* call the 24-hour coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline 1800 675 398

* call a general practitioner  * use the  Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) online self-assessment toolhttps://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment. Visit: Where to get tested.https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19

3. A child must stay at home until they are symptom free, even if their coronavirus (COVID-19) test is negative 

4. Children do NOT need a medical certificate before returning to school

Once symptoms have cleared, there is no requirement from the Department of Education and Training or DHHS for children/students to have a medical certificate before they return to school. 

Head Lice

We have been advised of some cases of head lice (nits) in the school.  We ask that parents check their child's hair on a regular basis for headlice. Any sign of students scratching their head and complaining of an itchy scalp needs to be investigated immediately. If you find head lice or eggs on your child, please let the office know. If live lice or eggs are found on your child's hair at school, parents will be notified to enable treatment to be undertaken. Students must be treated before returning to school. There are a number of different treatments available.

Remember your hat

Please remember to bring a wide-brimmed hat. (Hats are available to purchase from Beleza in Gisborne)

Drink bottles

All children need to bring a labelled drink bottle to school, we have the water taps on to refill drink bottles, but due to COVID restrictions the drinking bubblers are turned off.

Stay safe and well,

Julie  and Emma

School Photos - 18th November

We have a confirmed date for school photos. It is the 18th of November. We will be using the same company as previous years - MSP Photography. Envelopes will be sent home soon for ordering.  I have included some photos of staff from their school years. Last weeks answer was Bu Deryn from her school in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Lets see if you can guess this week's photos.

Bookweek Parade

Student Achievement Awards

Sunsmart Reminder

***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

2020 Parent Opinion Survey

WE WANT OUR PARENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents think of our school. 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 schools 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 are 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 link and survey PIN has been sent in a separate email due to privacy.

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. The survey results will be communicated to parents through annual reporting or by some other means. Please speak to your child’s teacher if you would like more information.

Lunch order form

Lunch orders are available through Red Door cafe. Please make sure you have correct money in the lunch order bag and if you have a reusable bag, please make sure they are clean. 
Download

Middle Gully Update

Thank you to the Graham Family and the Eljan Family for the donation of strawberry plants, these will be planted in our veggie patch.

We are still not allowed to have volunteers for the Landcare program, so the Landcare sessions will be with Mr Oxworth and the class teacher.

29/10 – 2RG - Science activity 

5/11  – 1KH - Science activity 

12/11 – 1KB - Science activity

Hopefully, if restrictions ease we will be able to welcome our parent helpers back to Middle Gully soon.

Outside School Hours Care

A reminder to all parents that social distancing rules apply in the OSHC room, can parents please remain outside the JCB building during pick up and drop off and please maintain a 1.5 metre distance between yourself and the OSHC staff members.  

Our rates are: $15.00 for Before School Care (7:00am - 8:45am) and $22.00 for After School Care (3:30pm - 6:30pm). All you need to do is call the school 5426 1518 or email oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au to book.  If the unexpected happens and a casual booking is required within 24 hours, please contact the school via phone, we cannot accept walk-ins after school.  Please note that enrolment forms need to be completed at least one business day before the first session of care.

Please pay through the school via Direct Deposit, using the following details (not BPay):

Account name: Macedon Primary School

BSB: 063-840

Account: 1003 4330

Vicki, Helen, Karen & Marie.

OSHC Enrolment update forms

If your child is going to attend OSHC next year, an update form needs to be completed. Paper copies are available at the office or your can download the from below.
Download

Uniform Shop News

School Council update

The 2020 Macedon Primary School Council members are:

  Parents - Nina Moncrief (President), Justin Sawyers (Vice President), Danielle Grigg (Treasurer), Tiffany Barton (Secretary), Christine Denyer, Danny Kane, Duncan McGauchie and Melinda Rollinson.

Teachers - Matthew Forest, Karren Baker, Martin Smith and Veronica Wuthrich.

 

At the School Council WebEx meeting held on 9 September 2020, the discussion included:

  • School Review – Macedon Primary School is due to undertake a school review in early 2021.  Preparations will commence in Term 4.
  • Pupil Free Day – Monday 16 November will be a pupil free day for the teachers to engage in these preparations.
  • Child Safety – A presentation was given in respect of the school’s child safety policies and procedures.  The Education subcommittee will review these policies ahead of the school review.  
  • Facilities – A competitive process has been used to select a contractor to install a new retaining wall between the oval and JCB.
  • Pine Plantation – Further information is being requested to assist the school council to consider the next steps.  
  • Finance – The finance subcommittee provided an update on the school’s financial position, including in respect of OSHC.   

  • The next school council meeting will be on Wednesday 21 October 2020 at 7pm.

    Thank you!

    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.

    Community News

    Nominations open for Council’s 2020 Youth Awards

    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

    Macedon Primary School

    Macedon Primary School acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of the country upon which we learn and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.