Macedon Primary School Newsletter

9 September 2020

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

Principals Report

Dear parents,

Easing of COVID restriction – Return to school plan

We have decided that we will not delay the return to school for any children by staggering the return to school in Term Four.  All students will be welcome back to school on Monday 12 October. We will re-establish our COVID safe protocols prior to this date and communicate them via our newsletter and email.

Below are some dot points that outline the next few weeks relating to Macedon Primary School.

1.       We will will continue to provide remote and flexible learning for the remainder of Term 3, consistent with current settings.

2.       5 – 9 October (first week of Term 4) Remote and flexible learning will continue for all students.

3.       On-site supervision (including OSHC) for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students will continue to be provided consistent with existing guidelines.  (This is the same as our current arrangement)

4.       All Macedon Primary School students will start back onsite from Monday 12 October.

 

Library Learning Hub

In early June I received a letter from our local state member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, informing me of a Minor Capital Work grant opportunity for schools.  ​The Minor Capital Works Fund supports small-scale priority building projects to improve the learning environment, condition or character of Victorian schools.  This additional funding is part of the statewide building blitz to help Victoria's economy rebound from the coronavirus crisis.  We made a decision at school council to put in an application under the Stream 2 – larger projects from $50,000 - $500 000.  We targeted one of the school priorities in the development of the old multiple purpose room that is adjacent to the staff room.  The room is currently largely disused and looking very tired.  The vision is to develop this room into a dynamic and functional Library Learning Hub including STEM learning facilities and resource centre.  Justin Sawyers led the development of the grant and engaged Guymer Bailey Architects https://www.guymerbailey.com.au/ who have experience designing modern functional spaces for school across Australia.  Guymer Bailey supported us by developing a conceptual floor and a material pallete free of charge.  While we are unsure whether we will be successful with this application we have certainly put our best foot forward in terms of an application that meets the criteria set out in the guidelines.  I would like to acknowledge Justin Sawyers for his effort in supporting the school with this application and Guymer Bailey Architects for their generous support. Please see photos below.

 

Sun Smart – Wearing Hats

With spring here we are starting to get the occasional warmer day.  With this in mind, we are implementing the sun smart policy in relation to hats.  Therefore, all students on site will need to wear a hat to school if they wish to play outside.

Matthew Forrest

Principal

Important Dates

21 September - End of Term 3

5 October - Start of Term 4 - remote learning continues for this week

12 October - Return to onsite learning

18 November - School Photos - TBC

SEA (Sex Education Australia) Program - postponed, we are looking at confirming dates in term 4

ICAS - original dates postponed, will confirm new dates shortly

From the Office

Sun Smart – Wearing Hats

A reminder, all students on site need to wear a hat to school if they wish to play outside. School hats are available for sale from Baleza in Gisborne. Baleza will be open over the school holidays if you need to stock up  some uniform for term 4.

Advising office of absenteeism

If your child is unable to complete remote learning for the day, can you please advise the office as you would on a normal school day. The rolls need to be marked daily by the teachers and we still need to report this data to the Department of Education.  Please advise the teacher by 10am each day that your child is completing tasks.

Office is open

Please note that during this period of remote learning the school office remains open. We can be contacted via phone on 5426 1518, email on macedon.ps@education.vic.gov.au, or if necessary, over the counter (please observe social distancing and wear a mask). 

Stay safe and well,

Julie and Emma

Virtual Show Day

Hi Everyone.

It is that time of the year and thoughts turn to Macedon Show Day. This year will be our first ever Virtual Exhibition. There will be the usual 3 categories of; Cooking, Floral designs and Art, plus an exciting new section for Lego design. There will also be a section for pet photos.

There won’t be any voting this year. It will be exhibition only. A chance for you to showcase your fabulous work. You can take part in as many categories as you like, but just one photo per section.

Categories for Foundation, Grades 1 and 2:

Floral design – Flowers in a saucer

Cooking – Decorated biscuit

Art – A 2D picture in your choice of media. (pencil, felt marker, paints, collage etc).

The theme this year is ‘All the fun of the fair’.

Lego design – Free choice

Pet photos – A photo of your pet or favourite stuffed toy.

Categories for Grades 3 and 4:

Floral design – Garden in a box

Cooking – Decorated cupcake

Art – A 2D picture in your choice of media. (pencil, felt marker, paints, collage etc).

The theme this year is ‘All the fun of the fair’.

Lego design – Free choice

Pet photos – A photo of your pet or favourite stuffed toy.

Categories for Grades 5 and 6:

Floral design – Bouquet of flowers

Cooking – Decorated cake

Art – The theme this year is ‘All the fun of the fair’. Grades 5 and 6 are free to respond to this theme as they wish in a 2D or 3D manner using they choice of materials. (just remember your audience for the exhibition and keep the subject matter suitable)

Lego design – Free choice

Pet photos – A photo of your pet or favourite stuffed toy.

All work must be completed by 3.30pm, Wednesday the 16th of September. Information on where to post photos will be sent via Seesaw.

Sunsmart Reminder

***School hats are available for sale at Baleza 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 one hour 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

Remote Learning photos

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.

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 Forrest, Karren Baker, Martin Smith and Veronica Wuthrich.

 

The next school council meeting will be on Wednesday 9th September 2020 at 7pm.

Scholastic Book Club - Term 3

Due to the current COVID restrictions we have decided to move Scholastic bookclub orders to home delivery only. This means you can still order through Scholastic and receive credits for the school, however, there is a delivery fee of $5.99.

https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx


Community News

Western Water Poster Competition - prizes to be won

Each October, National Water Week (19 - 25 October 2020) makes a splash right across Australia, inspiring individuals, communities and organisations to work together to build community awareness and understanding around water related topics and challenges.

We are calling for primary aged students in our region to enter our annual competition.

The theme for this year is ‘Reimagining our water future'. As our population grows, this will put more stress on our water resources, so how can we reimagine the way we use and reuse water to ensure there is enough of it in the future? How can we rethink our current water practices to help conserve valuable water resources? Students are encouraged to make a poster reflecting what this world would look like to them.

Last year, thousands of entries were received across Victoria, with Western Water receiving just over 600 entries from the schools within our region. Our highest number of entries ever!

2020 poster entries are invited in five categories:

  • Prep / Foundation
  • Years 1 & 2
  • Years 3 & 4
  • Years 5 & 6
  • Special needs students
  • There are great prizes to be won in each category, including:

    • First prize – $100 gift card
    • Second prize - $50 gift card
    • Third prize – $30 gift card

    Each school entering has the chance to win a $500 grant towards a sustainability project at their school. Also, winners in the Western Water National Water Week poster competition will proceed to the State poster competition.

    visit www.westernwater.com.au for more details or down load the form below - entries close the 18th of September

    Download

    Free Webinar from Cobaw Community Heath

    Webinar: Specifically designed for Parents/Carers to address anxieties in children and young people arising from COVID.

    When: 6.30 pm – 7.45 pm Wednesday 9th September 2020

    Presenters: Jac Van Velsen Mental Health and Wellbeing Educator WISA and Lyn O’Grady Community Psychologist

    This webinar will explore anxiety and how it might play a role in the lives of children, young people and families during these times, such as a pandemic. While some anxious feelings can be helpful and keep us safe, sometimes anxiety can become a concern. How to respond to anxiety to reduce its impact and help build resilience will be outlined. 

    email: Jac@wisawellbeing.com.au

    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.