Macedon Primary School Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Term One

Thank you so much to everyone who has made this term a fantastic reboot to our school system and the year.  Our teachers have worked incredibly hard this term to start this year off strongly and I want to acknowledge their work.  Our new preps have transitioned into school beautifully and all of our existing students have done the same.

It has been fascinating to go through the school strategic review this term and reflect on what a great school we’re all a part of.  One of the most profound and pleasing things to get affirmed through the review was the connection, pride and care for the school that our students have.  They are our most important stakeholders and to hear this consistent positive message come from them gave me a sense of pride and excitement.  I just love being part of it all and feel privileged to be the principal here.

Year One and Two Camping

I have been outside with our Year One and Two student s this morning setting up tents with a whole group of excited Year two students.  Our Year Ones are currently off on a hike in the local area and it is so fantastic for us to be able to get back to our usual business - teaching and learning in our environment.  Thank you so much to the overwhelming support from parents for this camp.  The camps really can’t go ahead without the support of our parents.

If there is anyone from the parent group who can come down and help us pack away the tents at about 11:00am tomorrow (they will need some time to dry out) and roll the sleeping mats tomorrow morning we would really appreciate that as well. 

Pupil Free Day – Monday 19 April

Please note down in your diary that Monday 19 April is a pupil free day.  The staff will be undergoing some professional learning on the day focused on collaborative processes to support us to improve our practice.  The students start back at school on Tuesday 20 April.

Easter

I wish you all a safe and restful Easter,  a reminder that school dismissal is 2:30 pm tomorrow after assembly. 

Matt Forrest

Principal

31 March & 1 April - Year 1 and 2 MGR Camp

1 April - Last Day of Term 1 - 2:30pm dismissal

19 April -  School Curriculum Day (no students)

20 April - First Day of Term 2

23 April - District Cross country - selected students

28 April - House Athletics - Yr 3-6

14 June - Queen's Birthday public holiday

25 June - Last day of Term 2 (2:30 dismissal)

12 July - School Curriculum Day (no students)

13 July - First day of Term 3

17 September - Last day of Term 3 (2:30 dismissal)

5 October - First Day of Term 4

2 November - Melbourne Cup public holiday (no students)

17 December - Last day of year (1:30pm dismissal)

Monday - House Cross Country Notice

Wednesday - SEA (Sex Education Australia) permission note & information Yr 3 -6

Wednesday - House Athletics - Yr 3-6 to be held 28th April

The weather was magnificent for our whole school cross country. The children and staff walked down to Tony Clarke Reserve and competed in their class or age groups. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world!

Thank you to the parents who came down to support their children, it was great to be able to have you back at whole school events.

Thank you to Mr O and Mr Forrest for marking out the courses and for making the day such a great success.

Please see some photos of the day below.

Lost Property

The lost Property Pile is huge! If your child has lost an item of property we welcome you to come in and take a look. Restrictions have lifted surrounding parents in the school buildings, so parents are able to search through lost property (situated by the student toilets) for any missing uniform, lunchboxes, drink bottles, etc.  All unclaimed items will be thrown out if not collected by the end of term.

Asthma and Anaphylaxis Students

The Department of Education requires each student that has Asthma or Anaphylaxis to have a Management Plan. The plans are written up by the school and will be sent home with the students for parents to sign and return to school. We also require any students with Asthma to fill out a school camp and excursion form that needs to be completed prior to the students going on camps or excursions. 

Absence Notifications

If your child is late or absent from school without explanation from parents, an SMS will be sent to Adult A at around 10.15am. Please respond to the SMS promptly. Please note the following: 

If your child is LATE FOR SCHOOL, a parent must accompany the child to the office when you arrive, sign your child in the Early Leavers/Late Arrival book and take a “Late Pass” for your child to hand to their teacher. Rolls are marked promptly at 9am. If the music has finished and your child is not yet in class, they have probably missed the roll.

If your child will be ABSENT FROM SCHOOL, we ask that you either:

• Log onto Skoolbag and record the absence

• Phone the school on 5426 1518 and leave a message on the absence voicemail; or
• Send an email to the school’s email address; macedon.ps@education.vic.gov.au

If you need to take your child EARLY FROM SCHOOL we ask that you:

• Call or email the office to advise what time you will be collecting your child so we can have them ready at the office.

• come to the office to sign your child out.

Working With Children Checks

All parents, carers and other visitors to Macedon Primary require a current Working With Children’s Check to volunteer at the school. To apply for a volunteer WWCC you simply log on to

https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ (its free!)

If you have a current WWCC or VIT and have not advised the office, please bring your card into the office to have it photocopied or simply take a photo of the card and email it to the office at macedon.ps@education.vic.gov.au

If parents do not have a current working with children check, they cannot attend camps/excursions.

Wishing you a happy and safe Easter!

Julie  and Emma

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.

Central Vic Primary Care Partnership is calling out to all the fellas in Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander shires to complete their Community Experiences of COVID-19 survey and wondered if you could help us reach out to members of your organisation.

 There has been a great response to the Survey but only 12% of responses have been from men. Help us increase our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on local men by completing the survey and sharing it with the boys and men in your lives.  

All participants can go in the draw to win a $100 voucher! The survey can be found here: www.centralvicpcp.com.au/survey and hardcopies are available upon request or at local distribution points.

For more information or for a hardcopy survey contact Rhani Dean-Talbett on 5472 5333.