ENewsletter

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

Principal's Report

Dear parents,

Term Four

We have an exciting and busy term planned for the students. With many camps, excursions, incursions, and activities we’re using the Xuno calendar and the newsletter to keep everyone up to date with these events.

We will be trialling Xuno to manage permission slips and payments throughout the term as well, so please keep an eye on your email and we encourage you to use Xuno to help us streamline these processes.

Middle Gully Garden Developments

Over the spring holiday period, board walk construction began in the Middle Gully in what is affectionately called “the jungle” and the “fairy garden” by our students. These board walks, coupled with logs and large stone steppers will create a nature trail through the jungle. This term in Landcare, the students will be planting sections of the jungle out with native understory plants and installing nesting boxes to increase biodiversity and create food and habitat for our wildlife.

This project has been funded in partnership with the Bendigo Community Bank $10 000 community grant we received earlier this year and the voluntary funds many parents donate to the school buildings and ground fund. It is and exciting project and is already causing excitement within the student group.

Library Learning Hub –Art Competition

Thank you to all the students who submitted an art piece for the Library Learning Hub, the pieces are of a very high quality. We will be having a peer judging period with the artwork set up in the library to be viewed and voted on. There will be multiple winners and our most highly regarded pieces being framed and hung in the entrance hallway to the library.

Kind regards and Sampai jumpa (until next time),

Matt

The Australian Fire Danger System

In September 2022, all jurisdictions across Australia will implement a new fire danger forecasting system, the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). This will deliver a nationally consistent system for fire danger ratings based on the latest scientific research.

What's changed?

The new Extreme fire danger rating under the AFDRS will cover a broader scope of fire ratings combining the current Severe and Extreme fire danger rating.

In addition, Code Red will now be known as Catastrophic fire danger.

What does that mean for us?

Macedon Primary is classified as a Category 2 school, meaning that we will now relocate in accordance with our pre-approved plan on a day forecast Extreme FDR for our LGA (Local Government Area).

We will continue to communicate with the school community over the coming months about how the AFDRS change will be applied and how we can support the community through the transition.

New Red Door Menu

COVID update

COVID-19 isolation requirements have changed

Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 must now isolate for a minimum of 5 days instead of 7. If they are asymptomatic, they may return to school on day 6. If they are symptomatic, they must remain in isolation until day 7. If they have symptoms after 7 days, they are strongly advised to stay home until their symptoms have resolved.

As an additional risk mitigation, the Department of Health strongly recommends that those leaving isolation wear a face mask when away from home, both indoors and outdoors, and when they cannot physically distance. Those leaving isolation on day 6 should wear a mask for 5 days but particularly the first 2 days. Those leaving isolation on day 7 should wear a mask for 4 days but particularly the first 2 days.

Those leaving isolation should consider taking a rapid antigen test before attending school.

Rapid antigen test deliveries

We have decided to discontinue the distribution oof the Rapid antigen tests (RATs) to each student in Term 4. If you require RAT tests, please contact the office, we have spare kits here.

All RAT stock needs to be used by the end Term 4, 2022. This is because RATs need to be stored at under 30 degrees, and stock left in unairconditioned buildings over the summer holidays may not be viable for Term 1, 2023.

Important Dates

18 October - 21 October - Year 5 & 6 Camp - Howqua

25 October - Grade 6 'Choosical' wellbeing day

27 October - District Orienteering - Yr 3 -6

31st October - Curriculum Day (student free day)

1st November - Melbourne Cup holiday (student free day)

2 November - 4 November - Year 3 & 4 Camp - Weekaway Lancefield

4 November - First Foundation 2023 transition morning

18 November - Second Foundation 2023 transition morning

24 November - Grade 5/6 Bike ride to Hanging Rock

25 November - Foundation excursion - Fairy Park

30 November - Grade 6 'Choosical' wellbeing half day

1 December - Foundation Activities - Middle Gully from 11:30am

2 December - Foundation Activities - walk 9:00am-12:30pm

5 December - 6 December - Year 1 & 2 Camp - Lady Northcote

7 December - Third Foundation 2023 transition morning

7 December - Billy Cart Race Day

13 December - Forth Foundation 2023 transition morning

14 December - Grade 6 Graduation

16 December - Grade 6 City Excursion

20 December - Last day of the year (1:00pm dismissal)

From the office

Medications at school

If your child requires medication at school you must bring the medication to the office and fill out the 'Medication Authority From'. Students are not to be taking medication in their classrooms. All medication must be in its original container and bear the original label with the name of the student and information on the dosage time and to be administered.

https://macedonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/medication-authority-form-frm-v1.0-may-2008.pdf

Student mobile phones

A reminder that students need to sign their phones in at the office. This also includes watches that can make phone calls, SMS or access the internet, must be signed in at the office.

If children need to be collected early or are not feeling well, they need to let their teacher know and you can be contacted. Also, if parents have messages to give to their children during school time, please call the office and we will pass this information on. If you would like to familiarise yourself with our mobile phone, you can find it here:

https://macedonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mobile-Phones-Policy.pdf

Spare Clothes

With the wet weather upon us and the school grounds muddy, we are asking student to pack a spare change of clothes. We have a limited supply of spare clothes in the sick bay, however, we would appreciate you to bring in some spare from home. Also, if your child does borrow some clothes, please returned them to the school.

Xuno

Thank you to those parents that have logged into the Xuno platform and set up their passwords. Macedon Primary is starting the transition to Xuno. Parents can login now and look up student reports for semester 1, 2022. You can also use Xuno to advise of absences, update your details, see the school calendar and your child's attendance. We will eventually be able to accept payments for excursions and book parent/teacher interviews. To access Xuno please click on the link https://macedonps.xuno.com.au/index.php or there is a tab on the school webpage.

Late arrivals

If your child is late to school (after 9:00am) can you please sign them in at the office. The teachers mark the rolls at 9:00am and if your child is late to class they will be marked as absent and you will receive an SMS asking about their whereabouts. The classrooms are open from 8:50am.

Foundation 2023 enrolments

Foundation enrolments for 2023 are now open. If you have a child that is starting school next year of have friends or family interested in enrolling their child at Macedon Primary, please contact the office for an enrolment form or click on the following link: https://macedonps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2023-Student_Enrolment_Form_Updated_Feb_2018.pdf

Voluntary Curriculum Contributions

The process for invoicing parents for voluntary curriculum contributions. If you are unsure if you have paid or if you would like to pay, please contact the office.

Working with Children Check

All parent helpers at Macedon Primary must have a valid working with children check. It is free for a volunteer check, please apply online at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/individuals/applicants/how-to-apply-1If you have a valid working with check and have yet to provide it to the school, please email a copy or come into the office and we will take a copy.

Julie and Emma

Student Achievement Awards

The following awards will be handed out at Assembly this Friday in the JCB at 3:00pm (please note, if the weather is too wet, we will hold assembly over the PA)

FKB - Scout C - for being kind to her fellow classmates.

1/2AM - Blake D - for writing a fantastic narrative.

3/4GS - Myles C - for outstanding work on his 'Magic Boxes' in maths. Great work Myles!

3/4GS - Evie E - for working hrd to include correct spelling and punctuation in her writing. Excellent work Evie!

3/4GS - Rupert R - for a fabulous recount of his holidays. Great work Rupert!

3/4MS - Alex W - for showing great concentration skills and completing his work well.

3/4MS - Holly B - for making great descriptive word lists. Well done!

3/4MS - Zara G - for her wonderful descriptive writing. Well done!

3/4VW - Ruby W - for great effort achieving her pen license last term.

3/4VW - Darcy S - for working hard t achieve her pen license last term.

5/6RC - Lachlan A - for making a great start on your leadership poster.

5/6RC - Dusty M - for making a great start on your leadership poster.

5/6AB - Riley S - for excellent 'pitching' at softball and awesome teamwork.

Art Awards

Ned S - FKH - for positivity and hard work always in art.

Toby C - 3/4GS - for always being very focused and co-operative in art.

STEM Award

Aubrey R - 1/2CS - for his amazing aircraft engineering in our class (an his always amazing hugs)

Got Ya Awards

Isadora M – Hume – for amazing clean up.

Ned S – Curtin – for amazing clean up.

Xavier W – Hume – for always working hard.

Archie Briffa – Curtin – for amazing effort in class.

Interschool softball report

On the 4th of October Macedon primary school went to Braemar College to play softball. The weather was quite cold and windy but we all had a fantastic day. The girls team played 5 games against other schools in the Macedon ranges and even though we lost most of them we had a great time. Our best game was a challenging one but we ended up tying. We would like to thank Mr B and Mel from Softball Victoria for coming to support us, and for Mel’s great coaching of our team. Thanks to Jess for catching the last batter out, without that we would have lost all our games. Also a big thanks to Ava and Erica for running super-fast and getting us heaps of home runs. Eva was a fabulous fielder. Lucy and Scarlett were also great at cheering on others, and did some great batting. All the girls did a fantastic job and played as a team! Even though we didn't go so well, Macedon rose above the other schools with our great attitude, honesty and fair play towards others and the game throughout the day. The boys played 7 games and won one but that game was very important for our morale the fields were very muddy and everyone cheered each other on. Riley, Jasper and Max were awesome and pitching, stand out fielders were Lachlan Andrew and Andrew Meldrum. All the boys were amazing at batting and some of us hit it out of the park! We had a great day and even though we didn’t win overall we had a great time displaying our teamwork and integrity values of Macedon Primary.

Sports Tops

Do you have a sports top at home that hasn't made its way back to school? We are missing quite a few sports tops and would appreciate it if families could return any tops. Thanks!

STEM Update

Today in Foundation we talked about the role of an Engineer and how they design and build things (and how if something doesn't exist, as an engineer you can figure out how to make it exist)

We then looked at how engineers have designed and built bridges to support a lot of weight (you may hear a lot of talk about triangles tonight) and of course, built some ourselves.

Next was the fun part (well, for me anyway as there is nothing I like more than recreating my Godzilla fantasies and destroying small cities built by young children) and seeing how much weight some of the different designs and materials could hold.

Here you can see our young engineers at play work.

Visual Art Report

In visual art this week we've been warming up with some fun drawing games. Imagine trying to copy someone's drawing only using your "minds eye" from what you feel them draw on your back. We also tried drawng an image with our eyes closed.

Foundation students heard the story 'Where is the Green Sheep?' by Mem Fox and used their huge imaginations to draw their own sheep in all sorts of weird and wonderful settings. We had a Ballerina Sheep and Rainbow Sheep and even Monster Truck Sheep! There was a lot of laughter in the Art room this week.

Middle Gully Program Update

15th September – Foundation classes

Parent helpers are always welcome, please sign in at the office prior to going over to Middle Gully and make sure the office has seen your current Working With Childrens Check.

Our sessions are on a Thursday afternoon from 2:00pm - 3:30pm.

Younger siblings are welcome, but must be supervised by their parent or guardian.

Sunsmart Reminder

In line with our Sunsmart policy, we ask that all students come to school with a wide brimmed hat. At recess and lunchtime and any other times when outdoors all students must wear a hat. Students who are not wearing hats will be asked to play in the shade or in a suitable area protected from the sun.

Hats are available for purchase at Beleza Uniforms in Gisborne, or you can purchase any wide brimmed navy hat. We have sunscreen at the office if the children would like to wear sunscreen.

Outside School Hours Care

Please notify the office or email oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au if your child is sick and will not be attending before or after school care.

We now have spaces available for casual days, however you need to fill out an enrolment form PRIOR to your child starting at the service. f you have a permanent booking and do not need the service for After School please advise the program as soon as you know, preferably before 11.00am on the day so we are able to give that space to another child. For Before School, please call before 6.30pm the day before or email the service on oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au

Late cancellation fees apply if your child’s place is cancelled after 11.00am. Further, if you do not cancel your child and they do not attend, fees may still apply.

Fees for 2022

Our rates for 2022 are: $16.00 for Before School Care (7:00am - 8:45am) and $23.00 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.

Uniform Shop News

Community News

Macedon Junior Cricket

Macedon Cricket Club is running Woolworths Cricket Blast again this season. It’s a fun and fast programme for kids of all abilities to learn the skills and play Australia's favourite sport.

5 - 10 year olds. All welcome.

It doesn't matter if you've never picked up a bat or ball. (We use rubber balls - not hard cricket balls).

Learn some skills, meet some other locals and most importantly - get out there and HAVE FUN.

Come and join the fun at Macedon Cricket Club (Tony Clark Reserve), Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:00, starting November 6th.

Registration will be online via the Playcricket website.

You can find general details at playcricket.com.au. Any queries please contact Andrew (andrew.jeanes@robertbird.com.au)

For any budding cricketers 10-12 years of age Macedon Cricket Club would welcome enquires to come and join our U11 or U13 sides. Please contact Todd (todd.c@qubedadvisory.com.au) or Clint (clint.grobler@gmail.com).

Macedon Primary School Newsletter

5 October 2022