ENewsletter

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

Principal's Report

Dear parents,

Choosical – Year 6

Our year six students in collaboration with the year six students from Mount Macedon PS are participating in a musical incursion called Choosical on Wednesday. The students will co-design, create and present a musical experience based on the big mental health issues that matter to them. The team from Musical Sprouts will work with our students and then between workshops will create a song and performance piece based on movements ideas and music motifs discovered on the initial wellbeing workshop day.

The artists will share the creation process via regular video updates and encourage feedback and suggestions from students over a period of six weeks after the initial workshop. The finished song will be delivered to the school for the students to learn prior to the end of the year.

House Orienteering

Tomorrow our students will be participating in the house orienteering event at Tony Clarke Reserve. During PE this term My O has been teaching all students how to read a map and find the control points. They have been practicing at school and tomorrow will test these skills in the Tony Clarke area and our pine forest. The junior school students complete courses close to the oval and as the student get older, the challenge increases and the courses get longer. It is a great chance for parents to come down and watch.

House colours are encouraged to be worn.

Curriculum Day - Monday 31st October / Cup Day 1st November

A reminder that we have two student free days coming up, Monday the 31st of October is a curriculum day and Tuesday the 1st of November is a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup. We hope you can take this time to recharge and we will see you on Wednesday the 2nd.

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.

COVID update

COVID-19 isolation requirements have changed

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders.

The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health, will apply from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 October 2022.

It is strongly recommended that students:

who test positive to COVID-19 stay home and isolate for 5 days
should not attend school after 5 days if still symptomatic
who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school
advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result

Where students become symptomatic at school they should:

be collected by their parents/carers
undergo testing for COVID-19

Reporting positive COVID-19 test results

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, schools and household.

Parents and carers will therefore be asked to continue to report positive student COVID-19 cases using the VicED COVID Tool.

COVID-19 vaccination changes

The current mandatory vaccination requirement for staff and visitors, contractors and volunteers working in specialist schools will cease to apply from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 October. COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses, continues to be strongly recommended for all school staff.

Face masks

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19, for at least 7 days after a positive test, when they need to leave home.

Important Dates

27 October - District Orienteering - Yr F -6 Tony Clarke Reserve

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

2 November - Yr 5/6 Bike Ed session 1

4 November - First Foundation 2023 transition morning

8 November - Yr 5/6 Bike Ed session 2

11 November - Regional Orienteering Yr 3-6

15 November - Yr 5/6 Bike Ed session 3

17 November - BagusKan Indonesian incursion

18 November - Second Foundation 2023 transition morning

22 November - Yr 5/6 Bike Ed Session 4

24 November - Yr 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)

Whole School Orienteering - 27 October

All children from Foundation to Year 6 will be participating in our local Orienteering program to be held at Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon, on Thursday 27th October 2022. There is no cost for this event.

Children will leave school soon after 9am and walk to the Reserve, returning around 12:15pm.

This is a house event, so children are encouraged to wear house colours.

As this is a local excursion we do not require further permission beyond the forms signed by parents/carers at the start of the year.

Parents/Carers are welcome to meet the students and teachers at Tony Clarke Reserve to cheer the children on and/or assist with the running of the program throughout the morning. Please contact David Oxworth or the office if you are able to assist on the day.

Please ensure your child has a sunhat and sunscreen, a raincoat if required, and the students will be carrying their own snacks and drinks in their bags. Lunch will be eaten back at school.

Another orienteering event is the Regional event at Brimbank Park on Friday November 11th. This is for grade 3 to 6 students. There will be a note going home this week which needs to be returned by Wednesday 19th October as I need to put in the entry by the end of that week. This event is for students who choose to go, there is no obligation.

Mr O

From the office

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

These awards will be handed out at assembly on Friday. Assembly takes place at 3pm in the JCB.

FKB - River B - for being a super focused learner all week.

FKB - Maverick L - for increased focus in Initiallit sessions

FKH - Emile H - for applying his learning from Kimochis by using the communication tap.

FKH - Sophie G - for awesome work with her handwriting.

1/2AM - Sidney Mc - for working really hard in numeracy this week.

1/2CS - Shannan B- for always being willing to give things a go and always striving to do her best. Keep it up!

1/2CS - Kayley P - for her excellent listening on the mat. Kaley is always keen, hardworking and eager to learn. Super!

1/2CS - Mietta P - for being a kind and hardworking member of our class. Keep up the fantastic work Mietta.

3/4GS - Martha B - for her enthusiastic approach to all of our learning activities. Keep up the great work Martha!

3/4GS - Toby C - for always working hard and being an outstanding member of our class.

3/4GS - Monique P - for her brilliant work on vertical multiplication. Fabulous work Monique!

3/4GS - Ivy D - for brilliant research on our 'Australian Landmarks' activity.

3/4GS - Lullaby B - for a wonderful start to Term 4.

3/4MS - Zoey H - for being a helpful classmate with a list of words during a spelling activity this week.

3/4MS - Indi M - for putting a lot of effort into her mathematical studies.

3/4MS - Archie T - for showing great work when solving his mathematical equations.

3/4MS - Jack B - for showing great working out and accurate answers when working mathematically.

3/4VW - Syd M - for fantastic presentation of his project about Sir John Monash.

3/4VW - Indi C - for great work in maths.

5/6MS - Lucy D - for showing excellent leadership skills on camp.

5/6MS - Elsie M - for encouraging and supporting her peers on camp.

5/6MS - Mason D - for using his initiative to help others on camp.

5/6MS - Noah S - for showing great initiative and responsibility on camp.

5/6RC - Zara W - for her amazing hula hoop performance on camp.

5/6RC - Erica S - for showing excellent leadership skills and maturity on camp.

5/6RC - Madison C - for being a supportive and responsible partner for orienteering.

5/6RC - Jade L - for being being brave and trying the challenges on camp.

5/6RC - Max P - for being an encouraging and enthusiastic survivor partner to Mrs C

5/6AB - Riley S - for an amazing performance at Howqua camp during talent night

5/6AB - Evie Mc - for their awesome rendition of ‘Money Money Money’ on Talent night at Howqua Camp

Visual Art

Edith P - 3/4VW - for amazing creativity and focus in visual art

Ava B - 3/4VW - for terrific focus and positivity in visual art.

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!

Middle Gully Program Update

27TH October – 3/GS

3rd November – 5/6AB

10TH November – 1/2AM

17TH November – 1/2TT

24th November - 1/2CS

1ST December – 2 x Foundation classes

8TH December – 5/6MS

15TH December – 5/6RC

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.

3/4VW at Middle Gully last week

Visual Art Report

We’re coming to the end of our fabulous unit on Indigenous Story Telling Through Art. The students have created some very moving and meaningful Story Boards, telling their own personal stories about special places and celebrations. Pictured are just a few of the amazing pieces. We really enjoyed hearing Edward “Uncle Ted” Laxton’s cultural perspectives and studying the art of The Pitcha Makin Fellas from Ballarat.

Port Elliot is a really special place I get to go to see my Grandma and Pa every year and I spend Christmas there sometimes too. I love going to the beach there and I love swimming in the ocean and making things with sand there. We love it.

Sarah B 1/2 CS

My story board is about the Murray River and we go there every Easter. I feel excited when we go there. It’s a really special place for my family. I chose a river, a tent, a camp fire and trees as my symbols to represent what’s special about it for my family.

Zara G 3/4 MS

My Story Board is about Halloween, which I really care about. I love the candy and the costumes. It’s special because I get to hang out with friends I don’t see a lot.

Max M 3/4 MS

Don’t forget we still need old white top sheets for our natural dying unit coming up. If any students would like to bring in a white t-shirt in the bext couple of weeks they can use that for tie dying…not compulsory!

STEM update

For the past few weeks, Grade 3 and 4 students have been learning how websites work and creating their own (well, secretly I was using that as a hidden way of teaching them how usernames and passwords work, and the importance of keeping those details safe - but don't tell them that..."'cause that's really boring and stuff Mr. Garcia")

They have all produced a huge range of sites based upon things most important in their lives (which seem to be: pets, videogames, animals, drawings and dirtbikes... sorry parents, you didn't get a mention)

Below are links to two of these websites, they are still a work in progress, but they were keen to share them now.

Note: Student websites will not be published outside of the DET school network, I have made a copy of these two so I can share them with you all with these private links.

Jack's Dirt Bike Site:

https://sites.google.com/education.vic.gov.au/jacksdirtbikesite/home?authuser=1

Maggie, Indi and Zara's Tasmanian Tiger Site:

https://sites.google.com/education.vic.gov.au/tasmanian-tigers/home?authuser=1

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.

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

26 October 2022