Macedon Primary School Newsletter

22 July 2020

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

Principals Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you are all keeping well.  With all of the uncertainty in Victoria with the current health crisis we are doing our best to keep things calm, safe and settled for our students.  I am uncertain about what the rest of the term will hold for us so we’re focusing our energy on the things we can control.  As a staff we have revisited the school strategic plan and begun to implement the key actions that will support us to improve our results and strategic goals.  It is refreshing and energising to focus on teaching and learning after the disruptive remote learning period.  The staff are all very grateful to be teaching face to face and are enjoying the opportunity to improve their practice even further.

The strong hygiene, cleaning routines and the protocols we have around managing students and staff with symptoms continue to be reviewed and improved to reduce the risks in our environment.  This controlled and thorough approach helps us to reduce the risks for our students and staff so we can continue to provide the best education we can for students. 

There is a lot of positive work happening in classrooms.  Lauren Barham, our newest staff member, has hit the ground running and is developing a thorough approach to supporting students with their reading.  Karren Baker has been busily preparing and leading teacher professional learning sessions for our staff and has booked a select team of teachers into a professional learning focused on the evidence based best practice in regards to teaching reading.  Anthony Bortolot is working closely with an external provider to design a thorough health and human development program for our year 3-6 students (3-6 parents there will be more information to follow).  I am working on a project aimed at giving a select number of year five students the opportunity to collaborate online with other year five students from the Macedon Ranges network of schools.  All of our staff are planning and implementing a quality program and focusing on teaching, learning and student wellbeing.

As we know, our situation could change rapidly and we will be ready to pivot and adapt the scenario as it plays out. 

Face Coverings

There has been a lot of attention in the media about face masks recently.  This is how it relates to us;

  •   Students who live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire and attend a school outside these areas are not required to wear a face covering at school.
  • Staff who live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire and work outside of these areas, must continue to wear a face covering.

 

Temperature Checks

Because we are outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, the routine use of temperature screening is not required. However, daily temperature screening is being undertaken for students who live in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.  This includes students who live or stay with their parents or carers on a part-time basis in the lockdown areas.

You can support us by letting us know if your child has visited or stayed in a lockdown area. Please email me on Matthew.Forrest@education.vic.gov.au if you fall into this category.  It is important for us to remain vigilant and we thank you for your support.

Matthew Forrest

Principal

Important Dates to Remember

  • 24 August - ICAS English Exam, 8am 
  • 1 September - ICAS Maths Exam, 8am
  • 8 September - STUDENT PHOTO DAY

From the Office

Drink Bottles

Can you please make sure that your child comes to school with a clearly labelled drink bottle each day. Due to COVID restrictions we have turned the drinking taps off in the school so children need to bring their own drink bottles. We have been giving students bottles of water, however, ideally their own bottle of water from home is a more sustainable alternative.

Parents collecting students early / late arrivals

To minimise adult traffic within the school, if your child needs to leave school early or arrives late, parents need to sign them in and/or out at the office.  If you need to collect your child early, can you please contact the office and we will then arrange for your child to be ready for collection from the office.

Foundation Enrolments and students leaving at the end of the year

If you or someone you know has a child that is due to start at Macedon Primary next year can you please return the enrolment form ASAP. We want to finalise our numbers for 2021. Also, if your child is not returning to Macedon Primary next year (other than grade 6 students) can you please let us know.

Stay safe and well,

Julie and Emma

Sports Update

Our district sports association has made a decision to cancel all interschool term 3 sport. Given the current uncertainty regarding whether we are permitted to play interschool sport, and be able to use some of the venues we require, we felt this was the best option for now. We plan to review the situation towards the end of term 3, with a view to organising maybe a couple of carnival days in term 4 which would include a few different sports which the students could choose from.

In addition to this, we are planning to play some of the sports such as soccer, AFL and netball within the school as part of a house competition later in term 3.

It is unfortunate that we have had to make these decisions, but given the current situation with COVID 19 and the lockdown in Metropolitan areas, we were left with little option.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like any clarification on the situation.

Thank you very much

David Oxworth

Student Achievement Awards

School Council News

UPDATE FROM SCHOOL COUNCIL

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.

During Term 2, the School Council held two meetings (by video conference).  

Among other items, we discussed:

(1)    School Interior Repainting – The funds raised by the 2019 Fete will be used to repaint the interior of the school.  The colour palette and painting design is being considered as part of a complete redecoration plan for the school’s interior.   The interior design plan was shared in the 24 June Newsletter.   

(2)    Financial Position – The Finance Subcommittee reported on the school’s financial position, including the level of payment of fees and voluntary contributions.  We also discussed the impact on the school’s expenses of COVID-19, including in particular on the Out of Hours School Care program. 

(3)    Policy Review – The review of MPS which was to occur in late 2020, will now occur in early 2021.  This provides the School Council with some additional time to finalise the review of the relevant school policies.  A key policy is the “Statements of Values and School Philosophy”, which is due to be reviewed this year.  The Education Subcommittee has commenced this review and will seek feedback from the school community.  

(4)    Grants – Support was given to identifying an eligible project and applying for funding under the state government’s minor capital works fund. 

(5)    The Farmers Market – The Macedon Village Farmers Market which was due to be held on the school grounds at the end of May was cancelled (due to the COVID-19). The next market is scheduled for the last weekend in August.     

The School Council has a number of subcommittees (including the PFA, Middle Gully, Education and Farmers Market).   Please contact Matt Forrest 0449 878 471,  if you would like to be involved and they will connect with the relevant school council members.  

ICAS Assessments - Payment due by 26th July

This year, Macedon Primary School is offering Year 3 -6 students the English and Mathematics assessments. In order to reduce classroom disruptions, students will sit the assessments at 8am prior to school.

 English                                                 Tuesday 25th August 

Mathematics                                        Tuesday 1st September

Cost per test: $15.95 including GST

If you would like your child to participate in any of the subjects listed above, please visit the new online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments.

The web link is: https://shop.unswglobal.com.au/pages/pps

Our school’s unique access code is:  GLA645

Online parent payment closes Sunday, 26 July 2020.

IMPORTANT:  Please enter your child’s name accurately into the System as it will appear on their ICAS certificate. Students must sit the assessments designed for their school year level.

Outside School Hours Care

A reminder to all parents that social distancing rules apply in the OSH 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 OSH 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.

Ranges Music Network - Term 3 update

The Ranges Music Network is excited to be returning to Macedon Primary School in Term 3!  Get your groove on with our fun and inclusive music lesson and ensemble programs -- right here at Macedon Primary!  Our talented and inspiring team of music educators will be kicking things off next week (starting July 21st).

 

New group lesson instruments are on offer this term including Voice, Ukulele, Harp, Percussion / Drums and a unique Piano ensemble program in addition to Violin, Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, Bass and those cool Doods & Toots!  Get in a group for $22 per session.

 

New After School band programs will be underway on Tuesdays (Big Gig band and singers), Thursdays (Big Sing vocal ensemble) and Fridays (Big Bang drum ensemble).  Open to musicians of all ages and abilities.  Join the Band for $26 a session or bundle with a group lesson for $44 per week.

 

Before school drop-in jam programs starting soon with sessions from $16 - $18.  A fun mix of singing, percussion, keyboards, guitars and ukes (oh my!).  A great way to start your school day.

 

Find out more and get signed up now at https://rangesmusic.net/mps.  Email our Program Director, Shaun Evans at shaun@rangesmusic.net with any questions you may have.

Enrolments for 2021

A reminder that 2021 enrolments are now due. If you have a child that you wish to start at Macedon Primary please fill out the below enrolment form ASAP. We want to start finalising our numbers for 2021 and have received a lot of interest from new families. If your child is not returning to Macedon Primary next year (other than grade 6 students) please also let us know.
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Community News

Community News

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.