Mansfield Primary School Newsletter

No.7 May 20th, 2022

Principal's Message

Dear Families,

It has been a busy couple of weeks at Mansfield Primary School.  Grade 5 Melbourne and the Sea camp, NAPLAN, 3-6 Cross Country, G2 Dinosaur Incursion to name a few.  It feels like we have made it past the extreme COVID numbers of last term.  There are still a few staff and students affected each week and we are still careful to minimise the risk, whilst providing experiences for our kids.

Rapid Antigen Testing

From next week there will be changes to the provision of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2.  RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term.

However, from Monday 23rd May 2022, students will no longer be recommended to undertake either twice weekly RATs in mainstream schools or 5 days a week in specialist schools.  RATs however will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7 day period) or who have symptoms.

The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.  Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.

Thank you also to all families who have had their child vaccinated. Vaccination continues to remain the best way to protect students and staff in our school.  Getting vaccinated is easy and bookings can be done via the coronavirus website. If you have any questions about the vaccines, I encourage you to speak to your GP or a health practitioner.

Isolation Plans

From next week teachers will not be sending ISO plans home with their weekly email.  These plans served us well when we had high numbers of students isolating but they are not specific to the needs of individual students.  With fewer numbers this term, classroom teachers are now able to have a conversation with families to see if your child is well enough to complete some schoolwork whilst at home and make sure that work is suited to your child.  Classroom teachers will work with you to provide some tasks.

Education Week

Education Week is next week. The theme, ‘150 Years of Public Education’ commemorates the past, celebrates the present and imagines the future of education in Victoria. We will be celebrating Education Week with a number of events during the week.  Please see flyer attached.

This year, Mansfield Primary School is also 150 years old.  We will celebrate 150 years at a community event on the 7th and 8th October this year.

Prep 2023 Transition

As part of Education Week, we have some Prep Transition activities planned.  If you have a child starting Prep next year, please come along to our Parent Information Session (5:30pm Wednesday 25th May) and the Come and Play session and School Tour (2:35pm Thursday 26th May).  If you know any families who are looking at enrolling their 2023 Preps please direct them to the MPS website http://www.mansfieldps.vic.edu.au/more-info.html.

The Resilience Project: Gratitude

This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude.

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

View Part 2 of the series here -  https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub/

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a Wellbeing Journal.

(Source: Psychology Today, resources and support The Resilience Project’s Support Page.)

 

Working Bee: 4th June 11:00am until 1:00pm

The last couple of years have been challenging for working bees due to COVID restrictions.  School Council would like to get back to our routine of one working bee each term.  Please put June 4th in your diary.  We are hoping to get lots of people here for a couple of hours.  Many hands...

Grade 5 and 6 Skiing

Mt Buller has had some real challenges over the last couple of years and these have impacted operations for 2022.  We are currently trying to work out how we can run our Grade 5 and 6 ski program in a way that works for everyone.  An expression of interest note will be sent out next week. 

Like always, please get in touch with us with any questions or concerns.  Call or email your classroom teacher, call the front office or email me tom.macmunn@education.vic.gov.au.

Have a great weekend.

Take Care,

Tom

Important Dates

May 23rd - 27th - Education Week

May 25th - Prep 2023 Information Session

May 26th - Prep 2023 Come & Play Session & School Tour 

May 30th - Professional Practice Day - Student Free Day (No School)

May 31st - Grade 3 - Beneath Our Feet Incursion

June 4th - Working Bee 11:00am until 1:00pm

June 6th - Division Cross Country - Yea

June 7th - Grade 6 - Timbertop Hike

June 9th - WADJINY Indigenous performance show - Whole School 

June 10th - Grade 4 Hike - Stirling 

June 13th - Queens Birthday Public Holiday 

June 15th - Prep - 2 Cross Country 

June 17th - Regional Cross Country - Winton

June 24th - Last Day of Term 2 

Notes from the Office

A reminder to families that the school day finishes at 3.30pm. Please ensure your child/children are collected from school in a timely manner. If you are running late please notify the front office. 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Uniform is to be ordered through Spartan School Supplies.      www.spartanschoolworld.com.au

We have a full range of uniform on display at the front office for you to view before making your purchases online. 

LOST PROPERTY

Please note we cannot return items that have no name. Please ensure uniform & drink bottles are clearly labelled with your child's name. 

BUS TRAVEL 

Any changes to your afternoon bus travel arrangements are to be made by 2.30pm of the day of travel. This can be made via the Skoolbag App under E-Forms, email or by phone. 

If your child has started a new after school activity or football/netball training please update their bus travel arrangements. 

SKOOLBAG

A reminder to families (if you have not already updated)  to update their child/s year level on Skoolbag. This is done by opening Skoolbag, selecting the MPS logo then selecting groups, add/remove groups & then selecting your child/s grade including whole school. 

Jolly Joggers is back for Term 2

Jolly Joggers!

If you would like to join in & earn house points by running as many laps of Lords Oval as you can, please meet Mrs Hewitt and your house captain on top terrace Wednesday & Friday mornings at 8:40am.

Everyone is welcome!

State Schools' Relief Prep CSEF Uniform Package 2022

Applications for the 2022 Prep CSEF Uniform Package are now open & close end of Term 3.

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Applications for Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Applications for Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

 The annual CSEF amount per student is:

•     $125 for primary school students

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Lunchtime Activities Term 2

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Melbourne and the Sea Grade 5 Camp

On Tuesday the 3rd of May, the grade 5’s from Mansfield Primary School headed off to the Benalla Train Station, to board a train to Southern Cross Station (Melbourne). After the long journey to the station, we hopped on another train to Geelong, had lunch, then took a bus to Riverview Caravan Park in Ocean Grove. Once we arrived, Group A stayed at the campsite to set up the tents, while Group B went to enjoy the first surfing lesson of the trip (instructed by Go Ride a Wave)! The instructors were really enthusiastic and pushed everyone to have a go. After the groups swapped, we had a delicious dinner and got ready for the night walk. Wednesday morning, we got up early to get on a bus to Anglesea. We split up into 3 groups and alternated between kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and a play at the beach. We were taught by the same group of instructors from the surf lesson. We traveled back to the caravan park and had dinner followed by an amazing talent show. Thursday was a relaxed day that started with a beach walk. Each group had their last surfing lesson of the trip, the rest of the day was spent hanging around at camp and the day ended with some trivia. Friday was another early morning and we got up in a rush to pack up our gear. After the pack up we caught a bus back to Geelong then a train back to Southern Cross. Each group found their way through the city to find the Queen Victorian Market. Every student got $5 to spend on new and exciting foods to share with the rest of the group. After a long day we went back to Southern Cross Station to buy a $10 dinner. After the long, tiring train back to Benalla Station we met back up with our families and went home. Everyone was tired and slept in the car on the way home. Overall it was an amazing trip and everyone really enjoyed it. Thank you to all the teachers and parent helpers for all their efforts and help running camp.

Written by Franzi Stumpf and Rachel Mercieca

District Cross Country

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Library Team News - Book Reviews

Secret of the Old Barn

“It’s about a mystery in an old house that’s for sale. 3 kids are trying to figure out who lives there and what secrets are inside.” - Eadie from 2B

Credit to Jayden Visser and Harry Elliot 

School of Monsters: William is a Star

“William can do magic tricks but when he’s scared or nervous he farts but when he has to act on stage he takes a deep breath but when he goes on stage he get’s nervous.”  - Mia from 3B

Credit to Jayden Visser and Harry Elliot 

School Crossing Reminder

1.    Wait behind the yellow line.

2.    Only start to cross when the crossing supervisor blows the whistles twice.

3.    One whistle means Stop.

Sushi

Sushi is delivered to School by Sushi Field on Tuesday's and Thursday's around 11am (refrigerated until lunch break).  Orders must be placed no later than 5pm the day before delivery.

 To place your order please send a text message to 0429 467 881, including your child's name and class number.  Payment's will need to be made by bank transfer to the below account, using your child's name as a reference number.  (Note that this is a new account, so if you have ordered previously, please update any saved account details prior to payment.)

 

If you would like an on-going order for the term, please note this in your text message.  Invoices will be sent at the end of term for on-going orders.

Menu, pricing and further info attached (correct as at 04/02/2022, but subject to change).

Account name: Sushifield BSB: 063711 A/C: 10193512

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Raising Resilient Children

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Free Positive Parenting Seminar

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