Macedon Primary School Newsletter

21 July 2021

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

Principals Report

Dear parents,

Most of what is below is a repeat of my email to you all yesterday.  I hope you are coping alright with the remote learning period and I really look forward to having you all back onsite.  I have been enjoying looking at some of the work coming in from students to their teachers on Seesaw.  Keep it up and we will be learning from school in no time.

Onsite Supervision

As with the current lockdown we have provisions in place for supervising the children of parents who are approved workers and for vulnerable students.  Please email me if you need support with supervision and I will work with you to make arrangements.  Our before and after school care program is still operating for the students attending onsite as well.

Learning Grids

The learning grids with activities from your child’s classroom teacher for Thursday and Friday will be sent to you via seesaw at 8:45am on Thursday morning.  The learning grids for next week will be sent to you at 8:45am on Monday morning.

Devices

With the extension of the lockdown we will be distributing our devices to families who need them from the front office if you require them.  Please come between 9am and 3:30pm to pick up a device.  Please adhere to the social distancing rules and wear a mask inside when you collect these devices. 

Winter Solstice

It probably goes without saying, but both events we planned for this Friday, the Winter Solstice and the Learning Expo have been cancelled.  Thank you to all the parents who had volunteered time to planning the Winter Solstice.  We may try again a little later in the year if the conditions are right. 

Matt Forrest

Principal

Latest Department of Education advice on COVID19

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/coronavirus-advice-parents.aspx


Qr Codes / Facemasks

The use of Service Victoria QR codes for electronic record keeping is now mandatory in all schools to enable the effective contract tracing of any COVID-19 cases.

QR Code check in are required to be used by:

  • All visitors on school site (including contractors, external Department staff and building maintenance staff)
  • All parents who enter school building when on school site.

QR code check ins are not required to be used by parents who come onto school grounds for drop off or pick up, but do not enter buildings.

Please be reminded that:

Existing sign in and out process should continue to be used to record visitor attendance, therefore visitors still need to use the visitors book at the office, for legal and regulatory obligations.

Face masks at schools

School staff (primary and secondary) and secondary school students aged 12 or older:

·         are not required to wear a face mask while at school (or when attending an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program), when interacting exclusively with staff and students from their school

·         must carry a face mask at all times, unless a lawful exception applies

·         should wear a face mask indoors when interacting with external visitors, including parents/carers and staff/students from other schools.

School staff (primary and secondary) who work in largely public-facing roles, e.g. reception staff, must wear a face mask indoors at all times.

Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school, or when attending an OSHC program.

Visitors and parents must observe indoor face mask requirements. Face masks continue to be recommended outdoors when 1.5m physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Important Dates

23 July - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Expo Day, from 2:30pm - postponed, new date TBA

23 July - Winter Solstice Evening; 5:30pm-7:30pm - postponed, new date TBA

6 August - Glow in the dark dance night (see details below)

31 August  - Whole School Photo Day (please note new date)

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

TERM 4:

5 October - First Day of Term 4

13 October - 15 October - Grade 3/4 Camp Weekaway

25 October - 29 October - Grade 5/6 Cape Bridgewater Camp

2 November - Melbourne Cup public holiday (school closed)

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

From the Office

Office Hours / Staff

Due to the current restrictions our office may be unattended at times, please be patient if we don't answer the phone straight away or emails are not answered.  

Enrolments and students leaving in 2021

We are now accepting new enrolments for Foundation students in 2022. If you have a child or know someone with a child that is wanting to enrol at Macedon Primary next year, please return your forms to the office. A link to the form is available here 2022 Enrolment Form

Alternatively, if you child is leaving Macedon Primary at the end of this year (not including year 6 students), can you please let us know, so we can start planning for next year.

Take care of yourself and you family.

Julie  and Emma

Outside School Hours Care

We are currently booked out on Monday afternoons, if you are looking for casual care please contact Vicki or the office to confirm there is a space available.

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.

Glow in the dark dance night!

The Macedon Primary School PFA is proud to announce the Macedon Primary School GLOW IN THE DARK Dance.  The dance night will be scheduled for Friday, August 6th and run from 5:30 to 7pm for All Ages and 7 to 8pm for Years 4 to 6 only.  This is a FREE, kids only event for students at Macedon Primary (only) -- so parents are encouraged to drop off their kids to join in the fun.

The Glow In The Dark Dance will include:

- a 'just loud enough' dance hall in the JCB including light show, glow in the dark lights, a VJ screen, guest DJs and special MCs on the night

- a Chill Out & Movie Room in the Art Room with some great flicks, colouring activities and a space to relax

- a Snack Bar in the JCB Foyer including fresh fruit, popcorn and water

Wear bright and white clothes for maximum fun on the night.  You may even see yourself up on the big screen!

Students will sign in at the door as they enter the event and have their name and parent's phone number recorded in case an early pickup or other contact is required.

Fruit & Colouring Donations:

We will need some keen helpers and a few donations to make this event a special one.  

- Donations of Fresh Fruit: the snack bar will require donations of fresh fruit to be dropped off at pickup time on August 6th.

- Donations of Colouring Pencils or Crayons: the chill room needs your donation of colouring pencils and crayons.  These can also be dropped off at pickup time on August 6th.  The items will be donated to the school at the end of the event

To donate items please visit the donation sign up form at https://bit.ly/3Bcjt7g

Parent Helpers:

We would love to have parent helpers sign up to assist with the Snack Bar, Chill Room, Door Team and Clean Up Squad.  If you have a current Working With Children's Check and can give some of your time please sign up to help here: https://bit.ly/3ifpx6y

Parent 'Chill Room':

We know that some parents would like to stay close by and let their little party goers take a stab at having fun!  We will have a Parents Chill Room set up in the Multi Purpose Room in case you would like to stay near.  Why not sign up for a helper shift while you're there!  https://bit.ly/3ifpx6y

If you have any questions about the Glow In The Dark Dance please contact Shaun Evans at shaun@rangesmusic.net

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.