Macedon Primary School Newsletter

23 October 2019

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

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Weekaway Camp – Year 3/4

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Year 3 and 4 camp at Weekaway Camp in Benloch.  It is always lovely to see the students in a different light and excelling in areas with a wide variety of learning experiences.  It is on camp that students learn to work together and negotiate roles in team challenges, collaborate and communicate effectively to get a canoe to move in the right direction, navigating low ropes course safely, to overcome seemingly impossible challenges and support one another to take the leap of faith off the zip wire platform.  Thank you to all of the teachers who always work long and intense hours while on camp and the parents who volunteered their time to support the children and make it a positive experience for everyone.  Special thanks goes to Stacey Hamilton who was our camp coordinator for this camp.

Orienteering

The whole school orienteering event was held this morning.  All students made their way to Tony Clarke reserve to participate on this beautiful Macedon day.  This afternoon over 900 students will be at the local schools "come and try" event which is supported by our school.  Later this term we will be heading to the regional  championships at hanging rock to see if we can continue our long running success at the regional level.  Thank you to all of the teachers and parents who helped to put on our event this morning and to David Oxworth for organising the event. 

Macedon Primary School Fete

The Fete organisation is in full swing now with less than five weeks to the big day.  The committee have rides, raffles, food stalls and plenty of fun filled activities for a fantastic day out for you and your family on the 23rd of November.  We are still looking for volunteers for a number of stalls and events and rely heavily on our community pulling together to support our school fundraising.  If you can spare some time on the day or could support us in the lead up to the event please get in touch.

Please email the Fete team if you can help in any way - macedonpsfete@gmail.com

Performing Arts

It is with sadness I announce that Desiree Osborne is finishing with Macedon Primary School at the end of 2019.  Desiree has taught here for eight years and has over 40 years of teaching experience in the Victorian government system.  Desiree will continue to influence the lives of Victorian primary school students at Castlemaine North PS but is reducing her hours.  I would like to thank Desiree for her dedication to teaching the students at Macedon Primary School and enriching all of our lives with her passion for the performing arts.  Thank you and good luck Desiree.

Matthew Forrest

forrest.matthew.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Bush fire Season

Bush Fire Season

With the changing of the seasons it is important for us to start consider the upcoming bushfire season.  We have detailed plans and procedures in place to monitor and manage our risks during the bushfire season.  We are currently reviewing these procedures with staff and students.  Below is a brief overview of our procedures in relation to the Fire Danger Rating.

1.    On Code Red Days the school will be closed

  •  Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, regardless of improvements in the weather forecast.  
  • There will be no staff at school; enact your own family fire plan.

 

2.     On Extreme fire danger ratings, the school will enact pre-emptive relocation to Sunbury West PS.

  • Parents will be contacted to confirm whether they are sending their children to school or not.
  • Students who attend school will assemble at school and be bused to Sunbury West PS.
  • Parents must pick up students at 3pm from Sunbury West PS.

                - No staff will be on site on days once the school has relocated to Sunbury West PS.

                - Out of School Hours Care will also be cancelled on these days.

 3.       Severe Fire Danger Rating days

·         The school will be on high watch but will run as usual.

 4.       Fire activity in the local area (25km radius), Macedon Primary School will enact one of the following bushfire procedures:

a.       Option 1 – Evacuation Plan

           i.      Gisborne Secondary College Stadium if fire is north of Macedon

           ii.      Kyneton Secondary College Gymnasium if fire is from the south of Macedon

b.      Option 2 – Shelter in Place (SIP) -

           i.      Main School Building until parent pick up if safe to do so.

c.       Option 3 - Shelter in Place (Last Resort) Plan

           i.      Take shelter in the Main School Building

Important Dates to Remember


  • 24th & 25th October - Foundation Hike / Middle Gully Day
  • 25 October - Bandana Day - Student Council
  • 28 October - 1 November - Yr. 5/6 Camp - Cape Bridgewater
  • 1 November - 1KH, 1/2RG and 2VW Melbourne Museum & IMAX Theatre
  • 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday - No school
  • 6 November - Yr 5/6 Bike Ed #4 -  road trip to Bolobek
  • 7 November - Grade 5 Kanga cricket @ Dixon Field, Gisborne
  • 7 November - 2020 Foundation transition session #1 
  • 8 November - Yr 3 - 6, Western Metro Orienteering @ Hanging Rock
  • 14 November - Yr 5/6 Bike Ed #5 - road trip to Hanging Rock
  • 21 November - 2020 Foundation transition session #2
  • 23 November - Macedon Primary Fete
  • 28 November - 2020 Foundation transition session #3 
  • 29 November - State Orienteering Championships @ Brimbank Park (selected students)
  • 10 December - Orientation Day for Government schools
  • 16 December - Picnic & Twilight Billy Cart Races from 5:00 pm
  • 17 December - Macedon Community Carols @ Tony Clarke
  • 18 December - Yr 6 Graduation Dinner
  • 19 December - Yr 6 Excursion to City
  • 20 December - Last Day of Term 4 - 2:30pm dismissal

Notes / Information sent home to families

From the office...

Medications at school

If your child requires medication to be administered at school a 'Medication Authority Form' must be completed and handed to the office along with the medication. No medication will be administered to children without this signed form.  All medications are required to be stored in the first aid room. Under no circumstances should medication be given to the child to administer themself.  


Thank you,

Julie and Emma

Macedon Primary School - Fete 23rd November

Fete News #12

Things are really gearing up now, with just over 4 weeks until the fete!!! 

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our requests for help, support and contributions.  Hopefully we have acknowledged everyone who has emailed, and rostering/time allocations will be posted in the foyer soon.  Stay tuned for the online option coming soon.  In the interim, please keep the emails coming macedonpsfete@gmail.com

I hope you’ve received your unmissable bright green covered booklet of raffle tickets that went home with students today.  These books are due back Thursday 21st November or earlier please, and contain 10 tickets at $2 each, for the chance to win a Night in the city, a feast in Kyneton or a Portable Bluetooth speaker.

Additional booklets are available from Emma in the office and tickets will also be on sale on the day.

Now is the time to start collecting coins.  There will be prizes up for grabs for those who give a toss, and they are the currency to make your vote count in the Lego competition.   Gold will be the request if you're wanting to partake in some hand balling, photos in outer space or making a tea cup garden among other activities.

 A reminder again, we are looking for donations of;

LEMONS -and people to make homemade lemonade

COFFEE CUPS –used, clean disposable cups, must have lids!

CHOCOLATE – in boxes, blocks, bars and bags

Collection boxes are located in the foyer.  If you are able to make lemonade, send us  a message via our in-box please at macedonpsfete@gmail.com

 Your fete committee 2019

Perri Jackson, Christine Denyer, Renee Briffa, Alison Taylor & Tanya Graham

Macedon Primary School Fete 2019 is Proudly Supported by Macedon Ranges Family Law   www.macedonrangesfamilylaw.com.au

Student Achievement Awards

Got Ya Awards

The 'Got Ya' awards are to acknowledge and encourage positive attitudes and behaviours in the school yard. It is also a way to promote KidsMatter throughout the school grounds. The yard duty teachers have raffle tickets to hand out to students observed doing the right thing. The teacher will record the child's name and house on a raffle ticket which will later go into our "Got Ya" tub to be drawn at the next Friday assembly.

The number of tickets for each house is tallied on a Friday and the weekly house winner announced at assembly. At the end of the year, the winning house wins the KidsMatter Shield.

Harper J - Hume - Respect
Marley V - Hume - Picking up rubbish
Kai Z - Hume - Coming to school ready to learn

Bandannas for sale all week before school!

Walk, ride or scoot to school this October

We are encouraging people to actively travel (walk, ride or scoot) to school for the month of October. There are prizes to be won for those who actively travel to school at least 10 times. All the students who do this will go into a draw and names will be drawn out at an assembly later in the term.

Sun Smart - Please remember to bring your hat!

With the change of seasons we remind all students to please wear their hats when they are outside. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt , can be reflected off surfaces, can pass through light clouds and varies in intensity across the year (it is highest in Victoria from mid-August to the end of April). 

So at lunchtime and recess we ask that children seek shade, slip on protective clothing, slap on a sun protective hat, slop on some sunscreen and slide on some sunglasses!

Hats are $14  and available from the uniform shop Monday 8:45am - 9:00am, Wednesday 3:15pm- 3;30pm or order through QKR! App.



Middle Gully Landcare

Last Thursday 2VW did water testing with Janine and made mini-beasts. The weather was a little volatile so it was great to have an indoor activity for the children to participate in.

Landcare is run by volunteers who enjoy gardening, outdoors and seeing the students learn about the environment around them. We welcome anyone who would like to come help out on a Thursday afternoon between 2pm and 3.30pm (even if your child's class isn't scheduled for that day).

Friday 25 October - Newspaper pots, gardening, pizzas - FTT & FMS

Thursday 31 October - Fairy houses, gardening - 2/3BT

Thursday 7 November - Cooking, garden crafts - 6KB

Thursday 14 November - Chicken talk, gardening - 1/2RG

Thursday 21 November - water session, signs - 3/4SH

Thursday 28 November - Natural dyes, gardening/cooking - 4/5MS

Thursday 5 December -  Natural dyes, gardening/cooking - 4CS

Thursday 12 December - Cooking, nesting box labels - 5/6AB

Younger siblings are also very welcome although are your responsibility. 

For more information, please contact David Oxworth, Matt Forrest or Penny Ball.

Outside School Hours Care

Casual places are available for before and after school care. Our rates are; $15.00 for before school care (7:00am - 8:45) and $22.00 for after school care (3:30 - 6:30). All you need to do is call the school 5426 1518 or email oshp@macedonps.vic.edu to book. Please note that enrollment forms need to be completed at least one business day before the first session of care.

Please pay through the school using the following details (not BPay):

Account name: Macedon Primary School

BSB: 063-840

Account: 1003 4330

Vicki, Helen, Karen, Marie & Bianca.

OSHC Enrolment Form

Download

School Council

The School Council meets eight times each year, but much of the work in between meetings is done by small enthusiastic subcommittees. Members of the school community are now invited to get involved by joining one (or more!) of the following subcommittees:

  • Education & Policy – responsible for drafting, consulting on and reviewing the school’s policies;
  • Facilities – responsible for the strategic planning and maintenance of the school’s grounds and facilities;
  • Pine Plantation –responsible for managing the future of the school’s pine plantation;
  • OSHC – responsible for managing all aspects of the Out of School Hours service;
  • Grants – this is a new group and is calling on those with an interest/experience in identifying and applying for grants. Last year the school received $20,000 from a single successful grant application!

 


Community News

Macedon Junior Blast Cricket

Woolworths Cricket Blast is a fun and fast programme for kids of all abilities to learn the skills and play Australia's favourite sport.

Buzzing with the energy of big bash cricket, Cricket Blast teaches kids how to bat, bowl, field and catch - all while making new friends. 

5 - 10 year olds. All welcome. 

All equipment supplied (plastic bats and rubber balls - not hard cricket balls).

It doesn't matter if you've never picked up a bat or ball.

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

Come and join the fun at Macedon Cricket Club, Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:00, starting November 17th. (We'll have a break over Christmas then get back into it mid-January). 

Registration will be online via the Playcricket website.

You can find general details at playcricket.com.au. Any queries please call Andrew on 0409 265 912

Gisborne Library - Upcoming Activities

Hairy Halloween Thursday 31st Oct 3.30-5.30pm  Come in costume and join in the spooky fun – crafts, treats, and a photo booth.

International Games Week 4-8 Nov from 4pm – Giant Chess, Giant Jenga and WiiU on our big screen!

Robotics Tuesdays 12, 19, 26  Nov  4-5.30pm  Design, Build and Program Lego Mindstorms EV3    Limited places Book Online

Shining Light Children’s Meditations Thursday 21 Nov 4-5pm Fun Meditation – a positive and empowering opportunity   Limited places Book Online

 For further information speak to library staff or online https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/gisborne-library-12189962582

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.