Macedon Primary School Newsletter

21 October 2020

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

Principal's Report

Good afternoon, I hope you are all well and enjoying the steady and safe opening up of COVID restrictions.  We are settling back into our routines here and it is nice to feel some level of “normal” settling in.

School Photos

Yesterday the deputy Premier announced that school photos can go ahead on school sites again.  We have been in touch with our provider and can confirm school photos will take place on the 18th of November. 

School Crossing Safety

I have been informed of students not using the school crossing on Carrington Street and crossing diagonally over the Margaret/Carrington St intersection.  Can you please reinforce the road safety message to your children and make sure they are safely making their way to and from school in the morning and afternoon.

Transition

For any parents with children starting school here in 2021 we have developed an amended transition process for students starting in prep with us next year.  You will hear from us before the end of the week in regards to these plans.

Book Week Celebration – Parade and Celebration of Reading

Tomorrow we are holding our belated annual book week parade at 10am.  The theme this year is “Curious Creatures – Wild Minds”. We will hold a dress up parade and post pictures to you in celebration of reading and our love of books.  Good luck putting the final touches on your child’s costume and we look forward to an exciting day tomorrow.

Public Holidays

Please note that this Friday the 23rd of October is a public holiday for the AFL Grand Final. There will be no staff on site.  Also, the Melbourne Cup public holiday is on Tuesday the 3rd of November. Monday the 2nd of November is a normal school day, if your child will not be attending school on the Monday, can you please advise the office.

Parent Opinion Survey

By now you will have received an email from the school with your login details for the parent opinion survey.  The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst all parents. It is designed to assist us in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. All parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 12th October to Friday 13th November.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. These include: Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha), Hindi, Japanese, Somali, Turkish, Punjabi and Greek.

Matt Forrest

Principal

Latest Department of Education advice on COVID19

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

School Photos - 18th November

We have a confirmed date for school photos. It is the 18th of November. We will be using the same company as previous years - MSP Photography. So book your hairdressers' appointments and tidy up the COVID haircuts.  I have asked the staff to send me some of their school photos, lets see if you can guess which staff member is in this class photo. (answer in next weeks newsletter)

Important Dates

22 October - Book week dress up day 

23 October - Grand Final Public Holiday (student & staff free day)

27 October - ICAS English @ 8:00am 

29 October - ICAS Math @ 8:00am

3 November - Melbourne Cup Holiday (student & staff free day)

16 November - Curriculum Day, student free day (please note new date)

18 November - School Photos 

SEA (Sex Education Australia) Program - postponed, we are awaiting instruction from the DET regarding this.

From the Office

Head Lice

We have been advised of some cases of head lice (nits) in the school.  We ask that parents check their child's hair on a regular basis for headlice. Any sign of students scratching their head and complaining of an itchy scalp needs to be investigated immediately. If you find head lice or eggs on your child, please let the office know. If live lice or eggs are found on your child's hair at school, parents will be notified to enable treatment to be undertaken. Students must be treated before returning to school. There are a number of different treatments available.

School Crossings

We have received reports of students not using the school crossing on Carrington Street and illegally crossing at the intersection of Margaret and Carrington Street. This is a very dangerous practice and we ask that all students use the crossing.

Parking on Margaret Street

We have also been advised of parents parking illegally on Margaret Street - please obey the road signs and practice caution. We have contacted the council and requested parking inspectors to make a visit to the area.

Remember your hat

Please remember to bring a wide-brimmed hat. (Hats are available to purchase from Beleza in Gisborne)

Drink bottles

All children need to bring a labelled drink bottle to school, we have the water taps on to refill drink bottles, but due to COVID restrictions the drinking bubblers are turned off.

Absence notifications

An important reminder regarding absences; if your child is away from school, please call or email the office to advise of the absence. Also, if your child is a late arrival, please come into the office and sign them in. Monday the 2nd of November is a normal school day, if you are going away for the Melbourne Cup long weekend and your child will not be attending school on Monday, please let us know.

We hope you enjoy the public holiday on Friday and may the best team win on Saturday (Go Cats)

Stay safe and well,

Julie (Go Tigers!) and Emma

Student Achievement Awards

The following awards will be announced at this weeks 'virtual' assembly. 

 https://eduvic.webex.com/webappng/sites/eduvic/meeting/download/5c51e9f011ce4ef0b35766dec5b226d8?siteurl=eduvic&MTID=m443d628f25a9c0d5cdf463bd1d81ba90

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Sunsmart Reminder

***School hats are available for sale at Beleza in Gisborne***

Although it may still be cold, Victoria’s UV levels are on the rise so please check the daily local sun protection times to see when you need to be SunSmart.  The sun protection times are a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology for the time of day UV levels are forecast to reach 3 or higher in your location. At these levels, sun protection (hat, clothing, sunscreen, shade and, if practical, sunglasses) is recommended for all skin types

When outdoors, whether that be for the two hours of permitted exercise in metropolitan Melbourne or if you’re lucky enough to be allowed outside for longer, to  check the sun protection times and use sun protection accordingly. For more information for families please check out https://www.sunsmart.com.au/communities/parents

Book week Parade - 22nd October

The theme for this years bookweek is "Curious Creatures - Wild Minds" We are asking children to come dressed as their favourite characters and if the weather permits we will have a parade on the basketball court.

2020 Parent Opinion Survey

WE WANT OUR PARENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents think of our school. The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst all parents. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. All parents are be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Monday 12th October to Friday 13th November.

The link and survey PIN has been sent in a separate email due to privacy.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. These include: Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha), Hindi, Japanese, Somali, Turkish, Punjabi and Greek. The survey results will be communicated to parents through annual reporting or by some other means. Please speak to your child’s teacher if you would like more information.

Lunch order form

Lunch orders are available through Red Door cafe. Please make sure you have correct money in the lunch order bag and if you have a reusable bag, please make sure they are clean. 
Download

Middle Gully Update

Thank you to the Sawyer/Fiori family for looking after the chooks over the remote learning and school holiday period.

We are still not allowed to have volunteers for the Landcare program, so the Landcare sessions will be just with Mr Oxworth and the class teacher.

22/10 – 23VW - Science activity and Landcare – Bird count activity

29/10 – 2RG - Science activity and Landcare

5/11  – 1KH - Science activity and Landcare

12/11 – 1KB - Science activity and Landcare

Hopefully, if restriction ease we will be able to welcome our parent helper back to Middle Gully soon.

Outside School Hours Care

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

OSHC Enrolment update forms

If your child is going to attend OSHC next year, an update form needs to be completed. Paper copies are available at the office or your can download the from below.
Download

Uniform Shop News

School Council update

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.

 

At the School Council WebEx meeting held on 9 September 2020, the discussion included:

  • School Review – Macedon Primary School is due to undertake a school review in early 2021.  Preparations will commence in Term 4.
  • Pupil Free Day – Monday 16 November will be a pupil free day for the teachers to engage in these preparations.
  • Child Safety – A presentation was given in respect of the school’s child safety policies and procedures.  The Education subcommittee will review these policies ahead of the school review.  
  • Facilities – A competitive process has been used to select a contractor to install a new retaining wall between the oval and JCB.
  • Pine Plantation – Further information is being requested to assist the school council to consider the next steps.  
  • Finance – The finance subcommittee provided an update on the school’s financial position, including in respect of OSHC.   


    • The next school council meeting will be on Wednesday 21 October 2020 at 7pm.

    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.