Macedon Primary School Newsletter

11 May 2022

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

Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

Middle Gully Improvements – Fairy and Sustainable Garden Grant Success!

Last week three representatives from our school met with the Bendigo Bank Volunteer Board of Directors to pitch our proposal for improving the Middle Gully Fairly and Sustainability Garden.  I received confirmation early this week that we were successful in obtaining a Bendigo Bank autumn community investment grant.

Bendigo Bank have made a $10 000 contribution to the project, and we hope to get started soon.  I have a site meeting next week with a contractor who will be supporting us with the construction phase of the build.  I would like to thank and acknowledge the Bendigo Bank for their generous support of the school with this project.

Our plan is to marry the existing natural elements with these new features

·         Boardwalks, gravel paths, natural stepping stones, logs and raised platforms for play.

·         insect hotels, nesting boxes to support the animals native to Middle Gully

·         features that encourage whimsical and imaginative play

·         additional endemic planting to increase the biodiversity and habitat for animals

Thanks again to Justin Sawyers who worked hard on the grant submission and presentation to the bank.

Student Sickness

We have an unusually high number of students getting sick with gastro bugs, the flu and COVID at the moment.  It would be great if all work together to keep the transmission to a minimum by keeping your children home until their symptoms pass.

Kind regards and Sampai jumpa (until next time)

Matt Forrest

Principal

Important Dates

12 May - Yr 3 & 5 NAPLAN Reading assessment

13 May - SEA Australia visit Yr 3-6

18 May - Yr 3 & 5 NAPLAN Numeracy assessment

20 May - SEA Australia visit Yr 3 -6

27 May - Yr 5/6 District boys and girls soccer - Gisborne

10 June - Curriculum Day - (student free day)

13 June - Queen's birthday holiday (student free day)

14 June - Yr 5/6 District Netball - Sunbury 

24 June - Last day of term 3

TERM 3:

11 July - First day of term 3

13 September - School photo day 

16 September - Last day of term 3

TERM 4:

3 October - First day of term 4

18 October - 21 October - Year 5 & 6 Camp - Howqua

31st October - Curriculum Day (student free day)

1st November - Melbourne Cup holiday (student free day)

2 November - 4 November - Year 3 & 4 Camp - Weekaway Lancefield

5 December - 6 December - Year 1 & 2 Camp - Lady Northcote 

20 December - Last day of the year (1:00pm dismissal)

Important Information regarding COVID & Influenza

Face masks

Face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. This means students in grades 3 to 6, staff and visitors in primary schools are no longer required to wear face masks. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at-risk. If you are a household contact you must wear a facemask indoors unless you are under 8 and above or have a medical exemption. 

Screening requirements

Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.

Household contacts

Students and staff who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are no longer required to quarantine. They can return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period and wear face masks indoors if they are aged 8 and above unless they have a valid exemption.

If any household contact returns a positive RAT result during this period, they must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.

Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools

Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Rapid Antigen Test screening program extension reminder

The supply of rapid antigen tests will continue for the first 4 weeks of this term. The screening recommendations remain the same and we recommended you all to test your child/ren at home twice a week.  We will be distributing the rapid antigen tests via your child’s bag when the deliveries arrive at school.

Influenza

With borders opening and the arrival of colder weather, cases of influenza (the flu) are increasing throughout Victoria. Our community is at risk of higher rates of students and staff affected by the flu or COVID-19 this season.

What to do if your child gets sick

To help keep your child and our school community safe, please take the following steps if your child has any cold or flu-like symptoms:

* take a COVID-19 test and follow the current Department of Health isolation requirements if a positive result is shown https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases 

* keep your child at home until their symptoms pass

* common flu-like symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, loss of appetite, body aches and feeling extremely weak and tired

* diagnosis of the flu can only be confirmed by a doctor after a nose or throat swab

* encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and ask them to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.

Ensuring your children are protected against serious illness helps to protect everyone in our community, including older family members who may be at higher risk, along with younger children who can’t receive vaccinations yet.

You can book COVID-19 vaccinations through the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 or at a participating GP, pharmacy, or community health service.

Flu vaccination

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from the flu and are eligible for free vaccination under the National Immunisation Program including:

* anyone aged 65 years and older

* pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)

* all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from 6 months and over

* children aged from 6 months to under 5 years.

COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge to everyone aged 5 years and over in Australia.

It is important that children and young people have the best possible protection against the flu and COVID-19 by getting vaccinated.

Ensuring your children are protected against serious illness helps to protect everyone in our community, including older family members who may be at higher risk, along with younger children who can’t receive vaccinations yet.

You can book COVID-19 vaccinations through the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 or at a participating GP, pharmacy, or community health service.

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. If you would like more information about the flu vaccination, visit the https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au 

From the office

Spare Clothes for students

We have noticed an increase in the amount of children requiring spare clothing. If you could please put a spare change of clothes in your child's bag (particularly if they are coming home in spare school clothes). We would also appreciate if you could wash the school spare clothes and return them to the office (no need to return underwear, we are unable to reuse this due to heath regulations). 

 Recess and Lunchtimes

Our students have recess from 11:00am - 11:30

Lunch starts at 1:00pm, the children eat their lunch in the classroom for 10 minutes and then go out to play until 2:00pm

If you wish to collect your child for an appointment during these times, please make sure you still come into the office to sign them out.

Our email address is macedon.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone number is 54261518.

Voluntary Curriculum Contributions

The process for invoicing parents for voluntary curriculum contributions. If you are unsure if you have paid or if you would like to pay, please contact the office.

Working with Children Check

All parent helpers at Macedon Primary must have a valid working with children check. It is free for a volunteer check, please apply online at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/individuals/applicants/how-to-apply-1If you have a valid working with check and have yet to provide it to the school, please email a copy or come into the office and we will take a copy.


Julie and Emma

Volunteers required, election day sausage sizzle

Who doesn't love a democratic sausage on election day?

Macedon Primary is a polling location for election day on the 21st of May. The PFA has been asked to host a sausage sizzle on election day, this can only be possible if we have some parent volunteers to help on the day. If you can help for an hour or two, please email macedon.ps@education.vic.gov.au and we will put you in touch with the organiser.

Student Achievement Awards

The following awards will be handed out at assembly. Please note,  we will not be holding a formal assembly in the JCB this week, the assembly will be over the loudspeaker at school.

FKB - Bernie A - for his quick responses during floor sessions.

FKB - Grace H - for doing an amazing job writing about the farm.

FKH - Penny S - for a great effort in building fluency during reading.

FKH - Luke B - for his terrific writing about our farm excursion.

FKH - Tess J - for amazing writing about our visit to the farm.

1/2CS - Ruby F - for being a friendly class member who strives to do her best at all times.

1/2CS - Ava K - for her happy and enthusiastic attitude towards all aspects of her work.

1/2CS - Caitlin L - for working hard to master reading and always trying her best. Keep it up!

1/2BT - Ollie N - for always trying his best when the tasks are hard.

1/2BT - Tommy G - for giving his best effort for set tasks this week.

1/2BT - Blake D - for creating a comic strip about the bear who wanted to read.

1/2TT - Maggie S - for always doing her personal best and great progress.

1/2TT - Roisin Mc- for her caring nature and fantastic learning.

3/4GS - Yuka P - for outstanding reading and writing.

3/4GS - Lorna L - for her fantastic contribution to our recycling topic.

3/4MS - Alex W - for being brave by writing a great story about 'being brave' during NAPLAN.

3/4MS - Maggie M - for being a thoughtful and caring student.

3/4MS - Indi M - for being a very helpful student who loves caring for the environment.

3/4VW - Edith P - for great work sounding out her words in spelling.

3/4VW - Marlow E - for always having a positive attitude to learning.

5/6AB - Phoebe B - for working diligently with all her studies.

5/6AB - Jackson P - for always listening and focusing on his learning.

5/6MS - Lydia A - for her kind and respectful attitude towards others.

5/6MS - Gemma A - for her conscientious and hard working approach towards learning.

5/6RC - Madison C - for consistently doing her best in all learning areas.

Sports Awards:

Declan B (5/6AB) - for fantastic leadership and outstanding play on footy day.

Austin B (5/6RC) - for awesome leadership and outstanding play on footy day.

Interschool Football report

On the 9th of May the year five and sixes and a handful of year four boys and girls went to play a few games of football representing our school.

The girls went to Dixon Field and won a one game, whereas the boys went to Sanky Reserve and lost valiantly. At the end of the day everyone met at Gardner Reserve to watch the grand final. Although our school only won one game we had lots of fun together. We all cheered each other on and celebrated teamwork skills. Everyone had a super fun time together. At the end of the day the longest kicking competition was held. Although it didn't go too well for Macedon, it was still great fun to cheer on our school's competitor, Flynn L. It was a very enjoyable day to have experienced. We are grateful for the parents and teachers who supported us on the day. Thank You to Mr Oxworth, Mrs Slater and Mr Leatch for helping out on the day.

By Riley S and Flynn L.     

Visual Art Report

This week in Visual Art we have been learning about Arthur Boyd and how he used his hands to paint. We used acrylic paint on cartridge paper. 

Foundation Excursion to Animal Land, Diggers Rest

The foundation students had a wonderful time yesterday at Animal Land in Diggers Rest. The children were so excited to be going on their first excursion. All of the children participated in pony rides, milking a cow, feeding animals, patting animals and a tractor ride. Thank you to the parent helpers that came along, we hope you enjoyed your day.

Middle Gully Program Update

This Thursday the 12th of May 3/4 MS will be heading over to Middle Gully, next Thursday the 19th of May 3/4VW will be going.

If any parents would like to come over to help, you are welcome to attend. The sessions start at 2pm (after lunch). Please make sure you sign in at the office and have provided the office with your working with children check. Younger siblings are welcome, but must be supervised at all times.

Mr O is working on the roster for the rest of the term, we will provide an update in next week's newsletter.

Last week Mrs Baker's foundation class went to Middle Gully with some Grade 6's. Please find some lovely photos below.

Outside School Hours Care

Spaces are filling up for OSHC.  Most spaces are taken up by permanent bookings and we are unable to book casuals in (they will have to be placed on a waiting list).  If you have a permanent booking and do not need the service for After School please advise the program as soon as you know, preferably before 11.00am on the day so we are able to give that space to another child.  For Before School, please call before 6.30pm the day before or email the service on oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au

Late cancellation fees apply if your child’s place is cancelled after 11.00am.  Further, if you do not cancel your child and they do not attend, fees may still apply.

Fees for 2022

Our rates for 2022 are: $16.00 for Before School Care (7:00am - 8:45am) and $23.00 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.

Community News

Kyneton High School Pre-Orientation Day

Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers of Grade 5/6 students,

We would like to invite children whose parents/carers are considering enrolling them at Kyneton High School to attend our Pre-Orientation Day. This year, it will be held on Friday, 3 June. The purpose of the day is to give students an opportunity to learn about the Kyneton High School environment and programs to assist in the transition from primary to secondary school.

Signing Up

As your child’s primary school is not one of our designated ‘feeder schools’, either because it lies outside our updated government school ‘zone’, or because it is a non-government school, if you would like your child to attend, please either:

·         Contact the school on 5421 1100 or Kyneton.hs@education.vic.gov.au OR

·         Fill in the Sign Up form: https://forms.gle/Nveiw5Pe64JSQm5s7

More information

Please note that children will need to be dropped off at 9am and picked up from the school at 3pm by a nominated adult.

Once you have signed up, you will be sent further details and a permission form directly from Kyneton HS.

   KYNETON HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY INFORMATION SESSIONS

A child’s journey from being a primary school student to a high school student can be an exciting but overwhelming one – both for the child and their family! As in any major life change, knowing more about what to expect in the next stage can leave us feeling more comfortable about the process.

We would like to invite parents, guardians and carers to a High School Transition Information Session on Friday 3 June. This is an opportunity to find out about Kyneton High School’s:

·         Transition supports and the enrolment process

·         Curriculum offerings and pathways from Years 7-12

·         Co-curricular offerings and clubs

·         Special programs to support diverse student learning needs

·         Equity and Inclusion support

·         Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Support program

·         Student Excellence Program (formerly the Gifted and Talented Program)

·         Student Wellbeing Program

·         Buildings Program

 Information Sessions

Morning Session (on site): 9.30 -11.30am – School Hall. Please enter through the main entrance on Epping Street, and then sign in at the General Office. This session will include a tour of the school and morning tea with staff.

Evening Webinar (remote): 7.00-8.00pm. A remote information session will be run using WebEx. Please RSVP to faye.zollia@education.vic.gov.au and you will be sent a meeting link closer to the time.

School Tours

Tours of the school with our Executive Principal, Ana Rees, are held fortnightly on Wednesdays at 9.30am. Call the office to make a booking on 5421 1100.

Enrolment

For government secondary schools, the enrolment process begins during Term 2 of the year the child is in Grade 6. For government primary school students, information will be provided through the child’s current school. Parents/carers of students at non-government primary schools may contact us directly on 5421 1100 or kyneton.hs@education.vic.gov.au to apply for enrolment.

Keep up-to-date with us!

Consider following our Facebook page – Kyneton High School (@kynetonhs) to see what is going on in our school. Our website also hosts a lot of useful information – please have a look at https://kynetonhigh.vic.edu.au/.

We look forward to meeting some prospective students!

Young Voices of Macedon

Young Voices of Macedon, a community choir for children of the Macedon Ranges invites primary school children to join us in Term 2. Under the direction of well-known and highly respected conductor Polly Christie, the choir has groups for younger and older children, which work both separately and together to learn a great variety of fun songs. The current emphasis is on songs about the environment. The choir also aims to provide quality training in voice production, part singing and performance, and features a friendly social environment.

 

Rehearsals take place on Thursdays at 4.15 pm at the Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland Street, Woodend. For further information visit www.yvmacedon.org.au

 

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.