Macedon Primary School Newsletter

Hello everyone,

Sun Competition

You may recall during the term three remote learning period I asked our students to design and draw a sun to be printed and placed in our foyer when the painting works are completed.  Thank you to all the students who sent in an entry.  We have now collated these drawings and set up a voting system.  All students will vote on them in the next week to decide the winner.  I will announce the winning entry at assembly before the end of term.  Once this is complete I will have the sun drawing printed on a sticker and placed in our foyer.

Gas Bottles

We have a number of 9kg gas bottles that we are trying to clear out of our camping shed.  Many of them are full of gas and we’re asking for a donation to the school in exchange for them.  We no longer need these bottles for our camping program and would like to try and reduce the flammable material onsite before the bushfire season.  These would be perfect for a second BBQ bottle to have in your shed.  If you are interested in grabbing one, please email the school at macedon.ps@education.vic.gov.au  First in best dressed.

Staffing Changes in 2021

As we close in on the end of the year I would like to make some announcements about our teaching team in 2021.  Earlier in 2020 Belinda Taylor, our learning specialist and leadership team member, stepped back from her whole school leadership role including her role as a learning specialist.  Belinda will carry on in her capacity as a classroom teacher here in 2021.  As a result we have had to restructure the leadership team.  The learning specialist roll was advertised externally and a new learning specialist has been employed.   Our new teacher's name is Seraphim Kyprianou and he joins us from Wales Street Primary School in Thornbury.  Seraphim comes to us with a strong background in leading curriculum initiatives and a strength in teaching Mathematics.  He will make up a part of our teaching team and have classroom teaching responsibility.

Unfortunately as a result of these changes, Stacey Hamilton will be moving on from MPS at the end of 2020.  Stacey has successfully obtained a position at Pentland Primary School in Bacchus Marsh.  Stacey will be missed, she is a dedicated teacher who often goes above and beyond in her role.  I wish her all the very best with her teaching career.  I trust she will continue to contribute to the education system significantly into the future. 

Lauren Barham, who has been working here developing our reading intervention program is moving back to her home school at Sunbury Secondary College.  Lucy Butler-Rees our current Performing Arts teacher has also picked up a job closer to her home in Bendigo and will not be returning in 2021.  We are currently in the process of replacing Lauren and Lucy through our recruitment process and will have the team finalised by the start of 2021.

Matt Forrest

Principal

Pictured: A collaborative colouring piece completed by 4/5BT

***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

Goldfields Library are pleased to announce this year's Summer Reading Challenge. 'Hang Out and Read this Summer'

The challenge opens on Monday 14 December 2020 and runs right through to Friday 22 January 2021.

The Summer Reading Challenge aims to encourage school aged children to read for pleasure over the long Summer break, enjoy stories in many forms. and to continue developing great reading skills learnt at school.

This year's challenging is also open to families with pre-school aged children so that young families can enter the challenge and enjoy stories together.

Challengers will be in the running to win great prizes including book vouchers, book sets and Lego sets. Sign up at any of our libraries (including agencies) or download a Challenger Booklet here www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/src

For more information contact tammy@ncgrl.vic.gov.au or phone 5449 2700

Wednesday 25th November at 6.30-7.00pm  at Ash Wednesday Park Smith St Macedon sees the start of the annual Macedon Ranges Summer Orienteering Series. This is a popular introduction to navigation sports for the family and for fitter people looking to add interest to their regular walk or training run. The events take up to an hour (all in daylight) and use a map of each local town. One can participate individually or in a group in short, medium or long courses. Power walkers have the added interest of a score course, in which control points are of different values,

Adults $5 Children $3 

Beginners course and coaching available

Dates and locations for the pre Christmas events are:

Wed 4th Dec 82 Stewarts Lane Sunbury

Wed. 11th Dec. Riddells Creek lions park Main St Riddells Creek

Wed. 16th Dec. Barry Doyle Rotunda  Piper St    Kyneton 

www.centralhighlands.weebly.com/

www.victorienteering.asn.au/