Macedon Primary School Newsletter

Hello everyone,

Foundation 2021

Next years foundation students have completed their two orientation sessions. Due to current restrictions we have amended our orientation programs to smaller groups and shorter times. Thank you to Mrs Tadd and Miss Strong for organising and facilitating these sessions, we are looking forward to welcoming some siblings of current students and new families to Macedon Primary in 2021.

Activities Week

Next week we have a fun filled week planned with walks, orienteering and Middle Gully sessions planned for all year levels. If you intend to collect your children from school, please let the office know prior as there will be classes off site.

Vale – Craig Mackenzie

Over the weekend we were saddened to hear of the death of one of our parents, Craig Mackenzie.  Craig died of a heart attack.  Our condolences and support go out to Elsie, Ginger and Emma, Craig’s daughters and wife.  I spoke to Emma on Monday and have offered them the condolences of our community along with a range of school supports for Elsie and her family.

Fire Season

As the fire season approaches the school has been working with the local business School Safe Consulting to develop the attached flow chart graphic that outlines our process on each of the three following fire danger scenarios for our school.

1.       Our Pre-emptive actions for a CODE RED Fire Danger Rating day

2.       Our Pre-emptive actions for an EXTREME Fire Danger Rating day

3.       Our Actions responding to FIRE ACTIVITY IN THE LOCAL AREA

Please read and familiarise yourself with these processes before the upcoming fire season.

School Bushfire Preparedness Projects

As part of the Department of Education’s bushfire preparedness program we have been allocated funds to prepare our school for the coming and future bushfire seasons.  We have completed a number of vegetation reduction projects around the buildings and have the site and gutters cleared of debris regularly throughout the summer season.  This year we have also engaged contractors to install a sprinkler system on our JCB building which is our last resort “shelter in place”.  The system is going to be connected to a rain water tank and will be operated by a diesel pump which is independent of mains water and the local electricity grid.   

Matt Forrest

Principal

11 December - Year 6 Billycart Decorate It Day

16 December - Year 6 Graduation & Dinner

17 December - Year 6 Billycart Race Day 1:30pm

18 December - Last Day of term 4 - 1:30pm finish

- Grade 6 Billy cart notice

- Grade 6 Graduation

Please note, forms can be found on the school's website under 'parents tab'

https://macedonps.vic.edu.au/parents/

Camps Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) - changes for 2020

A number of changes have been approved to the operation of CSEF for 2020 only.

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply.

Payments will be made at 50 per cent of the standard rate per student for families eligible for concession cards between 15 April and 5 October.

Applications must be submitted through the CSEF system by 27 November 2020 (application form link can be found below). Please ensure any new applications are at the office prior to this date as late applications are unable to be processed.

CSEF usage is normally restricted to camps, sports and excursion activities. As there has been limited opportunity to undertake these activities this year, CSEF usage has now been expanded further to include voluntary school charges, books and stationery. It may not be used for school uniforms, before/after school care, music lessons, formals/graduations or compulsory fees.

For more information, or for eligibility please see https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx

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.

Stay safe and well,

Julie  and Emma

We have been informed of two near-miss incidents on the Carrington Street crossing, where the drivers did not stop for the School Crossing Supervisor when she was standing on the road and the 'Stop' sign was erected. 

Can all parents please remember to practice safe driving practices in the school speed zones and remember it is a legal requirement to stop when directed by the School Crossing Supervisor.

If parents witness any activity that they would like to report to Council, please contact the Local Laws Administration Team on 5422 0333.

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

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

26/11 - Week 8 – 45BT 

3/12 - Week 9 – Outdoor activity week – Foundation x 2 

10/12 - Week 10 – Both 5/6 CLASSES

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

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.

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:

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