Macedon Primary School Newsletter

4 November 2020

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

Principal's Report

Hello everyone,

Four Year School Review Process – Have your say – Tuesday 10 November – 7pm

I will be facilitating a live online workshop for parents and carers at 7pm on Tuesday 10 November on Zoom.  In this workshop we will delve into our achievement and wellbeing data and will invite you to share your ideas about our current strengths and possible areas for improvement.

This is a part of our school review preparation and is an opportunity for you to be involved in developing a new and ambitious plan that will support student learning, wellbeing, and engagement as we move into the future.

If you would like to be involved in this event please register your interest by filling out the form found at the link below.  All parents and carers are encouraged and welcome to join this event.  To participate you will need to click the link below and register your email address to receive an invite.

https://forms.gle/FNdJsyovVTxX3EHA7

Pupil Free Day – Monday 16 November

On Monday 16 November, our staff will be making the most of a pupil free day to continue our preparation for the school review in early 2021.  We will be analysing the information collected as a part of our pre-review self-assessment and be developing the first draft of the school's vision for teaching and learning from our perspective.  This time as a whole staff group is valued and is seen as important to our development and the future success of our school.  There will be no students onsite on this day.  Please make childcare arrangements for your child/ren on the 16th.

Parent Opinion Survey – Survey Closes on Friday 13 November

You should now have received your login details via email to complete 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.

At 11am today we had 38 of the 185 parents we invited to respond fill out the survey.  That is a response rate of approximately 21%.  The data is very important and for us to receive statistically reliable results we need to get closer to 40%, that’s’ an additional 36 parents.  We would really appreciate you taking the time to have your say.  We will resend the link to the survey in a separate email. All responses to the survey are anonymous and the survey will close on Friday 13th November. 

 

Matt Forrest

Principal

Latest Department of Education advice on COVID19

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

Important Dates

16 November - Curriculum Day, student free day 

18 November - School Photos 

8 December - School step up day

16 December - Grade 6 graduation

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


Notes sent home

- Parent payment letter for 2021

- Parent request for credit / donation / refund (Years 1 & 2)

- School photo envelopes

From the Office

Parent Payment letter for 2021

Letters were sent out today itemising the Essential Student Learning Items fee schedule for 2021. Please complete this form and return to the School by Friday 20th November 2020 outlining your preferred payment method. Please note payment of 2021 fees is not due until 2021. You will receive an invoice separate to this letter early in Term One 2021.

Managing Illness in Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

If a child is unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms, they must stay at home. If a child becomes unwell during the day, they must be collected from school as soon as possible.

Once symptoms have cleared, there is no requirement from the Department of Education and Training or DHHS for children/students to have a medical certificate before they return to school. 

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.

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

School Photos - 18th November

Envelopes for school photos were given to every child today.  These have their own individual code on them.

All payments are due by photo day.

You may pay online using your credit card. Each child has their own individual 'shootkey' listed on their envelope.

You may pay cash using the individual envelope provided. Please enclose correct money as no change will be given

Sibiling photo envelopes are available at the school office upon request. These photos will be taken on photo day, usually at recess, please remind your children to listen out for their names when they are called over the loud speaker. 

Do not seal the envelopes inside each other. You may include payment for all children in one envelope, however, please indicate on this envelope all the children you are paying for.

Each student must have their own separate envelope.  Please make sure that students are in correct uniform on photo day. 

I have included some photos of staff from their school years. Last weeks answers were Mrs Coates, Mr Forrest, Mrs Stein-Reeves and Miss Glassey. Can you guess this week's photos?

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

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 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 have 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

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.

5/11  – 1KH - Science activity 

12/11 – 1KB - Science activity

Hopefully, if restrictions ease we will be able to welcome our parent helpers 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

    Nominations open for Council’s 2020 Youth Awards

    Do you know a young person aged 12–25 years doing amazing things in our community?

    Tell us about the inspiring young people in your life by nominating them for Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s annual Youth Awards, which celebrate and recognise the incredible achievements of young people in the shire.

     Nominations are now open and can be for any young person, or group of young people, aged 12–25 years who lives, works or attends school in the Macedon Ranges.

     Award categories:

     ·         Will Power: young people who show real character and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity

    ·         Good deeds: young people who give their time and energy to activities that support the wellbeing of another individual, group or community.

    ·         Pure imagination: young people pursuing their passion for creativity through the arts.

    ·         Nicely played: young people kicking recreational and physical activity goals.

    ·         Skilling It: young people excelling in a mentorship program, workplace or business.

    ·         Well Aware: young people who shine a light on important issues/social causes and raises awareness in the community.

     Submit a nomination online at mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth, or email youth@mrsc.vic.gov.au.

    Nominations close on Sunday 22 November.

    The winners will be announced online on Saturday 12 December and depending on pandemic restrictions during December, an outdoor celebration may be held at a later date.

     For more information, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth, or email youth@mrsc.vic.gov.au

    Picture is Laura Crozier, winner of one of the 2019 Community Participation Awards.  Photo credit: Ties Urie

    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.