PREP SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SCREENING

All prep students at Winters Flat have been offered a speech and language screening session by Speech Pathologist Monica Ellis here at school next Tuesday 12th March. Consent forms were sent home last week. Pease return the forms as soon as possible if you wish your child to participate.

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WORKING BEE

WE NEED YOUR HELP SUNDAY 17TH MARCH 10.00AM-12.00PM

Please consider spending time helping at our first Working Bee on Sunday week. The jobs include:

• Chopping tree saplings along southern boundary (hand saws)
• Repairing Oak tree guards – need reinforcing
• Leaf blowing and general tidy up

Any time you can give us to help around the school is greatly appreciated. If you don’t have the time please consider donating to the Buildings and Grounds fund.

You can complete the working bee rsvp form online.

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SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Nominations are invited for four parent reps and two DE&T reps for the 2019 Winters Flat School Council. Nominations close this Friday 8th March. Further details in this Newsletter.

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SCHOOL COUNCIL PICNIC & SAUSAGE SIZZLE

5:00PM-7:00PM THURSDAY 21ST MARCH BOTANICAL GARDENS

Our first social gathering for 2019 will take place from 5.00pm – 7.00pm on Thursday 21st March at the Castlemaine gardens. We encourage families to bring a plate to share – School Council will also be providing sausages.

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KIDS, SCREENS AND BEHAVIOUR

7.00PM-8.30PM TUESDAY 26TH MARCH

Educational Psychologist Matt Davis is our guest presenter who will be talking about the challenges of screens and behaviour and how to unplug and survive parenting in the digital world. This forum is open to the wider Castlemaine community with tickets available through Trybooking (see event below for flyer and details). One of the feature stories on 7.30 this week How much is too much screen time explored some of the challenges facing parents.

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PARTY INVITATIONS REMINDER

If you’re hosting a party, unless the whole class is invited please consider other ways of delivering invitations than via school. Alternatively please allow the class teacher to discretely hand them out. This aligns with our school vision statement:
To create an inclusive school community where students develop the academic, physical, social, emotional, creative and moral skills that are the foundation for success in life. A school that celebrates diversity and promotes a deep respect for the environment and for each other.

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TOYS AT SCHOOL

This is a reminder that some toys are not okay to bring to school, particularly toy guns or weapons which fire pellets. We cannot take responsibility for toys getting lost and would recommend if they’re precious they stay at home.

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CLASS REPS

Please consider being a Class Rep in 2019. Class Reps have the important role of organising class functions and social gatherings outside school for parents and carers and their families, as well assisting with messages to/from the classroom teacher and helping to mentor new families.

If you are interested in being the class representative for your child’s class, please contact the school office via email or phone: 5472 1522.

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PARENTING IDEAS – MICHAEL GROSE

This week’s article is titled Mothering your Daughter and is timed to coincide with International Women’s Day celebrated each year on 8th March.

You can read the article here.

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal.

CROSS COUNTRY UPDATE

The Cross Country will be held on Friday 22nd March at school.  This year's theme is Participation and everyone will receive a certificate if they participate. 

For those that wish to participate only, there will be the opportunity to walk, jog or run laps of the bike track, while students looking for the Cross Country experience will have a Cross Country circuit to try.

Check the event listing on our website (and included in this newsletter) for details of times and tracks. 

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REMINDER TO RETURN FORMS

The permission slip for the Castlemaine State Festival excursion (see event below) needs to be returned to the office with payment by Friday 22nd March. 

The permission slip for the Harmony Week concert (see event below) needs to be returned to the office with payment by Friday 15th March. 

Forms can be downloaded from the individual event pages (below and on our website), and through the forms section on our website and app.

Also, a final reminder to update and return any student detail forms, and wellbeing consent forms.

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Karen Mahoney & Jacinta Deane

Office

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

School Council elections are fast approaching and we would love to welcome any new families to apply.

The school council has particular functions in setting and monitoring the school's direction, and have three main responsibilities:

1. Finance: overseeing the development of the school's annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school's financial operation
2. Strategic planning: participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan
3. Policy development and review: developing, reviewing and updating policies that reflect a school's values and support the school's broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.

Other key functions of school councils include:

• Raising funds for school related purposes
• Maintaining school grounds and facilities
• Entering into contracts
• Reporting annually to the school community and the Department
• Creating interest in the school in the wider community
• Representing and taking the views of the community into account
• Regulating and facilitating after-hours use of school premises and grounds
• Operating a children's service at the school.

Nomination forms can be collected from the office from and must be returned by 4:00pm on Friday March the 8th.

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A fabulous flock of feathered friends have recently taken up residence in our Season Tree outside the P/1 classrooms.  More will be joining the roost soon.  

Art by P/1A and P/1J

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Juliet Jefferys

Visual Art Teacher

The Playground is like… A jungle; A forest; A village; A stage; A journey; An adventure….

Last week I met with a small group of parents at our first ‘Deep in Discussion’ Tuesday (to be held 4th Tuesday of each month). We brainstormed ideas on how we could add ‘loose parts’ (see quotes below) to scaffold children’s play in selected spaces in the playground. We will continue these conversations in classrooms with children. We will be using a map of the playground with the children to plan out these areas so it’s another great way to mix work and play, life and learning!

I will be collating a mural of the children’s/families ideas and drawings in the French room - if you would like to add to it, please drop your ideas in…

I will be setting up play spaces on Mondays Tuesdays and Fridays and asking for teachers to volunteer to open specific spaces ( eg: the gym) on Wednesday and Thursday. We are hoping to have a digging patch set up this term near the basketball court for construction & dramatic play (with helmets, shovels, tubes and haybale seats).

In term two we are hoping to add a loose parts play area including tyres, tunnels and a selection of loose parts so that children can create their own cubbies and play constructions. There is just a little work to do first with the grounds committee, but your ideas are welcomed.

We will also be starting a list of ‘little project’ school grounds jobs…watch the website for a ‘pick your project’ and Terry and Melissa will co-ordinate the volunteers so that anyone who would like to help is most welcome. ‘Many hands make light work’, so we would love you to contribute whenever and however you can….

Cheers,

Kim

Wellbeing Officer

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

We are so lucky to be the only school in Castlemaine with a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden. Our kids get to harvest and create incredible meals from our own backyard - and they are delicious!

What we're cooking in the kitchen this week...

Pea pesto

Basic pasta dough

Warm eggplant salad

Tomato and herb quinoa salad

Berry granita

Remember, all our recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.

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And what we're harvesting from the garden...

Chives

Basil

Rhubarb

Kale

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

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Jane & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Hello from your School Crossing Supervisor.

The hours for the School Crossings are:

• Johnstone Street - 8.15am to 9.00am AND 3.15pm to 3.55pm
• Ray Street – 8.20am to 9.00am AND 3.15pm to 3.55pm

We encourage everyone to use the School Crossings when they are manned.

• Remember to cross between the white lines AFTER the Supervisor blows the whistle 2 times
• Walk across the road – DO NOT run or ride a bike/scooter
• Motorists must obey the 40km speed law and park legally

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Michelle Holmes

School Crossing Supervisor

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

P/1 A | Polly L

For caring for self by always trying her best, concentrating in class and having a fantastic attitude towards her school work. Good on you, Polly!

P/1 A | Arlo S

For caring for self by making a fantastic start at Winters Flat and giving his best to every thing.  Great effort Arlo!

P/1 J | Brody H

For concentrating during writing tasks and working hard on his super handwriting.  Super effort Brody.

P/1 J | Freya B

For always working hard to complete tasks and putting in a huge effort to do your best. Well done Freya!

2/3F | Sullivan S

For caring for self by using a growth mindset to improve his work.

2/3F | Charlie I

For caring for self by staying focused, ignoring distractions and producing her best work.

2/3W | Sascha N

For caring for self by always following directions straight away and being a conscientious learner. Fantastic work Sascha!

2/3W | Ellie C

For caring for self by making a fantastic effort in both reading and writing. Keep it up Ellie!

Senior Leadership Community

4/5/6B |Teekah-Ann M

For caring for self by listening intently and always following instructions to complete her work tasks, clean up the classroom area and always being ready to lend a hand and help others out. Thank you Teekah.

4/5/6B | Jess D

For caring for self by listening carefully to all instructions and being ready to learn and work with consistency on all set tasks. Jess 'tunes in' 'tracks the speaker' and works hard. Congratulations Jess. 

4/5/6L | Raven M

For caring for others by being a great leader in class and showing others how it's done. Well done Raven.

4/5/6L | Olivia H

For caring for self by making a great start to the year by being positive, enthusiastic, and having a go. Great work Olivia.

4/5/6M | Lila D

For caring for others by always looking out for those around her and including others, showing great leadership. 

4/5/6M | Byron P

For caring for the environment by sharing his knowledge with us and for taking care of the spaces around him. Well done.

FRENCH

FEBRUARY

Otto L - for excellent focus and participation.

Brax P - for making an excellent start to the year.

Archi S-M - for enthusiasm and focus during French.

MARCH

Harry N - for an excellent start to French for 2019. Ready to learn and actively participating!

Kira M - for super work in French, great focus and participation.

Lila D - for excellent concentration during introduction to new vocabulary.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS:

This week's positive behaviour focus is showing care for self by listening, watching and learning in class. The following students are recognised for their great ability to do so:

Bryon P, Aurelia F & Indigo F

What's happening in our community...

One thing about living in Castlemaine - there's always something happening in our community...

YMCA School Holiday Program

Bookings are now open for the YMCA Castlemaine Spring School Holiday Program held at Campbell’s Creek Primary School. They have lots of great activities planned, so make sure you book early.