News From the Principal

Bendigo Cup Day

A reminder that our school is required to take Bendigo Cup Day as a public holiday (as we are in the Shire of Greater Bendigo) and attend school on Melbourne Cup Day. Therefore, students and staff will not be at school on Wednesday November 1st but will attend on Tuesday November 7th (Melbourne Cup Day).

For Melbourne Cup Day we are inviting students to dress up as though they are going to the races and we will have an exciting day basing our learning around horses and racing. On this day we will host a shared lunch, and we ask each family to bring along something for lunch that can be shared with others in a buffet style luncheon.

Radio Stars

Last Friday, our two school leaders, Link and Piper were interviewed live on radio. Along with Miss Duffy they visited the Phoenix FM Community Radio Station in Bendigo and were live on the air from 1pm until just before 2pm. Both students spoke well as they answered a variety of questions about our school, what it is like to be a school leader and what they envision life beyond

primary school to be like. For those of you that missed it, we have a recording that we can copy for you if you send a memory stick along to school.

Year 5/6 Cluster Camp

This year our Year 5/6 students will be heading to Canberra for a five day camp. They will be joined by staff and students from our other Campaspe Cluster Schools (Goornong, Elmore, Nanneella and Colbinabbin Primary Schools as well as OLSH- Elmore).

Camp will run from Monday November 20th to Friday November 24th.

There is a permission on uEducateus with medical forms and other important information regarding what to bring, departure times and points to come home over the next week.

Bree will send home accounts to the relevant families, we ask that camp be fully paid for before the departure date of November 20th as we need to pass the payments on to the organising school (Elmore Primary).

We have been able to reduce the overall costs of this excursion by $97, via our Cookie Dough Fundraiser and our successful application for a subsidy. (see below information with regard the subsidy).

Students from our school will be undertaking an education tour of the national capital. Student will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of education programs with a focus on Australia's history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognised the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics & Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of this excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $ $67.50 per student under the Parliament & Civics Education Rebate Program towards the cost. This rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Book Fair at Raywood PS

Last week we held a Scholastic Book Fair at school. Thank you to our families and community members who supported this event. As a result of hosting this event and your support we were able to select some fantastic books for our school to add to our ever increasing, quality library of books.

School Council News

Our next School Council Meeting will be held next term on Monday 23rd of October at 5pm. Council members should now all have their packs so they can pre-read the policy and reports prior to the meeting (this means we do not have to spend as long in the physical meeting reading documents). Please let Lisa or Bree know if you are unable to make the meeting.

Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Victoria’s mosquito season started this month and will extend to late April 2024.

Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and increased risk of illnesses from mosquito bites. While the overall risk is low, some mosquitoes carry diseases that make people sick.

The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites.

Families can protect against mosquito bites by:

· covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing

· applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when leaving home

· limiting outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active.

To reduce the risk of illness linked to mosquitos, such as Buruli ulcer, promptly wash any new scratches or cuts with soap and clean water and apply a topical antiseptic and dressing. Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours). Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes and can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines are available to protect Victorians at higher risk of the virus.

The Victorian Department of Health encourages eligible people who live or work in high-risk local government areas to get vaccinated ahead of summer, which brings an increased mosquito presence.

For more information, including what is considered a high risk area and eligibility for a free vaccine, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage.

That's all for this week- Lisa Duffy

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Music News

Our music teacher has put together this article to share with his Song oom Colleagues for Children's Week and I thought I would share this with our school community.