It’s been a big two weeks since our last newsletter with many opportunities for our students to get active before the Winter chill sets in.

Lapathon

While the weather has cooled down significantly this week, yesterday we were fortunate that the rain held off and the sun came out for our whole school Lapathon. The students came to school dressed in their house colours and ready to do as many laps of the course as possible. Days like these would not be possible without the support of our staff and community. I would especially like to thank; Ms Sandra Mann for her co-ordination of the day; Kerry Crosbie and Sue Turner for their support in the office; Jenni Rossi in the Canteen for organizing the tasty BBQ lunch that was enjoyed; and all our parent helpers who volunteered their time throughout the day. We know that many of your children will have come home tired last night from the effort they put into completing so many laps. We will provide an update to our community on how many laps were completed and the money we have raised, in future newsletters and assemblies.

Cross Country

Our students got warmed up for our Lapathon at our P-6 Cross Country last Wednesday, it was great to see so many families in attendance cheering on their child/ren as they ran laps of the course. Students who received a place were presented with their ribbons after the event. 54 students in Year 3-6 have now been offered the opportunity to compete at our interschool cross country on Tuesday 7th May at Hanging Rock. We wish them all the best.

ANZAC Day

In the lead up to ANZAC Day, all classes spent some time reflecting on the importance of the day and Mr Bromley taught all students a new song ‘Lest We Forget,’ that we came together to sing on 24th April. Our school captains and several of our students represented our school in the ANZAC Day march and subsequent service at the Woodend RSL on the 25th April. The President of the Woodend RSL sent his thanks to our students and community for their support of this event and were happy to see that the overall number of attendees this year had increased.

Foundation 2025 tours and information night

The enrolment process for 2025 Foundation students has commenced, we have 4 upcoming tour dates scheduled. If you have or know someone who has a Foundation student starting in 2025 please register your attendance at

https://forms.gle/Lofvp3KUZLGW9fcV9. We will also be conducting an Information evening on Wednesday 15th May at 6.30pm. If you would like to attend please register at https://forms.gle/rUNR1N3eMCUtasfM6. If you are unable to attend and would like further information about enrolment or you would just like to collect an enrolment form, please contact the office.

Year 3-6 Aqua Awareness Program

As part of a Victorian Department of Education initiative our Year 3-6 students will be participating in a one week aqua awareness program in the next few weeks with our Year 4 students being the first year level to undertake this program next week. Students will be attending Kyneton Sports and Aquatic Centre each day for an hour session in the pool with a trained instructor.

Branch Out – Mental Health Initiative

In 2023 we were fortunate to be selected as a pilot school for the Macedon Ranges Mental Health in Primary Schools Initiative, known as ‘Branch Out.’ In 2024 we have expanded the Branch Out program to include students in Year 2-4. We will commence with a workshop run by Brainstorm Productions, which focuses on emotions and resilience, this aligns with our existing social and emotional learning program. Information has been sent out to families on Compass. This year we will be running two parent information sessions based on the Tuning into Kids program. This presentation will be given by Dr Sophie Havighurst, one of the founders of this emotion focused intervention program. The first session will be held on Thursday 16th May at 6.30pm in our hall with further information and registration information to be sent out on Compass by the end of this week.

Mother’s Day Morning Tea

Our wonderful PFA will again be conducting our Mother’s Day Morning Tea next Friday 10th May where we welcome all the mums in our school community to celebrate Mother’s Day with their child/ren from 7.50am – 8.45am in our school hall.

Assistant Principal

Elissa Campbell

Library

Library Helper