School News

26th February 2024    Charlie

Charlie is someone who demonstrates all the school values however, this award is for the values of Respect and Excellence and the Learning Disposition of Collaboration. 

Charlie is respectful to peers and to teachers. He always raises his hand, patiently waiting his turn before he speaks. Charlie shows that he respects his property, by always knowing where his belongings are and keeping his tub tidy and he shows respect by playing nicely with his friends. 

A well-liked student, Charlie has many strong friendships because he is so respectful and kind. He is often seen running around the Mobok building playing a version of tag. He also works hard when completing a learning activity, whether it is a group activity or an individual activity. Because he is friends with everyone. Many people in the class want to talk to him, but he knows when he must try hard and do the best that he can to get the work done. 

Charlie is also collaborative, by working well with others and contributing as a member of a group, actively listening to others share their ideas. He regularly shares his ideas with his peers when on the floor and is just beginning to learn guitar collaboratively with others. 

Studio 4 is so lucky to have Charlie in their studio. 

Congratulations Charlie, we hope you had a fantastic week.

4th March 2024          Greta

This week our Superhero is receiving this award for Respect and Pride. 

Greta demonstrates cooperation with her peers, being committed to helping others and working seamlessly within a group. When working in these situations, she plays her part and listens respectfully to the ideas of others. 

Greta also works well independently, possessing organisational skills that benefits her learning and positively influences those around her. She listens carefully to instructions and promptly begins her work with focus and dedication. These actions all demonstrate the pride she takes in her learning and commitment to her educational journey.

Greta is a shining example of politeness. Whether it be lining up calmly before entering the classroom, being aware of those around her, turn-taking, or wishing her teacher a lovely afternoon as she leaves each day, she exemplifies respect and is a delightful member of our school community.

Congratulations Greta, we hope you had a fantastic week.

Classroom Awards

Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards: Leo, Ruby, Aubrey, Maxwell, Jude, Frankie, Tyler, Isabelle, Finn, Mikayla, Joy, Shivani, O'Shea, Lola, Valentine, Isobel, Scarlett, Poppy, Hailey, Jasper, Rio, Rosie, Hayden, Carmen, Archie, Spencer, Scout, Jack, Ruby.

Grade 1/2 News

Gardening & Sustainability

Kyneton Primary School would like to introduce our Gardening and Sustainability student group for Semester 1, 2024: Imogen, Lila, Oliver, Hunter, Hailey, Mila, Aria and Isabelle.

This skilled, dedicated and enthusiastic group of students already have some fantastic ideas that they are keen to implement around the school to improve our waste management, reduce litter, beautify our gardens and GROW MORE VEGGIES!

This week the team worked hard to plant some winter vegetable seedlings, generously donated by our Year 2 teachers, Cassius Armitage and Meg Matthews. We are hoping to produce an abundance of vegetables for students to use in cooking or to eat raw over Winter.

The G&S team have also been harvesting produce planted last year and is working with Sarah Lockhart in the canteen to incorporate our school produce into her delicious meals and treats. Please be on the lookout for our school grown rhubarb and potatoes on our canteen menu!

For the past few years, KPS has been working with Sustainability Victoria to achieve the goals required to become a Resource Smart School. On September 20, 2023, through the hard work of a dedicated group of KPS staff and parents, we completed the core module and achieved our first star in the Resource Smart Schools program. 

Emily Condon from Sustainability Victoria attended our whole school assembly on Monday, February 19th to award our school with this star and congratulate us in person. We would like to thank all who contributed to this achievement, particularly our School Principal, Alistair Rayner, our Finance Officer, Deb Allshorn, the members of the School Council, with a special thanks to Meg Matthews, Darren Bailey, Lauren Richardson and Sarah Lockhart, and also to Jane Turner and our past Gardening and Sustainability students. 

Please be on the lookout in future newsletters for tips on how you can help our school progress towards completing our waste, water, biodiversity and energy modules, thereby achieving our remaining stars and becoming the second 5-star school in the Macedon Ranges.

2024 Swimming Program

Our Year 1/2 students will start their swimming program on Wednesday 13th March through to Tuesday 19th March. 

The full schedule is below.

Foundation students will participate in the swimming program in Term 2 and further information will follow closer to the date for these families.

Sports News

Loddon Mallee Regional Swimming Championships

Year 5 student Brielle, travelled to Bendigo on Monday 4th March to swim in the Loddon Mallee Regional Swimming Championships. Swimming in the under 11 girls, Brielle came second in backstroke and third in break stroke. An amazing effort, congratulations Brielle.

Summer Sports

On Monday 26th February 62 students from years 5 and 6 travelled to Romsey to compete in the summer round of CDSSA Interschool Sports. Boys and girls teams competed in t-ball, volleyball and cricket. All teams and players tried their best and showed great improvement over the course of the day. A big congratulations to our girls cricket team who were crowned district champions for their efforts.

Prep Students commence full weeks at school

Prep students will commence full weeks at school from Tuesday 12th March.

Parent Payments

Thank you to the families who have paid the $130 Parent Payment.

These funds are used for – 

• Curriculum Contributions – items and activities that students use, or participate in, to access the Curriculum.
• Other Contributions – for non-curriculum items and activities such as memberships, subscriptions to programs and affiliations.
• Extra Curricular Items – the Kyneton Primary School Yearbook

If you would like to pay for these please use one of the following methods -

• Compass portal
• EFT - at the office or by phone
• Cash - at the office
• Direct Bank Transfer - BSB 063-000 Account No 14033609 - use your child’s name as the reference
• BPay - contact the school office for your personalised identification details
• Centrepay - use of this method is available to recipients of Centrelink payments

Please do not hesitate to contact the office for more information or for any other query you may have.

Full Parent Payment information is attached below

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) applications 

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. 

If you have previously applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

If you would like to apply for the first time, please complete the attached form or call the office to request a form.

Please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible. A copy of the form is attached below. We will require a copy of your valid health care card with the application.

Hats required in Term 1

In line with our Sun Safe policy children are required to wear the school uniform wide brimmed or bucket hats when playing outside in Term 1 and Term 4. Please ensure your child brings their hat to school every day for outside play. 

Hats are $11 and available to purchase from our uniform supplier AGS Prints or from the school office.

School Gates and Opening Times

In the morning all gates will be open for access to the school site at 8:45 as this is when under industrial arrangements staff supervision in the yard commences. No students are allowed onsite until this time. 

In the afternoon all gates will be open at 3:15 for access to the school site. Access to the office during the school day is via the pedestrian gate on Edgecombe St.

The new ramp/path between the school and the kindergarten is now operational. Access to the school grounds using the ramp is between the hours of 8:45 – 4.00. On either side of these hours, the bottom of the ramp will be chained off. Access outside of these hours needs to be arranged through the school office or a staff member by calling 5422 1855.

A reminder to all members of the school community the staff car park is not to be used to walk between the school and the kindergarten for safety reasons. Now that the ramp/path is operational the pedestrian gate next to the car park gates should be used following the path, crossing the road in front of the boom gate using the marked pedestrian crossing and then down the ramp.

* Please do not access the school site at any time via the staff car park for safety

 reasons.

* Please do not park in the kinder carpark unless it is your kinder day and you are a kinder family.

Uniform Ordering          

School uniforms are available for purchase online direct from A Plus Schoolwear  www.aplusschoolwear.com.au

When ordering uniforms please put the studio number of your child for easier delivery.  

Once uniforms arrive at school, they will be sent home with your child.

Contact Details

There are times when we will need to contact you during a school day. It is important we have your most up to date contact details on file.

Please update these on Compass or email the school at kyneton.ps@education.vic.gov.au so we can update our records. Please include parent/carers’ name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details.

Student Attendance

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day of absence, by logging your child’s absence using our school’s Parental Portal in Compass.

Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.

Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained. It is a DET requirement that we have a reason for each child's absence.

This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.

The Kyneton Primary School Attendance Policy which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences is available on our website www.kynetonprimaryschool.com.au 

Students Arriving Late

Students arriving late to school should come to the office, accompanied by an adult, and sign in either on the Compass Kiosk or in the late book.  They will then be issued a late pass to take to class and their arrival at school will be updated on the roll.  This will avoid parents/guardians receiving notification that their child is not at school when they have arrived late.

Accessing Compass

Compass is our main way of communicating with our families. It is important that parents access the Parental Portal in Compass at https://kynetonps.vic.jdlf.com.au  

Using our parent portal will enable you to –

• View up-to-date class and school attendance information
• Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your son/daughter
• Update your registered email and mobile number (used for SMS alters)
• Access information regarding upcoming events and news
• Access your child’s Semester Reports
• Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences

We encourage families to download the Compass App and to enable notification to ensure you receive all communications.

Please click on the “Welcome to Compass” booklets for further assistance or contact the office.