Superhero Abby 24th April 2023

This week’s Superhero is receiving the award for the School Values of Respect, Responsibility and Care.

Abby has demonstrated a responsible and mature approach to her learning and has started the year seamlessly. She has been organised and quick to start tasks and has remained focused on her work once activities are underway. She takes responsibility for her learning by asking for help when it is needed, both from teachers and peers, and by actively seeking and taking onboard feedback.

Abby is aware of our classroom being a community and she behaves as a team player. She is polite to her teachers and peers and cooperate with others in learning tasks and classroom games. Abby sees the positives in people, loves to have a laugh and loves to bring a smile to others as well. She never has an unkind word to say about anyone and, because of this, she is approachable and able to work with anyone in the class.

Growing everyday in her confidence and abilities and sharing her positive and happy spirit, Studio 14 is so very fortunate to have Abby in their classroom.

Congratulations to Abby, we hope you had a great week!

Classroom Awards

Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards:

Diesel, Peyton, Aubrey, Mila, Royce, Ruby, Alice, Clyde, Elizabeth, Pfeifer, Meadow, Mara, Chloe, Aubrey, Peyton, Imogen, Isobel, Teddy, Nikitta.

Music News

I am so happy to let you know we have a new ukulele teacher!

Monica Santos is a very accomplished musician and she has just moved to Kyneton from Argentina (via Japan!).

Monica is so excited to be our new ukulele teacher. You can view a song she recorded in Argentina... https://youtu.be/TltR9aOGS88

Ukulele lessons are available for grade 2-6. All potential ukulele students will need to fill out an instrumental form, even those who were learning last year, so that I can pass all of the correct and current details to Monica. (form attached).

Priority places will be given to students who were previously enrolled.

Other Instrumental News

We still have places for flute/ trumpet/clarinet Keyboard is full. Please read the information letter and return the enrolment for to the office, class teacher or Ms Polly.

Swimming Next Week for Preps and Studio 14

Swimming week starts on Monday for students in Studios 5A, 5B & 14. Students will need to bring swimwear, swimming cap (compulsory), towel, a bag for wet clothes and their school bag. Please name all items of clothing and encourage your child to be responsible for all items. If children are wearing their bathers to school remember to pack underwear. Children are able to have a Subway order on Monday but will need to bring their lunch from home for the remainder of the week. Canteen lunch orders will not be available for students swimming.

Prep News

Cross Country Championships

On Thursday 27th April 45 students from years 3 to 6 travelled to Hanging Rock to compete in the COBAW District Cross Country Championships. Students aged 11, 12 and 13 ran a 3 km course and the 8, 9 and 10 year olds ran 2 km. All students gritted their teeth and pushed themselves all the way to the finish line. Well done to all students who represented our school.

Three students achieved a top 10 finish in their age group and now advance to the Division Championships in Castlemaine this Friday 5th May. Well done and good luck to Daisy B and Ruby D in the 9/10 year old girls and Savannah J in the 11 year old girls.

Canteen Helpers needed

We still require more volunteers on an ongoing basis on a Thursday and Friday to allow us to rotate our helpers so they are not assisting every week. You will need to have a valid Working With Childrens Check and have done an OHS Induction at the office. This only takes five minutes and can be done when you sign in.

The work of our volunteers is greatly appreciated and without it our canteen cannot run effectively. Please contact the office if you are able to assist.

Group Photo Orders

Photos are available for purchase for the following groups:

School Captains
House Captains
Student Council
Gardening and Sustainability Group
Choir Captains

The cost of the photos are $12.00 each and can be ordered via Qkr!Orders need to be placed by Friday 19th May 2023 and the photos will be sent home with your child when they arrive.

Swimming Program - Updated Schedule

Unfortunately, due to staff shortages at the Aquatic Centre there has been a major reorganisation of our swimming timetable.

Please see the updated schedule below.

Year 6 to Year 7 transition information pack

Please see below the Year 6 to Year 7 transition information pack for 2023-24 along with the ‘Application for Year 6-7 Placement 2024 Form’. Please read through this information carefully and fill out the application, this needs to be done regardless of where your child is going to secondary school (government, independent or Catholic). Please return the placement forms to the office by Friday 12th May 2023. A hard copy of these forms has also been given to your Year 6 child and should be coming home today. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the office.

April Working Bee

Last week, the Parents and Friends hosted a Working Bee for the school grounds. It was a great day – beautiful weather, great enthusiasm, and a particularly good turnout. The aim was to tidy up the gardens that border the kindergarten and the new ramp. We planted some lovely natives as well as some daffodil bulbs by the back gate. We also had time to dismantle the old chook shed and prune some trees. The kids had an absolute ball and it was lovely to see so many parents working together and having a good time.

We will be sure to host another in the near future so please come along!

Particular thanks for the day go to Denise for all her work and OH&S, Matt for the BBQ, and Ellie for all her plant knowledge.

Small Jars Needed

We are needing small jars for the well-being room for some activities. If you have any, could you please send them along to the office?

Thank you

Michelle Thompson

School Gates and Opening Times

Just a few reminders and potentially new information for our new families. In the morning all gates will be open for access to the school site at 8:45 as this is when 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 – 3:40. 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.

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 still like to pay for these please use one of the following methods -

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.

2023 Uniform

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.

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.

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.

COVID-19 Reminder

The latest COVID-19 Advice for schools. Below is a summary of the most important pieces of information.

COVIDSafe measures for schools

COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Schools must continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.

Rapid antigen testing

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff:

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.

Face masks

Current advice from the Victorian government is available at Face masks.

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.

Infection prevention and control

All staff, students and visitors to schools should practise good hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. Staff should direct or supervise young students where required.

Managing a confirmed case of COVID-19 in schools

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive to COVID-19 report that result to their employer, school and household.Where a student or staff member is identified as a positive case, the following steps should be taken:

Identification and Notification

Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test). Where a parent/carer informs the school by phone or written notification.
Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
There is no longer a requirement for principals to inform the school community of a positive case associated with the school.

Upcoming Events

Term 2 2023

May

June