School News
Superhero Michael 14/02/2023
Last week, Michael received the Superhero Award for the school value of 'Excellence'.
Michael has flourished into a wonderful young person who shows all school values and behaviours in everyday actions.
He is a kind, caring (at times cheeky), and independent young person who has gained confidence in knowing that it is ok to be you, and that it is important to reflect and seek help when you need it.
Michael recognises that seeking help and helping others is important not just within an academic area, but in how to socialise, manage our feelings and simply learn how to grow into a capable individual.
Michael has shown growth in being proud of the effort and dedication that is placed in his work.
He turns up to school on time and in school uniform ready to learn, listening to and following instructions without question and showing respect for himself, teachers and his peers.
A Year 6 student, Michael is caring towards others and can empathise with those who may be upset or having a hard time.
Over the past year, and now within studio 11, has demonstrated responsibility through the extra roles he has taken on and the work that has been asked of him. These roles have included being a Honey Helper and now School Leader. He does these roles knowing that it is helping not only himself succeed but others around him.
Congratulations Michael, we hope you had a great week!
Superhero Sasha 20/02/2023
This week, Sasha, received the award for persistence, responsibility and for excellence. However, it could be for all of the school values as she demonstrates them regularly in the classroom each day.
Sasha is one that relishes a challenge and she will persist with finetuning new knowledge, whether it be in Maths and learning a new concept or in writing, with trying to include as many WOW words seamlessly into her stories. When learning something new, you may see her slightly flustered, but Sasha is never one to give up. She will keep persisting until it all makes sense.
Now in grade 4 student is always displaying responsibility to her peers. She keeps her tub extremely tidy and organised as well as her books. If there is a job to be done, she will volunteer, and any teacher knows that this grade 4 is responsible to carry out the job to the best of her ability.
This student in Studio 8, always writes her work neatly and never scribbles in her books. She has high standards for herself and listens to feedback so that her work can be of a high standard. She is polite, helpful, works hard and has many friends, showing that she is a kind person.
Congratulations to Sasha.
Classroom Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards: Khloe, Talia, Eli, Dien, Jaxon, Maddison, Sasha, Hazel, Rose, Liam, Aarav, Charlie, Sonny, Josephine, Chloe, Henry, Finn, Arno, Errol, Brax, Jasper, April, Evan, Hayden, Jasper, Poppy, James, Mason, Alex.
Music Award
Congratulations for receiving this week's Music Award.
Sports Award
Congratulations Isobel for receiving this week's Sporting Award.
Art
Congratulations Nikitta for receiving this week's Art Award.
Swimming Program - Updated Schedule
Unfortunately, due to staff shortages at the Aquatic Centre there has been a major reorganisation of our swimming timetable that is to commence next week.
Please see the updated schedule below
Sports News
2023 CDSSA Tennis Competition
On Monday 13th February four students represented KPS at the 2023 CDSSA Tennis Competition held at the Kyneton Tennis Club. In very tough conditions, due to strong winds, students played a series of robin singles matches against the best young tennis players in the region. All students tried their best all day and represented our school with pride. Congratulations and well done to Isobel, Elsie, Max and Alex.
Prep Park Play today
Just a quick reminder that there will be a get together for all prep families at the train park after school today. It will be a great opportunity to meet some other families and for the kids to play outside of school. All siblings welcome of course - the more the merrier! Please see flyer for more details.
Hope to see many of you there!
Alwyn (on behalf of the Parents and Friends Committee)
Parents & Friends Association
Our P&F had a catch up earlier this week and would love to see more parents get involved. If you would like to be a part of our wonderful Parents and Friends Associaton please complete the below form and return it to the office.
School Photo Day - Tuesday 14th March
Our school photo day is Tuesday 14th March 2023 following the Labour Day public holiday on Monday.
Please see the flyer below with information on how to place photos orders. A hard copy has also been sent home with students.
Orders can ONLY be placed online prior to photo day. No cash orders can be accepted at the office.
The schools unique access key is 8V845UBK and to order your school photos you will need to log onto https://www.leadingimage.com.au
Please note that family photos need to be placed before 4:30pm the day before photo day to ensure a family photo is taken. No late orders can be placed for family photos.
Photos will start promptly at 9am so children need to be at school on time, in full school uniform and bring their best smile. If you have any queries regarding photo orders please contact Leading Image at info@leadingimage.com.au or call them on 1800 750 586.
Canteen Helpers Needed!
It has been great to have our canteen up and running again. I think the kids missed the jelly cups.
Fridays are by far our busiest day in the canteen and we desperately need two volunteer helpers every Friday from 11:00am - 2:15pm to get our lunches out on time. If we can get enough helpers involved we will not need you every week.
If you can help please contact the office or email kyneton.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Thank you!
Wellbeing News
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.
* 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.
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.
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 arrived yesterday. 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.