School News
Superhero 22nd May 2023
Last week, Ella gained this award for the school value of Excellence. Ella comes to school every morning with a great big smile on her face. She is always ready to take on her daily challenges. She works hard to achieve her goals.
Ella has many friends due to her caring happy nature. She has only been at the school for a short period of time, as she belongs to the Foundation Unit. Her consistent approach to every part of her school life has allowed her to achieve great results in her learning.
Ella has a good sense of humour and is always ready to help out her peers. Ella in 5A has had an excellent start to school life at Kyneton Primary School. She respects those around her and is appreciative of her learning environment. Ella even wanted to come to school in the holidays.
Congratulations Ella, we hope you had a great week!
Superhero 29th May 2023
This week’s Superhero is Louise, a student who has consistently embodied all six of Kyneton Primary School’s values since the beginning of the year. Today, we would like to recognise her wonderful achievements in terms of Respect, Responsibility, Persistence, Care Pride and Excellence.
Louise is exceptionally respectful. She demonstrates a deep regard for her peers and her teachers. She is always courteous and polite in her interactions with others.
Louise displays amazing active listening skills. With a peaceful demeanour and a sharp focus her teacher always knows that Louise is ready to listen, share and learn. She also exemplifies the value of responsibility. She is a mature and reliable student who consistently takes ownership of her actions and her learning.
Louise is proactive and helpful in the classroom, collaborates well with others, and comes to school each day with a positive mindset. She embodies the value of persistence and shows a remarkable ability to persevere, quietly approaching her work with a steady determination.
With a permanent smile, Louise stays calm, focused and motivated and is always willing to seek help and support when needed. Her caring nature is a defining characteristic. She demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being of her friends and peers. She is kind and compassionate and ensures others always feel valued.
Louise looks after her own and the school’s resources, and she is always considerate of not disturbing the learning of those around her. Although never one to steal the limelight, this Grade 5 Superhero takes pride in her work and accomplishments. This pride is authentic and mostly takes the form of a quiet smile or a simple nod. Never one to boast, Louise is more likely to share and encourage others to take pride in their work. She always puts her best foot forward and brings a sense of joy to the classroom each day.
Finally, this outstanding Superhero, from Studio 11, represents excellence. Not only because of all that we have mentioned, but because Louise always tries her best. No matter the subject, challenge or task she takes a cool-headed approach to all activities and gets the job done with minimal fuss.
Louise's excellence is found in her quiet willpower, unwavering commitment, and deep motivation that drives her to pursue her goals with a peaceful and understated manner.
Congratulations Louise, we hope you have a great week!
Classroom Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards: Crawford, Campbell, Archer, Zander, Clancy, Charlie, Lenni, Finnegan, Brody, Thomas, Aleena, Carmen, Adeline, Cohen, Aiden, Olivia, Rex, James, Escher, Meg, Nathan, Lizzie, June, Silki, Leonardo, Austen, Elwood, Max, Alyssa, James, Finnegan, Thomas, Campbell
3/4 Incursion
On Monday the 15th of May two people called Nicole and Asher came to talk to all the 3/4s about the Campaspe River on an incursion, and how to help waterways remain healthy. We did four River Detective rotations, they were water bugs, drawing water captions (mural), water testing & a storm water puzzle.
In the water bugs part, we searched for the bugs that was on the identification paper we were given. We searched with spoons and magnifying glasses and a special magnifying glass that allowed us to see the bug from above and below. We identified, water boatmen, cadis fly larvae and fish to name a few.
When we drew a water catchment, we got a big piece of long paper with a river outlined on it. It was our job to decorate it. Some of us did a healthy water catchment, some of us did an unhealthy water catchment. We brought them back to our classrooms to finish them.
With the water testing each class did a different test. There was testing the reactive phosphorus, turbidity, PH, electrical conductivity and temperature. These tests showed that the health of our river was either excellent or very good.
Each class also completed a puzzle on urban storm water. This is all the things that go down the drain into the river. What we learnt was that we need to keep our drains clean.
“My favourite was the water bugs and how we could be so artistic with the mural” - Nell
“I liked the water bugs as we could get up close to them using the magnifying glass” - Elwood
“The puzzle was fun” - Isaac
KPS Disco
Scholastic Bookfair Update
Most student waiting on ordered books were given a note to let parents know that their child's books have been back ordered. There are a few more that need to be attended to but be assured all orders will be filled.
If you are concerned please email Denise at Denise.Gathercole@education.vic.gov.au, or contact the office and we will check for you.
Thank you all again for your purchases. This has allowed the school to purchase over $1000 worth of books from Scholastic.
More Canteen Helpers Still Required
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.
Swimming Next Week for Studio 11 & 12
Our final week of our swimming program is coming up next week for students in Studios 11 & 12.
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.
Please note that lunch orders are not available for students swimming from Tuesday - Friday.
Current COVID-19 Advice
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.
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.