School News
Superhero Johanna 8th May 2023
This week’s Superhero is receiving the award for Excellence, Respect and Responsibility however she consistently displays all our school values.
Johanna enters the classroom with a smile, a positive attitude and is always ready to learn. She has a neat tub and can begin her work straight away because she is so organised with her belongings. Her work is meticulous, and she is well on the way to achieving her pen licence.
Johanna displays a positive attitude towards all school activities and has a can-do attitude. She regularly contributes her valuable knowledge to class discussions and is often keen to share her work with the class, particularly her descriptive writing.
She sets the bar high for herself, seeking out a challenge and always doing her best. Johanna is a focussed learner who has impeccable behaviour.
Always respectful and polite towards others, Johanna also enjoys a joke with her teachers. She is a keen artist and recently entered a piece of her art in a local competition and won first prize.
We are really lucky to have Johanna in Studio 6.
Congratulations Johanna, we hope you had a great week!
Superhero Madeleine 15th May 2023
This week’s superhero is receiving the award for the school values of excellence and care- although they display all of the school values on a daily basis. Madeleine is a bundle of fun in the classroom. She brings fun facts and a brilliant attitude to every day.
Madeleine is a very hard worker, and always takes on feedback. When you set her a goal, she works hard to achieve it and happily celebrate her successes.
A grade two student, Madeleine has an infectious love of learning! She is always noticing the great work of others around her, and she take it onboard to improve and show excellence in her own work.
Not only is this girl a superhero in her learning, but Madeleine is a fantastic friend to everyone. She loves to acknowledge when others have been successful, and she always shows empathy when someone is having a rough day. Whether you are in need of a calm listener, a partner to assist with learning, or just someone to make you smile, this is your girl. Studio 2 is extremely lucky to have you in our class!
Congratulations Madeleine, you are our bubbly, hardworking and kind superhero!
Classroom Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards:
Charlie, Johnny, Elijah, Erin, Roy, Bridget, Amelie, Morris, Finnian, Hayden, Claire, Ben, Archie, Mara, Beau, Matilda, Jarvis, Sonny, Eve, Victoria, Olive, Aleena, Winifred, Hayden, Digger, Carmen, Francesca, Aria, Thomas, Ben, Claire
Music Awards
Congratulations to Arlo for receiving this week's Music Award!
Scholastic Bookfair Update
Yesterday 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.
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.
1/2 Unit News
Sports News
Soccer
On Friday 12th May, our senior soccer teams travelled to Gisborne to compete in the COBAW District Soccer Championships. Both the boys and girls teams show showed great determination and team spirit. All students demonstrated excellent development with each match, playing with a smile on their faces and having an enjoyable time.
Well done to all students for representing Kyneton Primary School so proudly.
Division Cross Country
Congratulations to our three runners, Ruby, Daisy and Savannah, who qualified and competed in the Cross Country Division Championships in Castlemaine on Friday 5th May. In the 9/10 year old girls race over 2kms, Daisy finished 9th and Ruby 19th. And in the 11-year-old girls race over 3 kms, Savannah finished 24th.
Well done and good luck to Daisy who has qualified for the Regional Championships in St Arnaud on Tuesday 6th June.
Ways to stay sustainable at home this winter
With living costs going up, the school gardening and sustainable students have come up with suggestions on some ways to stay warm and sustainable this winter at home and when out and about.
- Insulation is key for keeping out cold winter air. If you rent, ask your landlord about clear window films to prevent excess heat from escaping or weather stripping for windows and doors to block out draughts. If you are a homeowner, make sure that you have installed insulation throughout the home.
- Keep curtains open during the day to let in the warm sunlight and closed at night to keep out drafts.
- Close the door of rooms that are not being used.
- Unplug small appliances, chargers, and adaptors when not in use to save on energy costs.
- Taking long hot showers isn’t just a waste of water, it also dries out your skin. Keep your showers as short as possible.
- Use reused materials to wrap presents.
- Thinking of buying a down coat? Make sure that it was processed in a cruelty-free way. Companies like Patagonia and The North Face have traceable and responsible down standards. Always research the company’s practices before purchasing.
- Reverse cycle air conditioners are more cost effective than many radiator heaters.
- Dress for the conditions.
- Eat seasonally and locally. Buy non imported fruits and vegetables from the supermarket and support local farmers by buying food at a Farmer’s Market if you can.
Isaac and Finnegan
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.
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.