Kyneton Primary School Newsletter

School News

Superhero   Phoenix   7th August   2023

Our Superhero for this week is receiving the award for the school values of Excellence and Respect.

Phoenix is an eager learner who begins each day with a happy outlook and positive mindset, ready to make the most of all learning opportunities. He is a creative student who takes pride in the presentation of his work, always striving to achieve his personal best. 

This Grade Prep student cares for his belongings and gets himself organised quickly for his learning. Phoenix listens attentively to instructions, contributes to class discussions and is respectful of other students when they share their ideas. He shows kindness and compassion for others and works effectively, both collaboratively and independently.

Studio 5B is so proud to have Phoenix in our class.

Congratulations Phoenix, we hope you had a great week!

Superhero   Isabelle   2023

While this week’s superhero is receiving the award for the School Values of Respect and Pride, Isabelle also exhibits all of our School Values.

Isabelle listens well to instructions and to the ideas and opinions of others. This allows her to complete work tasks that meet the lesson success criteria and to work collaboratively. Furthermore, it makes her open to asking for, and accepting, feedback and assistance.

Isabelle thinks deeply about the wider implications of people’s actions and decisions, participating in class discussions and offering insights and connections.

She is able to clearly articulate her thinking and express her feelings both in words and creatively through symbolism. 

Isabelle shows pride in her work, recognising when she has put in effort to create a long piece of writing, an interesting drawing, or a considered reading journal entry. 

This Grade 5 student shares her work and efforts with others in order to celebrate what has been achieved and uses it as motivation to maintain her high efforts, demonstrating tremendous pride.

We are all very proud as well to have Isabelle in Studio 14.

Congratulations Isabelle, we hope you had a great week!

Classroom Awards

Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards: Demi, Clark, Moss, Elsie, Myla, Frances, Arabella, Jem, Mavis, Josie, Neve, Alfred, Riley, Scarlett, Evie, Harrison, Troy, Tyler, Callum, Riley, Arlo, Alexis, Kyle, Maeve, Madison, Josie, Alex, Sailor, Angelo, Neve, Clark, Savannah. 

MS Readathon & Book Week Parade

Next Friday, the 25th of August, is our Book Week Dress up Day.

We’re so excited to see all the creative Book Character costumes that you come up with! 

As previously mentioned, there will be a parade held for all the classes to show off their outfits. This will be held on the basketball court starting at 9.15am and Student Council will be selecting best dressed winners from each unit.

All families are welcome to attend the parade, please stand on the grass steps or grass area around the basketball court for best viewing. 

 

As an additional note, thank you for all your great efforts with the MS Readathon so far. We have been on top of the ‘School Leader Board’ for the last 2 weeks! Clearing 2nd place by over $1000! Amazing support for those families affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

https://www.msreadathon.org.au/fundraiser/KynetonPrimary

Thank you and Happy Reading!

 

Year 1/2 Mappen News

2023 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents / caregivers / guardians think of our school. The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

 

A random sample of approximately 30 per cent of KPS parents / caregivers / guardians has been selected and emails were sent out last week with an invitation to participate. 

 

The survey is open until Friday 8th September and it would be great to have all invited families complete the survey.

P & F Fundraiser

KPS Gallery

Last semester in the Creative Studio students were inspired by a selection of exciting artists, discussed artworks using art terminology, learnt drawing processes and techniques, experimented with a number of drawing mediums and expressed their ideas through the exploration of a diverse range of topics. Please go to the following link 

(https://youtu.be/Ne-mXc7DtaQ) to celebrate their wonderful artworks which were displayed and presented in the Wumindjika building and Creative Studio. 

Thank you for your support and well done to all students. 

Kyneton Daffodil Parade

The wonderful Daffodil Grand Parade is on Sunday Sept 10th. Each year KPS students and families are invited to walk with the school.  

This year we will be walking behind the Kyneton Street Band, and Ms Polly may even hand out some percussion instruments!!!

The theme this year is "Once Upon A Springtime", so don your favourite floral frock, or your gardening dungarees, decorate your hat with daffodils, or just come as you are.

The parade normally gathers at 12pm in the showgrounds, but I will confirm details closer to the event.

Please let me know if you can come at polly.christie@education.vic.gov.au

I look forward to a colourful, lovely community parade.

Ms Polly 

​https://www.kynetondaffodilandartsfestival.com.au/event/grand-parade-and-fair/

Plastic Free August at KPS

For the month of August, the Gardening and Sustainability group are encouraging families to reduce the amount of rubbish/waste/packaging brought into the school in lunchboxes. Each studio each day will record lunchboxes free of any unrecycabled packaging and the studio at the end of the month with the highest tally will be awarded a free dress day as a prize. This is the 3rd time the school has organised this and it is so good to see a reduction in packaging. Where possible, use reusable containers or recycabled packaging rather than single use. This website has many great suggestions on what you can do to make a difference. https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/.

2024 Foundation Enrolments

We are working through our enrolment applications for our 2024 Foundation students. If you have a child you wish to enrol for 2024 please drop into the office to collect an enrolment pack. These can also be sent home with your current student if you wish.

 

We will be sending out information next week regarding our Prep Transition program so it would be great to have all of our enrolments received at the office.

More Canteen Helpers Still Required

We are still in  need of canteen helpers on Thursdays and Fridays. 

We have a very small number of fabulous parents that assist in the canteen but it is just not enough to have consistent help.

The shifts required are as follows:

Thursdays - 1 parent helper required from 12pm - 2pm

Fridays - 2 parent helpers required. One from 11am - 2pm and another from 12pm - 2pm

Please email the school at kyneton.ps@education.vic.gov.au if you can help. All volunteers will need to show a valid a Working With Childrens Check and complete a short OHS Induction before commencing.

We really appreciate your help to enable us to continue to run our wonderful canteen.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. There is no longer a requirement for principals to inform the school community of a positive case associated with the school.