Macedon Primary School Newsletter

Dear parents,

It has been uplifting to have the youngest students in the school back onsite this week.  Our teachers have been planning activities outside all week and the learning has been engaging and fun.  We’ve had Middle Gully Maths, collaborative chalk murals on the basketball court and nature craft portrait activities to maximise the time we are spending outside and reconnecting with one another.  This is going to be a theme that we continue into term four.  Our teachers are planning for term four today and a key focus will be making the most of the local outdoor opportunities available to our students in Macedon.  We know and understand that our students have missed out on many of the typical school experiences, and we plan to develop an engaging program for term four whereby students get a chance to reconnect with each other, spend time in our local environment.  We have also put thought into the remote program if the lockdown continues to try and provide some variety and novelty to maintain student engagement.

Staff Vaccination Rates

The Macedon Primary School staff are all aware that getting vaccinated is the best way to protect our students and community from the spread of COVID-19.  Currently there is no mandate for school teachers to get vaccinated, however we have had a very strong vaccination rate amongst our staff.  100% of our staff will have had their first vaccination by the end of the first week back at school in term four and 88% are currently fully vaccinated.  Our staff are the people who will be working face to face with your children on a daily basis and it is heartening for me to know that we’re all doing what we can to protect our community and ourselves. 

You can support us by being vigilant about avoiding sending your child with any COVID like symptoms and getting tested if you have the slightest symptoms.  If you or a family member have been to an exposure site, please contact me as soon as possible so I can enact our COVIDsafe plan and help us reduce the risk to everyone.

We have all worked so well as a supportive school community through the last 18 months and this new phase will require the same kind of collective community positivity and solidarity.

COVID Vaccinations for Students 12 years old and over

Some of our oldest students who are aged 12 and over are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect your child, your family and our school community from further outbreaks and the spread of COVID-19.

Students and parents can book and/or change a vaccination appointment at a vaccination centre through the coronavirus.vic.gov.au website or contact the Coronavirus hotline by phoning 1800 675 398. To find a vaccination centre and opening times, visit the coronavirus.vic.gov.au website.

You can get your COVID-19 vaccine at a state vaccination clinic, a Commonwealth vaccination centre, or through a GP clinic, pharmacy or community health service. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

Living with the virus Safety Procedures

It is not lost on me that we are moving into a new phase of living with the virus as we are moving into term four.   It will be interesting to read the government’s roadmap that is being announced on Sunday to see what implications we have for our school in term four.  I have been in contact with the Department of Education for clarity around how we are to effectively manage in the likelihood of a higher number of confirmed cases in the community, managing primary and secondary close contacts and the safety measures that we currently have and the effectiveness of the current approach.  In our recent staff Occupational Health and Safety meeting we discussed the management of a student with COVID symptoms.  This is an example of how we are trying to prepare for this new phase.  We have been through this procedure with our staff and discuss the safety measures required to reduce the risk of spread of COVID in our school.

Footy Colours Day – Friday 17 September

With the AFL grand final on the middle week of the holidays we’re celebrating with a footy colours’ day on Friday.  We’re encouraging our students and staff to dress up in their footy colours for our final day.  With an all Victorian grand final and the two week build up it is set to be a great game.  Miss Hall (Doggies supporter) and Mrs Coates (Dees tragic) have been busy trying convert a few of their students to their way of thinking without much luck.  All the best if you’re team is playing.

Early Finish Friday

Being the last day of the term we’re finishing at 2:30pm on Friday.  We will have a WebEx assembly at 2pm and dismiss on student onsite at 2:30pm.

I hope you have a safe and restful school holidays and get some down time to spend with your family over the break.

Sampai jumpa (until next time)

Matt Forrest

matthew.forrest@education.vic.gov.au

Friday is Footy Colours Day! All students can come dressed in their favourite teams colours on Friday. Even if you are remote learning, you can still join in the fun!

Entries cut off extended, now closes 5 pm, Friday 17th of September for digital posters

Great Western Water are holding their annual poster competition. 

Remember to either send the poster via the mail or email it. Please send it to Great western Water, not the school.

The official entry form must be stuck firmly to the back of the poster (no paper clips) or you can send it as a pdf email. Make sure to have a full name, school and year level.

The school will be separated into five categories.

Foundation.

Grade 1 and 2

Grade 3 and 4

Grade 5 and 6

Special need students

The theme is caring for water and country. Make sure to include these in your poster.

We recommend big colors, drawings and text that will make the poster pop!

Judging criteria:

 Winners will be chosen by: 

• How well does the poster communicate relevant water-related issues?

• How attractive does it look from a distance? 

• Have art materials been used effectively? 

• Does the poster use innovative imagery, design or concepts?

Prizes are: 

1st place: $100 gift card

2nd place: $50 gift card

3rd place: $30 gift card.

Entries close 5 pm, Friday 17th of September for digital posters

If you are sending the poster via mail, it is best you send it on Wednesday before 3:00pm

https://www.westernwater.com.au/assets/volumes/general-images/NWW-poster-competition-2021-Flyer_Form-E.pdf 

Akira H & Noah R

School photos have been postponed again due to COVID restrictions. We have confirmed Tuesday the 16th of November with MSP Photography.

Please hold on to your original envelopes.

Weather you are learning at home or at school it is important to be aware of the sun. With the change of seasons we remind all students to please wear their hats when they are outside. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt , can be reflected off surfaces, can pass through light clouds and varies in intensity across the year (it is highest in Victoria from mid-August to the end of April). 

For the students that are onsite, at lunchtime and recess we ask that children seek shade, slip on protective clothing, slap on a sun protective hat, slop on some sunscreen and slide on some sunglasses!

Hats are available to purchase from the Beleza Store in Gisborne

ICAS is open to all students in Yr 3 - 6 to gain a measure of their own achievement in an external situation. This year we are offering English and Mathematic assessments.

The assessments will commence at 8am. with the test time ranging from 30- 60 mins.

PAYMENT: $17.05 per test per child.

Parents need to pay directly using the following link and code- by the STRICT cut-off date of 19th of September.

Code: FQS757