Macedon Primary School Newsletter

27 October 2021

School Values: Respect, Responsibility, Creativity, Integrity, Teamwork

Principal's Report

Dear parents and carers,

The Victorian Government announced that they are easing restrictions given the early achievement of the 80 per cent vaccination target, from 6pm Friday 29 October.  This means that some of the typical school events will be able to occur in a COIVDsafe way.  We have been planning an outdoor activities week for the whole school between the 29th of November and the 3rd of December and with the changes to restrictions we going to include a one-night middle gully camp out for the students in Year 3 and 4 and a two-night middle gully camp out for the students in Year 5 and 6.  We have organised orienteering, bush craft, hiking and other activities to give these students a camping experience.  We are making every effort to get these important school events up and running so our students, who have missed out on so much in the last two years, get an opportunity to have some school fun toward the end of the year.

Farmers’ Market

There will be a farmers’ market happening in Macedon at Tony Clarke Recreation Reserve this Saturday.  The Macedon PS PFA is leading the organisation on the market however, it will not be held on the school grounds.  Briohny Lebbink with the PFA have worked with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council to register and develop the event at the alternative location to ensure it is COVIDsafe.  Please pop along and support this local event. 

Fete Cancelled

Last Wednesday evening the school council made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s school fete.  There were several factors relating to the risks of a large scale COVID exposure site on the school grounds and the subsequent school closures and uncertainty about vaccination requirements for volunteers that led us to this decision.  I would like to thank and acknowledge the Fete committee for all their efforts leading up to this point.  We will look to the future and come back bigger and better next time.

Student Free Day – Monday 1 November

On Monday 1 November we will be having a student free day for staff professional learning.  There will be no supervision for students onsite on this day.  Olivia Desormeaux, our Inclusion Leader, will be leading staff through a workshop geared toward improving our understanding of the evidence based high impact engagement strategies and exploring what genuine student inclusion looks like in our classrooms.

 Kind regards,

Sampai jumpa (until next time)

Matt Forrest

matthew.forrest@education.vic.gov.au

Important Dates

29 October - Bandanna Day / Casual clothes day

30 October - Macedon Farmers Market @ Tony Clarke Reserve

1 November - Curriculum Day (student free day)

2 November - Melbourne Cup public holiday (school closed)

3 November - Foundation 2022 orientation session #1

10 November - Foundation 2022 orientation session #2

16 November - School Photo Day

17 November - Foundation 2022 orientation session #3

20 November - Macedon Primary School Fete

10 December - Foundation - Yr 2 Zoo Excursion (new date)

14 December - Grade 6 Graduation Dinner

17 December - Last day of year (1:30pm dismissal)

From the office

Casual clothes day / Bandanna Day - Friday

The social justice committee have done a stellar job selling bandannas every morning and afternoon outside the library. We have a few bandannas left to purchase, so if you haven't yet, please come along, $5 cash only. Students are encouraged to wear their bandannas and bright coloured clothing on Friday to celebrate the great work Canteen does to support those with childhood cancer.

Facemasks for Yr 3 -6 

It has been great to see the students wearing their facemasks to school.  We encourage students to bring their own facemasks to school, however, if their mask becomes damaged or lost we do have some supplies here in the office.

There are a number of lawful reasons for not wearing a facemask, including for staff and students who are unable to wear a mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or a mental health condition. If you have any concerns, please fell free to call the school to discuss.

Students feeling unwell

Students are required to stay at home if they are feeling unwell. Even the mildest of flu-like symptoms should be followed up with a COVID19 test. Students who present with or develop flu-like symptoms at school will be isolated at school and sent home.

Julie  and Emma

Student Achievement Awards

The following awards will be read out at our virtual assembly on Friday at 3:00pm https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=m153068e262b8e84d0d58d48fd9e8765c

F/1MS - Mietta P - for her creative ideas when writing a narrative.

F/1MS - Kaley P - for her fantastic skip counting during maths lessons.

1KH - Kyle W - for showing great improvement in following class expectations.

1KH - Ted S - for his awesome effort in showing $1 in multiple ways using silver coins.

1/2KB - Annie T - for working hard to improve her knowledge of fractions.

1/2KB - Maisie W - for always being a positive class member. 

2RG - Lauren B - for fantastic work in mathematics!

3VW - Holly B - for a great effort with writing.

3VW - Zoey H - for improving her handwriting.

3/4MS - Jasmine H - for her lovely 'under the sea' Lego display. Well Done!

3/4MS - Addi E - for her lovely 'under the sea' Lego display. Well Done!

3/4MS - Joseph C - for his lovely descriptive writing about Middle Gully. Well done!

4CS - Jayden M - for being responsible, thoughtful and kind member of our class.

4CS - Myriam H - for her happy and hardworking approach towards her learning.

4CS - Lachlan A - for being a kind, thoughtful and caring member of our class.

5/6SK - Ben G - for his efforts and approaches to his learning!

5/6SK - Andrew M - for being a reflective and courageous learner, who always challenges himself!

6AB - Belle Mc – for understanding how to re word her writing during animal Farm

6AB - Mya L – for understanding how complex ‘Arithmagons’ are during maths

Sport Award - Cooper B for his improvement in skipping.

Bandana Day - Friday 29 October - casual clothes

National Bandanna Day is the flagship fundraising and awareness campaign for Canteen. Since Bandanna Day began it has raised more that $33 million to support young people impacted by cancer.

Akira, Mali, Leo and Noah have been selling bandanas out the front of the library all week. They will sell them until sold out!

Bandannas are $5 each - cash only

Students are encouraged to wear bright,  casual clothes and a bandanna if they wish on Friday to celebrate the day.

Macedon Village Farmers Market - This Saturday - Tony Clarke Reserve

The Macedon Village Farmers Market is on this Saturday, the 30th of October. The market will be held at Tony Clarke Reserve, from 9am - 1pm. In keeping with the Halloween theme, children (and grown ups) are encouraged to come dressed in your spookiest costumes. 

Many of the stalls that frequent the other farmers markets in the area will be there including Pudding Nanna, Villa Pileggi, Oh So Good Foods, Millet Road Maker, BB's biscuits, Miramiar Hill Pasture Raised Eggs, Turkish Catering and many more. 

All funds raised at the market are going back to Macedon Primary School. Briohny, from the PFA is organising the market and is looking for some parent helpers on the day, if you can help in any way, please check out the Macedon Village Farmers Market Facebook page.

Scholastic Book Club - Term 4

The bookclub orders have now closed. We will distribute the books to your children when they arrive, or if it is a gift, we will contact you to arrange collection. Thank you for your support.

Finally, a big thank you to Lisa Hall who has been coordinating book club for the last two years. This is Lisa's last year as a parent at MPS, so she is looking to pass this job on to a new parent helper. If you would like to help, please contact the office.

Grade 5/6SK enjoying some outdoor actvities

School Photos - Postpones - New date 16th November

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.


Remember to be SunSmart

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). 

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

Outside School Hours Care

Spaces are filling up for OSHC.  Most spaces are taken up by permanent bookings and we are unable to book casuals in (they will have to be placed on a waiting list).  If you have a permanent booking and do not need the service for After School please advise the program as soon as you know, preferably before 11.00am on the day so we are able to give that space to another child.  For Before School, please call before 6.30pm the day before or email the service on oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au

Late cancellation fees apply if your child’s place is cancelled after 11.00am.  Further, if you do not cancel your child and they do not attend, fees may still apply.

Our rates are: $15.00 for Before School Care (7:00am - 8:45am) and $22.00 for After School Care (3:30pm - 6:30pm). All you need to do is call the school 5426 1518 or email oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au to book.  If the unexpected happens and a casual booking is required within 24 hours, please contact the school via phone, we cannot accept walk-ins after school.  Please note that enrolment forms need to be completed at least one business day before the first session of care.

Please pay through the school via Direct Deposit, using the following details (not BPay):

Account name: Macedon Primary School

BSB: 063-840

Account: 1003 4330

Vicki, Helen, Karen & Marie.

Bike Safety reminder

It is great that our students like to ride to school, however, we would like to remind all road users of the 1m rule that came into effect recently.

The new law requires drivers to leave at least one metre when passing a cyclist in speed zones 60kmh or lower and 1.5 meters when passing at sped limits over 60kmh.

Can all drivers who are driving near the school please make themselves aware of these new laws.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/sharing-the-road 

Community News

Macedon Junior Cricket

Macedon Cricket Club is running Woolworths Cricket Blast again this season. It’s a fun and fast programme for kids of all abilities to learn the skills and play Australia's favourite sport.

 5 - 10 year olds. All welcome. 

It doesn't matter if you've never picked up a bat or ball. (We use rubber balls - not hard cricket balls).

Learn some skills, meet some other locals and most importantly - get out there and HAVE FUN.

 Come and join the fun at Macedon Cricket Club (Tony Clark Reserve), Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:00, starting November 14th.  

 Registration will be online via the Playcricket website.

You can find general details at playcricket.com.au. Any queries please contact Andrew (andrew.jeanes@robertbird.com.au)

Other Age Groups

For any budding cricketers 10-12 years of age Macedon Cricket Club would welcome enquires to come and join our U11 or U13 sides.  Please contact Todd (todd.c@qubedadvisory.com.au) or Clint (clint.grobler@gmail.com).

Macedon Primary School

Macedon Primary School acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of the country upon which we learn and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.