Macedon Primary School Newsletter

Dear parents,

Changes to Restrictions

With the changes to the restrictions for regional schools announced this morning we will be inviting our Foundation, Year One and Year Two students back onsite on Friday 10 September as well as the students with Authorised Workers for parents and vulnerable students as per the current settings. 

One important distinction under these new restrictions is that for students who live in Metro Melbourne who are in Foundation, Year One and Year 2 are currently not allowed to attend school onsite. 

I do not have any of the finer details about how these restrictions will work just yet, however, I will send an update email tomorrow once I know more.

Bug Hotels and Bird Boxes

For those families still completing remote learning next week, if you’re looking for something a little different to complete with you family from now until the end of the term, I am inviting you and your children to make a bug hotel for Middle Gully Reserve.  This is not a compulsory task, but an opportunity for those who are interested to complete something that will support biodiversity in Middle Gully Reserve.  Please see the attached flyer below for inspiration and instructions.  Once completed you may wish to find a place for your bug hotel in you own garden, but if you’re out and about for your daily exercise and are walking past the school, please feel free to find a spot in Middle Gully to place your bug hotel. https://supersimple.com/article/bug-hotel/ or https://www.craftionary.net/diy-bug-hotels-material-instructions-to-attract-bugs/ 

For those parents who are a little more adventurous, if you want to take your building to the next level, I invite you to work on a bird nesting box project with your children.  We are trying to encourage greater biodiversity in Middle Gully and by providing suitable nesting boxes. We hope to encourage birds and small animals to take up residence in the space by providing some nice new houses.  Feel free to drop your completed nesting box off at the front office before the end of term or in term four and I will arrange for them to be installed.

Please find instruction for the home-made bird boxes at the links below.

General Information about nesting boxes

https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/Nest-Box-Plans-0

Grey Shrike Thrush nesting box plans https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/Grey%20Shrike-Thrush_0.pdf

Crimson Rosella nesting box plans

https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/Crimson%20Rosella_0.pdf

Laughing Kookaburra nesting box plans

https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/Laughing%20Kookaburra_0.pdf

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools – (ICAS) – University of NSW testing

The annual ICAS assessment period is approaching and parents and carers of students from Year 3 to Year 6 may register their children to sit a range of assessments to challenge their children.  This is an opt in and pay as you go program, and the assessments will be run before school between 8am and 9am in October by me.  Please follow the link below to register your child’s interest.  Registrations close on September 19.  The participating students receive certificates for participation and the various levels of success which will be presented at assembly in celebration of our students who strive for academic success.

Sampai jumpa (until next time)

Matt Forrest

matthew.forrest@education.vic.gov.au

We hope you have had a chance to enjoy the sunshine today. I was admiring the lovely daffodils that pop up each year at the front of the office and just had to take a photo.

In regards to payments and permission forms for camps, please hold off paying until next term when we can confirm these are definitely going ahead. We know the Yr3/4 camp form is due by the 17th of September, but we can extend this until the first week of term when we have a clearer idea of restrictions.

Your child will not miss out if we do not have the forms back by the 17th of September.

The Foundation - Yr 2 Zoo excursion has been moved to the 10th December.

The IMAX excursion will not be able to be moved due to dates and other existing booking, the teachers are planning on something special with the students locally.

We are unsure if the swimming program will proceed, this will depend on availability at the pool and restrictions that are in place.

Once things are clearer, Julie will be in contact regarding refunds/credits on your accounts.

Thanks,

Julie  and Emma

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 10th 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

I would like to let you know that our draft Municipal Early Years Plan CREATE 2021-2025 is now open for community consultation.  There are a number of ways that the community can provide feedback on the plan, including completing a brief survey through the www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay webpage, or phoning, emailing or posting in feedback via 5422 0333 or mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au.  There are two online feedback sessions for community members, which they can register for through the Have Your Say webpage.

 Additionally, we are conducting an online feedback session for stakeholders on Tuesday 24 August from 1:00-2:00pm, which you can register to attend through this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqdO6spj0jEtQm8V4Jg8JCaq5EJ42s3X0j.