Jobs that need doing...

Can't make a working bee? Have a spare hour or two that you can offer the school? 

We have a google doc that shows jobs that are needed. Please put your name to one and mark when complete. Many hands make light work. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XaBY5PpytuXhLlmffMAMG752ysMIo-QsEzgzS9pJCcE/edit?usp=sharing 

New House Names in 2023

Djaara have kindly given us permission to use Dja Dja Wurrung words to replace the European creek names of our houses.  Congratulations to our new House Captains, who were elected by their peers.

wurru mouth of river, lagoon Red house Captains: Quincy, Gus

yaluk   flowing or running creek Blue house Captains: Millie, Akira

baring bend in the river, knee   Green house Captains: Ana, Tyrone 

yarram yarram chain of  waterholes or ponds form after the creek floods and dries Yellow House Captains: Merri, Busby

House Captains assist in the running of special events as well as sporting days. They are just about to begin work on Harmony Day (March 21). Our House Captains check in on other students in the playground and each week select someone in their house who has been showing the Value of the Week in the playground. This week's value is Integrity. You can join us for assembly on Friday at 3:15 at the outdoor stage to see who gets an award this week.

2023 Parent Payment information

Thanks to everyone who has already paid. Please assist us by arranging this as soon as you are able.

Victorian High Ability Program

Each year students who are working well above expected level are chosen by the Education Department High Ability Program for accelerated learning opportunities.

Congratulations to Hector, Arkie, Oscar C, Millie and Eidi who have all been selected to take part in the English Program!

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Centre for Community Health has some fantastic free webinars available to all families, as a part of their Thriving Children Thriving Communities webinar series. 

One webinar gives some great insight and detail into the Mental Health & Wellbeing Pilot Program that we are part of. Link is below. 

https://www.rch.org.au/ccch/thriving-children-thriving-communities/

Fun at the pool!

Our Swim and Survive lessons are off to a great start and we are thankful for the warm weather this week!

Art in the Prep-1-2 room with Kate

Sustainability with Serena

This year we welcome Serena to our staff. She is working with each class to embed our sustainability practice across the school. First job: fixing the soil in our veggie garden! If you would like to come and assist your class, Serena is in every Thursday from 9-12:30. We would love to see parent helpers back in our garden!

Road safety visit in the P-1-2 room this week.

Fun at the pool in the 3-4-5 class

Fun at the pool in the 5-6 class

What is Hands on Learning?

Chewton Primary is very excited to be part of the Hands On Learning program in 2023. 

A small group of students will work each week with to foster wellbeing, social and emotional skills and build engagement. 

Michelle is coming to chat to Grade 3-6 students on Monday about the program. Students will be able to put in an application to be part of the program. Applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed by the wellbeing team.

Hands on Learning (HoL) is a practical school program that builds wellbeing, engagement, and attendance by creating opportunities for students to discover their talents and experience success through significant and authentic hands-on projects. Please browse the HoL Companion at https://handsonlearning.org.au/3d-flip-book/hol-companion-2021/

How it works

5-10 students spend one day every week working collaboratively with 1-2 artisan-teachers on authentic meaningful projects around the school and community. Students stay onsite at their own school and the evidence-based methodology (child rights approach, four pillars, reflective practice, shape of the day) integrates what is happening in HoL back to the classroom.

STUDENTS HoL supports a diversity of students to build aspiration and realise their potential. Students from different year levels are self-nominated or referred by wellbeing staff, year level co-ordinators and school leadership teams. Each student has their own reason for participating in HoL.

STAFF Artisan-teachers are employed directly by partner schools. 54 Reason/Save the Children Australia’s HoL School Support team provide training, ongoing support, professional development and quality assurance. Schools become part of regional HoL networks to foster the sharing of ideas and inspiration.

Four Pillars of Hands on Learning

A PLACE TO BELONG A physical sanctuary at school.

PEOPLE TO BELONG TO Small teams working together, sharing meals and building strong relationships.

REAL THINGS TO DO Engaging in creative and meaningful projects.

A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK Making valuable contributions to their community, building self-esteem and connection.

The Hands on Learning December ENews features students’ experiences and highlights: https://handsonlearning.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/HoL-eNews-December-2022.pdf

Please read this with your child.

We were super excited to meet Essendon Bombers captain Dyson Heppell and players Rhett Montgomerie and Jye Mennzie today! Students asked lots of interesting questions about their preparation for games, the toughest players they competed against and even what their favourite food is! There are a few converts today...  thanks for the visit!

School Council news

Are you interested in joining School Council? We are looking for 2 new members this year. We meet on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. The School council plays an extremely important role in the life of the school. Policies, values and the strategic direction of the school are all areas which School Council has a direct role in. A diverse and enthusiastic school council can really have a positive impact in the life of our school. Please consider whether you are able to be a School Councillor.

The key functions of school council with regard to the school are:

• to establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school's community

• to arrange for the supply of goods, services, facilities, materials, equipment, other things or matters required for the conduct of the school, including the provision of preschool programs

• to raise funds for school related purposes

• to regulate and facilitate the after-hours use of the school premises and grounds

• to exercise a general oversight of the school buildings and grounds and ensure they are kept in good order and condition

• to provide for the cleaning and sanitary services that are necessary for the school

• to ensure that all money coming into the hands of the council is expended for proper purposes relating to the school

• to provide meals and refreshments for the staff and students of the school and make charges for those meals or refreshments

• to inform itself and take into account any views of the school community for the purpose of making decisions in regard to the school and the students at the school

• to generally stimulate interest in the school in the wider community

• to prepare the School Strategic Plan and review the Annual Implementation Plan — to be signed by the president and the principal

• to report annually (the Annual Report) to the school community and to the department on the school’s financial activities, the School Strategic Plan, and any other matters that are determined by the Minister

• to manage the hire, licence and shared use of school facilities

• to determine the dates for the school’s student-free days:

  • in accordance with the number of student-free days each calendar year specified by the Secretary of the department

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-powers-and-functions/policy 

Community Notices

Dja Dja Wurrung websites

Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation)  https://djadjawurrung.com.au/ 

DJAARA - Home | Facebook 

Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation https://nalderun.net.au/ 

Fire Danger Ratings

We are in the North Central District

On Extreme Fire Danger days we relocate to Castlemaine Primary

Please read our emergency information carefully

Every term we have a drill to practice what we do in case of an emergency. Our school is in a bushfire zone and plan accordingly. In the case of an emergency we may have to evacuate. We will evacuate to Castlemaine Primary School. Parents are asked not to collect children until advised it is safe to do so. Our roads are narrow and we need to keep them as open as possible for emergency vehicles. 

In the event that we need to shelter in place, we go to our Multipurpose Room. It has a solar system with battery back up, sprinklers, and will soon have shutters on the windows. We have satellite communication back up and a kit containing first aid and water. 

We work closely with the Chewton CFA to make sure our planning and practice drills are best practice.

In the case of an emergency, parents will receive a text from our school mobile phone. You will need to respond with a YES to let us know you have received the message. If you do not respond we will attempt to ring you. This phone is not monitored except in emergencies, so it is not a daily form of school communication. Please make sure you put the number into  your contact list.