Chewton Primary School
Newsletter 8th August 2024
Newsletter 8th August 2024
Chewton Primary School is situated on Djaara Country.
We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the custodians and caretakers of the land. We thank them for the care they have taken and continue to take of Country: the rivers, mountains, trees and animals. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We follow Bunjil's teaching: Care for self, care for others, care for Country.
We commit to Be Brave and Make Change.
We will be a voice for generations.
Now, more than ever
Djaara Season: Wararak and Gurruk Time (Silver Wattle and Magpie)
9th August International Day of the World's Indigenous People: Koorie Games
9th August Sushi lunch
12 August Curriculum Day - pupil free day
15th August Mini Olympics (parent helpers needed)
21st August Book Week Dress up Day
22nd August Lantern Parade 5-8pm, Raffle drawn
23rd August Meeting Place
29th August School Council meeting
30th August Last day for parent/carer opinion survey
6th September Grade 5-6 Tennis/ Cricket
6th September Sushi lunch
11-13 September Lady Northcote Camp Grade 3-4
13 September Meeting Place
20th September Footy Colours Day Finish 2:30pm
Next Thursday Chewton, Taradale and Elphinstone Primary schools are coming together to hold a mini olympics at Chewton oval. We are running track and field events and need lots of helpers on the day. Events will run from 9:30-12:30. We need helpers to give out 1st, 2nd and 3rd cards, tally scores and measure shot put and discus throws. Please see Bernadette if you can help, even if it is only for an hour.
Children will be put into 4 Countries for events on the day and are asked to wear a tshirt or jumper of that colour if you have it.
Thanks to Central Goldfields Football Club who are making the space and facilities available to us.
Kitty will be taking 4 weeks leave this term and next term for teacher placements. Rosie Annear will be in the role while Kitty is away. Rosie will be here each Friday for the rest of the year whilst learning the role. Please welcome Rosie and be patient as she learns the ropes.
WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!
Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation. This survey is an important tool that is used by staff and School Council to see what we are doing well and how we can improve. Please take the time to fill it out.
Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies.
The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 29 July to Friday 30 August 2024.
All families are invited to participate in the survey. You will receive an email with the link and pin to access the survey.
The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.
The results are reported in our school newsletter and to our School Council.
Please speak to Bernadette if you would like more information.
We now have a Square machine in the office as an alternative payment to Compass/cash. At this stage, payments can be accepted on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.
The raffle has been extended and will be drawn on the new Lantern Walk date - 22nd of August.
We would love to sell some more tickets. Please collect ticket booklets from Kitty's office.
Trailer load of firewood
$100 petrol vouchers
Laura Veleff ceramics
Are you able to give up a half hour a week/month to make muesli slices with our Green Team? Our slices are so successful we seem to be making a batch every day, and need some parent helpers to make this a sustainable option!
Olympic tally of medals Solomon
I want to be a gymnast. Lila
I would like to be a runner. Atticus
Olympic medal tally. Oscar
Lots of incredible work about an Olympic athlete and an Olympic sport. Come in and see our class display. It is worthy of a gold medal!
As part of our unit of Civics and Citizenship, Grace 5-6 students are investigating different types of government systems. They are very creative in their presentation: Lots of pop- ups and lift the tab to discover their research!
Democracy by Eidi
Lift the flap for more information
Systems of government in ancient Egypt- Ginger
History of Democracy: Ginger
Thinking about how to be positive with your child? This program is evidence based and subsidised so it is free for families.
Proven, positive tips that can help every family
You can support your child’s development, grow closer and solve problems – positively. There are many simple strategies you can start using right now, to make every moment count!
The Triple P parenting program is an evidence based program that is subsidised by the government so it is free to access for families. If your child is anxious and you need extra support with this, why not give it a go? Our Student Support Services Psychologist has recommended it to several of our families.
https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/fear-less-triple-p-online/
On Friday the Minister for the Environment, Steve Dimopoulos visited us with Maree Edwards, representatives from Sustainability Victoria, Resource Smart and Connecting Country, to see what amazing work we are doing in Sustainability., along with Kim Saddlier from the Department of Education.
We had storyboards with photos and information set up around the school and students spoke to the Minister about what they are learning about in each area.
Quincy and Freda led the tour through the veggie garden and through our storyboards.
Orlo, Tilly, Leif, Hildie spoke about planting trees in the bush behind the school.
Quincy, Hunter, Oscar and James spoke about the muesli bar project to reduce soft plastics.
Emilia spoke about Indigenous perspectives, 8Ways learning and our Reconciliation Walk.
Tenzin and Aiden showed how we test water for our River Detectives program.
Eidi, Millie, Quincy, Freda and Emilia talked about the Dog Poop protest and gave the minister a badge.
Ennis and Lila showed the Minister our bins and how to sort waste.
Serena and Bernadette spoke about our next steps: redesigning our veggie garden and learning about how to propagate and grow Indigenous foods with Murnong Mummas and Nalderun. These will be incorporated into a central place in our veggie garden. It will be a lot of fun learning!
Amazing effort everyone. Steve was very impressed with how confident and well spoken all our students were, and the incredible work we are doing.
Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) https://djadjawurrung.com.au/
DJAARA - Home | Facebook Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation https://nalderun.net.au/
Anti-racism https://racismnoway.com.au/ https://alltogethernow.org.au/racism/racism-in-schools/how-to-discuss-racism-with-children/
Reconciliation Week 2024 Now more than ever https://www.reconciliation.org.au/now-more-than-ever-nrw-2024/
July-August – the cool weather continues but some warmer days arrive. The bush comes alive with the sight and smell of flowering wattles and the call of many birds.
Gurruk (Australian Magpie) begin to construct nests for raising young. Water Ribbon tubers are roasted and eaten. Flowering Early Nancy signal that the eggs of Black Swans are ready for collection. The wood from some wattle species can be used for making tools.
Early Nancy and Scented Sundews form white carpets on slopes and hilltops at places like Kalimna Park, the Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve and the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Wararak (Silver Wattle) bursts into flower along the Loddon River and Campbells and Forest Creeks.
• Water Ribbon tubers flower and seed along rivers and creeks
• Migratory Cuckoos (Fan-tailed, Pallid, Shining Bronze and Horsfield’s Bronze) arrive and begin calling for the breeding season
• Many Acacia species burst into flower including Wayi-Galk (Golden), Wararak (Silver), Rough and Woolly Wattles
• Rakali (Water-rat) mate
• Early Nancy and Scented Sundews form white carpets on slopes and hilltops.
The Dja Dja Wurrung seasons were compiled by Uncle Rick Nelson and Karl Just, with contributions from Frances Cincotta, Elaine Bayes, Damien Cook, Tanya Loos, Geoff Park, Cassia Read and Trace Balla. More information on Mt Alexander Shire Council's website.
See Drew Barwick explaining Djaara seasons hereFirst Nations Days of Significance
Term 1
13th February Anniversary of Apology to Stolen Generations
Term 2
26th May Sorry Day
27th May - 3rd June Reconciliation Week
31st May Reconciliation Walk
7th-14th July NAIDOC Week
Term 3
4 August National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day
9 August International Day of the World's Indigenous People
Sports Dates:
Term 3
5th-6th Sept Grade 5-6 Tennis/ Cricket
Term 4
11 October Grade 5-6 Goldfields Tennis/ Softball
21 October Grade 5-6 Goldfields Division Cricket/ basketball
8 November Grade P-2 Kickball
Camp Dates
Lady Northcote Camp: Grade 3-4 11-13 September
Boomerang Camp Grade 2, 17-18 October
Urban Camp: Grade 5-6, 6-8 November