Chewton Primary School

Newsletter 29th 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)

Upcoming Events

29th August School Council meeting

30th August Wear it Purple Day: Celebrate our rainbow community

6th September Grade 3-6 tennis/cricket

6th September Sushi lunch - we will deliver sushi to Y3-6 children at tennis/cricket

11-13 September Lady Northcote Camp Grade 3-4

13 September Meeting Place

20th September Footy Colours Day and Last Day of Term 3 - 2:30pm Finish!

20th September Last day for parent/carer opinion survey (extended!)

Lantern Walk

Wasn't that a spectacular event? Kate made beautiful paper mache lanterns with the children in Art last term and, after a delay due to weather, we all came together last Thursday to have soup, dessert, a lantern parade, and a sit around the fire.

Thanks to all the parents who helped organise, particularly our parent club helpers, Clare and Krista, and to all our parents and family members who cooked soup and made delicious dessert, then came along on the night to serve and clean up.

Thanks Taryn for your beautiful words around the fire.

Everyone is thinking about next year and what new things we can bring to the event!

Some pictures from the Lantern Walk! Some are a bit blurry, but they really help capture the ambience!

Some reflections on the lantern walk by 2/3/4 students...

SWPBS Whole School DISCO

What an achievement! What an event! Ginger, Merri and Gus compiled a list of songs from all classes and created a playlist. Margot and the Hands On Learning Team joined them to set up fairy lights, a disco ball, and a projector (Thanks Ingrid and Oscar!). Everyone got their sequins and dance clothes out and we had a ball! What a great celebration of achieving our 1000 values card milestones. Well done, everybody!

Some pictures from the disco - again, they might be a bit blurry, but they really help capture the vibe!!

Valentino and Tilly ready for a boogie in their disco clothes!!

Some reflections on the disco by 2/3/4 students...

Whole school disco By Wren

The disco was amazing. The music was very cool. Most people in class 2,3,4 thought Gus and Jack were the best dancers. There was popcorn thanks to the Hands On Learning people. Next time we reach 1000 cards I wonder what our school prize will be??!

Disco time by Sully

On Wednesday the whole school had a big disco! The hands-on learning team set up lights and put the blinds down. The room was really dark but the cool lights lit it up and at 2:30 the whole school came in. The reason we did this is because we all worked together to get 1000 value cards. Now back to the disco. The music was great and nearly everyone dressed up. I think everyone liked it. Big special thanks to the hands on learning team.

Some reflections on the recent weather by 2/3/4 students...

From the Prep-1 classroom

In Prep-1, we have been working hard on our counting by playing maths games and using the bead frame.’

P4P

Grade 5/6 students completed their final Preparation for Puberty session last week!

Thanks heaps to Bron Grieve, the instructor, for helping prepare these awesome young people for the adventure that is puberty!

From the Office

Parent/Carer Opinion Survey: Don't forget to do the survey!

Have you completed the parent/carer opinion survey? Look for the reminder in your Compass News Feed!

It should only take 10-15 minutes to complete. We use the information to see what we are doing well, as a school, and how we can improve!

Grade 6 Families: Don't forget to return your child's Year 7 Placement Acceptance Slip!

Reminder slips went home TODAY with those students yet to return their CSC Acceptance forms.

Grade 3/4 Families: Don't forget to return your child's Camp Consent form and Camp Medical Information form!

If you need another copy, pop into the office or give Rosie a call :)

Grade 3-6 Families: Don't forget to approve and pay for your child's attendance at the Tennis/Cricket carnival next Friday!

You can both pay and approve via Compass. We have had very few approvals and payments so far, and it's going to be a fun day!

Raffle winners!

The Chewton PS raffle was drawn at last Thursday's Lantern Walk.

Congratulations to the lucky winners!!!

Trailer-load of firewood - Bruce Peck

$100 petrol vouchers - Tina Helm

Laura Veleff ceramics - Leif Hutchison, Kate Freston, and Norma

Community Notices

First Peoples Connections and information

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/

Treaty https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty

Wararak and Gurruk time

Silver wattle and magpie time

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 here

Consumer Deposit Scheme

Drop your containers at Chewton Servo and donate your proceeds to Chewton Primary School.

Every little bit counts!

Castlemaine Circus have some awesome Spring Holiday Classes coming up!

Parkour: September 23rd and 25th

Circus: September 24th and 26th

Aerials: September 24th (10-14yrs)

These classes are suitable for all levels and will focus on a range of different skills. The classes are jam packed with fun activities and a great way to be social and move around!