Chewton Primary School

Newsletter 10th October 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

Dum and bundjil time Frog and yellow (flowering) time

Upcoming Events

17th-18th October Boomerang Camp Grade 2

18 October Meeting Place

21 October Responsible Pet Ownership Incursion

25 October School Fair 5-9pm

31 October Making the Leap Grade 6 CSC

4th November Curriculum Day

5 November Public Holiday

6th-8th November Urban Camp Grade 5-6

8 November P-2 Kickball

8 November Meeting Place

15 November Healthy Waterways Day P-6

20 November Curriculum Day

22 November Meeting Place

6 December Meeting Place

10 December Whole School Step Up Day

17 December Carols at the Post Office 10am, Yabbying 2-6

18 December Yr 6 Graduation, Whole School Picnic 5-7pm

19 December Yr 6 Big Day Out Bendigo

20 December Pool Party 12-1:30pm

Fair poster 1.pdf

School Fete

25 October

5pm-9pm

Lots of stalls, food and entertainment.

Lots of help needed!

Lots of donations needed!

Contact Krista, Clare, Kitty or Bernadette

Funds raised will go to new furniture for the art room and outdoor furniture

Student Council have been working hard to lead this fundraiser.

2025 Prep Transition Dates and Times

19th November 9am-11:30am Parent Information session, Library. 9:15-10am (What to expect, tips for a successful start to school, dealing with anxiety and separation)

26th November 9am-11:30am Parent Information session, Library. 9:15-10am (Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing at Chewton)

3rd December 9am-11:30am

10th December 9am-2:30pm Bring a teddy for our teddybear picnic.

From the Office

Camps!

Grade 2 students will be going to Boomerang Ranch for their camp, staying overnight from Thursday October 17th - Friday October 18th.

Please return students' Medical Information Form, if you haven't already :)

Grade 5/6 students will be going on Urban Camp from Wednesday November 6th - Friday November 8th.

Please make a payment plan so that all costs are covered by the time of departure.

Healthy Waterways Day

Serena has been working with lots of students and organisations on a day for students in the Castlemaine area to learn about how to keep our waterways healthy.

Nalderun, Resource Smart, River Detectives, Connecting Country, Post Office Hill Action Group, Castlemaine Landcare, Parks Victoria, Coliban Water, Water Watch and the EPA are all coming together to run a series of fun learning events by Forest Creek at Chewton. Chewton Primary Students will also be sharing their learning about water bugs and their project to keep dog poo out of the creek. The day will commence with a Welcome to Country, followed by activities: Nalderun Caring for Water, Water quality testing, Water bug analysis, Native bird 'treasure hunt', Dog Poop Protest display on findings and action, Importance of vegetation and protecting the riparian zone of the creek Storm Water drain awareness Nature Journalling.

A big thanks to Serena, Emily Condon from Resource Smart, Asha Bannon and Nicole Howie from North Central for making this happen.

School veggie garden make-over

We love our veggie garden, and our children use it every week with Serena. It is the focal point as you enter the school, and the backdrop to our Outdoor Kitchen.

But, sadly, the sleepers are slowly rotting, and water leakage is a real problem. It is time for a rejuvenation! Serena has been working with students to measure and redesign the garden. We aim to incorporate bush foods as a central part of the garden, have a series of wicking beds and ‘dry weather' beds. Current sleepers which are still in reasonable condition will be re-used. The updated veggie garden will be a mix of round and rectangular beds and flow into the shaded area which will be both an outdoor teaching and eating area.

Serena has been successful in several grants to fund this work, but we need parents on the ground to put the wicking beds together and help construct the sleeper beds. There will be some earth moving happening at the end of October. We will be calling for people to assist us in November in putting the wicking beds together. We know it is a busy time of year, but hope you can assist.

World Mental Health Day

Today we acknowledged World Mental Health Day by getting creative both in the staffroom and in the playground. Art is well known for supporting good mental health because it can lower stress, boost happiness, promote social relationships, and aid in self-discovery. Whether or not you consider yourself an artist, creative expression is great for your health.

Both students and staff had the opportunity to work with Margot to paint ,print and draw. Why not continue this creativity at home and after dinner get out the pens and pencils. Children love to make art with their family.

Family Activities

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgement. It's a great way to improve your mental wellbeing, and it's something that everyone can benefit from.

There are lots of simple mindfulness and wellbeing activities that you can do with your children at home to help them relax and focus on the present moment. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Breathing exercises: Focusing on your breath is a great way to bring your attention to the present moment. You can try out different breathing exercises with your child, such as 4-7-8 breathing (breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, breathe out for 8 counts).

2. Sense scavenger hunt: This is a great activity for young children. Get them to pay attention to all of their senses by going on a scavenger hunt around the garden. They can tick things off their list as they find them, such as something that smells nice, something that feels soft, etc.

3. 5 things you can see/hear/touch: This is another mindfulness exercise that is suitable for all ages. Get your child to close their eyes and think of 5 things that they can see, 5 things that they can hear, and 5 things that they can touch. This exercise will help them to focus on the present moment and notice the world around them.

4. Gratitude journal: Encourage your child to start a gratitude journal where they write down 3 things that they're grateful for each day. This could be anything from having a delicious dinner to being able to play with their pet dog. Focusing on the positive things in our lives is a great way to boost our mental wellbeing.

5.Strengths spotting : This activity is all about focusing on our strengths and the positive things about ourselves. Get your child to think of 3 things that they're good at, 3 things that they're proud of, and 3 things that make them happy. This exercise will help boost their self-esteem and confidence essential for mental health and wellbeing

Support for parents

Loddon Children’s Health and Wellbeing

THE PARENT GROUP PROGRA1.pdf

children.pdf

Hands on Learning - Bushwalking and Burritos

This week students worked on their own creative projects. There were cricket bats been measured and cut, whittling of found sticks and a creative scarecrow by Rudy. For lunch we made tasty burritos and ended the day on a local bushwalk ( looking out for a great tree to make a tree house).

Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships

Term 4

Dear Parents

In Term 4 all students will begin learning topics 7 and 8 of Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships. Topic 7 is all about Gender and Identity. Topic 8 looks at positive gender relationships.

Victoria’s Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships initiative supports school leaders, educators, and our school communities to promote and model respect and equality – and to teach our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence. The Royal Commission into Family Violence identified the critical role that schools have in creating a culture of respect to change the story of family violence for future generations. In 2016, respectful relationships education became a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from Prep to Year 12 and is being taught in all government and Catholic schools and many independent schools.

An outline of the main topics covered in topics 7 and 8 are outlined below.

If you would like to find out more go to https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-relationships or contact Margot at the school.

Understanding the key thematic areas in Topic 7 (for students in year 3 – 6)

Ø Identities: Who am I? Who can I be? Who am I becoming?

Ø Gender Norms: What influences on behaviour come from social and cultural standards, stereotypes, traditions, role models, media.

Ø Human Rights: What is fair? What is respectful?

Ø Difference, diversity & Inclusion: How to respect and include despite diversity and difference

Understanding the key thematic areas in Topic 8 (for students in year 3 – 6)

Ø Safety: What is violence? What is gender-based violence (GBV). Impacts of GBV, how to promote safety, rights & respect in relationships

Ø Relationships: impact of actions on others

Ø Respect: skills for respectful relationships

Ø Peer support, peer referral and help-seeking: Skills and resources for peer support and help-seeking in relation to GBV

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

Dum and bundjil time

Frog and yellow (flowering) time

September-mid-November – as the weather warms, the peak flowering season for many wildflowers begins. Frosts and rainy days are often still common.

As the water warms over spring, River Blackfish and Murray Cod become more active. These are caught in traps constructed along waterways using stone and woven baskets.

Watjarang (Platypus) along Campbells Creek breed and lay eggs. This is peak flowering season for many wildflowers, such as Murna (Yam Daisy), Gitjawil Matom (Chocolate Lily) and Bam (Bulbine Lily), which can be seen at the Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve, Kalimna Park and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Gurndi (Cranberry Heath) berries ripen and are ready to eat.Sticky Everlasting, Clustered Everlasting, Grey Everlasting and Orchids, as well as for shrubs such as Downy Grevillea, Rough Mint-bush, and Fairy Wax-flower.

• Watjarang (Platypus) breed and lay eggs

• Brushtail Possums carry their young from nests

• River Blackfish spawn

• The bush is bright with yellow daisies that provide a landing pad where insects can warm up on cold mornings

• Australian Reed-warblers begin calling along creeks and rivers

• Rainbow Bee-eaters arrive from northern Australia to nest along creek and river banks

• Large flocks of White-browed and Masked Woodswallow arrive from northern Australia and can be heard calling in the sky

• This is peak frog breeding season – large frog choruses can be heard in wetlands and along creeks and rivers

• Black Wattle and Red Box flower.

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!

NYWF PLANNER 19 Sept 2024.pdf

NYWF Program 19 SEPT 2024.pdf

Zinda Festival – a feast for the senses!

Zinda is Bendigo’s largest annual celebration of cultural diversity, and it is lining up to be another full day of delicious authentic cuisines, traditional performances, interactive activities for the kids, dance workshops and more! And it is FREE.

Presented by Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services, the event kicks off at 11am on Saturday 12th October at Garden for the Future, White Hills and will feature a sea of colour and costumes with a long list of performers, from local community groups, bringing the stage alive.

Be sure to bring your dancing shoes as we celebrate. Our K-Pop and Bollywood dance workshops will put a spring in your step and the African drumming ensemble will have the crowd moving its hips. The henna art, hair braiding and face painting activities will have everyone looking great and feeling rich with culture.

This year, we have teamed up with the City of Greater Bendigo and the team from the Bendigo Lions Club to offer free parking. If you make your way to the corner of Kennewell street & Hamelin street, White Hills, (GPS coordinates: 36°43'26.8"S 144°18'16.8"E) you will be guided to your space by the lovely group of volunteers. It is then a short 150m walk, or skip, across the foot bridge (wheelchair friendly) where you will be greeted with delicious smells sights and sounds as you start your Zinda journey.

None of this would be possible without the continued support from the Victorian State Government and major sponsorship from the City of Greater Bendigo, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Bendigo Tafe, Bendigo Market Place, Wise Employment/Access Skills Training and Win Network.

Zinda truly comes alive because of our heart-warming list of sponsors, partners, volunteers, community groups, performers, businesses & organisations and most importantly, you!

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, follow our socials or jump onto the website:

Website: https://zinda.org.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZindaFestival/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zindafestival/