Chewton Primary School

Newsletter 29th May 2025

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 teachings: 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.

Barramal and Yulawil time

WARING (April-July) (Kulin seasons)

Misty mornings and cool rainy days.

Knorre Knorre (wombats) emerge when there is sun and eat the new shoots of grasses.

Important Dates

30 May Reconciliation Walk 10am

31 May Wesley Hill market stall

31 May outdoor seating area completion with Dan N.

19 June Lantern Walk

Reconciliation Walk 2025: Bridging now to next.

Join us for our Reconciliation Walk on Friday 30th May at 10am.

A huge thankyou to Kellie for her management of volunteers and resources.

Thanks to Ellen, Kellie, Clare and Inez for the storyboard prep

Thanks to Jamie, Drew, Greg and Dan for setting up the storyboards

Thanks to everyone who has brought in equipment: Kellie, Dan, Alex, Alice, Andy, Marc, South school

Thanks in advance to Laura, Em, Maz, Clare, Amelia, Justin, Allie, Elsa, Alice, Jamie, Marcelle, Hannah and all our walkers.

Thanks to our amazing staff who have put so much heart and soul into this work: Sue, Erin, Luke, Renee, Meg, Eloise, Al, Catherine, Patsy, Cat, Kahu, Margot and Kate.

Thanks to Kath, for the amazing teaching, leadership and patience she shares.

And of course, thanks to our incredible students, who see the truth and know what needs to be done to make our world a better place.

We hope you enjoy the journey on Friday.

Reconciliation Walk Helpers and walkers...

See you tomorrow! All walkers and people helping us at stations please come to school and walk with us. We leave the school at 9:40 sharp. Please park your cars at school or at the Senior Citizens centre. There is no parking at the CFA.

Sorry Day

This year was an incredibly moving ceremony, with young people from Chewton, Castlemaine, Castlemaine North, Winters Flat and CSC all sharing their reflections. Huge thanks to Edan and Miro for their powerful reflections.

Today we acknowledge the suffering and ongoing pain that was caused by the Government and leaders. They took your children away from you. The children were not allowed to speak their language or practice their culture. Some First Nations people found their way back, but not all.

We are sorry for what you went through and for what was done.

We say sorry for the hurt and grief that we left you.

We say sorry for taking your family away from and we acknowledge that it must have really hurt to be taken away from your family. We are sorry for the mothers, fathers and siblings who lost your children.

Miro

We are sorry for taking your land that you spent too long to count protecting and growing and living with. We are sorry that we just came and took it all away from you.

We are sorry for the stolen generations that we took you away from your parents when you were just little kids. I say now, it was the wrong thing to do and for that I say sorry.

I know it impacted a lot of families, seeing your children taken away like that. Nothing we can do can ever fix that pain. We are sorry.

We are going to bridge now to next by respecting Aboriginal people and treat them with care and respect. We want to work to make our community safe and for it to be safe everywhere for First Nations people.

At Chewton, we are allies and we are trying to make change.

We would like everyone to join us for our Reconciliation Walk on Friday in Chewton at 11am.

Edan

What's happening in 5-6?

Grade 5-6 students have researched Treaty and have represented their learning in TREATY storyboards.

Students also went to the Friday Kahlo exhibition with Kate, Catherine and Patsy! More photos next week.

What's happening in 2-3-4?

Grade 2-3-4 have been learning about Yoorook Justice Commission and the Yoorook Walk for Truth. They also learnt Solid Rock and led our whole school in performing it with Shane Howard, Uncle Ron Murray and Uncle Rick at the Market Building this week.

What's happening in P-1?

Prep-1 students have been learning about bush foods: used in the past, the present and into the future.

Their storyboards will be on display at Me-Mandook Galk.

Yoorook Walk for Truth

I am hoping Chewton families can join the final day of the Yoorook Walk for Truth on June 18th, from the Shrine of Remembrance to Parliament House. The walk is 5km. We would catch a 6am train from Castlemaine, tram to the Shrine of Remembrance and train back from Parliament station.

This is a great opportunity for our school community. I hope you can join us.

We would need to catch a 6am train to get to the Shrine of Remembrance by 8am for the start.

Look out for an email in the next few days to register your interest.

https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/events/walkfortruth/

Huge thanks to Mt Alexander Shire Council who have assisted our Reconciliation Walk through the Events Grants Program.

Reconciliation reflection

🖤💛❤️ In a future where truth is told and reconciliation is real...

I see a future where our young people are leading the way.

They already live and learn with such powerful curiosity, deep empathy, and an instinctive understanding of what is just and what is not. They are truth-tellers — gentle, yet fierce in their advocacy. Passionate, yet grounded. They hold a wisdom beyond their years. They speak with integrity, and they act with heart. They are the ones who will dismantle oppressive structures, shift stagnant paradigms, and call us — urgently and tenderly — to walk beside them, not in front of them.

We must hold space for their vulnerabilities, protect their joy, and resist forcing them into the moulds of conformity. Because they are not here to fit in — they are here to carve new paths. They do not need to be reshaped to fit broken systems — they are here to reshape the world.

In their courage and clarity, they are already carving out new paths. Paths that are more humane, more equitable, more real. They are in tune with what is right, what is good, what is true.

I imagine and believe in a future where diversity in all its forms is not just tolerated, but deeply honoured and celebrated. I imagine and believe in a future where reconciliation is not confined to a week in the calendar — but is a lived, breathing reality every single day-shaping new ways of being, relating and belonging. That it is reflected in the way we teach, speak, design, decide, and care. It looks like First Nations voices centred in every space. It sounds like truth being spoken, and heard, and honoured. It feels like deep respect, lasting justice, and shared responsibility, and a richness that transforms how we live, listen, relate, and lead.

It is a profound privilege to walk alongside these young people. Every day, they fill my cup — and my heart — with hope.

Renee Maddams

2-3-4 Teacher, Chewton Primary, Djaara Country, 2025

From the Office

Home/ School communication

Rob's Retirement BBQ lunch

Huge thanks to Rob for his amazing work over so many years.

Thanks to our volunteers!

Our parents are amazing! thanks to all our volunteers: parents, nannas, pops, aunties and uncles and special helpers. We couldn't do it without you!

Outside School Hours Care

www.oshcadventures.com.au

Monday- Friday 7am-9am

Monday- Friday 3:30pm-6pm

Please support this great opportunity! Good to see numbers growing!

Community Notices

First Peoples connections and information

Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) https://djadjawurrung.com.au/ DJAARA - Home | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DjaDjaWurrung/ 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/ Treaty https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty

First Nations Days of Significance:

Term 1

February 13th: Anniversary of Apology to Stolen Generations

Term 2

May 26th: Sorry Day

May 27th - June 3rd: Reconciliation Week

May 30th: Reconciliation Walk

July 7th -14th: NAIDOC Week

Term 3

August 4th: National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day

August 9th: International Day of the World's Indigenous People

Meeting Place Dates 2025

TERM 1 -  21 February, March 7, April 4

TERM 2 - 9 May, 23 May, 13 June, 27 June

TERM 3 - 25 July, 15 August, 29 August, 12 September  

TERM 4 - 24 October, 7 November, 28 November, 12 December.

Barramal and Yulawil time

Emu and echidna time

May-June – the coolest time of the year, frost can be common and rainfall is often at its peak. Rivers and creeks start flowing and wetlands begin to fill.

Possum skin cloaks are worn, barramal (Emu) eggs may be collected for cooking.

Bushy Needlewoods flower at Kalimna Park, while Common Froglet and Southern Brown Tree-frogs can be heard calling along Forest and Campbells Creeks.

• Mammals breed – including Brush-tailed Phascogale, yulawil (Short-beaked Echidna), Yellow-footed Antechinus, Agile Antechinus, Krefft’s Glider

• Bushy Needlewoods flower

• Owls breed – Barking Owl, Southern Boobook and Powerful Owl

• White-winged Chough families construct/refurbish mud nests for raising young

• Male barramal (Emu) incubate eggs

• Fungi fruiting is at its peak

• Pied Currawongs arrive from cooler habitats to the south

• Common Froglet and Southern Brown Tree-frogs can be heard calling along creeks.

TERM TWO 2025

0-11 YEARS PARENT SUPPORT AND EDUCATION SESSIONS

The Loddon Children’s Health & Wellbeing Local will be offering weekly education sessions related to mental health and wellbeing for parents of children 0-11. These are available in person. The session is run by a lived experience parent and mental health clinician.

Sessions are open to any family with children 0-11.

Why join in?

· Meet and mix with other parents.

· Talk to mental health staff about your child.

· Ask any practical questions you have about parenting at the moment.

· Gain support for yourself as a parent.

Where: Activity Room 2, Downstairs, Bendigo Library, Hargreaves St,

BENDIGO 3550 Note the *dates are in an upstairs room at the library. Use the lift to find us.

Dates and topics: Thursdays

*Apr 24th 1pm face to face Sleep issues

May 1st 1pm face to face Stop the tech

*May 8th 1pm face to face ADHD What is it and how can I help?

*May 15th 1pm face to face Managing big feelings

May 22nd 1pm face to face Parent wellbeing

May 29th 1pm face to face Anger in kids

Jun 5th 1pm face to face Anxiety in kids

Jun 12th 1pm face to face What is autism and how can I help? Presented by Daniel

*Jun 19th 1pm face to face Setting limits and family rules

Jun 26th 1pm face to face Building social skills

If you have any questions, please contact Annette Clemments on 1800 433 977.

Book in here: using the QR code or email icfhwlocals@bchs.com.au

Sushi Dates for 2025

http://www.schoollunchonline.com.au

14/2

14/3

16/5

13/6

8/8

12/9

24/10

14/11

12/12

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