Macquarie Memo Issue 6 2023

News from the Deputy Principal

What a fabulous day we all had last Friday for our annual Water Fun Day and Swimming Carnival. Our junior students thoroughly enjoyed exploring water through outdoor rotations in the morning, indoor water experiences in the middle session and the movie, Luca, based on water to finish off the day. Thank you so much to Mary and Emma for planning such a great day. Our students turning 8 years and older spent a fabulous day at Big Splash. Congratulations to all students on the sportspersonship and comradery displayed throughout the day. Many students participated in competitive races to the sound of cheering and chanting. Well done to all those students. The land and water rotations ensured great fun was had by all. The school day ended with a nice cool icy pole on the blacktop when we were back together as a school. I would like to acknowledge the parents and community members who volunteered at Big Splash on the day. This big calendar event could not happen without your support; please know that we appreciate your help at events like this. Thank you also to Sean, Laura and Lauren G who organised such a great carnival for us, we know this is an enormous task. We will communicate with all parents so you know when swimming carnival ribbons are being handed out.  

Next week we have our year 5 and 6 students heading to AGH Adventure Camp at Douglas Park, NSW. This is a very exciting event for our students where they will participate in various experiences such as archery, rock climbing, abseiling etc. We can’t wait to hear about all the exciting adventures when they return, albeit very tired, on Friday afternoon. If your child is going to camp, please refer to the packing list sent home to make sure they have everything they need. Some students will be very excited and others may be feeling a little anxious. Both of these are normal responses in the lead up to camp. If your child is feeling anxious, please make sure their class teacher knows. At home you can support this feeling by talking positively at camp and reassuring them that they will have a great time. It can sometimes be useful to talk about what specifically they are anxious about and support them with a strategy to overcome the feeling. Giving feelings a ‘size’ can also be helpful, for example ‘I might not be able to get to sleep’ could be assigned a small, medium or large worry size and you can help by providing a realistic strategy for them to try if the situation arises.

Our Cross Country carnival is coming up on Friday of week 9, 31 March. Stay tuned for more information coming soon. If you are available to help at a station around the course on the day please email Sean at sean.gourlay@ed.act.edu.au

The next domain in the National School Improvement Tool is Targeted use of school resources. In this domain, schools ensure that we use resources (staff time, expertise, funds, facilities and materials) in a targeted way to meet the learning and wellbeing needs of all students at the school. We are responsive to student needs and have frequent discussions to ensure our processes to identify and respond to student needs, whether academic or wellbeing, are rigorous and strategic.

Each year there are auditions for the ACT Primary Concert Band. This program exists to provide extension for students who are members of IMP Year 6 Band Classes. Successful applicants rehearse every Monday evening. Out of 60 participating schools, Macquarie Primary has 4 representatives in the ACT Primary Concert Band this year. We would like to congratulate Penelope, Mark, Hadya and Jennie.

Please remember that Monday 13 March is a long weekend. I hope everyone is able to relax a little and enjoy some family time. 

Stacey

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund 2023

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2023 school year. Eligible low-income ACT families can receive one-off payments for financial aid to help cover the costs of their children’s educational costs, such as sport equipment and activities, music lessons, school uniforms and excursions.

The Fund is open to eligible students enrolled in preschools that are attached to an ACT government school, through to Year 12 in the ACT. Further information and the online application form is available at https://www.education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/financial-and-resource-assistance-for-families

Staying COVID Smart in 2023

Students, staff and visitors are reminded to:

• Stay home if unwell and get tested for COVID-19
• Stay up to date with your vaccinations
• Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
• Physically distance from others when in public places

Individual schools may implement additional measures to manage COVID-19 if deemed necessary in a particular setting. Any changes will be communicated to parents and carers.

If your child has COVID-19, you must let the school know. We recommend keeping your child home for at least five days.

RATs are again available from the school for students in term 1 from the front office.

You can read more about how we are being COVID Smart in ACT public schools at https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/covid-school-arrangements

NAPLAN 2023

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy) is coming up for students in years 3 and 5.  

• From Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March, the children will complete four NAPLAN assessments.

Some students may feel anxious about doing NAPLAN; it is different to everyday school and normal testing situations.  If you feel your child would benefit from some additional practice please access example papers for years 3 and 5 through the following links.

• https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site
• https://www.acara.edu.au/assessment/naplan/naplan-2012-2016-test-papers.

At Macquarie Primary School, we encourage all our students to participate in NAPLAN, however if you wish to withdraw your child, please speak with your child’s classroom teacher ASAP.

Eddie McCallum and Jenelle Martin

edward.mccallum@ed.act.edu.au jenelle.martin@ed.act.edu.au 

NAPLAN Coordinators

Library news

Library Bags

Congratulations to our K-2 classes – I have been amazed at how many children are remembering to bring their library bags on library day! Keep up the good work. And congratulations to our year 5/6 students, who have been our biggest borrowing group, statistically. Their enthusiasm in library lessons is a joy to see. We have already loaned around 4000 books this year, and have added almost 150 new books to our library collection.

Family Borrowing

Our families and community are all very welcome to join our library, which will enable you to borrow up to 20 books at a time. Membership forms are in our Garden Side Café and in the library. In our Café you will find a selection of library books to read, our Community collection (see below) and a Book Swap shelf.

Community Collection

We have a beautiful range of books especially chosen for families. Books purchased with our health and well-being grant include:

• Books for adults about adult health
• Books for adults about children’s health
• Books for children about children’s health
• Books for children about adult health.

You’ll also find books on parenting, puberty, and general interest books.  Please feel free to browse through the shelves when the Café is open in the mornings and at other special events, and fill out a membership form if you would like to borrow any.

News from the P&C

Working Bee on 19 March

Our first working bee of 2023 will be held at 9am on Sunday the 19th March – we would love to see you there! We will have a BBQ to finish up the working bee and to say thanks for coming along. If you are able to make part or all of the working bee, please RSVP to grounds.mpspandc@gmail.com.

Event Volunteers needed

We need a volunteer to coordinate the Mothers' Day stall (Friday 12 May during school hours). This event is not on until next term, so you will have lots of time to plan and prepare and get everything ready – and you will have the support of the P&C Committee to help you. Our previous Events Coordinator is also available to assist. Both events are always really popular with kids and families – and can only happen if we have a volunteer to coordinate the events. Please email mpspandcvp@gmail.com if you are keen.

P&C uniform shop

The P&C Uniform Shop is open Mondays 8:45am – 9:15am, Wednesdays 3:00pm – 3:30pm and Fridays 8:45am – 9:15am.

Orders for new uniform items can be placed via www.flexischools.com.au and will be sent home with students. Discontinued items such as bootleg pants, bike shorts, polar fleece vests and winter pinafores are available on Flexischools. Prices from $5. Limited sizes so get in quick to grab a bargain!

Donations of pre-loved uniform items are gratefully accepted during open times.

Volunteers needed! Can you spare half-an-hour once a fortnight on Monday mornings or Wednesday afternoons? Contact Liz uniforms.mps@gmail.com if you can help.

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

Contact Details