Macquarie Memo Issue 12 2023

News from the Principal

What a wonderful start to Term 2. My name is Kristy, and I am very excited to have the privilege of joining the wonderful executive team at Macquarie Primary School this term.

I’ve been a teacher and educational leader for the past 15 years and have worked for the NSW Department of Education. I have a passion for wellbeing, mathematics and the performing arts. My biggest passion as a leader is getting to work with people to grow and develop our school and community.

 I am pleased to say that the term has started smoothly and learning is well underway. Some learning that has been happening in our school this week has included our 1/2 classes putting on their construction hats as part of their inquiry and our 3/4 students continue to delve into the world of Smart Cities.

We are excited for our first P&C disco this Friday night. The junior disco, Preschool-Year 2 will be held from 5:00pm-6:15pm and the senior disco, Years 3-6 from 6:45-8:00pm. A gold coin donation is required, and pizza will be provided for students. The theme is to wear your favourite colour. Please note- if your preschool student is attending, a parent will need to stay with their pre-school child for the duration of the disco.

Our first P&C meeting for Term 2 was held last night and it was lovely to meet some of the Macquarie community.

Have a great week

Kristy

Welcome Karrina

My name is Karrina and I am delighted to join Macquarie Primary School as the Business Manager. Before joining the MPS team, I worked at Ngunnawal Primary School for 14 years.  I enjoy cheering on the Raiders and spending time with my family. I look forward to getting to know the students, staff and all the families at Macquarie.

2024 school year enrolments are open

Enrolments for the 2024 school year for students transitioning schools or starting at a school are open. Visit education.act.gov.au for the online application link and information about the school in your child’s Priority Enrolment Area. School information sessions for prospective students are being held throughout May. Alternately, visit school websites to find out more or contact the school directly. Apply by 2 June to receive an offer by 24 July 2023.

Have Your Say: Education Legislation Reform

As our education system continues to grow and evolve the ACT Government is considering a range of legislation improvements to ensure our systems and supports remain contemporary, and reflect the needs of students, families and teaching staff now and into the future.  

Reforms are being considered to:

• clarify school enrolment requirements
• modernise participation and attendance requirements to reflect the different methods of education delivery
• strengthen enrolment, attendance, and participation provisions to minimise the risk of children and young people disappearing from the education system, and
• outline requirements for distance education.

To have Your Say, head to the Your Say conversations website to read the discussion papers, take the survey, leave a comment or make a submission: http://www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/education-legislation-reform

Feedback will close at 11:59pm on 6 June 2023.

Board News

Thank you to the members of the community who participated in the voting process for 2023 board members. The election process has now concluded and we can now inform that 2023 board members are as follows:

P&C member                     Leah Ashley

Parent member                Sander de Vries

Parent member                Jenny Coyne

Staff member                    Mariam Hijazi

Staff member                    Brooke Behan

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  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

News from the P&C

Mother’s Day Stall

The P&C are excited to host a Mother’s Day stall on Friday 12 May! Lots of lovely gifts will be available for our students to choose for their mums or special grown-ups. Prices range from $1 to $10 per item. (Rosella preschoolers will also be able to purchase items earlier in the week.) Please make sure your students have some cash with them on the day if they'd like to buy something.

*We need your help to run the Mother's Day stall. Please email classparentrepsmps@gmail.com to volunteer some time between 9am-1pm. Younger siblings are welcome too!

🐝 🐝 Working bee 🐝 🐝

Our Term 2 working bee will be coming up soon. Keep an eye out for the date, and help us make our school playground even better.

Uniform Shop

In Term 2 the volunteer run P&C uniform shop will be open 8:45am – 9:15am Monday and Friday, and 3:00pm – 3:30pm every second Wednesday (even weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10).

If you can help in the shop on Wednesday afternoons once a fortnight please get in touch with shop coordinators Liz and Julie uniforms.mps@gmail.com.

Orders for new uniform items can be placed via www.flexischools.com.au and will be sent home with students.

Get ready for the athletics carnival - there is a small selection of new ($5) and 2nd hand ($2) house coloured shirts available in the shop.

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

Contact Details