Macquarie Memo Issue 13 2023

News from the Deputy Principal

I was on leave last week and did not get to attend the disco but from all accounts it sounds like everyone had a fabulous night. Thank you to the P&C for organising this event for our students. It is not an easy task but such a worthwhile one. I’ve heard there was a lot of dancing, a lot of pizza and a whole lot of fun. I’d like to particularly thank Gemma, Julie and Jhana who organised the night, all the parent volunteers who stayed to support our students, Candice, Mariam, Mary, Karen and Lil who supported from a staff perspective, and DJ Snap for making the night so successful. Lots of people are already excited about a 2024 disco.

As part of our upcoming School Review, the review team will interview a range of parents from across our school. If you would like to be part of this process could you please email me at Stacey.naden@ed.act.edu.au before Friday 19 may. I will be forming parent panels

Tomorrow the 1/2 students are excitedly presenting their playground designs. This project has been a cumulative task as part of their inquiry in to forces. Parents and community can visit 1/2 classrooms between 8:30 and 9am or 3 and 3:30pm.

This week we have started some moderation in the lead up to report writing. This week we focused on writing and ensuring that we make consistent judgements about student progress towards the achievement standard they are working at. Next week we will participate in moderation focused on Inquiry and Mathematics.

I hope everyone is able to spend time with the special people in your lives this Sunday.

Have a great week

Stacey

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.

Library News

Book Club Issue 3 is still open for ordering. You can place your orders online at www.scholastic.com.au/loop . More Book Club information and the online catalogue can be found here https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/book-club/

Please complete your orders by this Sunday, May 14.

Overdue Library Books

I have had some great conversations about the books that were read over the holidays! Some children have said they are still reading their book, in which case I am very happy for the book to be renewed. Otherwise all books borrowed before the holidays are now overdue and reminder notes will be sent home next week. Please help your child find and return books that may be overdue ASAP, which will then help reduce the amount of notes printed next Thursday.

Pamela

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.

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

Disco success!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped run the school disco last week. It was a huge success, with students having fun and bopping away to the funky tunes spun by ‘DJ Snap’. Special thanks to parents Gemma, Julie, and Jhana for organising the event, and staff Kristy, Candice, Mariam, and Mary for chaperoning students on the night.

Mother’s Day Stall

A reminder that the Mother's Day stall will be on at school tomorrow! Items range in price from $1 to $10 and there are lots of lovely things to choose from. Please remember to bring cash for purchases from the stall.

Term Two Working Bee

🐝 🐝 SAVE THE DATE 🐝 🐝 The Term 2 working bee will be held at 9am on Sunday 4 June.

Uniform Shop

The volunteer run P&C Uniform shop is open 8:45am – 9:15am Mondays and Fridays; and 3:00pm – 3:30pm every second Wednesday (even weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10).

Orders for new uniform items can be placed via www.flexischoolscom.au and will be sent home with students – no need to collect from the shop.

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.

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

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

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

Contact Details