Macquarie Memo Issue 15 2023

News from the Deputy Principal

We are halfway through the term already. It has been very busy so far; the learning and growth the students are making is great to see and hear when we move around the school.

Our teachers are in the process of completing semester one academic reports. ACT public schools are expected to provide a formal report to parents and carers of students from Preschool to Year 12, twice a year. These formal reports form part of the suite of relevant and purposeful opportunities schools use to communicate student learning to families throughout the year. In addition, our school shares student learning and progress throughout the year through informal processes including Class Dojo, learning journeys, parent teacher interviews, exhibitions, assembly performances and our Arts Festival.

The inclusion of written comments in semester reports remains a school-based decision and is not compulsory. For semester one reports, we will not be including written comments. We will, however be holding parent teacher interviews in week 10 of this term.

At Macquarie Primary School, we pride ourselves on our strong commitment to and pride of our community. This includes wearing of school uniforms. We have seen a noticeable decline in the number of students coming to school in their uniform each day. Could you please support us by ensuring your child is dressed in uniform and ready for their school day. This creates a sense of belonging, bond and inclusion across our school. The P&C run uniform store is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday if you are in need of some new or second hand uniform items.

Please remember that next Monday 29 May is the Reconciliation Day Public Holiday. We will see everyone back on Tuesday 30 May.

Have a great long weekend.

Stacey

2024 school year enrolment reminder

Have you remembered to enrol for the 2024 school year? If you apply by midnight 2 June you will receive an offer from 24 July 2023. Applications received after 2 June may receive an offer later in the year. Enrolments are open for students from preschool through to year 12. Going local leads to great things – apply online at https://bit.ly/3Zqhoj9

Need help or have a question? Call the Enrolments Helpline on 6205 5429 or email education.enrolment@act.gov.au.

Stranger awareness safety message for your school newsletter

This is a reminder to ensure your children and young people understand the importance of stranger awareness safety and information has been included on how to report an incident.

Please support us to keep our children safe by having conversations about moving safely around the community. You may wish to visit the Australian Federal Police website section on Child Safety for tips. In addition, the Safety4Kids is a non-government website that has useful information and links. The Constable Kenny website also has a number of tips for parents for younger children.

If you become aware of an incident or notice anyone acting suspiciously around a school or student, contact police immediately on 131 444 or in the case of an emergency call 000. If you witness an incident or if you have any information that could assist police, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously. We would also ask that you notify the school so we can also support the wider school community to be aware of incidents.

Library News

Book Club Issue 4 is open for ordering. The online catalogue is here Book Club | Scholastic Australia, and the paper brochures will be coming home today. You can place your orders online at www.scholastic.com.au/loop

Please complete your orders by Sunday, June 11.

If you have any Book Club questions please email me at pamela.gaukroger@ed.act.edu.au

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

Evaluation - Active travel programs

TCCS has engaged First Person Consulting (FPC) – a Melbourne-based evaluation consultancy – to manage the evaluation and the surveys. We will not be collecting any identifiable information from anyone completing the survey and all responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. FPC will collect and analyse all responses and provide key results to TCCS in aggregate.

Parents/Carers:

https://fpc.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zU82MwDxaxYEwS

News from the P&C

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

Uniform Shop

👋Volunteers👋 needed! We need a volunteer once a fortnight on Wednesday afternoons otherwise the shop will only be open fortnightly on Wednesdays. If you have half-an-hour to spare on a Wednesday afternoon please get in touch with the shop coordinators Liz and Julie uniforms.mps@gmail.com

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.

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

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

Does your child ski or snowboard?

If they would like to represent Macquarie Primary School at the Interschools Snow Sports Regional Championships held at Perisher from 18-21 July get in touch with Liz Watterson lizwatterson@hotmail.com by Friday 2 June.

The emphasis is on fun and participation at the regional level, however all competitors must be able to execute link turns and ride a chairlift/T-bar confidently to compete.

Contact Details