Macquarie Memo Issue 1 2023

News from the Principal

Welcome back to everyone. I hope you all had a restful break and children are ready for an exciting year. From our end it seems students have settled back into the school routine well.

Firstly, I’d like to let the community know that the substantive principal position at Macquarie Primary School has been advertised. This is great news for our school, having someone permanently in the position is very important to long term planning.

Next week, on Wednesday 8 February, we have our P&C Welcome Barbecue. The staff and community really value this opportunity to come together in an informal way to start the year while enjoying a snag. Directly after the barbecue we will be holding our P&C Annual General Meeting. This meeting will run from the café and I encourage you to attend, even if it’s just to observe initially. We know that when parents are involved in the school, it benefits children. So please come along and see what the P&C is all about.

In week three, 13-17 February, parents are invited to book a time for a getting to know you interview. This interview is about you sharing information with your child’s teacher – things the teachers should know about your child, what helps your child learn, what assessments or medical information does the teacher need to know, what goals would you like to see your child achieve this year? We will be using a new booking system as we purchased the Schoolzine program for our newsletter and they have a booking system as part of that package. Details will be sent home soon so you can book a time.

During the getting to know you interviews we will run a reading workshop for parents (children welcome to attend also) in the library. This will be at 4pm, 16 February in the school library. We will share information about what to do before, during and after reading to help your child make meaning of texts. This workshop is targeted to parents of beginning readers such as preschool and kinder parents but I’m sure some 1/2 parents would benefit from some of the strategies.

Soon we will be sending home a note about our Swimming Carnival which will be held on Friday 3 March. The Swimming Carnival at Big Splash is for children turning eight this year or older. There is a cost for entry to the pool so please budget to pay approximately $13-$14 per child. Now is the time to take your child to the pool and build their water confidence if you have not had a chance to swim for a while. Children who are not able to pass a swimming proficiency test will have very limited access to pools (including the ability to use the slides) on the day and this can be disappointing for them. We would love some parent volunteers to help with races in the morning from 8.30am-10.30am.  If you can spare a couple of hours please contact Sean Gourlay, our sporting coordinator by emailing sean.gourlay@ed.act.edu.au.

Mirri, our school wellbeing dog, has had a wonderful holiday full of new experiences. She will be attending school one day a week from week three and gradually building up to more days. While Mirri is learning to relax at school it is important everyone follows these simple expectations. This will help her be the best dog she can be.

Eventually Mirri will feel comfortable and ready to do her work as a wellbeing dog and then we can move to helping her achieve her next goal. The children will go over this information in classes in the next few weeks in preparation for her arrival. If you are concerned about having a dog onsite please let us know. We did a parent survey last year but we have many new families.

Lastly, I’d like to introduce Lil Costello. Lil is a horticulturist who will be working at the school part time. Her role will involve upskilling teachers, working with classes, managing our food forest and microforest, supporting sustainability projects and getting families involved in our wonderful school garden. We are very lucky to have her onboard so please make her feel welcome as you see her around the school.

I’ve sent a couple of letters and updates home this week. One is about drop off time and keeping everyone safe. The other is about Schoolzine, the new system we are using for the newsletter. I hope you’ve had time to read them.

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 children in years 3 and 5.  

• On Monday 27 February the children in years 3 and 5 will participate in a coordinated practice test (CPT) to give them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the testing platform and processes.
• From Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March, the children will complete four NAPLAN assessments.

Parents are invited to attend a NAPLAN online information session on Monday 6 March from 4:30 - 5:00.  Please RSVP to Eddie (edward.mccallum@ed.act.edu.au) if you will be attending this session, so we can send you the link.  

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 before Friday 17 February. 

Eddie McCallum and Jenelle Martin

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

NAPLAN Coordinat

News from the P&C

Welcome back to school for 2023! The P&C hopes you had a safe and enjoyable break. 

The Gardenside Cafe will be open before school again this year and we hope to see many of you there from 8.30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and/or Fridays for coffee. 

Get involved with your school community! There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved with the P&C and school in 2023. For example you could:

• Join the P&C Committee and help plan/organise/run a range of events and other projects during the school year. All positions will be declared vacant at the AGM on 8th February     
• Volunteer at the Uniform Shop on Mondays 8:45-9:15am, Wednesdays 3:00-3:30pm and Fridays  8:45-9:15am (email uniforms.mps@gmail.com for more information or to sign up)
• Help to serve toast and cereal to students in the Friday morning Breakfast Club (8.30am on Friday mornings at the outside doors to the café)
• Join the roster to pick up a weekly donation of fruit, bread and milk from Coles at the Jamison Centre on Monday mornings at 8.30am and dropping it off to school when you take your child/ren. The store manager has everything ready in a trolley at the service desk (email mpspandcvp@gmail.com if you can help with this!)
• Help maintain our beautiful school grounds by attending the Term 1 Working Bee (date TBC - will be announced in the newsletter. Email grounds.mpspandc@gmail.com to be notified of the date)
• Be the Class Parent Rep for your child’s class. This involves being a key point of contact between the P&C and your class, sharing important information via email a few times a term. Contact classparentrepsmps@gmail.com for more information.
•  Volunteer at the Mothers’ and/or Fathers’ day stalls.

Welcome BBQ and AGM:  The whole-school welcome BBQ will be held on Wednesday 8 February and will include gluten free, halal and vegetarian options. We haven't had one for the past couple of years, so really hope you can make it on the 8th to celebrate the new school year. The BBQ will be followed by the P&C's AGM (starting 6pm). All positions will be declared vacant so please nominate and join a small, friendly group of parents and community members.  Please find the P&C positions descriptions attached and feel free to get in contact with our committee if you have any questions: macquariepandc@gmail.com

Uniform Shop: The P&C Uniform Shop is located in the Tidbinbilla Building. It is run by volunteers and sells new uniforms as close to cost price as possible, and second-hand items for $2 and $5. Open times are: Mondays 8:45 - 9:15am, Wednesdays 3:00 - 3:30pm, and Fridays 8:45 - 9:15am.

Cash and card payments are accepted. Orders can also be placed online via the flexischools app - see  www.flexischools.com.au. No need to collect online orders - they will be sent home with students. Any questions can be sent to uniforms.mps@gmail.com  

Donations of pre-loved uniform items are gratefully accepted during open times, or may be left at the front office. 

Volunteers needed! Can you spare half an hour once a fortnight? The Uniform shop is looking for volunteers to fill shifts once a fortnight on Monday morning and once a fortnight on Wednesday afternoon. Get in touch with Liz uniforms.mps@gmail.com if you can help.

Class Parent Representative: Thanks to all the families who attended our welcome events during the school holidays for our preschool and kindergarten cohorts. We loved meeting some new families and welcoming you to our Macquarie PS community, and we hope your brand-new students enjoy their start to big school.

If you would like to get to know the families in your child's 2023 class and help build our school community, we would love to hear from you. We are currently seeking a volunteer for each class at Macquarie to be the class parent representative. You will work closely with the coordinator and the school to build these social connections - it's a great way to participate in our school for only a small amount of effort! Please email classparentrepsmps@gmail.com to express your interest, and thanks to the wonderful people who have already volunteered. 

News from the School board

Three members of our school board will reach the end of their appointment in March 2023 creating vacancies for two parent members and one staff member. Our school board provides valuable input into strategic planning and monitoring across many aspects of our school. If you are interested in nominating for a position, or would like to know a little more about what is involved with being on the board, please contact our Business Manager, Ann Walker or talk to one of our current board members. Further information can also be found on the Education Directorate - see link below.

Nominations open on Monday 6 February and will close on Monday 20 February.  If you would like to nominate please complete the attached nomination form.  

Notes / Reminders

Community Notices

Contact Details