Macquarie Memo Issue 25 2023

News from the Deputy Principal

Thank you again to the P&C and many parent and carer volunteers for organising and running such a great Colour Run for our students two  weeks ago. Whilst the weather wasn’t on our side on the day, everyone had a really great time.

Last week our year 3/4 cohort had a very successful overnight camp to Birrigai. Reports from MPS staff and Birrigai staff are that our students were polite, respectful and very engaged which is wonderful to hear. Students had a fantastic time participating in activities like; crate stacking, possum trail, team treks, damper making and bush play.

In years 1 to 6 this week, all students are completing the PAT Maths testing. This is an online test through the Australian Council of Education Research (ACER) which is completed annually at a minimum. It gives us really valuable information about the progress students are making in Mathematics and where we need to pitch our teaching and learning so students continue to make growth. If you are interested in accessing your child’s results please reach out to me at any time at Stacey.naden@ed.act.edu.au

We have recently had complaints from community about traffic and road safety issues around the school. Namely these are:

• Parents parking illegally or awkwardly in streets around the school which makes it difficult for permanent residents to get in and out of their own houses. Please always consider this when parking to drop off or pick up your children
• Students running across the road directly behind the bus when they get dropped off by the bus in the mornings. If your child catches the bus to school, please make sure they are walking to the designated children’s crossing at the front of the school. This is only a few metres from the bus stop and is the safest place for students to cross, meaning they are not darting out dangerously from behind a bus when there is oncoming traffic. All parents and carers need to use the crossing to model road safety as well please.

This week we farewell Ben White from the 3/4 teaching team. Ben joined our school at the start of 2022 and has taught year 5/6 and year 3/4. Ben is moving to country NSW with his family. Unfortunately we have been unable to secure a teacher for Ben’s class so have had to make the difficult decision to redistribute the class amongst the 3/4 cohort for term 4. Communication has happened with the students in this cohort. We wish Ben the very best in his future endeavours.

Term 4 is fast approaching and with that starts the planning for the 2024 school year. In previous years, we have sent home a ‘class placement’ hand in week 1 of term 4. This allows students to write down the names of 5 students they work well with in a learning environment and would like the opportunity to be in a class with. This does not mean they will have all of these students in their class the following year; we guarantee they will have at least one of their chosen peers. This year we are changing our process and will send this class placement information via a google form. The form will be sent to parents by the end of week 1, term 4 for completion. Please ensure only one form is completed per child. If you have any questions, you can contact anyone on the leadership team at any time.

As we start to plan for 2024, you may also have particular considerations you would like us to know about when placing your child in the class we believe will make them most successful. Whilst you cannot request particular teachers, if you have social dynamics you would like us to keep in mind (peers your child does or does not work well with) please email Stacey or Kristy with this information prior to Friday 3 November.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing school holiday break. We look forward to seeing everyone back at the school on Monday 9 October for a busy and exciting term 4.

Stacey

Garden Club.

We have potted 180 tomato seedlings ready for next term.

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Hi everyone,

I wanted to let you know of Triple P – Positive Parenting Program.  It is an Australian evidence-based parenting program which aims to upskill parents in strategies and knowledge to add to your existing parenting ‘toolbox’ to use when and how you like.  The delivery of the program to parents and cares of children in Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Government (that’s how well regarded the program is!).

Currently Triple P are offering families in Australia with children under 12 FREE access to Triple P online courses.  All you need to do to access them is to register and you’ll receive one year’s free access, meaning you can complete the courses and review the information“(“24/7 online, at your place, at your pace”).  There are currently 3 versions of the course:

• Triple P Online for Baby - Online support for parents-to-be and new parents (of babies up to 12 months old)
• Triple P Online Under 12 - Online program for parents/carers of young children (under 12 years)
• Fear-Less Triple P Online - Online program for parents/carers of anxious kids (from age 6+)

Also available on the website (no need to register!) are a range of easy read, helpful articles  regarding a range of parenting topics.

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend registering to complete a course, or at least, browsing the articles regarding parenting topics.

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/triple-p/

Cheers,

Erin | Psychologist

Managing Staff Absences

As the colder weather continues, we expect to see a higher number of staff away at times due to seasonal illness and COVID-19.

To ensure that we continue to provide all students with quality learning with minimal disruption, we may be implementing temporary changes to our learning programs. 

The school may also take the opportunity to temporarily modify timetables or work with external providers to deliver some programs. There may also be a need to postpone excursions and other extra-curricular activities until there is enough staff to support them.  
Every school will implement these measures differently and has the flexibility to make choices that best meet the needs of their school community. 

If changes are required at our school at any time, we will write to you to let you know. We will also ensure we keep you up to date on how long we expect any changes to be in place.

As always, we remain committed to providing our students with high quality learning experiences in a safe and welcoming school environment.

Thank you for your understanding.

Staying COVID Smart in 2023

As you may be aware, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases across ACT public schools in recent weeks.

To help stop the further spread of COVID-19 in our school, we are encouraging and implementing the following measures:

• Students who are COVID-19 positive or displaying symptoms (including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever) should test and must not attend school while unwell.
• Parents and carers must inform schools if their child is COVID-positive.
• Keep up to date with vaccinations.
• Test when symptomatic or as a precaution.
• Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene.
• Distance where possible.

For the latest COVID-19 advice please visit the ACT’s COVID-19 website.

Stranger awareness safety message

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.

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

Library News

Thank you to everyone who made our fair such a success! What a great way to inspire reading. We have some very lucky children with new books to read at home, we have had plenty of good suggestions for library purchases, and although we are still calculating our commission we know we will have over $1000 to spend on new books for our school!

Holiday Borrowing

As holidays are here once again most children will be coming home with a couple of extra books in their library bags. Please don’t forget about reading in amongst all your holiday activities! A bit of time set aside each day for reading will be so beneficial to your child.

Pamela Gaukroger
Librarian

News from the P&C

Colour Run Wrap-Up

The colour run was a huge success! The cold and wind didn’t stop the fun – kids (and teachers!) leopard crawled, climbed hay bales, and dodged colour bombs as they ran the course. The Belconnen AFP came and allowed the kids to play the siren too!

It was a real community event with 30 volunteers and siblings attending. These volunteers threw colour at the kids (and got very dirty as the wind made sure they got covered too) and helped them along the course. So thank you volunteers! Also a special mention to Brendan Ding and Chris Hollins for their huge effort in making this event a success.

The colour run was also a fund raising event, with the kids raising an extraordinary $10,000 – well done! These funds will go towards Stage Two of the Adventure Playground. If your child raised money for this event, please make sure you go online and choose your prize before 22 September.

Mango season is here!

The P&C are currently raising money for the Year 6 farewell celebrations with a mango fundraiser. Orders are now available on Flexischools under the ‘Events’ tab, and will close on Friday 13th October for delivery in early December. Share the love and ask your family, friends and work colleagues if they would like a box of mangoes too. $25 for a 4.5kg box 😊

MPS “Voice” Polling Place

The school has been confirmed as a polling place for the Voice Referendum (14 October). The P&C will use this opportunity to help raise funds for 5/6 farewell event and the school through a “democracy sausage” sizzle and cake stall. If you have time to help with the BBQ or stall on the day then please email classparentrepsmps@gmail.com.

P&C Uniform Shop

The volunteer run P&C Uniform shop is open 8:45am - 9:15am on Monday and Friday; and from next term it will be open 3:00pm – 3:30pm on Wednesday.

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

To contact the Uniform Shop email: uniforms.mps@gmail.com

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

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

ACT Instrumental Music Program                                                                            

Primary Extension Ensembles – 2024

The ACT Instrumental Music Program is seeking students who will be in Years 4-6 in ACT public schools in 2024 to audition for primary extension ensembles.

Current Years 3-5 students can apply for:

• ACT String Ensemble (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass): Years 4-6 students with at least one year experience on a bowed stringed instrument, in ACT public schools in 2024
• Primary Concert Choir (Singers): Years 4-6 students in ACT public schools in 2024

Current Year 5 students in IMP Band Classes can apply for:

• Primary Concert Band (Woodwind, Brass, Percussion): Year 6 students in IMP Band Classes in ACT public schools in 2024

Students auditioning for Primary Concert Band and ACT String Ensemble must have previous experience on their instruments. These groups are not suitable for beginners. Students auditioning for Primary Concert Choir may or may not have previous singing experience.

Auditions will be held online in Term 4 (27 November - 8 December).

All audition requirements and music will be available on the IMP website by Term 4 Week 3.

The ensembles are an excellent opportunity for hard-working, skilled and committed young musicians to work together in an enriching environment. The groups are active performance ensembles and the families of students auditioning will need to be prepared to make a strong commitment to rehearsal and performance attendance for the year.

Further details and information about how to apply for an audition are available from the Instrumental Music Program website at http://www.imp.act.edu.au/our_ensembles/auditions

The form to register for an audition can be accessed in the following three ways:

• http://www.imp.act.edu.au/our_ensembles/auditions

• https://forms.gle/MBQrkhmnTaqHdBbZ9

• QR code

Information cards and posters will be available from the Music/Arts teacher at your child’s school from Term 3 Week 10.

Applications close Monday 13 November.                                                                             

Contact Details