Macquarie Memo Issue 15- 2024
News from our Deputy Principal
Dear families,
Thank you for joining us to celebrate your child’s learning through participating in Learning Journeys. Learning Journeys are a powerful way for your child to share their learning with their family. It is a great opportunity for you to gain insights into the learning that happens whilst your child is at school. Learning Journeys are only one way that we communicate with families about learning at school throughout the year. Some of the other opportunities throughout the year have been:
- ‘Getting To Know You’ interviews,
- End of Semester reports (including comments),
- Parent/teacher interviews,
- Dojo posts for your child,
- The Macquarie Weekly dojo post, and
- Preview of Learning dojo post for each week for each year level.
There are other forms of communication by staff, including phone calls, meetings and emails.
Thank you for providing feedback through the School Satisfaction & Climate Survey for 2024. We do not know what we do not know. Your input is appreciated. We analyse this feedback to refine our priorities and processes moving forward.
Just a friendly reminder that supervision at school begins at 8:40am. In the unlikely event that your child arrives prior to 8:40am, they are expected to find a place to sit at their relevant ‘blacktop’. This is for their own safety. Please remember that we do have a wonderful Before School Care program that provides a safe option for supervision for your child before school. More information about Before and After School Care can be found through visiting their website https://childrens-services.ywca-canberra.org.au/yc-childcare-service/macquarie-primary-school/.
A reminder that the first day for students in term 4 is Tuesday 15 October, as Monday 14 October is a student free day for staff planning and preparation. Have a wonderful and restful standown period.
See you from Tuesday 15 October.
Warm regards,
Karen
Parent Portal is now available as a mobile app, SENTRAL FOR PARENTS
Download Sentral for Parents for free
through the App Store or Google Play Store.
Macquarie Primary School encourages you to sign up to the Parent Portal as it’s a secure and convenient way to communicate with your child’s school.
Parent Portal can be accessed on a mobile phone, tablet or computer and will allow parents to:
· Notify us if your child is sick or to explain an absence | · Read updates to school events |
· You can notify us of any existing or future absence | · Receive academic reports |
· Update your family contact details | · Manage secure payments |
· View current school newsletter | · Access excursion notes |
Please contact the front office for further information MacquariePSAdminEmails@ed.act.edu.au
P & C News
Pre-order your MPS Community Cookbook
Macquarie Primary’s Garden Side Cookbook has been lovingly created by our P&C with over 90 recipes, photos and artwork from our students and their families. You can now pre-order your copy via the Flexischools App for $30.
Every book pre-ordered gives you a ticket to a raffle to win exciting prizes!
By pre-ordering your copy today you are raising funds for our school, and are helping us determine how many copies we should print.
If you have any questions, please email us at mpscookbook2024@gmail.com.
Mango and Cherry fundraisers
It's time for the annual P&C mango and cherry drives! We are selling trays of fresh juicy mangoes and cherries straight from the farm to you!
Mangoes –
- 7kg tray: $29 (each tray usually contains 12-20 mangoes)
- Orders due: 24 October.
Cherries –
- 1kg box: $25
- 2kg box: $45
- 5kg box: $75
- Orders due: 31 October.
Collect orders from family, friends and work colleagues and place your order on Flexischools. Delivery is expected in early December.
For further information contact Liz: uniforms.mps@gmail.com
Macquarie Readathon
A reminder that sponsorship for the Macquarie Readathon is still being accepted on Flexischools or in the P&C letterbox in the front office. All money raised goes towards purchasing new books for the school.
Save the date – school disco!
School disco is also back this year! Please save the date for the evening of Friday 8 November. Children will get to vote on the disco theme soon.
ACT election polling locations
The P&C were disappointed to learn that MPS won’t be a polling place for this years’ ACT elections. We were looking forward to using the opportunity to raise additional funds for the school through a sausage sizzle and cake stall, and to connect with our local community. Please visit the Elections ACT website to find a polling place near you.
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. Opening 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.
Notes / Reminders
All notes are available on our school website.
Note | Due date |
2024 Stationery Packs | Payments welcome anytime |
Voluntary Contributions | Payments welcome anytime |
Medical Information and Consent Form | ASAP |
Year 3/4 Birrigai Camp | 15 October |
Contact Details
Phone | 0261421550 | Principal | Kristy Grant | kristy.grant@ed.act.edu.au |
Phone (Preschool) | 0261421570 | Deputy Principal | Karen Wilson | karen.wilson@ed.act.edu.au |
admin@macqaurieps@act.edu.au | Executive (K-2) | Mariam Hijazi | mariam.hijazi@ed.act.edu.au | |
Website | www.macquarieps.act.edu.au | Executive (Yrs 3-6) | Laura Matchett & Jenelle Martin | laura.matchett@ed.act.edu.au jenelle.martin@ed.act.edu.au |
http//:www.facebook.com/macquarieprimary | Executive (Pre &DEP) | Michael Smith | michael.smith@ed.act.edu.au | |
P&C President | macquariepandc@gmail.com | Business Manager | Bri Brockman | briana.brockman@ed.act.edu.au |
Board Chair | Ryan Wielders | admin@macquarieps@act.edu.au |
Community Notices
Join Us for the 2025 ACT Instrumental Music Program Information Sessions!
Curious about what the IMP has in store for 2025? Come along and discover everything we’re offering, from our exciting IMPACT programs for Year 5 & 6 students to high school opportunities. Learn about our renowned IMP Extension Ensembles and the unforgettable Step into the Limelight events. Don’t miss out on this chance to explore the incredible musical journey awaiting your child!
INFORMATION SESSION #1
Tuesday 15 October 5.30-6.30pm
Hawker College – 51 Murranji St, Hawker
INFORMATION SESSION #2
Wednesday 16 October 5.30-6.30pm
Mount Stromlo High School – 220 Badimara St, Waramanga
If you’re unable to attend either of these session in person, they will be recorded and placed on the IMP website: imp.act.edu.au
Joel Copeland | Principal | Instrumental Music Program
T: (02) 6142 0477 | E: joel.copeland@ed.act.edu.au
Education Programs and Services | Education Directorate | ACT Government
UC High School, Kaleen | Baldwin Drive, Kaleen, ACT 2617
imp.act.edu.au | Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
For 20 plus years, Menslink have provided free counselling to young guys throughout Canberra and the surrounding region.
If your young guy is having a hard time and could really use someone to talk to, get in touch with Menslink. Now conveniently located in Holder (with some sessions also available at Kippax & Lanyon), our wait times are currently low so we’re ready to help when he needs it.
We provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young guys to share their concerns and worries with a male counsellor who will hear them out, work alongside them and provide tips and strategies to get them through those tough times.
Our Counselling sessions are completely confidential and are available to any male aged 10-25. There are no fees or charges or limits to the number of sessions. You don’t need a mental health plan and we are available during school terms and school holidays. The only prerequisite is that he is willing to give it a try.
If you think your young guy will benefit from chatting to one of our counsellors, have a chat with them and head to www.menslink.org.au, hit the ‘Get Help’ button, fill in the form and we’ll get back to you, generally the same or next business day.
If you need more info on how to have that chat with them, just email admin@menslink.org.au or call 6287 2226 and we will send you some information.