Macquarie Memo Issue 17- 2024
News from our Deputy Principal
Dear families,
The Macquarie Primary School community spirit was certainly on show last Friday, with an amazing Colour Run. Thank you to the members of our P&C who set up and ran the event. This was not a quick task. There were hay bales, hoops, car tyres, tables and signage, just to name a few. This resulted in the children having a fabulous time running the circuit, getting extremely colourful. The cheering for their peers is always a delight to hear.
On the teaching and learning front, staff continue to explore Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs provide an opportunity for staff to collaboratively inquire about student growth on a weekly basis as part of their teaching team. This structure for collaborative inquiry has been a part of the Macquarie culture for many years. As our collective understandings of current theory and practice evolve, so do we. Our visit from an external Student-Centred Improvement team this week has provided us with feedback about our continued journey with PLCs and how they can be implemented with maximum impact for our students.
Staff are also ‘knee deep’ in assessment and data at the moment as they prepare Semester 2 reports. Last Wednesday, staff participated in a whole school moderation session. Student work samples had been discussed previously in teams. During the whole school moderation, staff provided feedback to each other. Semester 2 reports will be sent home Friday 13 December. Please contact your child’s class teacher if you would like to make a time to speak with them.
It is that time of the year when we are beginning to organise classes for 2025. If your child will not be returning to Macquarie Primary School in 2025, and you have not informed the front office, please call them as soon as possible.
I can not believe that it is November already. We are definitely on the downhill slide to the end of year, with plenty of community celebrations on the way: P & C Disco, The Lorax performance, and events that come with Year 6 graduation.
Remember to take time for yourself and enjoy each moment as it arises.
Regards,
Karen
News from the Library
We would like to thank the P&C for allowing us to use the remainder of the Wiradjuri grant, about $800, to buy 46 Indigenous and First Nations books to increase our collection.
I was able to select the books from the Magalaba publisher’s website, including books for Preschool, junior fiction, fiction and non-fiction books.
The books will be accessioned and catalogued in the coming weeks so that our students and community can access them and borrow them.
A label in each book will acknowledge the kind P&C donation.
Thank you !
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
School Disco on Friday
The school disco is this Friday! This year’s disco theme is “Red Carpet” and will be held in the school hall.
- 5:30-6:45pm: Junior disco (pre-school – year 2)
- 7:15-8:30pm: Senior disco (years 3-6)
It’s a gold coin donation to attend, and all the kids will get pizza for dinner.
A reminder that pre-school children attending need to have their parent/carer attending too.
Canberra High School P&C invitation
The Canberra High School P&C invite any interested parents and carers from Macquarie to join their last meeting for the year on Tuesday 26 November at 6pm, followed by an informal gathering to celebrate the end of the year. This may be of particular interest to families whose children are planning to attend Canberra High School next year.
The Canberra High P&C is a group of parents and carers who contribute to the school and students through community building, events, running the second-hand uniform store, and helping raise funds for activities, services and equipment.
Please RSVP to: secretary@chs.pandc.asn.au, or check out their website: https://www.canberrahs.act.edu.au/community/p_and_c
Colour Run Wrap-Up
Last Friday we held the super popular and fun Colour Run. The children had a lot of fun – as did our wonderful volunteers! Thank you to these volunteers, and to all the children who also raised funds for the P&C through the event.
Uniform shop
Attention preschool families - get organised for 2025! Come and see us in the uniform shop in the Tidbinbilla building, next to the hall to try on and purchase uniforms for next year. Orders can also be placed on the flexischools app (See flexischools.com.au) and will be delivered to preschool students to take home. We are happy to exchange sizes - just keep the tags on.
Second hand items are available for $2 and $5.
Open times are:
Mondays 8:45 - 9:15am, Wednesdays 3:00 - 3:30pm, and Fridays 8:45 - 9:15am.
The last day the shop will be open in 2024 is Wednesday 4 December.
New volunteers are needed to work in the shop on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons in 2025. If you are you interested helping once a fortnight, please contact Liz uniforms.mps@gmail.com for more information.
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 |
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
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.