Macquarie Memo Issue 5 2023

News from the Principal

This week marks the half way mark for the term. It has certainly gone by quickly and we have achieved so much including the Welcome BBQ, Getting To Know You Interviews, BASE assessment in kinder, Reading Workshop for parents, Writing Videos on our socials and a lot of preparation for some big events coming up like the swimming carnival and school review. I’d like to thank the staff for going above and beyond to make all of this happen.

Tomorrow is our swimming carnival. We’ve had over ten parents volunteer to help out for the day. Thank you so much for giving your time – Sean has provided a briefing to those parents this week. Hopefully you’ve been able to get your child to the pool to build their confidence prior to the event. Remember, if children don’t pass the proficiency test on the day (despite them maybe having done it for you a week ago) they will be limited to certain areas of Big Splash. Please talk to your child about this. It’s also worth going over behaviour expectations with your child as this is a high risk event, being around water, we need all students to show our school value of integrity and our school expectations of being safe and respectful for the whole day. Good luck to our competitive swimmers, I’m looking forward to seeing you shine. A huge congratulations to our new house and vice captains who received their badges at Monday morning lines this week. The swimming carnival will be you first official event of the year to lead.

Next week we are running an online NAPLAN information session for parents of children in years 3 and 5. If you would like to join the meeting just email Eddie for a link – edward.mccallum@ed.act.edu.au.

Next week we also have our termly Reconciliation Action Plan meeting. We have a group of parents, grandparents and staff working together to create and implement an action plan that fosters true reconciliation. One of the things you may have noticed is the Acknowledgement of Country display in the front office. Teachers and students have been working on writing their own Acknowledgment and this is shared with our community as they enter the school. Take the time to read through them when you visit.

This week I’d like to introduce you to the third domain of the school improvement tool – a culture that promotes learning. This domain is about:

• A deep belief by all staff that every student is capable of successful learning
• High priority is given to building and maintaining positive and caring relationships between staff, students and parents
• Strong collegial culture of trust and support
• Parents are valued partners
• Maintaining a learning environment that is safe, respectful, inclusive and promotes intellectual rigour.

Our school based data shows we’ve made great progress in building a culture that promotes learning. We have implemented Positive Behaviours for Learning, developed our expectations matrix, reviewed our school values, and implemented an evidence based social emotional wellbeing program – MindUp. We collect wellbeing data to inform our teaching and to develop targeted wellbeing programs such as drumming, social skilling groups, art therapy, Cool Kids program and much more. At MPS we believe wellbeing is the foundation for quality learning so we create a calm, predictable and safe environment. School Satisfaction Survey data shows we are above like schools in this area with students and parents reporting our culture does promote learning.  

Have a great week.

Jodie

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 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 students in years 3 and 5.  

• On Monday 27 February the students in years 3 and 5 participated 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 ASAP.

Eddie McCallum and Jenelle Martin

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

NAPLAN Coordinators

News from the P&C

Event Volunteers needed

We need a volunteer to organise the School Disco and parents' wine and cheese night (scheduled for early evening on Friday 2 May) and another volunteer to coordinate the Mothers' Day stall (Friday 12 May during school hours). These events aren't on until next term, so you will have lots of time to plan and prepare and get everything ready – and you will have the support of the P&C Committee to help you. Our previous Events Coordinator is also available to assist. Both events are always really popular with kids and families – and can only happen if we have a volunteer to coordinate the events. Please email mpspandcvp@gmail.com if you are keen.

Working Bee on 19 March

Our first working bee of 2023 will be held at 9am on Sunday the 19th March – we would love to see you there! We will have a BBQ to finish up the working bee and to say thanks for coming along. If you are able to make part or all of the working bee, please RSVP to grounds.mpspandc@gmail.com.

Save the date! Next P&C meeting on 3 May

It was great to see so many faces at our P&C meeting last week, and connecting online. Our next meeting will be held in week 2 of term 2, on Wednesday 3 May at 6pm. Hope to see you there!

P&C Uniform Shop

The P&C Uniform Shop will be closed on the Swimming Carnival day - Tomorrow Friday 3 March Regular open times are: Mondays 8:45am - 9:15am, Wednesdays 3:00pm - 3:30pm, and Fridays 8:45am - 9:15am.

Orders for new uniform items can be placed via www.flexischools.com.au and will be sent home with students.

Discontinued items such as bootleg pants, bike shorts, polar fleece vests and winter pinafores are available on flexischools. Prices from $5. Limited sizes so get in quick to grab a bargain!

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

Volunteers needed! Can you spare half-an-hour once a fortnight on Monday mornings or Wednesday afternoons? Contact Liz at uniforms.mps@gmail.com if you can help.

Notes / Reminders

All notes are available on our school website.

Community Notices

Contact Details