Newsletter Week 10 Term 4 2023

End of Year Message

Dear parents and carers

As we finish the 2023 school year we thank you for your support this year.

Working in partnership means we can provide the best learning environment for all students and we thank you for working with us this year.

Have a great break, a lovely Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2024.  To those families who are leaving Forrest this year we wish you all the best for the future.

Kind Regards

Laurel, Jemma, Liz, Sarah, Kylie and Molly

Farewells

We wish our Year 6 Teachers a wonderful holiday break after their wonderful effort supporting their students with Exhibition, Shivoo, Graduation Awards Ceremony and in organising the climax to their Year 6 students journey at Forrest Primary School with the entertaining dance performances and delicious dinner and cake at the Hellenic Club last evening. It was lovely to see Ms Pilgrim and Mrs Thambipillai, recently retired teacher of Japanese,  at the dinner to farewell the Year 6 students along with our retiring Teacher Librarian, Ms McMullen. Mr Brompton, our STEM Coordinator, Robotics Club facilitator and co-facilitator of Early ACT, our Year 6 student led action group supported by Rotary Weston and his family, a wonderful road trip holiday to Perth and his new school will be fortunate to have him. These long serving teachers have taught this Year 6 cohort since Kindergarten as part of our Specialist Team.

We also wish Year 5 teacher and Literacy Champion Ms Pobke and her family well with her posting to Bangladesh. Ms Tess, our versatile and smiling relief teacher is heading back to family and friends in Adelaide with her partner’s posting. Ms Ryan, our quiet achieving but talented EALD teacher and junior school teacher, a well deserved sabbatical from teaching. As mentioned in the Library section of the newsletter, we wish Cintha Thompson a wonderful year ahead at Namadgi School with her Year 4 students and thank you for your work supporting the Year 2 students and library project work.

Teaching and Support Teams, 2024

Start of Year Arrangements

Monday 29 January

• Pupil free day. 

Tuesday 30 January

• Magpies (Preschool) and Kindergarten students start. 
• Preschool attend 8:45 to 2:45. 
• Kindergarten attend 9:00 to 3:00. Kindergarten students line up in class lines. There will be signs and staff to assist.
• New students in years 1 to 6 visit for a 30 min school tour. Teachers meet students and families at 9:30am in the senior hall. There will be signs and staff to show the way.

Wednesday 31 January

• Kookaburras (Preschool) start
• Preschool attend 8:45-2:45.
• All continuing students return to school, 9:00 to 3:00.  Students line up in class lines.  There will be signs and staff to assist.
  

Term 1 Calendar

Library News

Thanks to students, parents and carers for returning most of your library books so that we can get the stocktake, repairs, weeding of books no longer used ready for our charity partners, and the library space ready for the new school year. KB, 1KB, 5A, 5T and 3MH were the winning classes for returning library books! Well done!

As I transition to retirement, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jackie Ward for her 1 day a week Library Assistant Role, and her amazing ability to juggle cataloguing our new books, supporting our students, staff and families to find the information and books they need, keeping the library looking so vibrant and managing her Enrolment Officer duties for her other 3 days. 

Cintha Thompson, one of our fabulous staff has not only been helping with Year 2 literacy teaching but has also been instrumental in helping us with special project work in the library. Next year, you will see the revamped non-fiction seating area, new mats for children to sit on and the teacher planning area of the staff room with the new collaborative desk space and shelves for teacher resource books. We wish her well with her Year 4 students at Namadgi School next year.

Many thanks to Rana, Lulu, Sulani, Shymaa, Hieu, our lovely Learning Assistants who pop in to shelve and tidy whenever they get a chance and to Year 5 Roni, our most consistent and valued student Library Helper. Special shout out to Mr Traviss' 4T and Ms Munoz’s 3MH classes, who are not only great readers but wonderful junior library assistants too. 

Our community library volunteers deserve a big thanks too, especially Mihye and Gil Park for helping with our shelf reorganisation to make it easier for the children to find books of interest, and to Cintha, Jackie and parent Liza Watts for their untiring efforts covering books for us.

Congratulations to Ms Belinda Kowalski, one of our fabulous Year 6 teacher and EarlyACT facilitator with Mr Brompton and Ms Steinhart, Lit Quiz and Reader’s Cup teams facilitator with Ms McMullen and book lover, to the role of Teacher Librarian, taking over from Ms McMullen from 2024. We know the library will be in fantastic hands.

Remember that your children have access to Reading Eggs, and eBooks and audiobooks from the Oliver School Library Catalogue using the Sora App and their school computer logon. You can also access a large variety of books and magazines for free at your local ACT Library and participate in school holiday activities. Don’t forget to check out the holiday happenings at your local ACT Library. Details can be found here: 

School Volunteers

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  As you know we recently hosted our Thank You Volunteers Morning Tea but given how busy life is, not everyone could come. We want you to know you are appreciated and valued in whatever capacity you were able to support our students, staff and families in the classroom, through jobs at home, in the canteen, in the uniform shop, helping with excursions and carnivals, as guest speakers and through untiring efforts as part of the hard working P&C and School Board. We hope you will come back in 2024! 

Meccano Mentors

Many thanks to our valued Rotary Meccano volunteers, Grant, Brian, John, Jon and Andrew who have worked with students from Year 3-6, identified by their class teachers and the school executive as needing some confidence building or support with problem solving strategies or need practice in conversational oral language. The array of student projects completed has been astounding and much enjoyed not only by the students and mentors building them together but the class and teacher when the student shares their finished project and shares the highs and challenges of their build and how they overcame them.

Story Dog Team

We have also had the wonderful support of the lovely Story Dog team of Lianne Britten and her kelpie Charly, supporting our Year 2 students with their reading confidence and fluency on Wednesday mornings in the Library too.

Ms McMullen 

Teacher Librarian

Shivoo 2023

As we bid farewell to another school year, we are thrilled to share the success of our spectacular end-of-year concert, Shivoo! This memorable evening was a testament to the incredible talent, hard work, and collaboration of our amazing students, dedicated teaching staff, and supportive parents.

To our parent community, thank you for your enthusiastic support and encouragement throughout the preparation and performance of Shivoo. The stage came alive with an explosion of energy and rhythm as our students showcased their incredible dance talents.

The Junior and Senior Choirs delivered moving performances and the energy and atmosphere at Shivoo was nothing short of electric.

As we reflect on the success of Shivoo, we are reminded of the incredible talent that flourishes within our school community. It is with immense pride and gratitude that we celebrate the culmination of a fantastic school year.

Preschool Happenings

Year 6 Exhibition

In a celebration of intellect and agency, the recent Year 6 students brightened our school with the brilliance of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) Exhibition.

Aligned with the PYP's commitment to deep critical thinking and student agency, the Exhibition displayed the culmination of our students' journey, highlighting their intellectual growth and ability to take charge of their learning.

The diverse range of topics chosen by our Year 6 students, from environmental sustainability to social justice, highlighted the global awareness instilled by the PYP. This authentic inquiry into real-world issues not only demonstrated their understanding but also showcased their potential as agents of positive change.

The Exhibition’s success is a testament to the interdisciplinary approach encouraged by the PYP, fostering holistic understanding and critical thinking. Our students seamlessly integrated knowledge from various subjects, creating projects that reflect not just learning but a commitment to meaningful action.

A heartfelt commendation to our Year 6 students for their dedication and to our educators for guiding these young minds. The Year 6 Exhibition not only marks the end of their primary years but paves the way for a future where their deep critical thinking and agency will undoubtedly shape a better world.

Year 6 Graduation

Yesterday (Thursday, 14 December) we celebrated the Year 6 Graduation Ceremony at Forrest Primary School and the Year 6 Dinner Dance at the elegant Hellenic Club. The two events were filled with laughter, tears of joy, and reflections on the incredible journey our Year 6 students have undertaken during their time here.

We are so pround of our year 6 students and want to aknowledge their achievements during their time at Forrest. These remarkable young individuals have not only excelled academically but have also demonstrated a strong commitment to making the world a better place. Through various initiatives and projects they have shown remarkable dedication to taking action and creating positive change in their community and beyond.

The graduation ceremony itself was an emotional and heartfelt event, with speeches that reflected on the growth and achievements of the students. Parents, teachers and students alike were moved by the words shared and the memories created. It was a proud moment for everyone in the Forrest community as we witnessed these young leaders stepping confidently into the future.

In the evening, the celebration continued with a lively and unforgettable dinner dance. The Hellenic Club provided a stunning backdrop for the festivities, and the students reveled in the joy of dancing, socialising, and creating lasting memories with their friends.

As we extend our gratitude to the students for their hard work and dedication, we must also express our appreciation to the teachers who played a pivotal role in preparing for the ceremony. Ms. Pierra, Ms. Durnin and Mrs. Kowalski, your tireless efforts, guidance and commitment to the success of these students have not gone unnoticed. Your passion for education and your unwavering support have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of our Year 6 students.

Year 6 vs Teachers Basketball Game

In a spirited display of athleticism and friendship, the annual Year 6 Students vs. Teachers basketball game took centre stage today (Friday, 15 December). The basketball court buzzed with excitement as both teams brought their A-game to the court.

Despite the valiant efforts of our talented Year 6 students, the Teachers were victorious once again. The game was a lively and entertaining event, with cheers and laughter.

The friendly rivalry provided a fantastic opportunity for students and teachers to bond outside the classroom, fostering a sense of community and school spirit. Congratulations to both teams for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm!

2023 House Champions

Congratulations to Cook who are the 2023 House Champions. Well done for receiving the most house points throughout the year at our sports carnivals. Our brand new house trophy is located in the front office and it looks fantastic. Thanks to Thomas W, Thomas D, Lili and Melissa for doing a wonderful job leading Cook this year. Good luck to all houses at next year’s carnivals.

Fiji Cup - Jordan & Aiden

Aiden and Jordan in 4T were selected in the Monaro Panthers Football Club U11s team which represented the ACT in the Ultimate Fiji Soccer Cup. The Fiji Cup is a tournament involving players and teams selected from across Fiji and Australia. They were also able to meet students at local schools, visit a local village and explore beautiful Fiji.  After a tough week of highly competitive games, their team came home as Champions. Congratulations Aiden and Jordan!

Oz Harvest

OzHarvest is known for its distinctive yellow vans picking up as much delicious food as possible and delivering it to food charities which redistribute it to people who need it. Congratulations to our very own OzHArvest Volunteer and Year 4 teacher, Carolyn Davis, who received a special certificate yesterday to acknowledge the work Ms Davis and the Year 4 students have done to promote the recycling of cans and bottles for charity this year. $300 was raised by this initiative and will go towards the support of OzHarvest in helping adults and children who are doing it tough with the cost of living pressures to eat healthy meals, especially needed over the holiday break. Great work Ms Davis and Year 4 students.

Christmas Gift Giving Appeals

Our charity partners this year have sent a special thank you to our Forrest Primary School Community for the generous and thoughtful donations to the 106.3 Pack the Bus charity collection of toys, games, books, Christmas non perishable food and drink for local families. The donated goods will be given to Communities@work for distribution this week to children and families in need. Many thanks to the Kindergarten students and Small Group Program students, Ms Palisi and Ms Lucchesi for entertaining our visitors with Christmas Carols. Thanks to Graham and Andrew from Transport Canberra and Maria and Ella from the radio station for bringing Christmas joy to our students. Thanks to Ms McMullen, Ms Alling and Year 5 students for coordinating and promoting this appeal.

Rotary Weston staff, Mal Lee and Tony Maple are excited by the donations of all the books, stationery and exercise books for the children’s libraries and new teachers in Papua New Guinea through the Buk Pilong Pikanini Appeal.  Thanks to Ms McMullen, Ms Kowlaksi, Ms Cintha, Ms Davis and her 4D students for collecting and sorting the books. The donations will be collected in January for the Papua New Guinea High C0mmision for distribution to schools and communities in need.

We have also had an update from the High Commission staff in Kenya to say the books and stationery our staff and families donated, are now being enjoyed for learning and reading for pleasure at the school and very much appreciated. Thanks to Ms T, Ms McMullen and Ms Ward and Early Act students for their help in making this happen.

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