Newsletter Week 2 Term 2 2024

Principal's Message

Welcome back for Term 2.  It has been wonderful to see everyone after the school break.

This term our teachers are focused on Priority 1 from our School Improvement Plan which is to improve student performance in writing across all year levels.  Teacher inquiry on writing is being undertaken through Professional Learning Communities.  The Professional Learning Community (PLC) model at Forrest Primary is based on the core understanding that we learn together to improve student outcomes.  Parents often ask how we teach literacy and numeracy at Forrest and I would like to share information today and in future newsletters.

How do we teach writing at Forrest?

Teachers at Forrest Primary School create a positive culture for writing by balancing modelled, shared, guided and independent writing lessons. Learning to write in context through a transdisciplinary approach is a key strength of the pedagogy at Forrest Primary School. Learning about writing occurs through explicit instruction of writing structure and language features, teachers provide opportunities to notice text features by reading quality literature aloud while making explicit reference to examples within the text.

Teachers scaffold student learning by initially providing a high level of support by ‘modelling writing’ to the students. During ‘shared writing’ students can contribute their thinking in a supported environment, before trying the new learning during a ‘guided writing’ session where they write independently while the teacher supports them. This scaffolded approach allows for successful ‘independent writing’ as the students have all the tools to complete the task.

Lessons will generally consist of an explicit mini lesson with modelled/shared writing, guided/independent writing (depending on student ability) and time for reflecting/sharing writing. Effective writers go through a series of stages to create a text. We teach students the process for writing by providing them with a structure to follow to help them craft texts from beginning to end. These stages are not linear, and students may need to move back and forth between stages when writing texts.

Literacy and Numeracy Inquiry Final Report available

The Final Report from the ACT Government’s independent inquiry into literacy and numeracy performance in ACT public schools is now available.

The report contains 8 future-focused recommendations to strengthen literacy and numeracy outcomes for all ACT public school students.

The ACT public school system is strong, and this report provides the ACT Government with practical recommendations to build on its current successes. All ACT public schools are committed to ensuring every student is provided with a great education and the foundations for a good life.

To read the full report visit Inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools - Education.

2025 school year enrolments are open

Enrolments for the 2025 school year are now open for students starting at a new school. Click on the link below for the online application link and information about the school in your child’s Priority Enrolment Area. School information sessions for prospective students are being held throughout May. Alternatively, visit school websites to find out more or contact the school directly. Apply by 7 June to receive an offer from 29 July 2024.

For our Year 6 students who are transitioning to high school, Telopea Park School 2025 open night is on Wednesday May 22 from 5:30-6:45pm with parents meeting in the Telopea Park School hall.

Mobile phone policy for all ACT public schools now applies

You are reminded that the new Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT Public Schools Policy now applies in all schools. 

For students at Forrest Primary School this means:

• Students in years P-6 may not use or access personal communications devices at school, including recess and lunch, nor during school authorised events.
• Devices must be left at the front office on arrival.

Special considerations and exemptions

Exemptions can be requested if a student needs their device/assistive technology to:

• manage or monitor a medical condition,
• help meet caring or family responsibilities or
• support adjustments for students with disability as part of an agreed individual learning plan.

You can read more about the policy and get answers to frequently asked questions by going to New mobile phone policy for ACT public schools - Education, where you will also find a link to download the exemption form.  Please speak with our front office staff if you need assistance.

Forrest P&C's After School Activities (FASA) paused

A reminder that unfortunately the P&C is unable to offer any after school activities in term two. Whilst we all believe the activities provide enrichment for our children, we cannot run them without a dedicated coordinator. If anyone is interested in taking on the role of FASA coordinator, we’d be delighted to hear from you!

The next General P & C Meeting is on Thursday 20 May at 6pm in the school library.  Please consider coming along.

Have a great weekend

Kind Regards

Laurel

Screens: An Honest Conversation

Cross Country 2024

On Wednesday of week 11 last term we had our whole school cross country. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 participated in their races at school and years 2-6 students went to Stromlo Forest Park.

Well done to all students who participated and congratulations to Cook for receiving the most house points.

A big thank you to all parents and carers who helped out on the day.

Emotion Coaching Webinar

Deakin Heritage Project

On Sunday 28 April the Deakin Residents’ Association held an opening event for the Deakin Heritage Project – discovering and valuing Deakin’s heritage. This event, attended by the Minister for Heritage, Rebecca Vassarotti MLA, local schools, businesses, and historians, was a recognition and celebration of Deakin’s history and community. During the event, the minister and DRA president unveiled one of two Canberra Tracks signs in Deakin. These signs allow Canberran’s and visitors to understand and value the history of Deakin. As Deakin Preschool has been an integral part of the Deakin community for many years, it was a pleasure to celebrate the history and connections between our school and the Deakin community.

Winter Wellness

An Important Reminder from the ACT Health Directorate

Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms

The ACT Health Directorate is reminding all school communities that death cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT. They are a deadly poisonous fungus. There have been multiple poisonings and deaths associated with death caps in Canberra.

Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms. They often grow near established oak trees, although they have also been found in other places. Death caps grow in the ACT at different times of the year, and autumn is usually the peak growing period.

All parts of the death cap mushroom are poisonous and eating just part of the mushroom can be fatal. Death caps cannot be made safe by cooking, soaking, peeling, freezing or drying.

If you suspect someone might have eaten a death cap mushroom, they must seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. The chances of survival increase when treatment is started early. If possible, take any remaining mushroom sample to hospital with the patient.

The key message is not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.

If you see death cap mushrooms growing on your property:

• keep children and animals away
• remove the whole mushroom using gloves or a tool, including any part under the ground
• secure it in a plastic bag
• place it into a rubbish bin that cannot be accessed by children, to go to landfill, and
• wash your hands.

Also, monitor the site frequently for further growth, remove mushrooms before mowing to prevent spreading and do not compost them.

Death cap mushrooms in public places can be reported at Fix My Street, or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

More information, including some translated resources are available at www.act.gov.au by searching death cap mushrooms.

Rescue Bunnies

Create Safe Passwords With Passphrases