Newsletter Week 2 Term 3 2024
Principal's Message
Dear parents and carers
Welcome back for Term 3.
On Monday (5 August) we welcome Chris Jones as Principal of Forrest Primary School. Chris brings extensive experience from a range of executive positions in ACT public schools. I have met with Chris this week and I know he is looking forward to meeting staff, students, families and the school community in coming weeks.
Chris will be supported by myself and Liz Bujaroski as Deputy Principals. I will be leading the Preschool and Kindergarten team, and Liz will continue in her role as Disability Education Contact Officer and leading the 3/4 team.
This week we have farewelled Sarah Bauer. Sarah has won a temporary transfer to Hughes Primary School for the rest of 2024. Sarah has made a huge contribution to Forrest during her eleven years here both as a classroom teacher and as part of the leadership team, most recently leading the 1/2 team and leading the Maths leadership team. Please join me in congratulating Sarah.
Last week we welcomed Winsa Daniswara to the teaching team at Forrest. Winsa will be teaching 3MT on Fridays.
I am also pleased to welcome Claire Gilder to Forrest. Claire is an experienced classroom teacher with experience teaching in Victoria, Northern Territory and New Zealand. Claire also has expertise in teaching Science and Technology. Claire will be teaching 6P and will start with us on Monday.
2024 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey
Each year, the Directorate surveys all parents and carers, school staff and students in Years 4 to 12 about their experience of public education. The 2024 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey will be available online from 16 August to 6 September. The survey results will help us to continue to make quality informed decisions about how to improve our school. No personal identifying information will be provided to any school or college.
For each child in their family who attends an ACT public school, parents and carers will receive:
- A letter about the student survey outlining the reasons for collection and privacy provision for the data; and
- An email about the parent survey, including a unique link to access the survey. Genuine survey invitation emails will have the title "The 2024 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey is now open!" and will be sent from EDU Surveys & Evaluation with 'from' address EDUSurveys@act.gov.au
If you do not receive the survey invitation, please check your Junk email folder; if it is not there, please contact your school. If you do not have an email listed with the school, please email forrestps@ed.act.edu.au to request a copy of the survey.
The Parents and Carers Survey will be available online in other languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Spanish, Telugu, French and Italian. Respondents can select their preferred language when they start the survey. A shortened paper-version of the Parents and Carers Survey will also be available in the following five languages: Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Karen and Mon. These surveys will be available at the Front Office.
For the results to reflect the opinions of our whole school community, we need as many parents and carers, staff and students as possible to complete the survey. Your feedback is important, and we hope you will take part.
For more information, visit: https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/school-satisfaction-and-climate-survey
Supporting student safety
As school re-commences for term 3, we are reminding parents and carers to please drive and park safely and legally, at and around school grounds.
We all have an important role to play in supporting road safety. Access Canberra has notified us that mobile speed and parking vans will be in operation to support our students’ safety.
These enforcement teams play a critical role in supporting our students get to and from school safely and we thank them for their ongoing support.
In addition to sticking to the speed limit, please remember to park safely – including not parking across pedestrian crossings, in no stopping zones, on corners, verges and double parking.
Unsafe and illegal parking can reduce visibility of our students and motorists to see each other, creating a significant hazard when students cross the road. Let’s work together to keep our kids safe.
Adjustments-based resourcing model-School Community feedback
Through the Inclusive Education: A Disability Inclusion Strategy for ACT Public Schools 2024-2034, the Education Directorate aims to strengthen inclusive education in our schools. One way we’re doing this is by developing a new resourcing model focussed on adjustments students with disability may need at school.
You can read about the proposed changes on the Education website and attend an online information session to find out more. Sessions will be held:
- Tuesday 6 August at 11:15 am – RSVP
- Wednesday 14 August at 10:00 am – RSVP
You only need to attend one information session as the information will be the same at both.
Once you’ve read up on the proposed changes or attended an online information session, we want to know what you think. Complete the survey or email us at EDU.SystemReform@act.gov.au by Tuesday 10 September to share your thoughts.
Your feedback is valued and will be used to support schools prepare for a new adjustments-based resourcing model.
Get ready for MyWay+
MyWay+ is Transport Canberra’s next generation ticketing system that puts all public transport services in one place, MyWay+ will offer more ways to pay for public transport and introduce new digital platforms for journey planning and accessing real-time information.
With more ways to pay, you can choose what works best for you and your family!
The switchover to MyWay+ is expected later this year. Until then, students should continue to use their current MyWay card or a paper ticket from a ticket vending machine to pay for travel on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services. You can also:
- Ensure your child’s MyWay card is registered to protect the balance. Transport Canberra can only process refunds and transfer credits for registered MyWay cards.
- Sign up to Transport Canberra’s weekly e-news for regular updates.
- Connect with Transport Canberra on social media.
For more information on MyWay+ visit Transport Canberra – MyWay+.
School bus etiquette - Every trip is important, and so is the way we travel
It’s important for students to be kind and safe while riding on Transport Canberra buses. Here are some key rules for bus travel:
- Be polite and listen to the bus driver
- Give up your seat to someone who needs it more, like an elderly person, someone who is pregnant, or someone with a disability
- Look after the bus, don’t leave any rubbish, and hand in any lost items to the driver
- Avoid eating, drinking and making loud noises on the bus.
Safety is our top priority. Talk through these tips to help your children know how to keep and stay safe:
- Signal the bus driver from the pavement and wait for the bus to drive away before crossing the road.
- Don’t walk in front of the bus, it’s dangerous.
- Bus stops are for waiting quietly and not for playing.
- When using phones or listening to music, be aware of your surroundings.
- Always use pedestrian crossings and to know that our drivers are there to help if needed.
Thank you for helping us make the journey safe and pleasant for everyone using the Transport Canberra buses.
For more information, visit the Transport Canberra City Services website and read Travel safely to school and Bus passenger information.
Kind Regards
Laurel
Rostrum and Rotary Earlyact Awards
Congratulations to Olivia Nicol and Mimi Ruge from 6D who received the Rotary Earlyact Student of the Year award in recognition of their contribution to supporting a number of causes, and for their dedication and commitment to the Forrest Earlyact club. Mimi and Olivia were selected from nominees from the ACT and NSW regional Rotary district. Congratulations Olivia and Mimi!
On Tuesday 23 July, Forrest Primary School hosted the Rostrum Quarter Finals. Eight students from primary schools across the ACT competed. The standard was extremely high and students showcased their public speaking skills. Two students were selected to go through to the semi-finals. Olivia Nicol represented Forrest Primary and did a fantastic job. We congratulate Olivia and all the students who competed.
Forrest P&C News
FOOSHC update
Families who utilise FOOSHC would have recently received a notification that due to the rising costs of FOOSHC operations (food, staff wages, superannuation, etc), FOOSHC fees are going to be increasing, effective of Monday August 5th, 2024. This increase has been kept to a minimum so as not to cause a significant impact or further financial strain on families but is necessary to continue to deliver the high-quality service that families and children deserve.
Any questions regarding the increase or FOOSHC, can be directed to Glen, the P&C president at president@forrestpandc.com.au. Alternatively, the next P&C meeting will be held on Thursday August 22nd, should you like to attend.
P&C Fundraising
The online sock fundraiser was a great success, with $166 raised so far. The second part of the sock fundraiser is the ‘crazy sock day’ at school on Thursday August 8th (Tuesday 6th for Preschool Magpies), where students can pair their ‘crazy pair of socks’ with their school uniform. Families can donate to ‘crazy sock day’ through the Spriggy School App. This is the first time using the Spriggy School App to collect donations, which we hope will ease the burden on teachers and students to collect funds on the day and on families having ‘gold coins’ to send with their children for the event. The App for donations is open from now until August 15th.
Last Sunday the P&C also ran the family portrait fundraiser, where the photographer was able to utilise the gardens of the school as the backdrop for the portraits. The event received some wonderful feedback from families who took part. The portrait fundraiser raised a total of $682.48.
Last term the P&C conducted a survey to see where the school community would like P&C raised funds directed. The activity which got the most votes was the grade 6 Paul Henryon Building for new furniture in the learning space. From the two activities mentioned above, a total of $848.48 raised will be going towards this project.
FASA (Forrest After School Activities)
The P&C is still seeking a parent/grandparent/carer who would be interested in volunteering to oversee the recommencement of afterschool activities. Previously offered activities were soccer, Auskick, chess among other activities offered in previous years. Please email president@forrestpandc.com.au if you are interested in discussing the role in further detail.
Crazy Sock Day
Public Education Awards
2024 Public Education Awards Nominations open now!
The ACT Public Education Awards celebrate excellence and recognise high performing school leaders, teachers, school support staff, allied health professionals and volunteers in our public schools and the Education Support Office.
We encourage all members of the school community to take the time to acknowledge the incredible work happening in our schools.
To learn more visit www.education.act.gov.au/about-us/act-public-education-awards
Winter Walk To School
Are you prepared for the upcoming Winter Walk to School Week?
Winter Walk to School Week is from 5 to 9 August 2024. It is an opportunity for the Canberra school community to encourage walking, riding, scooting or skating to school even in the colder months of winter.
Make sure they’ve got their winter puffer jacket, gloves and a beanie before they pound the pavement.
Whether they're walking, riding or scooting to school let’s continue to venture outside in the cooler months.
To read more and get involved, visit Winter Walk to School Week 5-9 August - Transport Canberra.