Newsletter Week 4 Term 3 2024
Message from the Principal
Thank you.
I have received a wonderful welcome from children, staff and parents over the last two weeks. I’ve tried to get into classrooms where possible and see families as they enter and leave the school. I intend to grow this over the coming weeks. Please remember that if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me and we can chat about these. I might not be able to provide well-considered answers to everything at this stage, based on my short period of time in the school, but I will always be happy to listen.
School Board
This week our School Board met and discussed a range of strategic issues such as staffing, communications, infrastructure, maintenance and school funding which relate to the smooth running of the school and the education we can provide for the children. The Board made special mention of the amazing leadership Laurel has provided to the school over the last year. I agree with this entirely; Laurel has been immensely helpful, guiding me with her insights into the school over the last week. I look forward to continuing with warm and productive meetings with our parent community.
I shared with the Board some insights into staffing at the school. Whilst there are many complexities in this space, the short version is that we are doing well compared to the system. The teacher shortage will continue but the team at Forrest have done an amazing job and managing this. We are a popular school with staff in other schools wanting to join us (I’ve already met two and I have another three in the latter half of this week). Whilst I acknowledge the challenges, we’re doing our best to have a teacher in your child’s classroom if their teacher is sick or away.
Hats
Just a reminder that children should now be wearing their hats for outside play and activities. Acceptable hats are bucket, broad-brimmed and Legionnaire’s hats. Hoodies and caps are not appropriate substitutions. Your assistance with this is much appreciated.
School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships
Congratulations to Tate in 4V and Olivia in 6D who will be representing the ACT at the School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships to be held in Yarra Glen, Victoria from August 20-23rd. Tate will be running in the 2km event and Olivia is in the 3km event.
We wish them all the best.
What is a P&C?
P&C stands for ‘Parents and Citizens’ association, and usually consists of a group of community minded parents and local citizens with an interest in the school community, who take on a more formal role, to assist the school and promote the interests of the entire school community. The Forrest P&C is no different.
What does the P&C do?
The P&C supports the school and the community through the provision of a range of services, such as before, after and vacation care (FOOSHC). The Forrest P&C also runs the school canteen and the uniform shop.
The P&C engages with the community, arranging and sponsoring social events to bring families together, such as the meet and greet events, with the BBQ at the beginning of the year and the regular coffee carts each term at some school assemblies. The P&C also now oversees the parent rep program and set up the year level WhatsApp chat groups.
The P&C also raises funds to support school improvements for your children. Events so far this year have included the Bunnings BBQ, the Sock Fundraiser and Crazy Sock Day and the very popular Family Portrait Fundraiser. We have a number of upcoming events; two discos and the Colour Run to name a few.
P&C members are all volunteers, who all contribute their time on top of their normal workday/lives to support the school community.
Getting involved with the P&C
There are many ways you can get involved. You can attend P&C Meetings, which are held in week 5 of each term (next meeting will be held in the school library on Thursday 22nd August at 6pm), or volunteer some or even a little bit of your time at any P&C run event, it all helps and is greatly appreciated.
Currently we are calling for volunteers for the disco on the 14th of September, to simply volunteer in a time slot or donate baked goods or packets of chips. If you would like to get involved with the disco or would like more information regarding how you could help with other fundraising events and activities, please email us at events@forrestpandc.com.au
Fundraising update
This year, $2312.48 has been raised by the Forrest P&C through fundraising activities to go towards new furniture for the grade 6 building, which was the winning vote in the recent survey. Thank you to all those who have contributed in some way to these events.