Newsletter Week 2 Term 4 2024
Message from the Principal
2025 classes
Whilst things might change, our intention is to continue with our existing classing model for 2025: two preschool classes and three classes for each year group from Kindergarten through to Year Six. Whilst I am confident I know all but two of my teaching team next year (for context, this is good compared to many years!), there are still some uncertainties which we will work through over the next few months: in 14 years, I’ve only had two that I haven’t needed to change my staff profile over the January holidays due to things beyond my control. Typically, these are due to the 3 Ps: promotions, partners and pregnancies but there are a range of factors. Your understanding of the complexities within which we work, and our commitment to overcome as many challenges as possible, is appreciated.
We are trialling a slightly different way of organising the classes for 2025. There will be a letter being sent out to your email address asking you to give us three preferences of friends to be placed with your child next year with a link to a Google form. This information will be kept confidentially by school staff. Our commitment is to place at least one of these preferences with your child. If we cannot do this, we will be in touch with you to discuss. Your child’s teacher has a good understanding of your child, their friendship group and who they are good learning partners with. Our first priority is developing good learning partners with an inclusive mix of children who need additional supports, those with gifts and talents, gender balance etc. in each class. There is no streaming in an IB school, all classes are equally mixed. Having input into your child’s classmates next year is a courtesy but you are not required to complete this form. There is a very slim possibility that you might have a request outside of this form. If so, please email me directly under the subject line of ‘2025 Classes’ and I will give due consideration to each request with the team. Please understand I receive close to 200 emails a day: this enables me to do a ‘sweep’ and check I haven’t missed any requests. My email address is chris.jones@ed.act.edu.au
Communication between the school and home
In my last newsletter I wrote about the concerns from the parent meet and greet around communication from the school. In that meeting I said there needs to be a ‘single point of truth’, one place where you know you will be informed. Based on the systems we have in the Directorate, this will be your email address as we have it registered in the school. I understand you might be on parent WhatsApp groups, you might receive phone calls or Seesaw messages from teachers, see a Facebook post etc. but ultimately emails should be the way you receive important information and reminders about school events because that is how we, as Directorate employees, are required to send this. Every now and again a parent has said ‘but I don’t check my emails’. That’s their choice, but in those instances there is a strong possibility they will miss something important for their child. We appreciate your support and understanding of this.
Culturally Responsive Research
Last week Penny Day and I had the pleasure of attending the Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Action Research Symposium held by the University of Canberra to see Tara Durnin (Year Six teacher) present her research findings. Oh my goodness, she’s a natural! Being quizzed by a body of professors, she answered all their questions eloquently and they were really impressed by her research questions, methodology and results. We have a number of other staff currently working through higher degrees and research at Forrest and we will continue to support them in their studies.
Mornings
I have a number of foci across the school. I manage these by compartmentalising different areas and working on one thing in each box at a time. With students, my focus is on engagement with learning. I was taught, 30 years ago now, that how children enter and exit a classroom is a strong determinant in how they will learn in the classroom so it’s really important to meet them at the door and set calm expectations as they enter. We also did the reverse before they left. You will see me on the asphalt most mornings as I walk around to set the tone for the day with the children: phones to the office, hoods down, caps off, into lines when the bell goes etc. Feel free to say hi as you see me around!
Have a lovely weekend,
Chris
Grandfriend's Morning Tea
On October 23rd, we hosted our annual Grand Friends Morning Tea, and it was a wonderful event! We were delighted to see so many grandparents, family friends, and community members join us for a morning of fun and connection.
The number of attendees was truly heartwarming, and it was clear just how much our students enjoyed sharing their school experience with their grand friends. The classrooms were filled with excitement as the children proudly showed off their work, shared stories, and enjoyed quality time together.
The morning tea was a lovely opportunity for everyone to relax and chat, and it was a real reminder of the special bond between our school and the wider community. We want to thank all the grand friends and families who took the time to attend and help make the day so special.
Individual Student Successes
A special mention should be made of two students who have been recognised by external organisations for their achievements.
Kanoa (left) in Year 3 holds the all-time ACT record for 8-year-old boys for the 70m and 100m sprints.
Beatrice, Year 4 won second prize for her submission for the Students Photographic Competition 2024 organised by the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
Year 6 Graduation Assembly
Improving Access to the Top Floor of Our School
After the 5th of November students and parents with restricted mobility will have improved access to the top floor of Forrest Primary. The middle staircase will be closed on the 5th while a stairlift is being installed in the central stairwell. Access to the second floor on the day will still be possible via the stairs near the Senior Hall. We ask that parents remind their children on the day of this change in access and the importance of allowing tradespeople to work safely and without disruption.
English as an Additional Language or Dialect
Buy One Get One Free Book Fair
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you so much for supporting our school to be the best it can be, especially through fundraising. We are fundraising for Year 6 furniture with a Colour Explosion School Run 4 Fun with Australian Fundraising!
The Colour Explosion School Run 4 Fun will be on Thursday 7 November during school time.
- Please make sure students wear a WHITE shirt and closed in shoes.
- Students will be given free sunglasses and a rainbow headband for the event.
- Students will be covered in non-toxic, biodegradable colour powder from head to toe.
- Colour Powder is made of high-quality corn starch and permitted food colours. Safety data sheet is available upon request.
How Do We Fundraise?
Fundraising for our Colour Explosion School Run 4 Fun is entirely online. Follow the instructions in your child’s sponsorship booklet to create a cybersafe, online profile page at www.australianfundraising.com.au. See also the following step by step guide on how to create a profile page if you have not already done that for your child. At the end of the fundraiser either order prizes to receive or donate to a cause – Carbon Neutral (tree planting), Great Barrier Reef Foundation (coral planting or turtle protection), The Smith Family (reading support) or OzHarvest (providing meals).
Please note: all cash donations must be converted to online donations before 7 November 2024. We cannot accept any cash donations for this fundraiser. If you have cash donations, please make sure you do this prior to 7 November 2024
Monty Incentive Prizes!
- Online Golden Coins – complete fun online tasks to redeem an extra $75 towards your prize credit.
- Monty Hatching Egg: Achieve all virtual badges on online platform
- Monty Backpack: Highest fundraising student in each class will go into the draw to win
- Monty Scented Pencil: Every student who creates a profile page in first 7 days
- Monty Pencil Case: Raise $200 or more online
- 30cm Monty Plush + Champions Medallion: Highest fundraising student in each school
If you do not want your child to participate in this event and/or receive a free icy pole on the day, please complete the Optout Form and provide it to the front office.
For further information, please contact the P&C via events@forrestpandc.com.au
Tracy, Community Liaison and Events
Forrest P&C
Scan the QR code (above) or use the signup link if you can help out on the day: