Forrest Primary School eNewsletter

Executive Message

Dear Parents and Carers

We have had a busy few weeks at Forrest and it has been wonderful to share the celebrations for Book Week with families at our Book Week parade.

We hope that you enjoy this new newsletter format and find it highly engaging, as it will provide us with a more efficient and effective means of connecting with you. The new format will allow the inclusion of video, photo galleries, online bookings, feedback forms, calendars and so much more.

Thank you and have a lovely weekend,

Forrest Executive Staff.

2023 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 2023 School Satisfaction and Climate Survey will be available from 18 August to 8 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 2023 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey is now open!” and will be sent from EDU Surveys & Evaluation with the ‘from’ address EDU@qualtrics-survey.com.

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 contact the Front Office to update your details. The Parents and Carers Survey will be available online in other languages: Arabic, Burmese, 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 is also available in the following 5 languages: Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Karen and Mon. These surveys are 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

ACT Public Schools Facebook Post

It's National Science Week!

This week ACT students are getting into the 2023 theme of Innovation: Powering Future Industries and busy celebrating, and learning all things science and technology.

Year 5 students at Forrest Primary have been learning about solids, liquids and gases and how to convert between three states with chemical reactions.

As part of their learning, the students have noted and discussed their observations and wonderings with their fellow students and teachers.

Mimi, who was inspired by the experiment said "I used to think science wasn't fun, now I like science and look forward to doing it in the future".

Big Action Week

Our school's Earlyact Club organised a dynamic and impactful Big Action Week this week that left an indelible mark on our school community. Throughout the week, our enthusiastic young changemakers undertook a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness about pressing societal issues. The commitment they exhibited in planning and executing these activities is truly inspiring.

The students of the Earlyact Club demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges facing our world and an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference. Their creativity shone through in the thought provoking awareness, sparking conversations and encouraging thoughtful reflection.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our school community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the students, parents, and staff members who actively participated in the events, discussions, and dress up days. Thank you also to Mr Brompton and Ms Steinhardt for the management of Earlyact and empowering students to make a difference.

As we reflect on the success of this Big Action Week, let's remember that even small actions can lead to significant impact. The efforts of our Earlyact Club exemplify the potential within each of us to contribute to a better world. Let's continue to stand behind our students as they champion meaningful causes and inspire us all to be agents of positive change.

(Above) Students were fascinated by the Hope for Hearing display where we learned what it’s like to live with hearing loss.

(Above) The Magic Masters team introduced students to the exciting world of Magic: The Gathering, a game of strategy and adventure.

(Above) A successful (and very tasty) cake stall run by the team supporting the Canberra Street Cat Alliance.

(Above) Wednesday saw students enthusiastically visiting the Mini Market Day. There were a range of products including cupcakes, bookmarks, a fortune telling stall and a Guess the Number of Jelly Beans raffle, all in support of MND Australia.

Well done everyone who dressed up in orange on Thursday in aid of Story Dogs

Friday recess saw us raise the roof to the neighbourhood with a loud, fun and popular disco. Many thanks to DJ Robson and to everyone who came to support Cancer Council.

G.A.T.E.WAYS

On 22 August, Forrest Primary welcomed not just a regular Maths class, but an ‘Extreme Maths’ workshop which took some well-known mathematical concepts into areas that push the boundaries of logic and expectation. This event was an incredible opportunity for our Gifted and Talented students, especially those with a keen interest in Maths. Students learnt about the unexpected use of proofs, applying axioms to existing maths-related stories and even infinity maths. There was seemingly no end to the extreme uses of Maths. Students used hands-on activities to explore how the operations have been (and continue to be) used to model knowledge, revise understandings of key notions and take Maths right to the edge.

Triple P ‘Positive Parenting Program’

Understand what’s within your control to change and influence for your child’s benefit

Create the best environment for your child’s development
Know how to address child behaviours
Promote new skills and help emotional self-regulation
Improve your relationship with your children
Enjoy family life more!

Families in Australia with children under 12 can now get FREE Triple P Online.
Register at the link and you’ll receive one year’s free access.

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/triple-p-online-under-12/

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the act of attempting to be focussed on where we are and what we are doing in a particular moment. Trying to pay attention to the surroundings and being curious about what we notice. While some people are still when being mindful, others may prefer some movement.

The Education Directorate is pleased to provide a series of mindfulness podcasts guides. These use the five senses as a framework for each of the five sessions. Connect with your senses and try it out here!

If you’re interested in exploring more mindfulness resources, Smiling Mind has some information and a free app with guided exercises.

Book Week & Science Week News

Many thanks to our wonderful parents and carers for supporting our Book Week and Science Week activities and a gentle reminder to K-6 parents, if you haven't paid for our author and presenter visits, it’s not too late to do so. Contact the front office if your child has misplaced the permission note handed out in Week 1 of the term.

Our Kookaburra and Magpies preschool students, together with Ms Robson, Ms Heaven, Polly and parents, held their own Book Week dress up days last week and loved their visit by the fire truck right in the Deakin Preschool carpark. This was kindly organised by Rhian Williams, who presented her book, ‘Emergency’ to the students. They were so curious and excited to see all the emergency vehicles, beautifully illustrated in the book by Tom Jellett, and learn the importance of being able to ring Triple Zero in a real emergency! Many thanks to our fantastic firefighters for bringing their fire truck to show the children.

Apart from enjoying STEAM (A for Art) class activities during the week, the Year 5 students were treated to a demonstration by one of our clever Meccano volunteers, Andrew Corson, who brought in 2 of his creations, walking, talking robots. The students were so engaged asking great inquiry questions as were the Specialist teachers, Mr Robson, PE teacher, Mr Brompton, STEM teacher and Ms Sneddon, Art Teacher. Mr Robson was very excited to have a go at the remote control! Andrew is also a volunteer at Questacon and demonstrated more of his robots during Science Week at Westfield Belconnen last Saturday too. You may have previously seen a photo of Andrew and Year 6 Isaac’s fabulous Meccano robot project last term.

Meccano Program

We are so lucky to have access to our 5 talented Meccano tutors, Grant, Jon, John, Andrew and Brian, who generously give of their time and support students to build a small Meccano project over 5-6 weeks, on a Wednesday morning in the Library, then show it to their class and reflect on their learning journey. Students, who need a bit of confidence boosting from Year 3-6, who do not receive support from other school programs, are recommended by their class teachers to the executive team who add them to the waitlist. Currently, 5 Year 3 students are participating in the Meccano program this term after Year 6 students last term created either a robot, a catapult, a helicopter or 4 wheel drive buggy. Year 5 students will be next, followed by Year 4 students in Term 4.

Book Week Parade

We were all excited to have our first Book Week Parade since before Covid, so it was lovely to see so many parents enjoying the atmosphere on a cool morning last Friday 18th August out on the basketball court. Students enjoyed trying to wake up Ms Lazy, aka our Principal Ms Pilgrim, who was lying across some chairs relaxing!

It was lots of fun with so many students and staff parading their Book Week or Science Week costumes, wearing a character outfit or dressed as something or someone who inspires them. No doubt you will have seen some photos on Facebook and Seesaw but just in case, we have included some highlights in the newsletter. The staff People’s choice award for the best staff dress up this year went to the Specialist Team for their ‘Despicable Me’ characters, followed by equal 2nd, the Year 4 teachers for their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory costumes and the Year 2 teachers for their Three Blind Mice outfits.

This year, our play was brought to us by the talented Tony Appleby from ‘Books to Life’, who was ably supported by his hard working technical assistant, Angus. The K-4 students were treated to an engaging STEM themed Children's Book Council of Australia, adaptation of the notable book, Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination by Coral Vass.

The Year 5 and 6 students also listened to the story and completed a STEM design challenge around an innovation or invention of a futuristic, energy efficient, sustainable machine for either the agricultural sector or a vehicle suitable for land use, on sea, in sea, air or space. We will announce the Book Cow sponsored book voucher winners next week when the Year 5 and 6 teachers and Mr Brompton, the STEM teacher, have finished judging the designs. You will see the top designs on display in the school foyer next week.

Next week during Literacy and Numeracy Week, K-6 students will be entertained by authors Kate and Jol Temple of ‘Bin Chicken’ fame on Monday morning, 28 August in the Senior Hall.

On Tuesday 29 August, author Martin Chatterton will present his books to our Year 5 and 6 students, followed by a free enrichment workshop for 25 aspiring writers from Year 5 and 6, as selected by their class teachers.

If you wish to purchase any of the authors books, a flyer from the Book Cow shop was posted on SeeSaw this week or you can purchase the books from the Book Cow Shop at 47 Jardine St Kingston, phone: (02) 5100 2730. We also have copies of the books in the school library which will soon be ready for borrowing.

Your children are invited to submit a piece of writing in this year’s 2023 Fishy Writing Challenge. Check out the website https://www.fishystories.org/ for the criteria and the chance to be published and presented at the Fishy Creek Story festival presented by professional storytellers. You can even download last year’s chosen stories as an ebook from the website.

We would love your child to email or bring in a copy of their writing to their class teacher so we can make our own Forrest Primary School 2023 Fantastic Stories Book for our school library by Friday 15 September.

Happy Reading, Writing, Creating, Designing, Performing and Listening!

Louise McMullen Teacher Librarian, Warren Brompton, STEM teacher, Meg Ryan, ESL teacher on behalf of the staff Literacy Champions committee

South Weston Track & Field Carnival

On Thursday 17 August, 45 students represented Forrest Primary School at the South/Weston Track and Field Carnival. It was fantastic to see all students competing in their events whilst having fun cheering on their peers. Well done to all students for doing your best running, jumping and throwing and representing our school with pride. Congratulations to all students who have qualified for the ACT Track and Field Championships held at the AIS on Tuesday 12 September. More information will be coming about this event soon.

Canteen News

Dear Parents & Families,
The school canteen is having a Special Hot Dog Lunch Order Day this term. One or two hot dogs (veggie hot dogs also available), a treat (Chomps or Chips) and a drink. Preferences available when you order on SpriggySchools.

It is a fundraiser for the canteen and will be on Wednesday 6th September – Week 8
Orders can be placed on SpriggySchools. If you do not want to order on-line, the paper order form can be collected from the Afters office, the Front office or from the Canteen.
**Please note Orders will close Sunday 3rd September –Online at 5 pm and paper orders need to be returned to the canteen by Friday 1st September 2023. Regular orders will also be closed for that day.

Please email Dipendra at the canteen (canteen@forrestpandc.com.au ) if you have any questions
regarding this special event.

Newsletter Week 6 Term 3 2023