Newsletter Week 8 Term 3 2023

Message From The Principal

Dear Forrest Community,

Late last Friday afternoon a beautiful Forrest mother helped me by carrying my pot-plant to my car, believing it was going home for TLC. However, I had actually just finished cleaning out my office after two days and the pot-plant was really going home for good; I felt sad that I couldn’t share with that mum the grief and loss that I was feeling at that moment exacerbated by her kindness.

 So, this is the right time to write to you. It is with sadness but with a heart full of love for my school, profession and family, that I ‘pull up stumps’ and finish, rather suddenly as principal of Forrest Primary School. My mother, still in her own home in Sydney, turning 103 in two weeks and my sister who cares for her, need more of me. I am also privileged to be contributing to raising little Amy, my eighth grandchild. Family calls….

Upon reflection, this has been coming for a long time, with me going off to Sydney to mind my mother over time.

Forrest Primary School is travelling well with a very embedded IB programme, and a team of dedicated, passionate, expert teachers strengthened by an amazing support staff.

Forrest needs an uncompromised, consistent leader with full focus on the children, staff, programmes and community so that it will continue to flourish as it deserves.

Many of you have experienced the expert knowledge over all educational matters, and the passion of our leadership team, and you will know that the school is in excellent hands.

In Term 4, I will be on LSL with a possibility of extension. That means that I have effectively entered a ‘pathway to retirement’ and I have stepped down from the principalship of Forrest. There is an Expression of Interest for the acting principal for the period of my leave and the substantive position will be advertised in 2024, although the actual month is not yet known.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) structure, with the built-in support / governance of the school board through the adherence to the Standards and Practices of the IB guarantees that the school continues the work of developing students who are internationally minded and who want to make a difference in the world. As I see various lessons and programmes, and as I hear children speak about their learning, I am constantly proud of the citizens we are developing at Forrest. They are balanced, caring, knowledgeable and reflective and I am in awe of who they are becoming at such an early age. Congratulations to our Forrest staff, children and community.

I extend my best wishes to the Forrest Community as I leave with confidence that our school is going from strength to strength in the hands of young, inspired leaders and educators.

Thank you for your support and trust over the last 12 years; I leave with gratitude and appreciation for all of you.  I look forward to seeing Forrest continue to grow and thrive and I hope to continue to contribute to this wonderful school at some time in the future, perhaps through coaching and mentoring.

Sincerely, Chris Pilgrim

Assembly for Ms Pilgrim

On Wednesday we had a special assembly to honour Ms Pilgrim and thank her for all of the amazing things she has done for the staff and students at Forrest Primary School.  As well as hearing from Ms Pilgrim about her future plans and having fun dancing together, Mrs Rodrigues presented Ms Pilgrim with 10 merit certificates one for each of the attributes in the IB Learner Profile.  The staff really wanted to recognise that we believe Ms Pilgrim demonstrates all of the attributes and is an inspiration for staff and students alike.  Charlotte and Thomas in Year 6 spoke on behalf of the students and likened Ms Pilgrim to our superhero.  Although we won’t be seeing her face every day we know Ms Pilgrim will always be a part of Forrest and will visit us when she can.

Reconciliation Action Plan Review

Exploring the World: How Excursions Enhance Learning in a Primary Year Programme IB School

This term we have held many exciting excursions for students of all ages. We have visited Questacon, the National Zoo and Aquarium, The Canberra Theatre, Parliament House and Botanic Gardens. Educational excursions enrich our students' learning experiences, add value to our PYP curriculum and contribute to the holistic development of our young learners.

At Forrest Primary School, we believe that learning goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Educational excursions offer our students the opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world experiences, fostering hands-on learning that is both memorable and impactful.

One of the core principles of the IB Primary Years Programme is the development of internationally minded students. Educational excursions help our students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and expose them to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives. By visiting places with cultural significance or engaging with communities different from their own, our students learn to appreciate the richness of human diversity and become more empathetic global citizens.

Educational excursions also play a crucial role in nurturing the social and emotional development of our students. These outings often require teamwork, cooperation, and communication among peers, helping our students build strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, stepping out of their comfort zones and facing new challenges during excursions helps them develop resilience and adaptability.

Let's not forget the sheer fun and excitement that excursions bring to our students' lives. Learning outside the classroom can be an exhilarating experience, and the memories created during these outings often stay with our students for a lifetime. It's not uncommon to hear students reminiscing about their excursions later in the year, highlighting the lasting impact they have on their overall education.

We value the involvement of parents and teachers in our excursions. These outings provide a unique opportunity for parents to actively participate in their child's education and connect with teachers outside the school environment. The collaboration between parents, teachers, and students during excursions reinforces our school community's commitment to holistic education.

We look forward to the adventures and learning opportunities that lie ahead for our young learners. Together, we can inspire their curiosity, broaden their horizons, and shape them into the future leaders and thinkers our world needs.

Have Your Say: mobile phones in ACT public schools

The Education Directorate is reviewing policies related to student use of mobile phones and similar devices in all ACT public schools.

A new Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT public schools’ policy will be created to ensure that ACT public schools and classrooms are safe places that provide an effective and accessible learning environment for all students. It will outline the appropriate use of mobile phones and other communication devices by students.

By providing feedback, you can help make sure the policy meets the needs and expectations of parents and carers.

You can provide your feedback by visiting Have YourSay: mobile phones in ACT public schools - Education before midnight, Friday 8 October 2023.

School Sport Australia Swimming and Cross-Country Championships

Congratulations to Isla in 5P who competed at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships held in Sydney. She competed in 4 events against some of the best swimmers in Australia and reached a personal best time in her 50m leg of the 200m freestyle relay. Outstanding achievement, Isla!

Congratulations to Olivia in 5L and Louis in 4V who competed at the School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships held at Stromlo Forest Park. It was a day of extremely fast long distance running with the inclusion of jumping hay bales for extra difficulty. It was wonderful to see some of our Forrest community there supporting them. Well done, Olivia and Louis!

Forrest Tennis Stars

Congratulations to Jobe in 4V and Zoe in 6K who have been selected in the ACT representative team to compete at the School Sport Australia 12 and under Tennis (Bruce Cup) Championships in Brisbane, 21-28 October. A fantastic achievement! All the best for the tournament, Jobe and Zoe.

A special mention to Zoe who has been travelling around Europe playing tennis over the past few months. She represented Australia in the Dubrovnik Dub Bowl International Tennis Tournament where she made it to the final 16 in her age group. An outstanding achievement! Zoe also spent some time training at Novak Djokovic’s academy in Serbia. What an amazing experience, Zoe. You are a star!

Years 5 & 6 Touch Gala Day

On the 28th of August, students from Years 5 and 6 competed in the ACT Touch Gala Day. Each team played at least five games against schools from across Canberra. Everyone had the best time and loved to compete against other schools.

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EarlyACT News

Book Swap for Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The EarlyACT  students, with the support of Mr Brompton and Ms Steinhart, are hosting a mini Multicultural Festival on Friday 13 October. Details will be sent out in a flyer through Seesaw, Facebook and parent email closer to the event.

We are also having  our annual Indigenous Literacy Foundation Book Swap fundraiser as part of the festivities, which will be run by Culture Club students and members of the Year 6 Forrest Squad.

The concept of a Great Book Swap is simple. Each student is invited to donate a gold coin and bring in a good quality picture book or chapter book or information book and swap it for another. This year, across Australia,  the ILF is aiming to raise $180,000, representing 18,000 books gifted to children and families in more than 400 remote communities.

K-6 students can bring their donated books either on or before the day to the donation table in the Library. Junior students can do their Book Swap at first break and the Senior students at 2nd break. The Forrest Squad and Culture Club students will run the Book Swap.

Parent donations are also able to be made directly to the Forrest Primary School Fundraising Indigenous Great Book Swap link on the ILF website. A link will be sent out via a parent email, SeeSaw and Facebook soon.

Thank you for your support.

Forrest Squad and Culture Club students

Community Notices