Newsletter Week 4 Term 4 2023

Opening Message

Forrest Primary School has been busy with excitement for the past couple of weeks! We've come together as a community to celebrate, learn, and grow. From vibrant extravaganzas to heartwarming Grandfriends Morning, our school has truly been an exciting place to be.

ACT PYP Network Teacher Training

On Monday 23rd October teachers from PYP schools in the ACT met for teacher training. This was an opportunity to have teachers from private, Catholic and public schools learn together, deepening their knowledge of how to deliver a rigorous and responsive curriculum. This workshop is a part of termly professional learning opportunities provided through the ACT PYP network, in addition to regular ACT Directorate teacher training. 

Each school presented a one hour workshop on a point of practice that is exemplary in the school. Workshops included topics such as Maths, Music, cultural integrity, online platforms, exhibition and narrative writing. Teachers listened to the presentation, then had a chance to ask questions and share their knowledge with the group. 

Forrest presented two workshops: Student Action, and using data effectively. Thank you to Belinda Kowalski, Warren Brompton, Gaby Steinhardt, Jemma O’Brien and Sarah Bauer for sharing their expertise through these workshops. 

Ride and Walk to School Extravaganza and Grandfriends Morning

It has been so wonderful to see so many of our families and community members at the recent community events we have had.  Thanks to the  P&C for their support and also to every one who came along. It has been lovely to meet so many families including Grandfriends who travelled long distances to be with us!

You can read more about these events later in the newsletter.

EarlyACT Video Launch Assembly

It was a truly inspiring and momentous occasion on Tuesday, October 31st, as we came together for the EarlyACT Video Launch Assembly. This special event celebrated the remarkable contributions of our students, who have been making a significant impact locally and globally through their meaningful actions. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rotary organisation for their invaluable support in making this initiative possible.

The EarlyACT Video Launch Assembly allowed our students to share their projects and the incredible impact they've had. Their passion and dedication shone brightly as they presented their initiatives, demonstrating their genuine concern for the welfare of others. 

School Improvement Plan and NAPLAN Information Session

On Tuesday 14 November at 9:30am, Sarah Bauer and Laurel Rodrigues will be presenting an online information session for families on our School Improvement Plan and our school data including NAPLAN.

If you would like to join the session please use the link below on the day.  There is no need to RSVP.

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Meeting ID: 474 295 999 390
Passcode: JpfXt2 

Farewell Assembly

On Wednesday November 22 we will be having a special assembly to farewell staff who are leaving Forrest this year.  This includes Chris Pilgrim and Chris Thambipillai.  We will also be saying farewell to Louise McMullen who will be taking some leave next year before transitioning to retirement and Warren Brompton who is moving with his family to Western Australia. 

We hope parents and carers will join us at the assembly to thank these staff members for their huge contributions to Forrest and for a morning tea afterwards.

Colour Explosion

On Thursday 9 November we will be holding a Colour Explosion School Fun Run. So far we have raised over $7000! Thank you and keep up the great fundraising efforts. There is still plenty of time to fundraise for this event and all money received will go towards new maths resources for our school. To start fundraising please visit www.australianfundraising.com.au and set up your child’s profile page.

We would love parents to help out on the day (see timetable below). If you are able to volunteer or have any questions please email jemma.o’brien@ed.act.edu.au.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS:

Please make sure your child wears:

• a WHITE shirt (Or a shirt they are happy to get colour on) and
• closed in shoes.

We recommend students bring a change of clothes (their uniform is best) and get changed after the event.

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 cornstarch and permitted food colours. A Safety data sheet is available upon request.

An ‘opt-out’ email has been sent home to parents so please complete and return before the day if you do not want your child to participate.

Children’s Week at Forrest Primary School

Children’s Week is a national celebration of children’s rights, talents and citizenship held on the fourth Wednesday of October in Australia to coincide with Universal Children’s Day. Each year the theme of Children’s Week highlights a particular Children’s Right. The Children’s Week National Theme for 2023 was  based on UNCRC Article 31: Children have the right to relax, play and to join in a wide range of leisure activities.

We started our celebrations with the Ride and Walk Safely to School Day held last Tuesday 24 October. Many thanks to Minister Chris Steel, MLA , Minister for Transport, Roads and Active Travel for taking the time to open our special morning and join in the activities with the children. 

We appreciate the work Ms Rodrigues, Mr Dockery, Mr Brompton, Mr Robson and the Specialist Teaching team and our  fabulous P& C and other community groups did to prepare for this special community event. Further details can be found in Mr Robson’s newsletter article.

Grandfriend’s Morning

It was so lovely to see so many of our Grandfriend’s visit Forrest Primary School from near and far (Sydney, Mittagong, Brindabella, South Coast, etc.) on Thursday 26 October. Our grandfriends were excited to have a ‘cuppa’ in the Library and share a story with their children and visit their classrooms for learning time before a picnic lunch and play to finish off the morning. Thank you to Ms O'Brien, Ms Bauer and Ms Ryan for promoting the event, Jackie Ward and Ms McMullen for organising the morning tea in the Library and our wonderful classroom teachers and school assistants who kindly welcomed our special visitors and prepared such fun activities.

Our staff value the role our Grandparents and GrandFriends play in partnership with our children’s parents and class teachers. You are wonderful role models and mentors, kind carers and playmates with your children. You also are historians: teaching values, instilling cultural heritage, identity and language and passing on family traditions. No wonder we all love you so much!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

Ride or Walk Safely to School Extravaganza

On the morning of Tuesday October 24 we had our Ride or Walk Safely to School Extravaganza. This event was held to celebrate Ride or Walk Safely to School Week and ACT Children’s Week. It was a wonderful morning of bike, scooter and skateboard activities, music, delicious food, drinks and the most creative decorations of helmets you’ve ever seen. Thank you to everyone involved in organising the event and our whole school community for turning up early to school and engaging in the activities.

A special thank you to Transport Minister Chris Steel, Transport Canberra and City Services, Abilities Unlimited Australia, Access Canberra, 99 Bikes Phillip, Supabarn Kingston, The P&C, FOOHSC and Forrest Primary staff for all your efforts in making the event a success.

Culture Club Excursion

Many thanks to Ms O’Brien for organising such an educational and fun excursion to Tidbinbilla on Thursday 24 October. The students learnt so much about the flora and fauna of the Tidbinbilla area. The students had previously researched and presented art work in the Threatened Species ACT/NSW competitions and were very pleased to hear the breeding program to save the Southern Corroboree frog is having great success.

We learnt how the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people and other mobs from around the region including the South Coast have been meeting for celebrations, ceremonies and corroborees for thousands of years in and around Namadgi National Park. We learnt that to be sustainable citizens, connected to our country, we should only leave our footprints, take what we need to live and conserve and look after the environment for future generations to enjoy. 

Thank you to Kristy, our knowledgeable and talented Indigenous Ranger guide, Liam our lovely, sport mad busdriver and Ms McMullen for accompanying the students as well. A highlight was seeing the oldest duck in Australia, 28 year old Ripper, turtles sunbaking, learning why cormorants have to dry their wings, how a plant was used to stun fish in fish traps, quietly observed a swan sitting on her clutch and of course lunch organised by Ms O’Brien and playing at the Nature Playground!

Families can book in during school holiday times to have Ranger guided tours of Tidbinbilla. Check out the Tidbinbilla website:

Student Achievement

Maryna, Year 5

On Sunday, 29 October Year 5 student Maryna took part in the Australian Martial Arts Championship (AMAC), ACT titles.

Maryna became a State Champion in Traditional Forms, all grades male & female. She also took third place in Continuous Sparring.

We want to congratulate Maryna on this awesome achievement!

Save the Dates:

 In case they’re not already in the newsletter.

Community Announcements

For more information and to book a session visit the Libraries ACT website.

Bookings can be made up to a week in advance.